Is it Necessary to Animated Stranger Things Show
What are Animated Stanger Things Called?
Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 is the latest animated series based on hit Netflix show with the same name developed by The Duffer Brothers. Tales of ’85 take place between season 2 and 3 in Hawkins. Will, Eleven, Dustin, Mike, Lucas and Max investigate a new threat that plagues Hawkins.
I know this series comes after final season of the live action series went Will has powers. Sadly, Will doesn’t unlock his power yet in the animated series. Tales of ’85 introduce new character named Nikki Baxter, who is originally created for the show. Nikki comes important character along her mother Anna Baxter. The show does take elements from season 2 went Eleven close the gate to the Upside Down World.
Original actors didn’t reprise their roles but new voice talent fell in the shows of major characters. I can imagine because the actors are older now and needed new faces to feel the role. New voice actors did a okay job making them sound like original actor of the live action series.
Continue
Tales of ’85 loves those 80s popular references like He-Man, which Dustin states during their investigation. Will and Eleven relationship are retained from live action. Jim Hopper still very protective of Eleven because he still cares for her like his own daughter. Lucas and Max is starting to have romantic interest in one another, even if always squabbling.
One of the main antagonists is Vine creatures along with Daniel Fichser, who is dating Anna at the time of the series. Vine creatures are abit similar to Demigorgen, which they feel off of green ooze and need human host to survive, but it was false accusation. You will know went they came from in the first episode.
Nikki is not a bad character but help major characters with weapons, which Dustin makes her honorary member of his group. Stranger Things still has theme music and Netflix logo in the beginning of the episodes. Don’t forget the ending theme as well. Which show runners try to shoehorn for fans of the OG series.
Animation and Story
Tales of ’85 use the same animation techniques as Arcane League of Legends, Into the Spider-Verse and Kpop Demon Hunter. Even if it is not animated by Sony Pictures but Flying Bark Productions. Also, I forgot to mention character designs remind me of cancelled Teltalle Game.
Story of Tales of ’85 is not as impactful as live action tv show. Mike and the gang fight off against Vine creatures along with learning their true origins. Each episode is 30min length which is new to animated shows. The show has 10 episodes which story feels grounded and doesn’t have a lot of subplots.
Steve Harrington and Nacy Wheeler makes a one-time appearance in the series but didn’t return in the remainder of the show. The character Nikki was a good addition to the team but even felt left out. Even Hopper makes an appearance episode or two in the show. They didn’t offer much to the series.
Is it Bad?
Even The Duffer Brothers was executive producers of the show but didn’t direct it. The showrunners Eric Robles and Jennifer Muro did stated that “they wanted a make it 80s Saturday-morning cartoon”, but I didn’t get that feeling. This was nothing like a Saturday morning cartoon at all.
Stranger Things were not meant to be family friendly at all, but I felt they should go with original characters. Story was average at its best, but animation keeps you watching. Why was this necessary because it’s a cash grab and won’t live franchise die.
Just like Harry Potter tv show, why was it made, I think movies capture the essence of original book. Live action Stranger Things is better in my opinion even got some minor issues, but I enjoy the show. Showrunners know that fan will watch it because last season is over.
Closing
Stranger Things: Tales of ’85 is a 6/10 tv show for me. I understand producers want fans of the series to have nostalgia for the 80s along with having soundtrack like Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper. I didn’t feel anything watching and felt like rehashing elements from live action series. It offers nothing new and didn’t bring anything to the table.
Mike and the Scooby Gang always get into trouble and play little Dungeon and Dragons. If you are a fan of live action series, I would get this show a watch. I felt they should have went in another direction and tried to crumble something that established. What are your thoughts on Tales of ’85 show?
Feel free to watch it on Netflix and let me know in the comments below. Thank you for reading my blogpost and tune into the next post from yours truly.
Anjim Plays is a award-winning streamer from Washington DC, who is a advocate of blerd and gaming culture. I am willing to help others and work with brands.
