I was prepared to dismiss A Tale Dark & Grimm completely. Another reimagining of The Brother's Grimm? With that cocomelon looking animation? On Netflix?
Boy howdy was I happy to be wrong. (editor's note: it was based on a book! that's why it's so cohesive!)
Don't get it twisted I do think the animation style is it's weakest point but it is a far cry from the plastic sameface no shadows style I was expecting. They do some neat stylistic choices that call to mind both plate layered animations and stage-crafted sets.
Also? Wide range of casting. Actors and characters of color. Adaptations of fairy tales can easily fall into racist and sexist ruts because Old Stuff Is Old. But this series seems to clear the bar with room to spare. (I side eyed the devil's design a touch but. there's a lot of characters with big noses so we will let it slide).
My final and highest praise is that they are unflinching in depicting the Bad Parts. They definitely break things down a bit more for children (the intended audience) and they don't Show The Gore but shit happens man. Beheadings. Befingerings. Impalings.
I need more gifs of this show asap.
