Looking at the current Netlix lineup, one could be forgiven for pining for a better age of animation. With shows like “Avatar the Last Airbender,” “Adventure Time” and “Gravity Falls” in the rearview mirror, it can sometimes be a little miserable looking at the shows which are so obviously trying to copy what made those mentioned above and many others long gone, good. A lot of shows like “She -Ra and the Princesses of Power,” “Amphibia,” “Hazbin Hotel” and “The Owl House” are basically carbon-copying a lot of the dynamics and writing tactics from these older shows without understanding the nuances of their formula. That isn’t to say they’re terrible,  but it speaks to a lack of inspiration and heart which is, unfortunately, a reality for most of television. 

Imagine the utter surprise one must feel when they encounter one of Netflix’s newest joint endeavors with Dreamworks, “Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts.” The show’s premise is simple enough: in a post-apocalyptic world populated by killer mutants, a girl raised underground, named Kipo, must brave the dangers of the outside world in order to find her missing clan. On her journey, she makes friends with the loner, Wolf, a little girl with a cutthroat attitude, and the duo of Benson, a cheerful, music-loving boy, and his pal Dave, a giant talking beetle. Along the way they are beset by gangs of talking animals and monsters who wish to either eat or enslave them. 

The strength of this show is twofold: the first is in its creativity, which pervades every aspect of both its production and world building. The character designs are succinct and distinctive, lending immediate personality to both the protagonists and the many beasts they encounter. The animation ranges from good to downright incredible, with dynamic and fluid action sequences that pretty much top the list of modern animated shows.  The world is alive with musical animal gangs and conceptually unique monsters, all set against a backdrop of society overgrown with nature and desolation. 

The second is a strong narrative. The characters are likeable and become fleshed out as the show goes on, particularly Kipo and Wolf, whose relationship becomes more interesting with each episode. Stereotypical adventure series scenarios often get subverted or played in new and creative ways. There really isn’t any filler. Each episode changes the status quo, moving the characters forward on their journey while also painting a picture of their wider world. 

There are some points of contention, such as the lack of deeper arcs for Benson and Dave and the uncertain direction of a certain villainous frog, as well as the fairly linear overarching narrative. But judging by the show’s pacing, it is likely they’re keeping certain things for season two. If you’re looking for the next big animated phenomenon, Kipo might just have you covered.

Image from DreamWorksTV via YouTube