Bluey managed to conquer the entertainment industry overnight, making it one of the most lucrative kids’ TV shows in years. Alongside its adorable character dynamics and unique settings, this show teaches children how to manage some of life’s biggest issues. So, much like its predecessors The Bear in the Big Blue House and Arthur, Bluey has garnered praise and critics alike for its accessibility.
Yet, despite being a fairly straightforward show, some fans still question the main character’s gender. The vast majority of audiences believe that it doesn’t truly matter one way or the other, as it doesn’t alter anything about the show. However, many fans wish to get a better idea of how the Heeler family operates.
Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on February 26, 2025: Bluey continues to be one of the most popular children’s shows of the modern era (with plenty of adults tuning in to each new episode too). While the show is relatively straightforward, viewers may still have some questions about its principal cast, including the character for whom the series is named. This article has been updated to include additional information about Bluey the character as well as updates about the Bluey franchise in general. This article now adheres to current CBR formatting guidelines.
Bluey’s Relationship With Bingo Defies Gender Roles
Bluey Presents a Perfect View of a Modern Family
Bluey follows the daily musings of the Heeler family, a group of cheerful dogs from Brisbane, Australia. The family is comprised of Bandit, Chilli, and their two children, Bluey and Bingo. Bandit works as an archaeologist while Chili works as a sniffer dog at the local airport. Like many young kids, Bluey and Bingo are relentlessly energetic and enjoy exploring the nuanced world around them and embarking on new adventures. Alongside the Heeler family, fans are introduced to other locals, such as Muffin, the children’s chaotic cousin. On the surface, Bluey may seem like any other animated cartoon.
But, judging by its worldwide acclaim, a wide selection of merchandise, and consistently positive ratings, it’s clear that the latest generation enjoys everything this charming Australian pack has to offer. One of the main reasons fans have trouble guessing whether Bluey is a boy or a girl is because the show rarely conforms to typical gender roles. When playing with their sibling, the pair tend to play active games that don’t require a strong sense of identity. Traditionally, more active sports are associated with the male gender. However, Bluey does not adhere to this stereotype and often features its main female characters participating in active sports.
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One example is in Season 1, Episode 3, “Keepy Uppy,” when the children play a game that involves trying to keep a balloon off the ground for as long as possible. The game most closely resembles soccer, though the game includes its own rules. Though soccer is thought of as a male-dominated sport, nothing keeps Bluey and her sister from participating. By merely allowing Bluey and Bingo to immerse themselves in a harmless competitive game, the writers can make the characters more relatable to any audience member. Bluey and Bingo’s father, Bandit, also enforces the idea that the children can play any game they like as long as they’re having fun and being nice to each other.
In Season 3, Episode 39, “Exercise,” the dogs play an unconventional game of ping pong where Bandit acts as the ball. Bandit’s influence in this game is important as it proves that the show doesn’t feel the need to adhere to strict gender stereotypes. Bandit is more than happy to play the fool and run around, so long as the children are having fun. Plus, Bluey and Bingo’s relationship is incredibly tender, teaching children to respect their siblings, even if they’re different genders.
Bluey Shows a Different Side to Modern Parenting
Bandit and Chili Are a More Modern Parenting Duo
There’s no denying that parenting is a tough job, but raising kids in the 21st century is a whole different story. As such, a lot of parents tend to feel out of their depth and, with the advent of social media, can often feel the need to compare themselves to others. Yet, Bluey doesn’t hesitate to show the more difficult side of raising children, using Bandit and Chilli as accurate reflections of such struggles. “Sleepover” serves as an excellent example of the modern constructive idea of parenting on full display. Here, the children invite Muffin over for a slumber party and, as usual, she quickly becomes a bit of a handful.
However, Bandit quickly sweeps in to play with the children and works to keep Muffin in line. He doesn’t feel the need to shout at them or exclude her from the fun. Instead, he redirects her attention to the game. Admittedly, some audiences may believe it’s a mother’s job to discipline children in an instance like this. Yet, Bandit does an excellent job defying the strict father stereotype, taking this pressure off Chilli. Chilli also works to represent the intricacies of a working mother, showcasing the sacrifices that need to be made to balance a family with a career. As a mother, Chilli is often seen as boring, particularly in Season 1, Episode 22, “The Pool.”
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While Bandit and the kids enjoy their summer holidays, Chilli is constantly forced to enforce rules and remind everyone to stay safe. As such, this may be a relatable struggle for women who go to work every day while raising their children as they sometimes crave to be labeled the “fun parent.” Chilli’s dominant parenting style could be seen as a good contrast to Bandit’s laid-back attitude, ensuring their children get the best of both worlds. Bluey‘s Chili and Bandit have decidedly different parenting styles. Thankfully, their differences complement each other, creating a stronger foundation for their daughters to build their lives. They are the perfect image of a constructive family unit that does everything in its power to ensure that their girls are happy, healthy, and ready to face the world.
Despite the Color of Her Fur, Bluey Is a Girl
Bluey’s Fur Color Has Nothing to Do With Her Gender
Viewers must be careful not to be tricked by the color of Bluey’s fur. As her name suggests, she is a striking blue color, closely resembling her father Bandit; nevertheless, despite her blue coloration, Bluey is indeed a girl. Though she doesn’t mention her gender often, there are a few clear-cut examples throughout Bluey proving her feminine identity. In Season 2, Episode 39, “Double Babysitter,” the children’s uncle, Radley Heeler, jokingly refers to Bluey as a boy. This infuriates the pup, and she quickly shouts “I’m a girl!” Bluey hilariously puts her uncle in his place in a meta moment that addresses fan confusion over her gender.
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The Heeler family making up the main cast of Bluey is inspired by a real breed of dog known as Blue Heelers. These Australian cattle dogs are widely recognized for their different colored coats, which are typically tinged with white streaks. Thus, these black dogs often appear red or blue, explaining why characters like Bandit and Chilli seem slightly more colorful than other characters. A widely regarded fan theory also suggests that the show replicates the color-blind nature of dogs by adding a yellow tint to all of its scenes. This may be why Chilli seems much lighter than a traditional red Australian cattle dog.
It would be wrong to say that Bluey is a completely androgynous character. Bluey’s gender identity is far from obvious at first glance. However, this may be intentional. She is undoubtedly the show’s star, but her relationship with others makes the Bluey franchise so popular. From playing with her little sister to going to preschool, these are all normal milestones in every child’s life. Bluey aims to teach children and parents about the ups and downs of normal life and isn’t concerned about whether the Heeler family conforms to the conventions of a typical nuclear family.
Bluey’s Success Is Just Getting Started (Despite Major Franchise Shakeups)
Between the Bluey Continued Success & an Upcoming Movie, More is on the Way
After three wildly successful seasons, there’s officially more Bluey on the way. The popular animated series’ success makes its future inevitable, with Bluey Season 4 now officially in the works. However, future episodes may see a shift, with creator Joe Brumm officially exiting his iconic kids’ series. Brumm worked on all three seasons of Bluey so far, guiding it as it gradually became one of the most beloved ongoing children’s series of its time. While Brumm didn’t rule out returning to the series in the future, he attributed his exit to the overwhelming responsibility of working on the recently announced Bluey movie.
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Bluey Heeler and her family will make their big-screen debut in 2027 in their first (but potentially not their last) feature film. It is unclear whether or not Bluey Season 4 will premiere first, but given the movie’s distant release date, fans can hope they won’t have to wait another two years for more episodes. Bluey‘s widespread success is only just beginning. In 2024, Bluey beat Grey’s Anatomy to become the year’s most-streamed series, marking a milestone for the beloved animated series.
Its continued success will doubtlessly lead to more opportunities for the series to expand into additional markets. Bluey recently made its debut in Japan, potentially suggesting additional dubbed versions of the series spreading around the globe in years to come. More people have the chance to experience Bluey than ever before, potentially setting the series up to become one of the most popular children’s shows in the world.
