Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts is a highly imaginative animated series launched on Netflix in 2020. The three-season show, produced by DreamWorks Animation and created by Radford Sechrist and Bill Wolkoff, features a richly diverse world that is as vibrant and lively as it is post-apocalyptic and dangerous. It offers an engaging storyline, bold visuals, and a compelling soundtrack that leaves a lasting impression and resonates deeply with audiences.

The show revolves around the adventurous journey of the young protagonist, Kipo Oak, a 13-year-old girl with unyielding optimism and resolve. After being swept from the relative safety of her underground city, Kipo finds herself in an unfamiliar, wild surface world, dominated by sentient mutant animals, commonly referred to as "mutes". This intricate terrain has grown on top of the remnants of human civilization, effectively making humans the minority species and relegating them to living in underground burrow communities.

The outer world is a cacophony of vibrant colors and oversized, fantastical creatures. It's a world where lumbering mega-bunnies loom over forest landscapes and modish wolf packs DJ their own dance parties. Yet, despite its intimidating aura, it also possesses an undeniable allure with its ecosystems of diverse 'mute' societies, each more imaginative than the last.

Despite the overwhelming new environment, Kipo, with her unceasing optimism and resilience, sets out to find her way back home. While embarking on a quest through this strange, post-apocalyptic urban wilderness, she meets an array of characters who were initially strangers but later form an unruly yet tight-knit family. Wolf, a quintessential fierce survivor with a deep mistrust of mutes; Benson, a fun-loving and music-obsessed surface scout; and Dave, a mutant insect who constantly transforms between life-cycles, all join Kipo on her journey.

Throughout her incredible adventure, Kipo soon discovers she has more connection to the surface world than she initially thought. As she traverses different mute territories, Kipo and her band of unlikely heroes confront challenges, reveal secrets, and learn about each other and the world they inhabit. She becomes a beacon of hope, an epitome of coexistence, and a symbol of harmonious living in a world that initially appears consumed by chaos.

The narrative is as much about survival in a new environment as it is about acceptance, resilience, friendship, empathy, and the power of unity. It explores the theme of coexistence - not just among humans, but between humans, nature, and the mutant creatures that populate its world.

Noteworthy is the series' dedication to diversity and representation. The characters come from various backgrounds, and the dialogue effortlessly incorporates elements of inclusivity. Throughout the series, audiences may appreciate the casual and respectful handling of themes such as race, identity, and sexuality - a strong suit that makes Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts a stand-out among animated shows.

Moreover, the show's sound design significantly enriches its world-building effort. The eclectically modern, non-diegetic music perfectly complements the bold and colorful surface world. Drawing heavily from hip-hop, pop, folk and more, the soundtrack captures the zeitgeist of contemporary youth culture, providing an aural experience entwined with the narrative's emotional hits.

The animation style is a playful blend of 2D graphics that bring both fluidity in action scenes and artistic flair to the world. The creators unabashedly splash the screen with neon hues and pastel shades, offering an aesthetic that further highlights this unique world. With robust character designs, stunning environmental art, and crisp, smooth animation, the visual splendor of the series is an impressive achievement.

Overall, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts is an innovative, socially relevant, and visually captivating series that thrills with its story arc, characters, and stylistic choices. It injects fresh life into post-apocalyptic narratives, replete with the grandeur of the animated genre and combined with a timely message of acceptance, empathy, and unity. It has succeeded in crafting marvelous storytelling with progressive themes, making it an unmissable gem in recent animation.