#Magic animal friends series series#

On an aesthetic level, Hilda is incredibly pleasing. From there, the kids take matters into their own hands. ThereвЂ™s also a healthy dose of anti-authoritarianism, as Hilda and her friends find out that adults in positions of power вЂ“ for example, HildaвЂ™s favourite weather woman, Victoria Van Gale вЂ“ often have no idea what theyвЂ™re doing.

#Magic animal friends series series#

Hilda herself can be difficult, and her relationship with Johanna becomes more strained as the series goes on (typical of a mother-daughter dynamic when the child enters adolescence) but the love and care between the characters is never in question. But, as Hilda tells him, вЂњfear can be goodвЂќ вЂ“ thereвЂ™s no black and white thinking here, encouraging children to embrace all parts of themselves.

The character development of the central trio is subtle but clear, particularly in the character of David, who learns to be brave. Photograph: Everett Collection Inc/AlamyДЄs any good childrenвЂ™s television show should be, Hilda is concerned largely with themes of courage, friendship and community, though not in a didactic manner. Hilda embraces themes of courage, friendship and community.

The series pushes the boundaries of storytelling beyond the graphic novelsвЂ™ world, especially in the second season, which ups the stakes through more daring plotlines. There are also multi-chapter stories, unfolding like small films that are dazzling in their meticulous world-building. Upon arrival in Trolberg, she joins the Sparrow Scouts and befriends two human children, the strait-laced Frida and easily frightened David.Д®ach episode is titled as a chapter, but they arenвЂ™t particularly sequential вЂ“ most stand alone as single stories, following Hilda and her friendsвЂ™ adventures, whether they are looking for a lost library book, capturing baby trolls or learning witchcraft. Prior to moving, her only friends were her pet deer-fox, Twig, a helpful elf, Alfur, and a mysterious neighbour, Wood Man. PearsonвЂ™s drawings come to life as Hilda and her mother, Johanna, move from the mountains to the city, and the young girl is forced to integrate into school and socialisation when sheвЂ™d rather be exploring nature. Based on the graphic novels by British cartoonist Luke Pearson, the gently melancholic animated series follows the titular character, a spirited, blue-haired 11-year-old, on slice-of-life adventures around the town of Trolberg. T he tender, fantastical world of Hilda is easy to get lost in.