The Backyardigans - What is Uniqua?

I'll admit it. I actually enjoy watching the Backyardigans. Given the fact that I'm a 29 year old male, admitting to enjoying watching a children's animated show is a little embarrassing. My one and half year old son got me hooked. We have three Backyardigans DVDs and he would watch them 24/7 if we allowed him to.

Watch a few episodes and you'll know why kids like the show so much. The characters are skillfully computer animated. Every episode is full of catchy tunes and choreographed dances from the characters. Did I say catchy tunes? I really meant songs that get so stuck in your head that you wake up the next day still singing them.

The show is based on five cute little characters who use there imagination to turn their backyard into far off places. There is Pablo who is a likable little blue penguin, and likes to freak out a little every episode. Austin is a level-headed purple kangaroo. Tasha is a slightly annoying, know-it-all yellow hippo. Tyrone is a friendly orange moose is always upbeat. Then there is Uniqua. Uniqua is... well, I've never been exactly sure what Uniqua is.

Uniqua is pink with polka dots, and has bug-like antennae. Her polka dots make her look like a lady bug, but her head shape and antennae make her look like an ant. It had always bothered me that I couldn't figure out what Uniqua was supposed to be, so I decided to do a little research on the web.

It didn't take long to figure out that I wasn't the only person pondering Uniqua's species. Like me, many people had theorized that she was an ant or lady bug, be we were all incorrect. Uniqua is not only her name, but also her species. She is completely unique.

I'll have to admit this answer didn't satisfy me at first. I was looking for a label for her, but I guess being unique is completely appropriate for a character in a children's animated show like the Backyardigans.

Regardless of what Uniqua is, the Backyardigans is the highest quality kid's show that I have ever seen. I'm sure our DVD collection of Backyardigans shows will continue to grow, and I'll have many more days with Backyardigans songs embedded deep in my brain.