Snappy Smurfling (original French name Schtroumpf Colérique) is one of the main characters of the Smurfs 1981 cartoon show, who has appeared on the show from Season 5 to the end, and a minor character of the Smurfs comics.
He is originally the 68th Smurf of a poster of the 100 Smurfs published in 1964, which Peyo eventually made canonical in the 1981 television series and comics.
Character
Like Nat and Slouchy, he was an adult Smurf who was de-aged by a magical clock Father Time had owned and had since lived among them and Sassette as Smurflings. He is a very irritable Smurf who gets extremely angry at a drop of a hat, even if it is for trivial reasons. In his Smurfling form, he is identified by a yellow collared shirt that has the image of a thundercloud on its front.
Before his debut episode in the 1981 TV series and his establishment as a character feature in the comic books starting from the "comic adaptation", the only thing that visually separates Snappy from the other Smurfs is an angry expression that is visually identical to Grouchy's (in the 1981 TV series, Snappy had a slightly stern expression instead) and his tendency to easily lose his temper.
Personality
Comic Book Version
This version of Snappy Smurfling is portrayed as a Smurf who gets violently angry at a drop of a hat and his mannerisms are slightly similar to Grouchy, whether it be Natural's butterfly (which has now become a caterpillar), Grouchy's thoughts on disliking Smurflings, expressing displeasure on being sent by Papa Smurf to fix his hourglass, and threatening how he will get angry at the Smurfs if they humiliate him. The thunder cloud on his shirt representing his personality. He is a possible reference to kids who do nothing but have tantrums whenever they don't get things their way.
Snappy also wants his way all the time. When he was de-aged into a Smurfling, Snappy expresses his satisfaction on what it is like being a Smurfling, showing protest towards Tailor from giving them classic Smurf outfits, and approving Baker's idea of making him a cake.
Prior to his establishment as a running gag/character feature in the franchise, Snappy was originally established as a throwaway gag in supplemental material in merchandise available between the 60s and 70s. He was portrayed as a Smurf who had the tendency on picking a fight with the other Smurfs in material such as a supplemental poster for the initial Spirou release of the "King Smurf" comic book story.
1981 TV series Version
This version of Snappy Smurfling is an amalgamation of the comic book Snappy as well as Rowdy (a Smurf who would eventually be introduced in the Schtorumpf magazine). He is a rather rambunctious Smurf who likes to get his own way and get into the action, even if it gets his fellow Smurfs (and Smurflings) into trouble. For example, in episodes such as "Reckless Smurfs", he is shown being reckless such as attempting a tight rope act between two Smurf houses and tossing pooka-nuts as if it was a game. He would also act rude whenever he's angry instead of getting violently angry at a drop of a hat, unlike his comic book counterpart.
Like his comic book counterpart, he wants his way all the time, but he later on learns that having your way isn't always the best thing. In Sassette's debut episode for the 1981 TV series, he snapped at her because he couldn't take the fact that they got in trouble and went as far as saying she wasn't a real Smurf.
He is adventurous though and does come up with some plans. Some say he could be the "self-proclaimed leader" of the Smurflings.
Snappy had a softer side with his teddy bear Huggy, whom he couldn't sleep without. When Gargamel invaded the village one night, Snappy went to look for Huggy with the full belief that he was magic if he believed in him, as told by Papa Smurf who used to own Huggy when he was a Smurfling. Snappy found Huggy and Gargamel found Snappy. Snappy shouted that he believed in Huggy, and the bear grew to gargantuan size and chased Gargamel back to his hovel. Snappy showed a giving side when Huggy said that Snappy was growing up and would have to give him to a Smurf who needed him. Snappy said he would never give Huggy up but gave him to Baby Smurf, making Papa Smurf proud.
He also seems a bit caring in "Fire-Fighting Smurfs" when he accidentally burned up the forest, taking care of the animals and trees, and making up for his mistakes. He also believed he did not deserve a medal since he had caused the fire, despite helping the animals and trees, thus crying hysterically and believing the Smurfs will never forgive him if they found out he was responsible for the fire. However, after a talk with Papa Smurf and saving the Smurfs from Gargamel, Snappy confessed his mistakes and was ready to be met with anger, only to be surprised when the Smurfs forgive him and praise him for being brave enough to admit his mistake. As a result of this and the forest regrowing, Snappy forgave himself, received his medal back, and was thanked by many of the animals he helped care for.
Relationships
Snappy gets into fights with Nat a couple of times but seems to have a steady relationship with Slouchy.
Snappy and Sassette's relationship revolves around them bickering and also going on adventures together. The two will often pair up, and in some episodes in Season 9, the two will be working together or leave the group to go find some adventures of their own.
Snappy (at first) only cared about the more troublesome side of Baby Smurf (though he might have been jealous), but Baby Smurf longed to befriend a Smurfling (hoping to someday be accepted into the group) and was nice to Snappy, even getting him a present from far away. This made Snappy change his mind about Baby Smurf, and he stopped telling the other Smurflings that he was trouble. It is sometimes hinted that Baby Smurf was accepted into the Smurfling group.
Smurf Videogames
Snappy´s house
Smurfs' Village
In the game, Snappy's hut is on the Island. The walls are orange, and the roof is yellow. His hut gives you daily XP when placed near Slouchy's house and extra XP when placed near both Slouchy's and Sassette´s house. His hut costs 2500 coins.
Appearances
see Snappy Smurfling/Appearances
Trivia
- With Sassette, he was one of the only two Smurflings who was sent back into time with the other adult Smurfs in Season 9.
- He plays the drums and can be seen giving drumrolls in few episodes.
- With Nat, Snappy was one of the only two Smurflings who had more than one appearance as an adult Smurf, although Snappy's appearance as an adult was less-known and hard to recognize in the early comic stories as he was established as a throwaway gag character in the early stories (with the exception of supplemental merchandise such as a poster of the original 100 Smurfs and a series of posters part of the Boutique Dupuis) and his personality was not as exaggerated prior to his proper introduction in the fifth season of the 1981 television series.
- His character was voiced by Pat Musick, who is the mother of voice actress Mae Whitman.
- Snappy was one of the two Smurflings who appeared in a Smurf Magic Berries cereal commercial; the other being Sassette.
- Snappy has a New Generation Smurf Figure.
- In the episode, "A Fish Called Snappy", he is turned into a fish by the water sprite, Sirene.
- He, Papa Smurf, Grandpa Smurf, Baby Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, Clumsy, Hefty, Handy, Greedy, Grouchy, Lazy, Vanity, Jokey, Painter, Wild, Sassette, and Smoogle are the only characters who time traveled during Season 9 with the Time Scrolls.
- He, Clumsy, Jokey, and Hefty are the only Smurfs to turn into giant Smurfs.
- Snappy has his name in three episode titles which are "Snappy's Way", "Snappy's Puppet", and "A Fish Called Snappy".