The first teaser for DreamWorks Animation‘s new series Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts introduced us to a gorgeous and terrifying world controlled by brilliant monsters. These creatures came to dominate the surface following the “Great Mutant Outbreak.” That event forced most humans underground. The series will show us both worlds though. It follows a young girl who suddenly find herself thrust above in the strange dominated by amazing beasts. But as the show’s first official trailer reveals, there’s something far more important in season one than just getting Kipo home safely. Her journey endangers the very people she is trying to get back to.
From the official synopsis:
“After spending her entire life living in an underground burrow, a young girl named Kipo is thrust into an adventure on the surface of a fantastical post-apocalyptic Earth. She joins a ragtag group of survivors as they embark on a journey through a vibrant wonderland where everything trying to kill them is downright adorable.“
This musical trailer offers far more insight into the show’s main storyline. Kipo, voiced by Karen Fukuhara (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power), has to get home. But she could be the way for an ill-meaning beast to unearth more humans. Most have survived hidden underground since animals came to rule above. Kipo’s best hope to get back and keep everyone safe are her new friends. “She joins a ragtag group of survivors as they embark on a journey through a vibrant wonderland where everything trying to kill them is downright adorable.”
The show’s main cast also includes Sydney Mikayla (General Hospital) as Wolf, “a weapon-wielding survivor who knows the ins and outs of the surface.” Coy Stewart (The Blacklist) voices “the happy-go-lucky” Benson. Deon Cole (black-ish) plays a talking insect named Dave “who has the jarring ability to suddenly age a full life cycle without warning. And Dee Bradley Baker (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) plays Mandu, an “adorable mutant pig.” (WHO WE AGREE MUST BE PETTED.)
Netflix
The show also has a stellar lineup of big names in recurring roles. Sterling K. Brown (Frozen 2, This is Us) stars as Kipo’s father Lio Oak. Dan Stevens (Legion) plays the power-hungry Scarlemagne. (Going to be tough for us to hate any character Stevens plays, but we’ll try.) Lea DeLaria (Orange is the New Black) voices a Timbercat named Molly Yarnchopper. Joan Jett (yes, JOAN JETT!) is the show’s “rocker snake” Camille. And John Hodgman (The Daily Show) and GZA (Wu Tang Clan) co-star as Billions and Billions. They are a duo of “cosmically-curious wolves.”
The show also has what Netflix calls a “unique animation style.” It’s certainly a beautiful one. All we’ve seen are trailers and it already feels immersive. We also love the way it can feel tender, terrifying, adventurous, and funny, all at once.
Kipo also features “an equally fresh sound from Kier Lehman (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and composer Daniel Rojas (Downsizing).” It will also include tracks from Distant Cousins, Lushlife, Beth Yen, and Dope Saint Jude, as well as original performances from Fukuhara, Brown, Stevens, and GZA.
Netflix
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts comes from Radford Sechrist (How to Train Your Dragon 2). He created the series and serves as an executive producer. It was developed by fellow executive producer Bill Wolkoff (The Man Who Fell To Earth).
All episodes come to surface on Netflix on January 14. But don’t worry, us humans will be safe.
Featured Image: Netflix