Via Netflix
On the 23rd of December 2016, Netflix dropped Trollhunters. This unexpected delight came from the brilliant mind of the horrormeister, Guillermo Del Toro, who is typically known for adult oriented content such as “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006), “Shape of Water” (2017) and the Hellboy film franchise.
Guillermo Del Tore, the Lovable Man-bear Fantasist via Wikipedia
In this fantastical animated series, we adventure into the magical realm of…….Trolls. Yeah, I know. Not the most glamorous of aspects when we think of the fantasy genre. The series is centered around the mild-mannered boy, Jim Lake Jr., where we follow his escapades to the world of trolls, starting from the discovery of the mystical amulet that chose him as the new Trollhunter, to saving the entire world from the evil trolls and other mystical magical antagonists such as Morgana.
In the beginning, it would have been easy to dismiss Trollhunters as but a funny-action-cartoon show that serves to distract children, and ultimately forgettable. Instead, we received a series with compelling characters and a story that actually has stakes in it (unlike most children’s programming) and an ending that is both surprising and satisfying for those who have dutifully followed the series from the start.
It boggles me that why aren’t there any rave reviews about it. It baffles me to no end, some shows are just hidden gems that are waiting to be found.
via Giphy
Aspects of the series that I adore are the design of the trolls which of course is Del Toro’s forte and the mythology of the Trollhunter. World-building is essential to any fantasy world, and Del Toro and Dreamworks did it right. The design of the trolls gets a lot of attention, the personality of these trolls are excellently conveyed through the physicality of their designs, from the robust but calm, AAARRRGGHH!!!, to the intellectual but anxious, Blinky. With every coming episode, we also learn more about the history of the world of Trolls, from their formation by Merlin and Morgana, to the source of life of all trolls, the Hearthstone. The lore of the series is deepened with a good chunk of screen time devoted to exploring the world and the legacy of Trollhunting. It is a huge plus in my book.
Never have I been invested in an animated fantasy TV world since Avatar: The Last Airbender and Avatar: The Legend of Korra which also contains heavy world building elements to it.
Yes. I said it. Blasphemy.
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But yeah, I enjoyed Trollhunters very much so.
via Giphy
With the end of Trollhunters, the first chapter of the Tales of Arcadia ends, we will explore more through the rest of the trilogy, which are 3 Below and Wizards. The conclusion of the trilogy as we are told, will result in us seeing a conflict that would decide the fate of the galaxy, cliche it may be, but we’ll have to wait and find out, how invested can be get.
via Cartoon Brew
As long as they do right by the characters and the relationship they have forged, and at the same time, craft a emotionally satisfying adventure. I’ll be satisfied.
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Now, let’s talk about how dark can this series get. I am for one, who supports that children’s content should be darker. I want more children’s cartoons to be bolder in what stories they tell, I want death that actually lasts and have an impactful effect on the characters, I want characters to have their hand chopped off by their fathers (a bit to far…..for children’s content perhaps, but I stand by my ideals); you get what I mean, I don’t want stories where there are not stakes in it, and the characters do not have to sacrifice anything to overcome an obstacle in their life or adventure.
I want Character Growth. Period.
No spoilers.
In the case of Trollhunters, while it is still an animated series aimed at children, it is mature in its storytelling and subject matter, so that it actually peaks the interest of adults. Main characters, Jim, Claire, and Toby are faced with heavy burden of saving the world and winning the war between the good trolls vs Morgana and Gunmar’s evil trolls. They have to make life-altering choices that doesn’t come with easy answers, and that they grow from it.
Its a bittersweet journey for all these characters, and I say, great. Character Growth. Checked.
It is not just all seriousness, the mature tone is balanced out with humour and silliness that all ages can enjoy. A well-placed fart joke or two, will get them kids giggling.
via Giphy
By the end of the day, Trollhunters is still made with kids in mind, though more violent, people and trolls alike get hurt, and some even die. However, the core elements in the series keeps it grounded and real. Responsibility is a core theme, from Jim’s responsibility as a son who makes lunch for his hardworking single mother to the savior of Troll kind that has to answer all calls to action, and the balance between those two worlds is by no means easy, he has suffered for it.
His teacher even calls Jim, Young Atlas. You know, the Titan from Greek Mythology who is tasked of maintaining the divide between the heavens and the earth on his shoulders! Responsibility. Quite fitting if I am to say.
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To summarize, Trollhunters is not just a cheesy coming of age cartoon. It is a slow build up in the initial episodes, in which it sets up the characters and their relationships. It follows the traditional tropes of a fantasy hero plot, but the characters are much more complex than just stereotypical fantasy characters. The plot is formulaic at times, but it does engage the audience in unexpected ways, because nothing is certain.
Along with the engaging plot, we have one of the more visually appealing cartoons to this date, which dynamic and fluid sequences. 3D animation tends to have awkward sequences, especially a TV budget, Trollhunters has none of those problems. Instead it is vibrant and a delight to watch.
Watch it. Please. It is fantastic family cartoon. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy.
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Also, SHOUT OUT to my favourite character, Gnome Chompsky. (A play on American Philosopher, Noam Chomsky)
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