HighKey’s Sugar Panda – The Sugarholic Panda Voiced By Ryan Reynolds

Disclaimer:
This is an analysis of adverts that contain adult humour, including moderate profanity and one moderate drug reference. Reader discretion is advised.

As a child, my favourite mascot for a specific food product must have been Tony the Tiger, the mascot for Frosties [7] [8] [11]. Later in my youth, I encountered Vinnie, a panda who spoke in a New York accent and helped advertise biscuits from Fox’s [17] [36]. As a young adult, I never thought I would witness a character like Sugar Panda. Three adverts he starred in have been uploaded onto his voice actor’s YouTube channel in early 2021 [29] [30] [31]. Who voices him you ask? No other than the charming and talented Ryan Reynolds. The purpose of his existence is to advertise packets of sugar-free miniature cookies, despite how he has a goal to promote the exact opposite. I have been rather unhappy with how things have been going recently with the coronavirus pandemic not being quite over yet and the recent controversies surrounding Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the aftermath of them leaving the United Kingdom [3] [16] [20], but listening to Mr. Reynolds’ vocal performance within these new adverts has perked me up [29] [30] [31]. I may miss the times when I played Cookie Dozer on my fourth-generation iPod Touch [19], but I shall proceed to analyse Sugar Panda’s misadventures with any remaining ability to remain proactive.

They had the decency to not make this mascot wear a suit that is green…or animated [12]. [30]

The overall visual design for Sugar Panda makes him rather unique [29] [30] [31]. The way the style of his animation is displayed in a live-action setting reminds me of the newest Tom and Jerry movie [4], along with the iconic frenemies’ participation in the most epic crossover of 2021 so far [22]. I am terribly sorry, but just look at the state of his teeth! I know Salad Fingers’ teeth are far worse [18], but it is no wonder I try to keep my choppers white by brushing them twice a day and drinking water. What makes Sugar Panda’s health even more concerning is how heavy his lower eyelids look [29] [30] [31]. He wears a black string necklace with a spoon as a charm, which adds to his portrayal as a sugarholic. I quite like how he was dressed up as a scout in the third advert. In a 3D cartoony art style within a live-action world, Sugar Panda’s overall appearance provides some individuality. If only MC Skat Kat can receive this kind of treatment someday when it comes to a huge opportunity to re-introduce him to today’s crowd, despite the poor reception of The Adventures of MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob in the ‘90s [38].

Too bad the reception of the newest Tom and Jerry movie has not been very good [4], but at least Sugar Panda’s overall design has not been critically berated, compared to the most recent design of Toucan Sam that was established last year [10] [35]. [30]

Apart from how the blurriness of the backgrounds during Sugar Panda’s medium shots helps him stand out more in spite of how it leaves the rest of the shots with much sharper backgrounds is quite unbalanced [30], this is how I would feel if I suddenly got a nosebleed whilst writing this article. [29]

Compared to how Po from the Kung Fu Panda franchise has active ambitions in kung fu [23] [24], Sugar Panda’s fondness of sugar would be considered unhealthy [31]. The panda’s unstable health is a big reminder that we should be careful about how much sugary foods can be too much. Surely the panda from the 2016 reboot of The Powerpuff Girls sounds like Mickey Mouse after he smoked marijuana [34], but the moment Sugar Panda’s heart suddenly stopped before he could say a particular swear word and luckily recovers to resume his goal to sell sugary confectionery is yet another sign of him not being a good influence for panda cubs [29]. How he also annoys two other human characters with his obsession with sugary foods makes his kind of offering sugar definitely not as likeable as the way Don from Regular Show calls giving a hug “giving sugar” [28] [30]. Despite Sugar Panda’s poor health that is especially portrayed by how he expresses his bliss at a messy coffee table, he is still a snarky fellow who can make witty remarks and a few narcissistically delusional claims [29] [30] [31], which suits the choice to hire Ryan Reynolds to voice him.

Come on now! This is pretty much a reference to chopping up chunks of cocaine! At least Detective Pikachu only goes for a single cup of coffee…or more [14]. [31]

I can see that Sugar Panda’s motives are just part of providing some humour in each advert to help HighKey mini cookies sell well at supermarkets [30] [31]. Since Reynolds has starred in various films [14], including Deadpool and Deadpool 2 [12] [13], I would say his voice fits the role of the devious sugar-loving panda very well. Sugar Panda’s catchphrase near the end of each advert, “You can’t cancel me. I’m in everything.” sure adds to his deviousness when it comes to preaching the temptation of consuming sugar to others [29] [30] [31]. I also like how there is profanity in these adverts, even though the words are censored with beeps as it further proves that not all food-related adverts starring cartoon mascots must be primarily aimed at young children [6] [7] [8] [11] [17] [36], which is what I highly appreciate as a young adult who still adores cartoons. I know not every character has to be an inspirational influence for young children as those with more questionable morality can lead to interesting premises, but I believe that Sugar Panda can expand on his likeability if he would only give one sugary product to someone in need of raising their blood sugar level [26] [29] [30].

“Su-su-su-su-sugar is so sweet! From my head to my feet!” – Sugar Panda, 2021. [29]

Eating the orange-filled ones because apparently nobody likes them? Surely you cannot go wrong with Cadbury Dairy Milk orange buttons and the milk orange truffles from Lindt [25] [33]. [30]

I shall be looking forward to more misadventures of Sugar Panda later this year. While he is not as unhealthy and edgy as Alfred Alfer in adverts aimed at an older audience [37] [38] [39] [40], he is far from being as victorious as Coco the Monkey as a new mascot for an edible product [6], bringing out some Ted and Ren and Stimpy vibes [1] [27]. Nevertheless, at least he does not cause senseless destruction if a human refuses to try something he likes, unlike the panda from the Panda Cheese adverts [2]. Could Sugar Panda be declared as the “antiheroic food mascot of the year”? I highly appreciate HighKey’s efforts to sell sugar-free treats for those who wish to cut down sugar for a healthier diet and I will all up for sugar-free treats [29] [30] [31]. Heck, I remember chowing down on a sugar-free Chupa Chups Cremosa lollipop when I was a child [15] [21]. Currently, I would recommend a sugar-free strawberry-flavoured Chupa Chups lollipop to Juliet Starling from Lollipop Chainsaw if she feels regretful about chowing down on a regular one too often [9] [37]. As for Sugar Panda from HighKey, I do not doubt that some folks will be like, “Get some help, buddy!” [29] [30] [31].

The mini cookies sure look delicious, though I do miss those red and white Chupa Chup Cremosa lollipops [15] [21]. I recall even trying a caramel-flavoured one with caramel-coloured stripes at some point in my childhood [5]. [29] [30] [31]

As for the product’s mascot, what will he be up to next? I guess we shall find out soon. [29]

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