Unicorn: The robot from Warriors Eternal actually speaks a real language

Unicorn: Warriors Eternal, the new sci-fi fantasy adventure series from Samurai Jack Creator Genndy Tartakovsky, is packed with an eccentric cast of unforgettable characters. But none of them leave quite as strong an impression as Copernicus, the top hat-wearing steampunk robot responsible for reviving the Unicorn Warriors over time to battle evil. While Copernicus can only speak in a series of beeps, bloops, and various whistles – much to the chagrin of the series’ protagonist, Emma – it turns out that everything he says makes perfect sense… as long as you listen carefully.

“It’s just something Genndy and I do a lot.” Unicorn: Warriors Eternal Head writer Darrick Bachman, who had previously worked with Tartakovsky Originally and the last season of Samurai Jack, told Polygon via Zoom. “We like to remove dialogue from everything, our whole career is trying to get as much dialogue out as possible and do everything pantomime. You just rely on old Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin-style physical humor and physicality to convey what you’re trying to say.”

When asked what it was like to write the “dialogue” for a character who technically

does not speak, Bachman offered a fascinating answer: everything Copernicus says can be translated into actual words and phrases. “All the beeps and beeps are actual words in the script,” says Bachman. “So I’m actually going to write the words, he might say ‘We have to go over here,’ but it is like that [various bleeps, bloops, and whistles] on the screen. It’s about writing the dialogues of the other characters in such a way that the audience can understand what Copernicus is saying.”

Bachman went so far as to compare Copernicus to R2-D2, the famous droid from the Star Wars franchise. From what we’ve seen in the series so far, Copernicus is every bit as charming and capable as this iconic droid from a galaxy far, far away. He can transform into a vehicle, stretch out his arms to deliver powerful hose-like punches, fly around with a back-mounted propulsion motor, and soar above the clouds like the marvel of technology that he is. He’s one of the coolest new characters to premiere on television this year, and it’s all thanks to Genndy Tartakovsky, Darrick Bachman, and character designer Stephen DeStefano for bringing him to life on screen.

Unicorn: Warriors Eternal will air Thursday nights on Adult Swim and stream on HBO Max.