Wild Smurf (or just Wild, his original French name Schtroumpf Sauvage) is one of the main characters of the 1981 Smurfs cartoon show and the 2021 Smurfs cartoon show and is a minor character of the Smurfs comic books, first appearing in the comic book story "The Wild Smurf".
Character
Comic Book/2021 TV Series Version
He was a Smurf who, at the time his fellow Smurfs were "born", was accidentally lost in the forest and spent his years being raised by a family of squirrels until his first official appearance as an adult Smurf in the comic book story.
Wild is identified by a leaf-woven Smurf hat and a loincloth that he wears. He also has a strong connection to animal life and has rather feral habits, such as scratching his ears like a dog. He shows a dislike for most normal Smurf things like cooked food and wearing standard Smurf outfits.
In the comic books and The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf (through references), Wild eventually learned how to speak in Smurf language which is mostly due to Brainy's tutoring.
In the 2021 TV series, he reappears speaking in Smurf language (implying that Brainy tutored him like the comics). He also gains a few changes in his voice and language, such as his voice being deeper and talks like a caveman. His basic design remains the same, although his leaf-woven hat and loincloth are darker.
After his debut appearance in the comic book story, it is strongly implied that Wild began living independently from the family of squirrels that raised him and is currently residing in a large log as revealed in the 2021 TV series.
1981 TV Series Version
He was a Smurf who, at the time his fellow Smurfs were "born", was accidentally lost in the forest and spent his years being raised by a family of squirrels until his first official appearance as an adult Smurf in the two-part episode "Smurf On The Wild Side".
This version of Wild tends to speak mostly in squirrel talk and communicates with the other Smurfs using hand signals.
Unlike his comic book counterpart, Wild remained residing in the care by the family of squirrels that raised him and has been living in a tree house as his main residence.
Personality
Comic Book/2021 TV Series Version
Wild is animalistic and has a strong connection to animal life. In both the comics and the 2021 TV series, he can be quite temperamental, shown in his debut appearance in the comic book story, "Back To Nature", and "Blossom Goes Wild!".
Like most of the Smurfs, Wild is very mischievous and eccentric. In "The Guest Who Wouldn't Leave", where his ankle is sprained and he stays in Papa Smurf's house until it heals. When it heals, however, he stays in the house, eats several muffins, and invites his animal friends in to wreak havoc. Other sides to his mischievousness include "Where's My Smurfway?" (where he steals Brainy's smurfway and refuses to give it back).
Wild is a bundle of untamed, boundless energy. He's always up for a few jokes, even on the Smurfs if the moment presents himself.
Although animalistic in his behaviors, Wild is very smart, especially in terms of more modern uses. He knew how to assemble a Smurf hat out of leaves, and in the comic books, he eventually learned how to speak in very primitive Smurf language when the Smurfs had him stay in the village during the winter. In "The Cuddly Toy", he is shown to be able to identify smells that come from the village, as he realizes that the pillow he found belonged to Lazy.
Wild is quite generous when needed. In "I'm Off To The Circus!", he helps Clumsy achieve his dream as an acrobat, and in "Smurf To The Future!", he offers Handy and Blossom a blueberry when he sees them on the ground.
Despite his connection to animal life and his ability to fight bad animals, Wild is not very stoic at times. In "Back To Nature", he and Brainy get caught in one of Wild's own traps, and in "The Snail Whisperer", he is shown to be fearful and powerless when facing a snake. In "Gargamel, Queen Of The Prom", he falls for Gargamel, who was disguised as a Smurf Girl and was unable to realize that "she" was Gargamel.
1981 TV Series Version
This version of Wild is similar to his mainline comic book version, with the exception that he lacks the aggressive and temperamental personality of his comic book counterpart and has shown no aversion nor dislike towards modern Smurf culture in the village.
This version of Wild is quite sensitive and accident-prone. In "The Fastest Wizard In The World", he wanders off when Handy yells at him for messing up the bleachers and in "'Tis The Season To Be Smurfy", he gets discouraged when the Smurfs are mad at him for wrecking their Christmas decorations. That said, he is still capable of being strong. In "The Smurf Odyssey", it is revealed that he and Grandpa Smurf are some of the strongest Smurfs.
Relationships with Others
Chitter
Wild's best friend is Chitter in the 1980s series. Chitter's great-great-great-great grandmother discovered Wild when he was lost shortly after 'birth'. It was Chitter's ancestors who raised him until the Smurfs found him.
Brainy Smurf
It is Brainy who tried his very best to teach Wild proper manners and normal everyday things, such as sleeping in a bed rather than on top of a cupboard. Wild gives Brainy a hard time, but eventually Brainy's tutoring pays off, and Brainy and Wild get to be good friends in the process.
In the 1980s series, however, they have a less positive friendship as Brainy calls Wild's behavior "uncivilized". Similarly, Wild has done (mostly) accidental things to him, such as wrapping him as a gift in "'Tis The Season To Be Smurfy". Despite Brainy's opinions, he proudly takes opportunities to 'educate' Wild, such as reading his own books to him after his back injury in "Grandpa's Walking Stick" or teaching him how to dance in the episode "Dancing Bear", albeit with little success.
In the 2021 TV series, Wild speaks in Smurf language, implying that Brainy tutored him like the comics. They are not as close to each other as in the comics, though they can be considered friends. However, like every other Smurf, Brainy annoys Wild at times, to the point of kicking him away in "Back To Nature". Also like the other Smurfs, Wild is not above mocking Brainy at times, such as making fun of him when he failed his obstacle course as revealed by Brainy in The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone.
Papa Smurf
Wild and Papa Smurf have a friendly relationship. Papa Smurf accepts Wild and includes him in various activities such as picnics. He tries to reason with various Smurfs if he sees Wild get treated unfairly.
It is Papa Smurf who instigates his nicer personality. Prior to the end of "The Wild Smurf", he initially behaves aggressively, but when Papa Smurf releases him from Gargamel, he becomes friendly.
Smurfette
Wild, like various other Smurfs, likes Smurfette and in the 1981 series, she has given him multiple kisses in episodes such as "Dancing Bear" and "'Tis The Season To Be Smurfy". Smurfette, likewise, admires Wild for his skills and shows the most concern when he hurt his ankle in "The Guest Who Wouldn't Leave". She is also the one who offers Wild muffins.
In "Wild About Smurfette", Smurfette begins spending much more time with Wild, making some of her fellow Smurfs jealous and believe Wild is stealing her. However, it is revealed that she's been with him for an extended amount of time because he was waiting for Chitter and his mate to give birth to little baby squirrels.
In "Smurfette's Green Thumb", Wild is shown to be caring of Smurfette and her feelings, as when she is miserable while time-traveling, Wild offers her a flower before it wilts.
Azrael
Wild had a notable relationship with Azrael. In the episode "Lost Cat", after Gargamel had kicked him out of his hovel, Azrael leaves him and goes into the forest. When he is injured, Wild finds him and takes him back to the village, where everyone fears him, though some of the Smurfs help him become good. However, his obsession with eating Smurfs causes Wild to force him to leave the village. Azrael goes back into the forest, where Gargamel finds Wild. Azrael ends up stopping him, which causes the evil wizard to berate him. Afterwards, Wild and Azrael wave happily to each other, suggesting a rare friendship. In "Gargamel, Prom Queen", he felt bad for Wild when he was rejected by Gargamel (when the two were disguised as Smurf Girls).
Prior to this friendship, Wild, to Azrael, was just another Smurf that can be eaten. In "The Smurfy Verdict", Wild comes to Baby Smurf's rescue and knocks Azrael down to the stream.
Natural Smurfling
Nat envies Wild and considers him as one of his best friends, due to their strong connection to animal life. In "Smurf On The Wild Side", Nat was interested in adjusting to Wild's life in the forest with his fellow Smurflings but realizes it's not as great as he thought. When Nat and crew return to Smurf Village, Nat promises Wild that he will always keep in touch.
In "The Fastest Wizard In The World", Nat feels sorry for Wild when he was being yelled at by Handy.
Smurfblossom
In "Blossom Goes Wild!", despite Blossom feeling welcome in Wild's house log, Wild dislikes Blossom being around his home (though briefly found it fun until she causes him to oversleep and miss his blueberry breakfast) and tried to get her out, but to no avail until Blossom throws a party. Wild then runs her and the other Smurfs out of his log house when a bear runs into the honey trap Wild set.
Hefty Smurf
In "Hefty's Rival", Wild amazes several Smurfs, including the little Smurflings, which made Hefty jealous. When Papa Smurf assigns the two on a quest, they end up bonding and Hefty and Wild become friends.
Vanity Smurf
In "Vanity's Wild Adventure", he and Vanity became good friends when they save each other from the terrible trio, and in the end, he gave Wild his scarf as a thank you gift.
Jokey Smurf
Wild has been seen with Jokey on a few occasions. Wild is notably one of the only Smurfs that likes Jokey's jokes, as shown in "Smurf On The Wild Side".
Others
Besides Squirrels, Wild is friends with other animals like lizards and monkeys, seen in "The Guest Who Wouldn't Leave". He shares a strong bond with them, even in the past. In "Curried Smurfs", he sees animals being tortured and is feeling angry at the moment. When their master, Gargapuri, leaves, Wild leaves the cart he was stuck in to rescue the animals.
The Smurfs like and respect him for his toughness and bravery, which is shown in "Hefty's Rival".
Smurf Videogames
Smurf Racer
Wild appears in this game as a playable character. He can be unlocked by winning the In the Trees course in Championship Mode.
Smurfs' Village
Wild is in this game, listed as a "special Smurf". His hut can be bought for 30 smurfberries.
The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf
Wild appears as a non-playable character and has an actual speaking voice, predating the 2021 TV series and takes place somewhere shortly after the events of "The Wild Smurf". He meets up with Brainy and discuss how their respective selves haven't changed. Later, Brainy traverses Wild’s incomplete ropes course to locate the Agua Magnifica.
The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone
Wild does not appear in this game, but his obstacle course is seen and it is mentioned by Brainy that Wild had mocked him for failing the obstacle course, despite it being said by Brainy that it was unfinished and dangerous.
Appearances
See Wild Smurf (character)/Appearances.
Trivia
- Wild was introduced in 1987 in the 1980s series before his debut comic "The Wild Smurf", which was published in 1998.
- His character was voiced by Frank Welker in the 1980s cartoon series, by Chris Booker in Mission Vileaf, and by Luke Calzonetti in the 2021 cartoon series.
- The character of Wild Smurf is based on the classic literature character of Tarzan.
- Wild is one of the few Smurfs that doesn't live in the Smurf Village. The forest is his home with Chitter and his family (in the 1981 TV series). He is a visitor of Smurf Village.
- Wild can climb very well. In "Curried Smurfs", he climbs to the top of the large wall blocking the palace.
- He appears to have a vague knowledge of carpentry. In "The Fastest Wizard In The World", he assembles a rudimentary structure of the bleachers with wood and tools.
- Wild knows how to play the guitar.
- Wild was absent from the episode "Smurfette Unmade", where Smurfette turned evil again, meaning he and Grandpa Smurf didn't find out about the old appearance of Smurfette as an un-smurf.
- Wild's inclusion in the 2021 TV series was revealed in the pitch bible, which was published before the series had even begun. However, Wild doesn’t have Chitter as a companion.
- He, Papa Smurf, Grandpa Smurf, Baby Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, Clumsy, Hefty, Handy, Greedy, Grouchy, Lazy, Vanity, Jokey, Painter, Sassette, Snappy, and Smoogle are the only characters who time-traveled during Season 9 with the Time Scrolls.
- Wild has his name in five episode titles of the 1980s series which are "Smurf On The Wild Side", "Where The Wild Smurfs Are", "Wild About Smurfette", "Vanity's Wild Adventure", and "Wild Goes Cuckoo".
- Wild has his name in two episode titles of the 2020s series which are "Blossom Goes Wild!" and "Wild Gets Tamed".