A new children's/family-friendly show has arrived on HBO MAX, and it combines subtle humor and appealing animation with powerful lessons as told through fun and imaginative characters. From the successful brand Tokidoki, creators of some of the most colorful and unique characters that cover the likes of clothing, plushies, accessories, collectibles, and art, comes Mermicorno: Starfall.
Based on one of the more popular creatures created by Simone Legno, Mermicornos are the adorable combination of unicorns and mermaids, complete with individual styles, names, and personalities. Now these underwater creatures are the star of their own show.
Let's dive in and find out what Mermicorno: Starfall is all about.
Mermicorno: Starfall episode 1 recap: Mission Mermicorno
Our story begins with our main character falling from the sky as a star into the ocean. Upon her arrival, she has no memory of who is she or where she has fallen.
Almost instantly she meets a crying baby with a halo and feels this sudden instinct to protect it. Both are found by the Queen of the Pearl Kingdom, who immediately adopts them.
The Queen is able to learn through a book that our main character is a Mermicorno due to her mermaid tail, wings, unicorn horn, and scent of rainbow sprinkles. Now with the names Astra and Pearl Girl, the two live in the Pearl Kingdom and celebrate their Adoptaversary when Pearl Girl suddenly vanishes.
At this point, Astra has been trying to use the powers Mermicornos are gifted with but to no avail. Pearl Girl has already established her powers including teleportation.
While Astra searches for Pearl Girl she meets another Mermicorno named Gwen, who prefers to steal than make friends. She's a lone Mermicorno and has no intention of sticking around. But after enduring just one lesson on how to be good by the Queen of the Pearl Kingdom she agrees to help Astra search for Pearl Girl.
The rouble is Astra has never left the Pearl Kingdom since her arrival, and she fears Pearl Girl might be in the dreaded kelp forest. Before leaving for their journey the Queen gifts Astra her most powerful pearl.
The magic is limited but Astra finds herself using it to move in the right direction. Meanwhile, on the shore of an island, a little girl named Kameko is waiting for her fisherman father to come home.
When she thinks she sees his reflection in the water she jumps in but becomes the main attraction to a shark. Astra doesn't hesitate to rescue Kameko but soon fails to outswim the shark.
Gwen tries to stop the shark, but he soon catches up to Kameko and Astra. Using the last of the pearl's magic Kameko is turned into a Mermicorno while Gwen uses her ice powers to defeat the shark.
Kameko explains how her father hasn't returned home and would like to join Astra and Gwen on their quest. Kameko is excited to meet Mermicornos after growing up listening to her father's stories about them.
Although the pearl's powers are depleted, Astra's heart is able to guide them in the right direction. Some of Astra's memories return as well.
But what none of them know is that Pearl Girl seems to be under the spell or guise of a spy for an evil squid-like creature whom the shark reports to. He seems far too happy to know Kameko is now a Mermicorno as she too has powers.
Mermicorno: Starfall episode 2 recap: Entrenched
Astra, Gwen, and Kameko awaken in a cave, after seeking refuge to sleep. But once Gwen and Kameko begin arguing over what they should do next, a giant cave bear fish startles them.
He's angry as they have disturbed his hibernation but offers some helpful advice about following your heart and brushing your teeth. He instructs them to seek the Trench Keeper as he may know where Pearl Girl and Kameko's father are, but they must not upset him.
The trio leaves and finds the Trench Keeper, an older, grumpy fish who has captured two Mermicornos himself: Squishella and Nautique. Squishella is the backup singer for a popular pop star who had her tiara taken.
Nautique is her intelligent, mathematical, and scientific friend/bodyguard. The Trench Keeper agrees to help them retrieve the tiara and provide information about Pearl Girl and Kameko's father if the group completes several tasks.
Each task, which are really chores, is completed until the group realizes he's purposely stalling them. Astra decides to step up and a final offer is made: they must find a specific hat and then the Trench Keeper will keep his promise.
The hat is amongst other hats and the tiara is on the top of a grumpy walrus' head. The group tries to fight off the walrus resulting in the tiara breaking.
Astra is able to fix the tiara, learning her power comes through crafting, and convinces the group that the Trench Keeper is keeping them there because he's lonely. They agree to figure out a way to have him befriend the Hat Hoarder.
Thanks to the tiara, they are able to communicate with the Hat Hoarder whose name is actually Craig. They learn he's been stealing hats due to a small coconut tree on the top of his head. He befriends the Trench Keeper and in return, he's able to learn of Pearl Girl's location. She is in the lair of Ika Inkblot.
However, he's not able to find Kameko's father's location. Squishella, who actually doesn't have the backup dancing job yet (she was hoping the tiara would help her get the job) and Nautique decide to join Astra, Gwen, and Kameko on their quest.
Meanwhile, in the Pearl Kingdom, the Queen receives word that the darkness is reaching the Coral Kingdom, and they seek help. However, she's indecisive about whether to help the Coral Kingdom or help Astra in her search for Pearl Girl.
The Queen is so indecisive, worried she'll make the wrong decision that her right-hand woman, Barb, becomes fed up and gives the Queen a pep talk. The Queen finally decides to aid the Coral Kingdom.
Mermicorno: Starfall season 1 episodes 1 and 2 review
We have a lot to unpack as this is a brand-new kid's show with a lot of pressure to be just as successful and memorable as other shows before it. I can gladly say it achieves that and more.
While the first episode provides a lot of exposition and information without much in the way of breathing room, it does so successfully, which benefits episode 2. It is out of necessity as we the audience are introduced to their world for the first time.
This includes the friends and threats while also allowing the humor and animation to really shine through. Astra, our main character immediately becomes the favorite character due to her personality and design.
She's incredibly sweet, selfless and wants to do what is right, regardless of the unknowns.
Thus far, every character we meet stands out due to their personality which is reflected fairly well in their designs. While I was not expecting Pearl Girl to be already working for or with the presumed villain of the show, I do believe the formula the show is using works to its advantage.
When it comes to animation, I am often worried about two key elements: the animation style and story. The animation is pleasant, colorful, sharp, and stylized. It's a combination of both the designs from Legno's Tokidoki work and something that children and families can enjoy without eye strain or discomfort. As I have been a fan and consumer of Tokidoki for several years now, I knew I'd enjoy the animation style.
The story, composed of the typical elements of the heroine going on a quest, making new friends, conquering side quests, and hopefully defeating the enemy in the end is made all the more enjoyable because of the characters.
I am glad the entire season has been released at once so that I'll be able to enjoy it at my leisure. It's a fun show thus far, with plenty of lore to keep you engaged and curious as to how this new world will manage to stand out in the plethora of other kid/family-friendly shows.
Stream Mermicorno: Starfall season 1 on HBO MAX.