“It’s a Bluey rip-off!” US cartoon, Chip Chilla is accused of copying Bluey and fans are outraged

News & Views – 19 Oct 23 By Fiona Wright

(Image: Supplied/ ABC Kids)

“They can take our look and our sound but they’ll never take Bluey’s heart”

Imitation is often seen as the sincerest form of flattery and that might just be the case with the new US animated series, Chip Chilla, which bears some striking similarities to the Australian hit show, Bluey.

The new children’s cartoon, Chip Chilla recently launched in America by Daily Wire Plus, a US conservative media brand founded by political commentator Ben Shapiro and film-maker Jeremy Boreing. The animated series follows a chinchilla family whose kids are homeschooled by their dad, Chum Chum and their mother, Chinny.

How is Chip Chilla similar to Bluey?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways Chip Chilla is similar to our beloved Bluey.

Both animated series have the same family structure of two parents and two kids.
The two shows focus on everyday family life and encourage good family values.
Both sets of parents roleplay with their kids and promote having fun as a family.
The animation of Chip Chilla is created in a similar style with the pastel colour palette looking almost identical to the colours used on Bluey.
Even the catchy theme song sounds mighty familar to the opening tune of Bluey.

Watch the Chip Chilla video below. Is it a Bluey rip-off?

Bluey family standing in their kitchen — Like *Bluey*, the animated series *Chip Chilla* is about a family of four. *(Image: ABC Kids)*

Fans call out Chip Chilla for being a rip-off of Bluey

Sharing their thoughts in a Facebook group, Bluey fans didn’t hold back.

“The audacity!” exclaimed one group member.

“It’s a Bluey rip-off” added another.

“They can try and copy ‘cat’ bluey but they will never get the aussie humour or life style,” wrote one fan of the Heeler family.

“They can take our look and our sound but they’ll never take Bluey’s heart you can’t replicate what ludo puts out there,” added another fan, while giving due credit to Bluey’s production company, Ludo Studios.

Watch: US Marching Band performs to the Bluey theme song.

While some people suggested we should be flattered by the creation of a copycat show of Bluey.

“As far as I’m concerned, if there are more shows being created that encourage kids and parents to be better people, then all the better. Why shouldn’t we be flattered at the homage?” reasoned a fan.

“Of course people will mimic successful things where is the problem in that? We need more kids shows displaying solid values, they could make a hundred of them and I’d show my kids each one on rotation,” added another parent.