I really adored this show- it had all the elements of the typical Disney faire ("someone has to be wrong this episode, and learn a lesson!", "Meet my new friend!", that kinda stuff), but it ended up being WAY different. It was a show on the wrong stations- being on Disney Junior and stuff made a lot of people ignore it, but it was one of the most dramatic cartoons on the air, with real life-or-death situations!
Sure, some of the characters could be a little dumb to get the mandatory "lesson of the day", but we actually saw them grow, mature, and gain confidence as time went on! And Elena was allowed to not be perfect- contrast her with Sofia or Doc Mc Stuffins, who had to be better moral paragons for young viewers. Elena came off more human. And we had real VILLAINS! With actual stakes! Shuriki and her gang being actual killers was a great change from the toothless baddies in most other cartoons, and Elena actually having to use lethal force made things seem a lot more real and dramatic.
Great character designs, though Elena's immediate family having plainer looks probably did a lot to hurt doll sales, which probably really kicked the show in the butt- Disney was probably not impressed with the fact that they could only really push dolls of the main character. But Elena, Marimonda, etc.- those characters designs are AWESOME, and should be shown as great examples of how to make iconic female characters.
The show gearing up to a Grand Finale came off as a bit of a sudden decision, like they were informed they had to "wrap it up" with 5-6 episodes left, but they really made the most of it, crowning her Queen Elena and finishing off all their bad guys, giving the fans real closure. I'm really happy Disney allowed it to see things through to the end.
I really wish this bright show had more fans and attention.
WesternAnimation One of Disney's Best TV Series
I really adored this show- it had all the elements of the typical Disney faire ("someone has to be wrong this episode, and learn a lesson!", "Meet my new friend!", that kinda stuff), but it ended up being WAY different. It was a show on the wrong stations- being on Disney Junior and stuff made a lot of people ignore it, but it was one of the most dramatic cartoons on the air, with real life-or-death situations!
Sure, some of the characters could be a little dumb to get the mandatory "lesson of the day", but we actually saw them grow, mature, and gain confidence as time went on! And Elena was allowed to not be perfect- contrast her with Sofia or Doc Mc Stuffins, who had to be better moral paragons for young viewers. Elena came off more human. And we had real VILLAINS! With actual stakes! Shuriki and her gang being actual killers was a great change from the toothless baddies in most other cartoons, and Elena actually having to use lethal force made things seem a lot more real and dramatic.
Great character designs, though Elena's immediate family having plainer looks probably did a lot to hurt doll sales, which probably really kicked the show in the butt- Disney was probably not impressed with the fact that they could only really push dolls of the main character. But Elena, Marimonda, etc.- those characters designs are AWESOME, and should be shown as great examples of how to make iconic female characters.
The show gearing up to a Grand Finale came off as a bit of a sudden decision, like they were informed they had to "wrap it up" with 5-6 episodes left, but they really made the most of it, crowning her Queen Elena and finishing off all their bad guys, giving the fans real closure. I'm really happy Disney allowed it to see things through to the end.
I really wish this bright show had more fans and attention.