An underrated show that was somehow doomed to fail

BoxwoodExpress

I think this show gets way too much hate. Despite some of this show's problems, it's too enjoyable and engaging for me to hate. Besides the hate this show gets because the creator is creepy and treated her co-workers badly (separate the art from the artist, people), a lot of people say that Reggie is too immature and that the show's depiction of the Butt Witch is transphobic. I will counter these claims, while also giving my thoughts on the show and will detail the show's downfall.

First of all, there are a lot of 12 year olds who are immature. Heck, I was immature when I was 12. I made my first few reviews on the site when I was 12 and used way too much exclamation points, and made them way too long. Now I'm 15 and my reviewing style has changed for the better. Heck, when I was 12 I was like Reggie. I loved toys, drawing, and making up stories. I still love those things today. Besides, her immaturity is what makes the show fun. Would you really want Reggie to be uptight and serious?

The show is really fun and relatable. Puberty really does suck. Sure, it's a path leading to things you can do when you're an adult like drive, get a job, and drink alcohol, but getting acne, voice cracks, etc is no fun at all. That's why before you become an adult, you should embrace your childhood and live your life to the fullest before you turn 18. Even though Reggie constantly using Endless Island as an escapism method does become a problem, you can understand why she does it. The show not only addresses puberty, but also addresses stuff like a big brother moving away and getting a crush on someone the same gender as you (Reggie gets a crush on another girl). I'm actually bi, so I relate a lot to Reggie getting a crush on a girl.

Endless Island is rich and expansive, and it would be really cool if it were real. The creatures there are kinda weird though, but that's just the result of a child's imagination. Now, onto the Butt Witch. Just because she has a man voice and is the villain of the show doesn't mean that the show is transphobic. The actual, rightful owner of the show, Shadi Petosky, is a trans woman, so there. Butt Witch having a man voice is a reference to how your voice changes during puberty.

However, the show was somehow doomed to fail. The show was originally pitched to Cartoon Network, but was rejected (I still think the Cartoon Network pilot is one of the best CN pilots next to Infinity Train and Welcome to My Life). In 2017, it was announced that the show would be moving to Netflix instead. Its release date was changed multiple times before finally premiering in late July of 2019. The show was given minimal advertisement. Then, the animation studio behind the show, Puny Animation, shut down. Later, Julia Vickerman (the creator) was revealed to be a bad person, as she followed a 14 year old boy around a carnival. Now, it's a bit awkward that the show is about a kid who wants to be 12 years old forever. Later, the show was cancelled after only one season.

That's a shame. It really did have a lot of potential. It's fine if you don't like it, since everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think the show needs more love.

score 9/10

BoxwoodExpress 3 November 2019

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5232745/