Episodes 1-8 (available for free on YouTube)

Bright, colorful and dynamic with edgy animation that springs to frenetic life. The artistic design caught my eye, but the writing is also crisp and darkly humorous. And if that's not enough, there's a pretty interesting mysterious story for your brain to munch on while your eyes are tantalized and funny bone tickled. The set up reminds me a bit of Apple's "The Good Place" - but instead of navigating the afterlife, somehow we're facing off with Ai in a computer (or are we?).

The 8 episode series is killing it on Youtube. Nearly half a billion hits on the first episode alone. I didn't research it, but it appears the business plan is to bring in revenue via YT ads and sell character merch, otherwise the series is completely free to watch on YT. Except, that is, for the season finale which, ta-da!, has a theatrical release! I love the way they worked that!

So that's a quick nutshell review of episodes 1-8.

EPISODE 9: THE FINALE

Now for the theatrical release which includes episode 8 in its entirety, a brief recap (which is probably not quite enough for newbies, but maybe), and a vulnerable plea from a grinning fish to enjoy, but not record or spoil for others.

So, in an attempt not to spoil, I'll have to be very vague and say, to my surprise episode 9 is all about the quiet inter-relational moments, giving the juicy fruit bombast a break. Episode 9 does bring the story to some sort of resolution, though, the climax seems to have already occurred in Episode 8. Despite my overall excitement over the series, I didn't find Episode 9 particularly satisfying. The essential premise remains only partially explained, and the pacing feels awkward compared to the other episodes. This being a theatrical release, I was expecting that the already amazing art design and production would somehow kick into another gear. Alas, best not to have that expectation. I mean, production is still stellar, but - the same level stellar. That said, some of the quiet moments are sweetly powerful, and we learn a lot more about the quirky lovable characters as they do their best to bond despite difficult circumstances and past traumas.

Overall, I'm giving the series an A-. It's been a while since I've been excited by a series - and this series has a kaleidoscope of creative and meaningful elements, fantastic art design and hard-hitting gritty comedic timing.