Netflix revealed a slate of new animated family shows today — yes, ANIMATED shows. The streamer has mainly been in the news lately for all the cartoons it’s been axing and all the talent it’s been screwing over. But somehow, here are descriptions and trailers for five animated family shows to debut in 2022 and 2023. Sonic Prime was also among the announcements, but it was already covered one post ago.
We can only assume the reason we’re getting these is because either they were licensed from other studios (like Sonic) or they were too far along to stop. Even still, don’t hold your breath for a Season 2 unless a series has the word “DreamWorks” over it…
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight — Like this one. “When a mysterious pair of weasels set their sights on a collection of four powerful weapons, Po must leave his home to embark on a globe-trotting quest for redemption and justice that finds him partnered up with a no-nonsense English knight named Wandering Blade.” There have been Kung Fu Panda shows before, but this is the first one that features the return of Jack Black as Po.
Daniel Spellbound — This is an interesting idea. The show takes place in an alternate New York City where magical powers are as commonplace as giant subway rats. The titular Daniel Spellbound makes his living tracking down rare magical objects — until one day he stumbles upon one so powerful that everyone is now after him.
Dead End: Paranormal Park — Barney, Norma and Pugsley (the latter being a dog, not a goth child) work at a theme park that not only uses a haunted house theme but actually IS haunted. They’re the only ones that know, and they regularly battle dark forces like “zombie mascots, demonic game show hosts, [and] sleep-sucking witches.” The series is based on the graphic novel DeadEndia by Hamish Steele, as well as the web short Dead End that was adapted from it.
My Dad The Bounty Hunter — Well, this just reminds me of Teenage Bounty Hunters, another screwed-over Netflix series…I still miss it. While this one uses a similar premise, it throws in the twist of space. “The action-comedy series follows the toughest bounty hunter in all the galaxy, a man with razor sharp skills but also a secret – his family on Earth has no idea what he does for a living. So when his two kids accidentally hitch a ride into outer space and crash his latest mission, they discover that their average Dad’s job is anything but boring. Dodging dangerous aliens and laser fights galore, this family bonding time goes to the extreme.”
We Lost Our Human — Finally, this is another of those “interactive” Netflix shows and revolves around two indoor pets who wake up one morning to discover their owner has vanished off the face of the Earth. And when they peek outside, they find every OTHER human has vanished! Despite having never ventured outside the comforts of home, Pud and Ham will have to learn a lot about the world quickly if they hope to save their human — and the rest of humanity.
There is some substance here, but keep in mind most of the promising projects have already been cancelled. If you love animation, Netflix doesn’t want to be your friend anymore.