Bunsen is a Beast!

Bunsen is a Beast! is a charming animated television series from Nickelodeon, which premiered in 2017 and ran until 2018. This show is targeted towards a younger audience, but its colorful animation, endearing characters, and humor can be enjoyed by all audiences, making it a crowd-pleaser for family viewing.

The story of Bunsen is a Beast! is centered around Bunsen, a friendly and fun-loving beast who lives in the human world. He navigates through the society, a place very different from his beast world, in the bustling town of Muckledunk. The show brings a clever twist by making the beast the protagonist, rewriting the stereotypes surrounding mythical creatures in most fairy tales and animated shows.

Bunsen is the first beast to attend a human grade school, acting as an ambassador from the beast world, trying to prove to human beings that they don't need to be scared of beasts. During his time at the school, the viewers join Bunsen in attending classes, handling human-world homework, and learning about human norms. These moments not only provide comic relief but also present some important lessons about acceptance, friendship, and unity in diversity.

Interestingly, Bunsen is a Beast! doesn't portray Bunsen as an outcast, instead, making him popular among his classmates, owing to his jovial and innocent nature, his endless energy, and his peculiar, beast-like attributes. However, his uniqueness also makes him the target of certain individuals who display fear and hostility towards anything different.

The lead human character of the show is a boy named Mikey Munroe. He becomes Bunsen's best friend and guide, helping him navigate through the trials, tribulations, and quirks of human life. Mikey stands as the voice of acceptance and understanding amidst the skepticism and fear surrounding Bunsen in the human world. Their friendship and loyalty towards each other forms the heart of the series, presenting a beautiful message of accepting others' differences.

Other notable characters in the show include Amanda Killman, a relentless perfectionist and the main antagonist, who is hell-bent on exposing Bunsen as a threat and getting him expelled from the school. Darcy, Mikey's hyperactive and quirky little sister, also plays a significant role, providing comic relief and constantly getting into insane antics.

The creator of the show, Butch Hartman, popular for creating other renowned shows like The Fairly OddParents and Danny Phantom, ensures that Bunsen is a Beast! has his signature animation style, quirky humor, and a blend of outlandish scenarios which drive the narrative.

What makes Bunsen is a Beast! stand out is its central theme of acceptance and friendship against narrow-mindedness and hatred. The show addresses intolerance and prejudice dealt with by individuals who are different from the societal norms and teaches valuable lessons of understanding, empathy, and acceptance.

The show also showcases different beasts from the beast world throughout the series, each having its unique quirks and characteristics, thereby keeping the plot interesting. All these factors, coupled with engaging storytelling, make it a treat for young viewers.

In terms of visuals, Bunsen is a Beast! pops with bright colors, cartoonish character designs, and vivid animation effects. The look of the series is lively and attractive, largely appealing to the children, but also the child in an adult.

As with many Nickelodeon animated series, the sound design is of high quality. Sound effects are effectively used to punctuate the humor and the action in the series. Music plays a significant role too, with catchy tunes, fun musical numbers, and a memorable theme song, all contributing to the vibrant auditory experience of the series.

By the time the series reached its conclusion in 2018, Bunsen is a Beast! managed to win over many hearts with its unique premise, engaging stories, and important lessons sewn into its narrative. Balancing humor and lessons of acceptance and diverse friendships, Bunsen is a Beast! holds a special place in the universe of animated television shows.