Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy

Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy is a captivating animated Netflix series that came to life in 2020, bringing a fresh spin to the Spirit Riding Free universe, a franchise that has been loved by children and young adult audiences alike. The series is developed by Aury Wallington and is based on the Oscar-nominated 2002 film "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron." This adaptation maintains the charm and excitement of the original movie while venturing into new territory for children's programming.

The show stars Lucky, a headstrong young girl, her friends Pru and Abigail, and their horses Chica Linda, Boomerang, and Spirit - a wild mustang that Lucky befriends. Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy follows Lucky right after she relocates from her small frontier town to join the prestigious Palomino Bluffs Riding Academy along with her best friends. The series showcases their journey together as they embrace this new life, learn valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and self-discovery while maintaining the bond with their spirited horses.

But, this chapter in their lives doesn't come easy; they face a plethora of challenges that come with this new, different environment. This shift from their usual, small-town life to the competitive equestrian world of the academy puts them to the test – both in the classroom and on the racetrack. This realistic portrayal of friendship, competition, and growth makes the series relatable, and it creates a landscape for exploring diverse themes and heartwarming life lessons.

Not only does the series reflect on the ups and downs of the girls' journey, but it also gives a deep look into the relationships between the characters and their beloved horses. These characters are not just riders; they are horse whisperers, horse lovers, who don't have a master-servant relationship with their horses but have created a bond of friendship. Spirit, the titular mustang with no rider but Lucky's best horse friend, continues to embody the themes of freedom and wildness the series holds dear.

In terms of animation, Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy offers a crisp and appealing visual palette, with detailed character designs and lush landscapes. The series doesn't skimp on variety in its settings, with the Riding Academy offering plenty of fresh environments to provide a welcome contrast to the prairie surroundings of the original Spirit Riding Free series. Also, the animation effectively conveys the characters' emotions and ensures that the bond between the horses and humans is continually felt.

The series is also well-regarded for its quality storytelling. Each episode balances humor and drama, with the personal growth of the characters tying into the bigger narrative. It's a story of resilience, determination, and an unceasing spirit of exploration that remains true to its roots. The overall plot of the series maintains a nice flow, ensuring that young viewers'll remain engrossed in the girls' adventures and the inevitable obstacles they encounter at the academy.

Apart from the main characters, viewers will meet a whole array of new characters that bring interesting dynamics and different perspectives on equine care and riding. These characters are from different socio-economic backgrounds and have various levels of riding experience, adding another layer of complexity to the show. Each character in the series is unique, and they all carry their own charm and personality.

The voice acting performances bring these characters to life, with each actor delivering dialogue and emotions with relatable dynamism - infusing the series with enthusiasm and authenticity. The series also boasts a rich and vibrant soundscape with lively and memorable country-style theme music that sets the tone perfectly for this adventurous and upbeat show.

In summation, Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy is an inspiring, gripping, and immersive series that brings to the fore a group of lovable characters, their challenges, their steadfastness and their evolving friendships. As they navigate their journey in the Riding Academy, viewers learn along with them about empathy, teamwork, perseverance and importantly, a love for animals. The strengths of this show lie in its narrative dynamism, adorable characters, emotive storytelling, and a context where the wild spirit of personal freedom reigns supreme.