Yes, this is mascot related: The Amazing World of Gumball

Cartoon Network Europe’s Ben Bocquelet decided to pitch a show using a bunch of his rejected commercial mascots, and so the CN green-lit:

Don’t blink you’ll miss all of the good stuff.

The show follows the everyday life of the Waterson family, particularly that of Gumball a blue cat, and his best friend Darwin who was once his pet fish, but has now sprouted legs and  arms and also talks. The show gets very surreal, Gumball’s dad and sister are pink rabbits while his mom is, like him, a blue cat.

No that’s not the weird thing. It’s when when we visit Gumball’s school that we see just how surreal it gets.

The diversity in design is what really initially drew me into the show, part of me wondered if it would be distracting, but the people behind this wonderful show have done an excellent job in integrating the character styles and animation styles into a beautifully made show.

But it’s not just the visuals that keep me coming back to this show. It’s funny as hell, referencing things kids  just aren’t going to get, it’s clever, and it does an excellent job of reaching back into my past and awakening my twelve year old self. The show while surreal and funny, manages to be subtly sweet about what it is to be a 12 year old boy. From friendships, to classes and oh my god girls.

I can’t stop gushing about this show, and you should really really take a moment to watch it.

Here’s one of my favorite clips:

and another:

Ok the next post I swear new Mascot!

Read Full Post »