New American kids’ cartoon accused of ‘Bluey’ rip-off

New American kids’ show, Chip Chilla, created by conservative media brand The Daily Wire, is under fire for its uncanny resemblance to Australia’s Bluey.

Chip Chilla, a new animated children’s show by American conservative media brand, The Daily Wire, is causing a stir Down Under with critics and fans alike have called it a “knock-off” of the beloved Australian preschool series, Bluey.

Chip Chilla, one of the flagship series on The Daily Wire’s new children’s streaming app, Bentkey, tells the story of a family of chinchillas, who, unlike the dogs in Bluey, are distinctly American, are homeschooled, and live in US suburbia.

Photo from an episode 7 of Chip Chilla showing characters Chip, Chinny, Charla, Chubbly, and Chum Chum. Photo: Daily Wire

DailyWire+ initially teased its first original animated project back in 2022 sporting a very different look. Photo: Supplied.

When DailyWire+ initially teased its first original animated project back in 2022, the main characters sported a different style. However, recent releases reveal the characters underwent a significant ‘Bluey’-style makeover, with a similar animation style, music and colour palette that closely mirrors Australia’s favourite heeler family.

American cartoon, Chip Chilla, has been accused of copying Bluey.

The family from Bluey during the episode, Dragon.

The Daily Wire, co-founded by political commentator Ben Shapiro, launched Bentkey on the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.

The move was a pointed response to what Jeremy Boreing, The Daily Wire co-founder, perceives as the “worst excesses of the woke left” pushed by Disney, notably the entertainment giant’s opposition to Florida’s controversial “don’t say gay” law. Boreing’s ambitious goal is to offer an alternative to the perceived liberal bias in kids’ entertainment.

Bluey still from the episode Stickbird in S3

The company has invested a whopping US$100m into Bentkey, promising parents “safe, fun programming the whole family will love,” without “divisive narratives” or “insidious ideologies.”

However, for many Australian viewers, it’s less about politics and more about authenticity. A significant number have taken to social media, highlighting the similarities between Chip Chilla and Bluey, accusing the American show of piggybacking on the success of its Australian counterpart.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner called Chip Chilla a “phony-looking US version of Bluey”.

“They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. But Chip Chilla certainly proves that wrong. Brisbane is so proud to be the home of Bluey and this phony-looking US version is barking up the wrong tree! You can’t beat Bluey!” he posted on X.

Photo from an episode of Chip Chilla. Photo: Daily Wire.

One Twitter user remarked, “Ever wonder what if the beloved TV show Bluey sucked? Ben Shapiro’s Chip Chilla on Bentkey might be the answer.”

Others humorously suggested a face-off: “Chip Chilla and Bluey. In a cage match. Now.”

The chinchilla family’s dynamics also starkly contrast with Bluey.

While Bluey’s parents share caregiving responsibilities, Chip Chilla adopts more traditional roles, with the mother predominantly nurturing, taking part in activities such as cooking, and the alpha father leading educational escapades.

Ludo Studios have been contacted for comment.