Major Lazer

Major Lazer is a unique animated show that was brought to life in 2014 by the minds behind the Grammy-nominated music project of the same name - Diplo, Ferry Gouw, and Kevin Kusatsu. For viewers who are tuned into the world of music, particularly the electric dance genre, Major Lazer will seem instantly familiar. That's because the series directly relates to Diplo's electronic music project, Major Lazer, which itself represents a melding of musical and cultural influences from Jamaica to the United States and beyond.

The animated series, running on FXX Network’s Animation Domination and subsequently FXX Now, is inspired by 1980s cartoons, which any fan of that era will appreciate. While it takes inspiration from a varied source material, Major Lazer is an entirely original creation. The mixture of influences, from classic animation to cutting edge electronic music, gives the show a sense of freshness and vibrancy that one will find hard to compare to any other animation series.

The plot revolves around a dystopian future where Jamaica is at the crux of things. The main character is a superhero named Major Lazer, a Jamaican superhero who fights against the dystopian forces that have enveloped Jamaica with his laser gun for an arm. With the voice of actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje breathing life into Major Lazer, the stage is set for a show full of action, surrealism, and originality. Accompanying Major Lazer are fellow teammates Penny and Blkmrkt, who each add layers of humor, camaraderie, and dynamism to the narrative.

The series showcases a Jamaica of the future, which has evolved into a high-tech cityscape, but not without its share of problems. In the midst of music, dance, and pulsating productivity, the environment is under constant threat by forces of evil. The series delivers a social commentary on commercialism, hedonism, and the music industry, all peppered with generous doses of humor and action.

The animation style of Major Lazer is a refreshing departure from the conventions of mainstream animation, marking its unique identity. The characters are extravagantly dressed, emphasizing the vivid, vibrant, and colorful culture of Jamaica with a futuristic twist. From the pulsating vibrancy of neon city lights to the throbbing beat of the music, every detail of the show reflects an atmosphere that is at once surreal and intensely alive.

Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of Major Lazer is the inclusion of its unapologetic and raw music score. The soundtrack of the series, largely drawn from the Major Lazer discography, lends to the series a kind of euphonic continuity, tying together the episodes with an audible thread of electronic dance music. As characters navigate through the plotline, the uniquely stylized and highly original music gives the viewers an invitation to not only watch but to feel and resonate with the rhythm of the narrative.

On the surface, Major Lazer may come off as the lovechild of an electronic music project and a love for vintage Saturday morning cartoons. But the series is more than just the sum of its parts. It's an exploration of music, culture, identity, and the inherent absurdities of our modern world - with a heavy dose of futurism and unapologetic creativity.

Each episode of Major Lazer embeds a blend of action, laughter, high-pitched sound effects, and captivating color palettes that are signature trademarks of the show. With guests voice appearances from music industry heavyweights like J.K. Simmons, Charli XCX, Riff Raff, and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, the series reaches out to a broad spectrum of audience, tuning them into its unique rhythm.

In summary, Major Lazer is an experiment in the multi-faceted world of animation, music, and cultural diversity. It’s a journey into a future that is both illuminating and unnerving. For viewers, Major Lazer is not just a show - it's a pulsating, neon-lit, rhythm-infused experience. A pop culture phenomenon that despite only running for one season, left an unforgettable mark in the annals of animation and music history.