Dora the Explorer is an American educational animated television series created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh, and Eric Weiner, which first aired in 2000. The series is aimed at children younger than age four and is co-produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio. It features characters from the eponymous series, including Dora, a blue-spotted girl with a spirit and determination akin to that of Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek, Boots, her monkey friend who is equipped with a backpack that can hold various items and serves as her map, and a magical charm bracelet with a 'map' that sings an annoying, catchy song that guides the children through different scenarios. The aim of the show is to teach English, specifically to Spanish-speaking children, while also being used as an educational tool to introduce children to their first geography and cognitive concepts such as numbers, shapes, and colors.
Dora and her friends embark on adventures that include puzzles, challenges, and riddles, bringing audiences into the story like an interactive video game. While some episodes are more active, involving physical activities and dancing, the show is generally slower-paced and focuses on storytelling and cognitive development. The show has received widespread acclaim and has influenced the creation of other educational and animated children's television series that feature playful learning methods and interactive storytelling, as exemplified by other shows in this list such as Go, Diego, Go!, Dora and Friends: Into the City!
Despite its success, Dora and her friends have inspired a wave of imitators in the animation industry, with characters and settings that recall Dora's adventures being replicated in various projects. Additionally, the concept of using a talking backpack as a map has become a recurring element in subsequent educational and children's media. Dora's popularity has expanded beyond television, as the character and her adventures have been licensed in various forms such as toys, clothing, and publishing, indicating that the brand enjoys a wide range of usage and influence.