By KAITLYN HENSON
Staff Writer
Many of us have grown up with the old cartoons, especially those made around the early 20s and 30s. The rubber hose style of animation created classics such as Steamboat Willie, Felix the Cat, Betty Boop, Popeye, and several others. But when 2017 came around, Studio MDHR released a classic game that changed everything people knew about cartoons and fighting games as a whole – with their masterpiece called “Cuphead”.
Officially released on September 29 of 2017, it was written by Evan Skolnick and directed by Chad and Jared Moldenhauer. The game was heavily influenced by the rubber hose animation style from the golden age of cartoons, featuring playable characters such as the title character Cuphead and his reluctant brother Mugman. Throughout the game, the two boys play their cards at a casino – unbeknownst to them that it’s run by the Devil himself. In order for them to not sell their souls, they must go through several levels and boss fights in order to retrieve soul contracts that will eventually pay off their debt, or else they’ll be doomed!
The game became an instant hit across all platforms, being praised for its fluid animations and nostalgic atmosphere that brought joy to all playing it. Despite how difficult it is to beat the game, “Cuphead” makes up for it with outstanding visuals and a cohesive storyline and world. The game won several awards and sold more than six million copies within a three-year span – which is an incredible feat for this game’s new legacy. There’s even a DLC expansion titled “The Delicious Last Course” scheduled to release in the summer of 2022.
With all the praise and popularity of the game, Netflix announced a television series of the game called “The Cuphead Show!” to be released on the 18th of February. The show officially aired recently, so my brother and I binged the entire first season with high anticipation.
I absolutely adore the animation in this show! It’s very reminiscent of the atmosphere the game provides while telling a more fluent story that’s easier to follow. The two brothers Cuphead and Mugman really feel like characters from the 30s, and several of the bosses and characters from the original game appear in this series naturally. I also found the Devil character to be funny, like a moody teenager trying to get his way. There’s so much lighthearted fun and excitement with every episode, and with every single one, a catchy intro plays to get you in the groove.
A few things that I really like about “The Cuphead Show!” is the fact that this is the first cartoon show I’ve seen that blends together 2D, 3D, and stop motion animation so seamlessly in its environment. It’s so fluid and so eye-catching I was mesmerized by every frame! It really inspired me with my own animation journey, and how far the medium can go. I also admire the fact that every episode has grain and old-film texture to it, to make it feel even more old-timey, which adds on even more how incredible this show truly is.
Despite me never playing the original game, I had a blast watching the first season of “The Cuphead Show!” and I’m ecstatic to see season 2! It’s a beautiful show with a wacky world and wacky characters but it feels so right in every way. I adore this show a lot and I highly encourage anyone who loves this old style of animation to check it out! You don’t want to miss this thrilling adventure of the two cup brothers!