Pudding (character)

In the English versions of the game, Pudding was originally portrayed by Sumalee Montano in Space Channel 5 and Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack.[10][11] In Space Channel 5: Part 2, Pudding was voiced by Larissa Murray, who had more to offer for the character seeing as Pudding's dialogue was limited in the original game.[10] Eighteen years later, Cherami Leigh was cast as Pudding in Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! but was never credited as the character due to her only having one line and it being reused for Ulala in later scenes.

In the Japanese versions of the game, Pudding is voiced by Kae Īda, who continues to voice the character in every main title of the Space Channel 5 series.[10] Īda was originally cast as Ulala in Space Channel 5, but was recast as Pudding and replaced by Mineko Okamura.[4][5] She explained the reason behind the recasting, translating to: "actually, at the same time as the audition, we had an opportunity for the media to see the test version of SC5. Of course, it was a test version, so I put a temporary voice in the back, but the media people said 'I like this voice'." Mineko Okamura believed the actress who voices Pudding suits the character very well. "Lida's voice also matched the Pudding very well," also said Mineko, "so I think it was good as a result. The voice actors in SC5 were all gorgeous."[4]

Although Pudding's age is clearly stated in Space Channel 5, Space Channel 5: Part 2, and Kinda Funky News Flash!, many official guidebooks and merchandise often mistake her age for another. Palisades Toys refers to her as "a 20-year old former teen idol," while one of the older Guyn Guyn Guide Books cited her as 21 years-old. In the early Space Channel 5 video games, Pudding is 19 years-old.[12] Seeing as the games are currently taking place in the year 2502, three years after the events of Space Channel 5: Part 2, and her being born on September 5, 2480,[2] Pudding is 22 years-old during this time period.[1]

Pudding has been described as a cunning and competitive individual whose potential is unused and discarded due to her Type A personality.[1] Too determined to be in the spotlight, she misses out on major opportunities and would rather focus her attention on beating Ulala. Pudding does not hesitate to achieve her goals, whether they be for better or worse. She initially comes off as perky, but is an individual who should not be underestimated by any means.[1] Although she is very competitive and is too self-absorbed and determined, Pudding is always there to guide Ulala and other heroes of the Galaxy when it comes to evil forces and invasions, often being one of the first to answer the call. She is known to be unpredictable due to her jealousy towards Ulala.[15][16]

Pudding is usually seen dressed in blue and white clothing. She often wears a blue dress with white gloves and boots with blue heels, while wearing her dreadlocks up in a braid. She wears a pair of blue headphones and wears a pair of canisters on her back.[13] In more recent appearances, Pudding wears a two-piece dress that exposes her belly, shorter white boots, fishnet stockings, and silver canisters.[1] Pudding has green hair and blue eyes, and stands somewhat under six feet tall. She has a noticeable large pink tattoo that reads "42" on her upper left collarbone.

Pudding first appeared in the 1999 music-rhythm video game, Space Channel 5 as both an antagonist and main character. In the game, she is the first rival reporter and boss Ulala encounters shortly after arriving at Spaceport 9 to investigate the Morolian Invasion.[17] The Channel 42 reporter has no hesitation of interrupting Ulala on-air and demanding a dance battle against the new star of television.[18] During the dance battle, Pudding attempts to defeat Ulala with her male bodyguards, one of them being Rocka Billy. Later in the game, she is seen driving the Spacebird 42 around space attempting to find the secret Morolian hideout but is continuously shoved out fo the way by Ulala. When the Channel 5 reporter is distracted by Jaguar, a space pirate destined to deliver the truth to the audience, Pudding seeks the opportunity by beating Ulala and all the other reporters into the base. Shortly after, Pudding is kidnapped by a pair of Morolians, Brack and Clork, and is being forced to dance on her vehicle. Ulala has no choice but to save her before the aliens work her up. When it is revealed that Blank, the chief for Channel 5 is behind the invasion and is responsible for brainwashing the Morolians, Ulala, Pudding, and Jaguar all attempt to stop him before he succeeds in his master plan. Eventually, the three reporters make up and elevator as are interrupted by Blank's machines. During the battle against Giant Evila, Pudding and Jaguar are knocked into deep space, later assisting Ulala against the final boss, Blank T.V. At the end of the game, Pudding helps to lead Ulala in the march to the end of the Galaxy.[15][18]

In Space Channel 5: Part 2, Pudding returns with a much larger role, serving as one of the main characters. Now becoming a professional guitarist on her show titled Pudding's Rockin' Show, she once again interrupts Ulala on-air while trying to locate President Peace, who was assumed to be kidnapped by the Rhythm Rogues. Pudding urges Ulala to battle her in a guitar battle, with the help of her two male bodyguards. Later in the game, Channel 42's broadcasting antenna is stolen by Purge, the leader of the Rhythm Rogues who wants to air his own show and force the whole galaxy to dance. This causes Pudding to follow Pine's broadcast and meet up with Ulala, Space Michael, Hoorg, and Pine herself, in order to get back her antenna and put an end to the Rhythm Rogues. While lurking through Purge's hideout, the group is interrupted by the Rhythm Rogues, who insist in taking part in a "Battle of the Bands." Seeing as they’re all musicians, Pudding plays her guitar and they all end up defeating the enemies, only to find out that Jaguar was actually Shadow the whole time, being brainwashed by Purge. Later, Pudding and the others confront Purge on-air, and end up defeating thre Rhythm Rogues as a team, alongside all the people they helped earlier. Like in Space Channel 5, Pudding and the others help to lead Ulala in a march to the end of the Galaxy once more.[18][19][15]

In the 2020 video game Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!, Pudding reappears but as a minor and mostly silent character. In the story, she encounters Ulala and her new recruits near the end of the game attempting to figure out the cause of the abrupt Morolian behavior while hovering around on the Spacebird 42. However, like nearly every other reporter in the area, Pudding, Ulala, and the Jaguars are kidnapped and being held hostage by Glitter. The Channel 5 rookies, with the help of Jaguar, save the reporters in time, resulting in Glitter's defeat and redemption.[1][20][21] In the end credits of the game, the player must high-five Pudding.[22]

Pudding appears in other titles of the Space Channel 5 series, including Ulala's Channel J,[23] Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack,[2] and Dreamcast Collection. Pudding would have appeared in a movie based on the original Space Channel 5 with Ulala, but it was cancelled due to the original developers and Sega having a low-budget.[24][25]

Outside of the Space Channel 5 series, Pudding appears a playable character in the Sega All-Stars series, including Sega Superstars Tennis[26] and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.[27]

Palisades Toys released action figures of Evila, Pudding, the Morolians, and several variants of Ulala. Pudding includes a black display stand and a pink microphone, while also wearing her original outfit.[12][28] The character description on the box reads: "Pudding, a 20-year old former teen idol used to have many adoring fans and high ratings. Fan interest is waning and the ratings are slipping, and she has developed an intense jealousy of Ulala, the spunky new reporter from Space Channel 5. Ulala is stealing Pudding’s limelight, so there is only one thing to do...challenge Ulala to the ultimate dance-off!"

Around the early 2010s, an unofficial publication of Sonic the Comic was released via electronically featuring several characters from the Space Channel 5 series. In the fan-made comic, Pudding served as the main antagonist who ruins Ulala's show for herself to earn inter-galactic fame. The online comic was declared a success with the online public.[42][43]

In 2020 during the 20th anniversary of Space Channel 5, official artwork of Pudding and other characters were posted to the Space Channel 5 VR official website, along with fan art.[44] Pudding and Ulala were also featured in a music-dance YouTube video published by Grounding Inc, including the two characters taking part in a dance challenge.[45][46]

Pudding made a brief cameo appearance at the "Sega 60th Anniversary Live Concert" in 2020.[47][48] She made another brief cameo during The Game Awards in 2021, although through archive footage from Space Channel 5.[49]