Hey people, this is my first ever blog and I’m very excited to share my thoughts and opinions about whatever I may want to talk about, whether that be books, shows, movies, or poets/writers.
For my first blog, I’d like to talk about the new Adventure Time series, Adventure Time: Side Quests (along with other spin-offs and how I feel about them in comparison to Side Quests.) Now, I have a lot of strong opinions about this newly developing series. For one, I really, really don’t like the animation/art style. It feels too flat in a way, and Finn’s design feels even more simplified than the classic two dots and a mouth that he had before. I do recognize that I have some bias, as the original is my favorite show of all time and I feel quite protective of it, and I recognize that I am in the minority of opinions when it comes to Side Quests, but my opinion has not changed after acknowledging that.
Everyone knows that the creators of Adventure Time tended to experiment with different art styles, especially in the later seasons, and I applaud the courage it takes to change the art style of such an iconic and loved show. However, as a die-hard fan, I just really cannot get behind this new approach. There’s just something off about how Finn and Jake look. They’re so much more simplified and flat, it looks like a low-sensory show for babies. (This isn’t a dig at the animation team in any way.) It just feels lack luster and like it’s missing the heart it once had. The passion that made the show so lovable feels lost when just looking at the cover.
I will say, the creators have very good reasons for why they went with a no-line art style. Pendleton says that illustrating with no lines took very long but it’s worth it for the show to have a childlike, story book feel. He says the style is meant to convey the innocence of Finn and Jakes early years while keeping their chaos. I’m sure the original humor shines through in the show, and I love the thought put behind the art style, I just can’t get behind the art style itself.
(Example of the new art style)
(The original, goated art style that permeates my dreams)
There are some good aspects to it if I’m being honest. At first, I was scared that they’d be retconning the previous lore or using it as a continuation like they did with Fionna and Cake, but thankfully that’s not the case. This new show apparently centers around the early life of Finn and Jake. I do love the idea of this and plan on watching the show myself. I haven’t seen any yet so I can’t criticize it or praise it beyond shallow, trivial things. But I’m really not the biggest fan of yet another spin-off.
(My love and my light, Fionna and Cake)
The original show has enough spin-offs as it is. Some are in fact better than others, like Fionna and Cake which is known for its extension of lore and heavier themes. Distant Lands isn’t too bad either. I enjoy seeing BMO do their little thing, but it’s still not my favorite. There’s also another spin-off being created about Marceline and Bubblegum titled Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline. Which isn’t the most creative to say the least, yet I’m still pretty excited for it. I feel like we as an audience deserve more Bubblegum and Marceline screen time. I am very excited for a show centering one of my favorite queer ships (which could be its own rant to be honest.) I myself I haven’t been able to find examples of the art style. I can only hope that it’s true to the original and not simplified with weird colors and shading like Side Quests seems to be.
(Only picture I can find that is for sure from the show.)
I don’t have much to say about this show since information is sparce, but I am a sucker for sapphics (who are very misrepresented in media as a whole.) I just hope they stick to the dynamic the original characters have while also expanding on that dynamic and properly representing a good sapphic relationship.
And with that slightly unintelligible rant, I believe my first blog is done.
As the great Wendigoon says, “and as always, thank you for watching. BYE-”
