Sayak Basu
There is no such format of television shows where Netflix has not shown a keen interest and produced something which has forced its competitors to up their games. From reality shows to true crime shows to animated shows for both adults and children- the streaming giant has gots its fingers in many-a-pie.
When it comes to children’s programming, Netflix has already produced interesting children’s shows like ‘Super Monsters‘ and ‘Beat Bugs‘, and now they have come up with another such program called ‘Hello Ninja‘. This new series is adapted from a similarly titled book written by N.D. Wilson and centers around three characters- Wesley and Georgie, and their pet cat called Pretzel. These three characters sometimes enter a magical world where they are ninjas, and here they use their special set of skills to solve a number of problems that come their way.
‘Hello Ninja’ is an exciting new series for kids. It has the potential of becoming a hit owing to the fact that the book has already done pretty well with the readers. If you have enjoyed watching ‘Hello Ninja’, here are some other similar shows you might want to check out as well. You can watch several of these shows like ‘Hello Ninja’ on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime.
7. Super Monsters (2017-)
Another Netflix original series, ‘Super Monsters’ is the story of a number of children who are the offspring of some of the most famous monsters in the world of fiction. All of them go to a special school called Pitchfork Pines Preschool where they are taught ways in which they could become ideal monsters when they grow up. While these kids look like normal human children during the day, they turn into their own monstrous selves by night.
The interesting thing about this series is the fact that it never treats monsters like some evil creatures who are not to be messed with. Here, the monsters are humanized and are quite lovable creatures who are not malicious by any means. ‘Super Monsters’ teaches important moral lessons within its narrative while not becoming unnecessarily preachy. This is a series that should not be missed.
6. The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005)
One of the most popular Cartoon Network shows of all time, ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ is the story of three sisters, Blossoms, Bubbles, and Buttercup, who are the products of their father, Professor Utonium’s weird experiment to create a perfect girl. However, while creating his magical potion, Prof. Utonium ends up accidentally pouring in a compound called Chemical X, and the result of the experiment turns out to be the three superhuman girls. One of the major attractions of this series is the interesting villains we get to see here, ranging from the chimpanzee called Mojo Jojo, who is the arch-nemesis of the girls, to the androgynous Him with his creepy echoing voice.
5. Samurai Jack (2001-2017)
Just like ‘Hello Ninja’ deals with the story of kids who turn into martial arts experts to tackle some evil entities, ‘Samurai Jack’ is also the story of one such fighter who lives in feudal Japan. His status as a legendary fighter comes from the fact that he owns a special katana which has been handed over to him by three gods- the Egyptian God Ra, the Hindu God Ram, and the God from Norse mythology, Odin. The chief antagonist of this series is the mysterious villain called Aku who places our hero in various difficult scenarios from which he has to escape in one way or another.
The most interesting aspect of this series is definitely the creation of the world in which the story exists. It is what we can call a retro-futuristic setting, where there is an element of danger in every step of the way. This is a series which has been loved by critics and audiences alike. ‘Samurai Jack’ has been bestowed with numerous awards throughout its run, and is a show which can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
4. Teen Titans (2003-2006)
The 2003 series ‘Teen Titans’ is a story about some DC characters who are yet to grow out of their reputation as the younger and inexperienced players in the game. This series takes a look at such superheroes when they were teenagers. We get to see how as youngsters their problem-solving desire was not an iota less than their older counterparts. This group of crime fighters is led by Batman’s sidekick Robin, and comprises of Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy.
Each season of the series comes with its own challenges for our heroes which they have to battle through by sticking together and analyzing the danger before jumping head-on into it. Interestingly enough, unlike the comic books, here the Teen Titans do not use any other identities when in the outside world, and always remain in their superhero attire.
3. The Dragon Prince (2018-)
A Netflix original series, the story of ‘The Dragon Prince‘ is set in a magical land called Xadia. Here, human beings have existed alongside magical creatures like dragons and elves. While these magical creatures source their powers from the natural elements like the earth, ocean, sky, and the moon. The humans, on the other hand, cannot create such magic and thus they come up with something called dark magic which is made from the life essence of these magical creatures. This naturally causes a rift between the humans and these creatures who are also of the view that the humans had destroyed the egg of their dragon king.
The animation and the story of ‘The Dragon Prince’ are among the best when it comes to original shows for children in recent years. The world which has been created in this series is truly all-encompassing and one which will be remembered for a long time to come.
2. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
One of the most path-breaking animation shows of this century, ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ is a series which confluences eastern and western aesthetics. The central character of the series is a young boy who belongs to a world where Chinese martial arts can be used to control the elements of nature like the air, water, sun, and fire. This young boy, Aang, along with his friends, is trying to stop the destruction the Fire Lord is unleashing by waging a war against the whole world. ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ is one of the finest animated shows you will come across. This series is a fine blend of American animation and Japanese anime and brings to us the best bits from both the genres.
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1. The Legend Of Korra (2012-2014)
‘The Legend Of Korra’ is a sequel to ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’, and is set in the same universe where martial arts can be used to control elements like fire, water, and air. Here, the central character is a girl called Avatar Korra. We come to learn that Korra is a reincarnation of the central character, Aang, of the parent series. She has been given the responsibility of protecting Republic City, but there are several stiff oppositions and evil beings which Korra has to encounter on her own to bring in the desired stability to the region. Despite being a highly entertaining watch, ‘The Legend Of Korra’ is also deeply political and speaks of the problems which we see in this world where technology is ruling the roost.
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