Koala Man

"Everybody got to evelate from the norm" (Vital Signs by Rush)

The Big Lez Show, Danger 5, Italian Spiderman, Smiling Friends, Bushworld Adventures, Yolo, Solar Opposites.

These are just some of the title of the people behind this new TV Show, created by the prolific mind of Australian animator Michael Cusack.

Koala Man is a tv show about a regular mid-age family dad that try his best to make the right thing, even if there is no reason to do that and even if his family is experiencing a crisis. There is honesty in the frustration lived by Kevin Williams/Koala Man and episode after episode you start to understand that his obsession with the justice is just to cover other kind of issues. All the supernatural events connected to the routine of the simple town of Depto are just the norm, a metaphor to analyze the Australian society (Australia that could be the Netherlands, the UK, or every random not so big country of the Europe) in the era post covid, an era self-aware of his own unselfishness and inadequacy, envy of the illusion of the America dream.

The Australian Time zone: The narrative of the alternative story backround created because of Australia Time zone (no spoiler don't worry) is probably the most superb part of this not so silly cartoon, something similar to the alternate storyline written by Alan Moore in Watchmen. I'm not joking.

Excellent Acting with a really great cast.

A great music direction composed by Brendan Caulfield Oustanding Animations (The Emu episode have one of the greatest animation and music I ever saw for a first season tv show episode).

If you like only one of the title I wrote at the beginning of this review, you will love this show.

It is criminally underrated and I was absolutely in love with it.

The optimistic side of Adult Animation is hard to come by and it's obvious Micheal Cusack understands how to balance his shows even when it's flying into absolute absurdity.

Everything feels somehow grounded in a weird reality. Nothing makes me think "this is out of place". It seems episodic and like a continuation of a story all at once, almost like a South park episode without cynicism.

The characters are all likable and very down to earth even with the absurd quirks they have.

The voice acting is incredibly natural, that's why I enjoyed smiling friends so much when it dropped.

I am realizing how much I hate polished dialogue because this feels so real even in the most unreal setting you can present.

In most TV shows they can't capture some of the raw chats people have with eachother. Misunderstandings, random pauses, breathing audibly, small skips in words. All gets highlighted in these shows and it makes it feel much more natural even if it isn't a flawless flow.

The art style is super cute and I have 0 complaints but it is reminiscent of Family Guy and other similar adult animation styles which isn't bad. Just formulaic. The characters designs aren't overcrowded, they are simple but distinct. I never find myself asking "who was that again" because of how unique each design/personality is.

I could give this show a million praises. The only thing I'd argue is poor is rewatchability. I wouldn't watch it multiple times over unless I was sharing it with someone else.

I feel like if your going into this show as a non Aussie a lot of the humour will be lost on you. However as an Australian having a cartoon on the level the Big Lez Show which a high production value is quite the special treat!

To any Aussie who has grown up with Michael Cusack cartoons on YouTube and classic Aussie characters such and big Lez and Mike Nolan you will definitely find some enjoyment in this show. Plus this show has a nice added bonus of some big name Aussie battlers such and Hugh Jackman and Hugo Weaving who give surprising good preformances in the silly and strange take on Australia.

I am not going to go too in-depth with the show simply because I am more of a movie critic, but overall I think Koala Man deserves a hell of a lot more than it received. Most people never gave the show a chance before flocking to Twitter to complain. I recommend watching it to the end because the show starts to shine later in its run, and then judge it for yourself.

Here is my judgment, one thing I liked about Koala Man is how it's a tamer and more extended version of a Cusack show which gives it charm within itself. It can be heartwarming and funny simultaneously, which can be a powerful tool in storytelling (especially adult animation). One thing it could work on is hooking the audience sooner. The first two and a half episodes are slow, but as you continue to watch, you can see how Cusack's ability to create an arced story within longer episodes develops and strengthens. This made the season's middle and end very good.

Koala Man is fun, and I hope people stop hating on it so it can get a second season. With even more experience under Cusack's belt, Koala Man could develop into something magically insane.

So after watching the entire series in one sitting, I can syat that it's failr enjoyable. For non-Australians, there are alot of jokes and references some people can't understand, but regardless of the cultural differences, it's a bloody good time for everyone to enjoy the absurdity of the show.

Though the general art style of the characters is based of oversaturated adult animated sitcoms, there are plenty moments of animation that stand out. Though it makes sense, by means to keeping Cusack's art style seperate from Smiling Friends and YOLO Crystal Fantasy.

Main characters are enjoyable to watch, despite having the cliche basis of a somewhat dysfunctional family to go through many experiences, they're charming as they are. Side characters are also enjoyable too, with small moments to shine for comedic relief.

It gets pretty ridiculous in the last 2 episodes, but in a good way that leaves alot of room of character depth and expanding it's own world. Can't wait to season 2 and what Michael Cuscak and the rest of the cast and crew can offer!