Pumyra is a noble Thunderian warrior and healer in the original ThunderCats animated series produced by Rankin/Bass. She first appeared in the five-part episode "ThunderCats Ho!" (beginning September 8, 1986), which served as the premiere of the show's second season. A survivor of Thundera's destruction, Pumyra was enslaved by the Mutants alongside fellow Thunderians Lynx-O and Bengali on the reformed planet New Thundera, where they were forced to labor in mines. Rescued by Lion-O and the core ThunderCats team, she joined their ranks as a skilled physician and combatant, bringing much-needed medical expertise to the group and representing the puma in the team's animal-themed composition.

Pumyra possesses exceptional agility, speed, and acrobatic prowess reflective of her puma heritage, enabling her to perform impressive leaps and evasive maneuvers in battle. Her signature weapon is a flexible whipcord equipped with twin bolas, which she wields with precision to entangle foes, swing across terrain, or launch explosive projectiles from a belt pouch containing specialized pellets. Trained extensively in Thunderian medicine, she excels as the team's primary healer, utilizing natural remedies, herbs, and advanced knowledge to treat injuries sustained in conflicts against Mumm-Ra, the Mutants, and the Lunataks, demonstrating compassion alongside her martial capabilities.

As an integral member of the expanded ThunderCats, Pumyra contributed to numerous defenses of Third Earth and New Thundera, showcasing unwavering loyalty and courage. Notable episodes highlighted her resilience, such as "Catfight," where Mumm-Ra attempted to exploit perceived rivalries among the female ThunderCats, yet Pumyra overcame manipulation through inner strength. She remained a steadfast supporting figure throughout the series' run, embodying themes of healing and unity, and continued to appear in related merchandise and adaptations, solidifying her role as a valued addition to the ThunderCats legacy.