I Love You Mao Mao

"I'm gonna be a LEGEND!" "I Love You Mao Mao" is the 1st episode of the first season of Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart, and the 1st episode overall.

Synopsis
An explosive loner and his slacker best friend are waylaid from their journey into legend, only to find that their story is just beginning.

Plot
The episode starts at the kingdom where Adorabat is watching the clouds with Chubbum and Ketchup in Pure Heart Valley. Adorabat sees a cloud that looks like a monster, which scares Chubbum and Ketchup. Meanwhile, Mao Mao and Badgerclops sneak onto a ship. They aim to take down a group of Sky Pirates, led by Orangusnake, who have just discovered the cloaked Ruby Pure Heart and are preparing their attack. Mao Mao and Badgerclops get on the ship, where he voices that his intent for defeating the Sky Pirates is that doing so will vastly improve their reputation. The duo then interrupt Orangusnake's meeting with the other pirates. Badgerclops shoots a laser out of his metal arm, damaging the ship and causing Beef Master, Steel Wing, and Thunder Fist to fall off of the ship, leaving only Orangusnake, Boss Hosstrich, Ramaraffe, and Ratarang remaining on the plummeting ship. As Mao Mao and Badgerclops ride off on the Aerocycle, they knock into the invisible Ruby Pure Heart, cracking it, which causes the Ruby Pure Heart's cloaking abilities to completely break, revealing Pure Heart Valley.

Mao Mao and Badgerclops plummet to the town center, where they bicker with each other. Lucky and Chubbum approach Mao Mao, but Mao Mao is initially distrusting of the Sweetypies. Badgerclops, however, is won over when Muffins offers him a pie. Mao Mao and Badgerclops argue about what to do next. Suddenly, a dragon enemy appears, and the two take it down. Adorabat watches in awe and admiration as the battle unfolds.

Adorabat, amazed by Mao Mao and Badgerclops' skill, approaches Mao Mao and aspires to become a hero too, begging Mao Mao to help her. King Snugglemagne then introduces himself, showing that Mao Mao had broken the Ruby Pure Heart. Mao Mao realizes that he must help Pure Heart Valley due to him breaking the Ruby Pure Heart. Just then, Orangusnake reappears on his ship, and attempts to steal the Ruby Pure Heart. Adorabat makes an attempt to join the duo, but Mao Mao wants her to stay put. Mao Mao and Badgerclops hop on the airship to take down Orangusnake and his remaining crew. Adorabat decides to come along with Mao Mao and Badgerclops, attempting to aid them in the fight. Mao Mao and Orangusnake fight each other. Mao Mao is surrounded by the Sky Pirates, and Orangusnake tells him that the Pure Heart Valley is legendary. Mao Mao realizes that protecting the Pure Heart Valley would make him a legendary hero, imagining his family cheering him on. Adorabat drops a bomb on the ship, destroying it, and the trio return to the town. After the trio's arrival back in town, the townsfolk thank them for their work. King Snugglemagne declares Mao Mao sheriff and protector of Pure Heart Valley. Mao Mao then recruits Adorabat into the sheriff's department and the episode ends as the trio ride off on the Aerocycle.

Characters

 * Adorabat (debut)
 * Badgerclops (debut)
 * Beef Master (debut)
 * Boss Hosstrich (debut)
 * Chubbum (debut)
 * Cluckins (debut)
 * Gary (debut)
 * Ketchup (debut)
 * Kevin (debut; no lines)
 * King Snugglemagne (debut)
 * Large Raptor Monster (debut)
 * Lucky (debut)
 * Mao Mao (debut)
 * Mao Mao's Sisters (image only)
 * Brunhilde (image only)
 * Muffins (debut)
 * Orangusnake (debut)
 * Pinky (debut)
 * Plippy (debut)
 * Ramaraffe (debut)
 * Ratarang (debut)
 * Scoops (debut)
 * Shin Mao (image only)
 * Slim Pigguns (debut)
 * Small Raptor Monsters (debut)
 * Steel Wing (debut)
 * Thunder Fist (debut)
 * Vic (debut)

Locations

 * Pure Heart Valley (debut)
 * Pure Heart Kingdom (debut)
 * Ruby Pure Heart (debut)
 * Sky Pirates' Airship (debut)

Trivia

 * This was the first ever episode produced.
 * Parker and the rest of the crew were going to deliver this episode for the first time until being told that the protagonists have to wear helmets, so Parker came up with the idea of them having retractable helmets.

Cultural References

 * The episode's title is a reference to Parker Simmons' original pilot "I Love You Mao Mao: Bao Bao's Revenge" and the Sweetypies make their debut in this episode who are an obvious tribute to the Care Bears from Nelvana,  They're also a reference to the Happy Tree Friends from Mondo Media.

International premieres

 * October 14, 2019 (Latin America)
 * March 3, 2020 (UK & Ireland)
 * March 9, 2020 (Poland)
 * January 17, 2021 (Middle East)

Kocham cię, Mao Mao pt-br:Eu Te Amo Mao Mao Te quiero, Mao Mao