If you still haven’t watched Netflix’s Hilda then please do so, you’ll never find a more charming urban fantasy anywhere else beyond Studio Ghibli. Anyway, this was one of my favorite episodes in the entire series. Jorgen and the other giants were a sight to behold and quite easy to like and relate to,(like most of the creatures in the show). I’ve always loved seeing giant otherworldly creatures being portrayed as friendly and/or wise beyond time. It’s both a humbling and comforting feeling since most other beings of this scale/nature are often reckless, narcissistic, sometimes even cruel. Just one of the many reasons I love this show so much, it could really use more attention.

Needle felted Alfur

Hilda + criatures

Hilda + criatures

Hall-os-eev is approaching.

Hilda: An Animated Masterpiece in Children’s Fantasy

It has been 2 years, 7 months, and 9 days since Gravity Falls ended, and in the process, leaving an empty space in my heart. I had been with the show since its premiere and while I was glad it got such a great farewell, I was honestly convinced we wouldn’t be getting another animated show as wonderful and hilarious for the years to come.

Until now.

Netflix’s Hilda premiered last Friday, and I have been doing nothing all weekend but watching and rewatching all 13 episodes. I love this show. It’s one of the best fantasy series I’ve seen, animated or otherwise! This show is just oozing with creativity - it’s like Luke Pearson is a human vending machine of great ideas that never runs out.

This might end up being my favorite new series of 2018. And the best part is, it didn’t even take me that long to decide that.

In the first five minutes of the pilot alone, we’re introduced to so many great things about the show. We’re introduced to a fantastic opening theme that nobody’s going to want to skip. We’re introduced to a world filled with magic and adventure and beautiful art like these:

But most importantly, we’re introduced to Hilda, a protagonist worthy of having her name as the show’s title. So much is revealed about her in the first five minutes alone. She’s curious, she loves adventure, and she’s not afraid of the strange and unorthodox. 

By the time the title card showed, I knew this was going to be a character I was going to root for.

CHARACTERS

If a show is only as great as its characters, then Hilda deserves an hour-long standing ovation. This show has such a colorful cast of characters, both inside and outside of the forest.

David and Frida are hilarious and adorable and play such a great team as Hilda’s best friends. (I also appreciate how all three kids have distinct personalities, so it isn’t like Hilda’s just talking to herself!) Hilda’s mom is supportive and loves her daughter the way she is. The forest creatures are great too, with Twig, Woodman, and Alfur being oh-so-fun and memorable.

But the true heart and soul of Hilda is, well… Hilda! She’s the best protagonist a show like this could ask for. She’s free-spirited, courageous, and everything I wanted to be as a kid. Her character design is terrific, and I’m willing to bet a whole bunch of little girls are going to cosplay her this upcoming Halloween. Best of all, her voice actor Bella Ramsey does an amazing job at voicing her, really capturing the enthusiasm and spirit of her character.

In fact, all the voice actors here are amazing. David, Alfur, Woodman, the Great Raven, David’s singing voice (Yes, he sings!) - all these characters have voice performances that fit them like a glove. Voice acting isn’t an easy job, and the cast pulls it off with such terrific effortlessness.

PLOT

While this show doesn’t have the overarching mystery of Gravity Falls, it more than makes up for it by having each episode be brighter and better than the previous one.

There are no filler episodes here. Every episode is so special in its own way - each time we finish one and the next one plays, we’re introduced to a new adventure, a new set of magical creatures, and a new chance to have fun with Hilda and her friends.

That has everything to do with the world Hilda and her friends live in.

It’s so creative and magical and strange and IMAGINATIVE. Luke Pearson’s world building is ridiculously impressive. He’s created a world filled with mystery and adventure, the perfect world for Hilda to explore and for us to discover. This is a world filled with invisible elves, friendly giants, and creatures with floating heads made of wood.

This is a world I want to live in.

I also love how no character is ever forgotten, and so every episode seems to weave together to form one cohesive season. A lot of careful planning and love went into writing this series, and that’s something I very much appreciate.

ANIMATION

This series is mesmerizing to watch. So many shots here are absolute keepers. The wide shots where Hilda and Twig are exploring the forest are some of my favorites. I genuinely want to print some of them out and frame them in my room because they are so gorgeous!

Not only that, but this show features some of the most beautiful movement and animation I’ve seen in an animated series. The animation moves like water - it’s so luscious and fluid and that couldn’t have been easy to do. Again, a lot of care and love went into this series. I like that.

I’m pretty sure the animators know this, too, because man, they are just boasting their incredible art and animation. There are scenes here that were made for the sole intention of showing off their gorgeous colors and designs, and you know what? I can’t even be mad. If anything, I want more of it. I want to see just how talented these animators can be.

Oh, and can we also talk about the character designs? Because I’m in love with all the character designs. Just one look at the characters and already, you know so much about them. Great character design often goes by unremarked, but what it should tell you is how well the creators know and understand their characters.

In conclusion, I love this series and I really hope it gets the viewership it deserves. A lot of love and care and dedication was put into making this series, and strangely enough, that’s not really something you see in a lot of kids’ media.

So what are you waiting for? Stop reading this post and go watch this show, if you haven’t already!

hey if you’re looking for a wholesome, gravity falls-esque series with fantastic world building and gorgeous animation pls check out hilda on netflix

She is a real adventurer!! I just fell in love with this show, Hilda The Series on Netflix! it is incredibly beautiful, the color palette,the animation…all of it is remarkable  and i recommend it A LOT♡

I started watching this new show, Hilda, on Netflix and after the first episode I instantly fell in love with it.

recommend checking out if you have Netflix

Hilda and Friends