macie.leffler - 2017-01-19 04:41:35

hell yea
this rules

pagac.bonnie - 2016-02-16 16:24:56

At face value, Tanoshii Moomin Ikka (or simply The Moomins) is a pretty simple episodic children's show. The moomins, a family of hippo-like creatures live in a peaceful valley and occasionally go adventuring with other creatures of the Moominvalley.

Despite this, the show and the novels behind it are equally loved by adults, nowadays even more so. Nostalgia does admittedly have its part in the following, the series having originally aired in the 90's in Japan and Nordic countries, traumatizing children for life with the nightmare fuels known as Groke and Hattifattener. One of my earliest memories is having nightmares about Moominpappa's Memoirs. Sounds like something that you wouldn't want to show your children?

Nope. I loved it even as a kid, especially the scary episodes. The moomins and their adventures are incredibly compelling and most of the main characters are splendid. I learned more about life from the Moomins than I did playing at the sandbox, the bane of being an only kid.

Personal diary entries and the fright aspect aside, The Moomins is an incredibly beautiful series. The backgrounds are great and the art direction (although being more on the kawaii side than the original illustrations) fits the theme adequately. The animation is a bit jerky at worst, but at its best really beautiful (honourable mention to windy scenes, especially with Snufkin's hat). The soundtrack by Sumio Shiratori plays in unison with the imagery, creating an amazing atmosphere every time.

So the scene is set, but what about the actors? The characters of The Moomins are an interesting bunch. The series is based on the novels by Tove Jansson and comics by Lars Jansson, and follows the original works better than any other any other adaptations. The series' main character, Moomintroll, is always seeking adventure and declares that he loves scary things, both of which he seeks with his best friend Snufkin, the traveller. Out of these two Moomintroll is childlike and naïve, and Snufkin, being the more stable character teaches him things about the world. When Snufkin periodically leaves the valley for his travels, Moomintroll is actually terribly alone, stranded with his family but having little to no friends, with his one-sided romantic feelings for Snorkmaiden who lives in the same house, along with Moomintroll's father Moominpappa and Moominmamma.

Moominpappa (top hat guy) is the other central character, although the series has less focus on him. He was orphaned as a child and spent his youth travelling the world. Now settled with his family in the valley and writing his memoirs, he's still longing to travel the seas like he used to.

Trying to find one's place in the world and coming to terms with loneliness and are recurring themes in the series, starting strong at the first episode. Hemul, a stamp collector, doesn't know what to do when he finally has collected all of them and feels depressed. Snorkmaiden has trouble finding her identity, and clings to her ankle bracelet like it's more important than her life because she finds it the only unique thing about herself. Even the scariest character, The Groke, is not evil at all, she merely happens to have the worst case of hedgehog's dilemma as she radiates cold everywhere around her, thus being dangerous to be around.

On average the series isn't as somber as the most impactful scenes. There are lots of lighthearted, simple episodes with slice-of-lifey aspects. Some of the stories ooze escapism with the simple adventures and beautiful landscapes, often making one dream of living in Moominvalley.

The Moomins is the most impactful animation series I've ever seen, but seeing it at an impressionable age is only one of the reasons behind the charm. It's a series with relatable and humanlike characters, eloquent stories and definitely more to say than the average series. Heartily recommended to everyone with a beating heart.