“Destiny is baloney. Your future is not foretold, it’s what you make it.” -Elfo

We can’t predict if you’ll like it or not, but here’s our two cents. Hear ye, hear ye!

After being bombarded by movies and shows that explore the fate of humanity (and even other creatures) in the distant future during the 80s and 90s, people have shifted their interest to stories that take place in the distant past – series about kingdoms fighting for the throne, cave people meeting the alpha dog, life during the ice age, and so on. It’s no surprise that even adult animated series are now in the same realm, leaving behind the future-looking Futurama and current events-based The Simpsons like something from the “classic faves in the past”. The new generation that missed the awesome humor from these shows need to start off somewhere new and quite light, but still in the same witty space. A timely example of which is the fantasy-filled animation, Disenchantment, from Netflix.

Millennials who have been fans of American cartoonist and producer Matt Groening’s The Simpsons and Futurama would probably be interested to know what this new animated series is all about. To keep things short: It’s not as grand as the two, but the humor seems very timely and age-appropriate despite having a medieval setting.

Viewers will be whisked away to the crumbling medieval kingdom of Dreamland, where the highlight is on the misadventures of hard-drinking young princess Bean, her unexpected elf companion Elfo, and her personal demon (from a gift box) Luci. Along the way, the oddball trio encounter ogres, sprites, harpies, imps, trolls, walruses, and lots of human fools that only make their adventure complicated. By adventure, we mean ditching an arranged marriage; standing up against a cruel and selfish father; staring at everything with innocent eyes, and constantly battling-embracing inner demons.

Bean is an unusual representation of how this generation is constantly trying to figure out their life amidst death wishes from time to time just to escape the cruel environment and drudgery of the world. No damsel in distress in this story (just an alcoholic princess who loves to do not-so-princess things), but there are a lot of narcissistic knights in (not shining) armors.

Watch Disenchantment if you’re looking for an animated series that has lighter topics than Bojack Horseman but still humorous like the first few season of The Simpsons. You can bring your 13-year-old nephews or nieces, if you’d like to expose them to medieval jokes that mirror current reality. This will fit you if you feel like making fun of the old-fashioned customs and beliefs that are somehow carried on to the present (e.g. patriarchy, narcissism, religious beliefs).

Although certain characters may seem static in the first few episodes, there are unlimited hints at how things may instantly turn upside down. One of the things that I like about this show is that it doesn’t require its viewers to think that much about the story, but still manages to leave a mark in our minds. Here’s another line that I magically managed to memorize, aside from the one at the beginning of this page:

“I’d rather die a big death than live a small life.” – Elfo

The series features the voices of Abbi Jacobson (Bean), Eric Andre (Luci), and Nat Faxon (Elfo) along with John DiMaggio, Billy West, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, David Herman, Matt Berry, Jeny Batten, Rich Fulcher, Noel Fielding, and Lucy Montgomery.

This 10-episode adult animated comedy fantasy series, Disenchantment, will be landing on your Netflix screens on August 17, 2018. Don’t forget to lower the drawbridge and welcome them into your watch list. No regrets from our end!

We’ll be on the lookout for more updates on Bean, Elfo, and Luci’s medieval misadventures, so don’t forget to follow Manila Millennial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more details about Netflix, go to:

www.netflix.com/disenchantment

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