Tag Archives: cartoon series

Over the Garden Wall – Cartoon Review

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Over the Garden Wall is such a special cartoon for me, and it is unlike anything I have ever watched. Every single element of this short series plays a part in conveying a detail important to the story, whether it be the lighting in a given scene, the animation style of a setting, or the tone of the background music. Having only 10 episodes that are each about 10 minutes long, its an extremely concise yet sweet story that for me, personally, evokes a lot of nostalgia.

I would assume this series is set in a small town in the 1970s judging by the overall feel of it, specifically in the fall (which is why I always binge the episodes with my brother on Halloween). Wirt, a self-conscious, anxious high schooler and his little brother Greg, a hyper ball of energy, find themselves lost in a part of the woods called ‘The Unknown’. In an attempt to try to get back home, they embark on a journey with the help of a pure-hearted yet deceiving bluebird named Beatrice. They meet many people with diverse origins and mindsets along the way, but trust becomes a dangerous game as the band struggles to avoid an evil spirit known as ‘The Beast’.

This cartoon grapples with topics such as moving on, feeling like you don’t fit in, self acceptance and feeling confident/comfortable about who you are, etc. It indirectly gave me a lot of insight on the existence of different personalities in the real world, and how you should be selective of the people you choose to surround yourself with and avoid. I was also reminded that just because individuals may find it hard to open up or express their feelings, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have good intentions; they’ll always support you. The story makes me appreciate how lucky I am to have true friends and family who love me, and reassures me that I’m not alone in trying to figure out exactly who I am.

Despite all of these heavy topics that can be interpreted from this series, it is a roller coaster of emotions suitable for all ages that never ceases to pull on my heartstrings and sense of attachment.

So, given that the plot is so amazingly thought out and the animation as a whole is absolutely beautiful, I would never not recommend this journey of a cartoon to anyone.

Over the Garden Wall available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. 

TV Show Review: Yu-gi-oh! 5D’s

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Yu-gi-oh 5D’s is a remake of the popular children’s show Yu-gi-oh in the early 21st century. The show aired from 2008 to 2011 and has a cumulative 4 seasons. Of all the remakes of the original show, this version is often regarded as the most well built show. The show is widely popular among the younger generations as Yu-gi-oh has been a part of many people’s childhoods.

The show, primarily based on the iconic duels between card monsters, incorporates new game mechanics and gimmicks to keep the show fresh. The show adds shiny, advanced motorcycle technology and sleek character designs that come with such concepts. The monsters and main characters all are well designed and all have redeeming features that attract viewers. Fan favorites such as the main characters Yusei and Akiza are all built on their intriguing background story in addition to the well designed cards they utilize. The characters and character development in this iteration of the show is exceptional compared to previous and latter versions and is something that makes Yu-gi-oh 5D’s stand out. The story is also a boon for the show. While it may not be the greatest story in the world, it is still very good compared to most card game shows and cartoons which make it fun to follow and keeps you invested. Unlike a lot of cartoons, the story is fluent and builds on itself.

5D’s is very well built overall, the animations are not only fluent, but keep the show exciting and nostalgic for many viewers. The duels in this show are always tense and entertaining, showing why the Yu-gi-oh franchise was so popular with younger viewers in the first place. Each duel being well animated, while building lore and story at the same time is somewhat of an anomaly in cartoons and this show is a step above the others in the way the duels are integrated into the world-building. 

My only gripe with the show is that sometimes it can feel like the pace is too slow, but the action in each of those episodes makes up for it. There are rarely any filler episodes, if any, so each episode doesn’t ever feel like a waste of time as they are all important to the overall story. 

Overall, the show is a great watch if you have not seen it and want to watch something with the classic, early decade animation. There are so many interesting characters and relevant, important duels that it is easy to stay invested in the characters and show. I would rate it a 9/10 and encourage others to give it a try!

-Benjamin L.