Besides the usual felines (a lion, lionesses and possibly a puma), this time J.C. also keeps a white wolf in his downstairs glass lairs.
The hawk shape-shifting is more stylized this time, and is a faster transformation than usual.
This is the "Chinatown" episode. Since the '70s, most TV shows had recurring themes, and most had at least one episode revolving around Chinatown and/or the Chinese people. This is Manimal's.
Some 24 minutes in, it would appear that the TV backlot where J.C.'s brownstone residence is located, also served as the same street for the Chinese restaurant; the latter appears located at the end J.C.'s brownstone building. This was never shown before, and the restaurant was earlier located in the heart of Chinatown. In fact, in the beginning, the three cohorts had driven to get there, whereas 24 minutes in, it looks like J.C. could simply walk down his street, past one other set of stairs, and be right there, in Chinatown.
Footage from this title was taken for the intro, where J.C. clings glasses with an unseen guest. He was actually here toasting with Brooke McKenzie.