Der Bärenhäuter
- Episode aired Dec 24, 2010
- TV-Y
YOUR RATING
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Nigel Greaves
- Yoyo
- (English version)
- (voice)
Nigel Pegram
- Doc Croc
- (English version)
- (voice)
Storyline
Featured review
Bearskin
For me, 'Bearskin' is another one of my favourite fairy/folk tales, the most familar version to me (and the most famous one overall). 'Simsala Grimm' is not a series to expect straight up faithful adaptations from, but actually 'Bearskin' is generally in detail and spirit one of the episodes that sticks closer to the original source material than most 'Simsala Grimm' episodes, obvious differences being the inclusion of Doc Croc and Yoyo and the omission of the nastier elements at the end. On its own terms, there is enough to make one intrigued into checking out and it was a solid episode.
Uneven 'Simsala Grimm' is as a series (though as far as previous episodes go the only underwhelming episodes were 'Beauty and the Beast' and especially 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp', with also some issues with 'King Thrushbeard' and 'Rumplestiltskin') , but deserves more credit as a standalone as it does fare well on that front, a good way to introduce youngsters to the stories if not done already. Children are more likely to enjoy the series more than adults (although adults are far more likely to be more familiar with this particular story), but it will be hardly a chore for older audiences who should find the different spins on the stories interesting. It was great to see a nice mix of the famous and oft-adapted tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones. The 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' anime from the 80s also does this very well, perhaps even better. On its own merits (again best forget about expecting something faithful), 'Simsala Grimm' is pleasant, though not one of my favourites, and those not familiar with the original stories may find themselves intrigued into checking them out.
Like other episodes of 'Simsala Grimm', the character designs are somewhat derivative and dare it be said recycled, anybody who has seen many of the previous episodes will see a lot of similarities in the character designs between those and this.
Some 'Simsala Grimm' episodes have less than great writing (especially 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp'), with 'Bearskin' not being without its corny moments, though these are occasional moments.
Having said that, 'Bearskin' generally is another one of the better faring Season 3 (which expanded the Simsala universe somewhat) episodes, one of the series' better later epiosodes and actually one of the best of the whole series. Doc Croc and Yoyo do serve a point here and they play helpful roles, not feeling like wasted filler generally, though one can question whether they are entirely needed within the context of the story. Both are also likeable characters. Hard to tell who's my favourite between resourceful Doc Croc and adorable Yoyo. The original characters are handled very well.
Again, enough of the (traditional hand-drawn) animation is pleasing, the finesse is not always there or the imagination, but there are some lovely and never flat colours and it's nicely detailed. The music fits well (likewise with the never hammy or bland voice acting) and the main theme is catchy. Have always really liked the once upon a time approach to the intro.
'Bearskin's' story really does charm and involve, some of the latter parts touching and there are a few darker elements that never get disturbing. Plus ctually there is less corny writing than other episodes in the series. There is not an issue with pacing with it not feeling too hasty or dull, there is no trouble understanding what is going on yet it doesn't feel like it was dumbed down too much.
In conclusion, solid. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Uneven 'Simsala Grimm' is as a series (though as far as previous episodes go the only underwhelming episodes were 'Beauty and the Beast' and especially 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp', with also some issues with 'King Thrushbeard' and 'Rumplestiltskin') , but deserves more credit as a standalone as it does fare well on that front, a good way to introduce youngsters to the stories if not done already. Children are more likely to enjoy the series more than adults (although adults are far more likely to be more familiar with this particular story), but it will be hardly a chore for older audiences who should find the different spins on the stories interesting. It was great to see a nice mix of the famous and oft-adapted tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones. The 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' anime from the 80s also does this very well, perhaps even better. On its own merits (again best forget about expecting something faithful), 'Simsala Grimm' is pleasant, though not one of my favourites, and those not familiar with the original stories may find themselves intrigued into checking them out.
Like other episodes of 'Simsala Grimm', the character designs are somewhat derivative and dare it be said recycled, anybody who has seen many of the previous episodes will see a lot of similarities in the character designs between those and this.
Some 'Simsala Grimm' episodes have less than great writing (especially 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp'), with 'Bearskin' not being without its corny moments, though these are occasional moments.
Having said that, 'Bearskin' generally is another one of the better faring Season 3 (which expanded the Simsala universe somewhat) episodes, one of the series' better later epiosodes and actually one of the best of the whole series. Doc Croc and Yoyo do serve a point here and they play helpful roles, not feeling like wasted filler generally, though one can question whether they are entirely needed within the context of the story. Both are also likeable characters. Hard to tell who's my favourite between resourceful Doc Croc and adorable Yoyo. The original characters are handled very well.
Again, enough of the (traditional hand-drawn) animation is pleasing, the finesse is not always there or the imagination, but there are some lovely and never flat colours and it's nicely detailed. The music fits well (likewise with the never hammy or bland voice acting) and the main theme is catchy. Have always really liked the once upon a time approach to the intro.
'Bearskin's' story really does charm and involve, some of the latter parts touching and there are a few darker elements that never get disturbing. Plus ctually there is less corny writing than other episodes in the series. There is not an issue with pacing with it not feeling too hasty or dull, there is no trouble understanding what is going on yet it doesn't feel like it was dumbed down too much.
In conclusion, solid. 8/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 20, 2019
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