If there’s one thing fans of the genre know about anime, it’s that it is capable of writing entertaining action-focused scenes without them feeling corny. This is a quality that isn’t always achieved in animation, but in the case of the new Netflix series, Maya and the Three, it was a success.
Not only is Maya and the Three currently trending on Netflix but it has also been received with fantastic ratings across the board. If that isn’t enough to convince everyone to give it a try, the elements that make it up are likely to appeal to any lover of animation, particularly fans of anime.
Many of the story elements and art elements that are common in anime are present in Maya and the Three. That being said, there are three distinct ones that suggest that this is a series that will cater to audiences that frequent anime shows. First, It imitates the animation style that anime is written in, second, the action looks like it does in anime, and, third, it offers a fresh story.
Maya and the Three imitates the animation style of anime in several ways, like how the characters don’t have proportional features but rather physical traits that reflect their characters. Characters are also introduced with title cards, a technique used to emphasize the character, which has been seen in anime before. This notes to the audience that the character will play a significant role in the story.
There’s also the point that it uses speed lines which are a classic feature of action scenes in anime. Speed lines are used to visually display speed, usually used for characters running. It makes it appear as if the background is a blur due to the speed of the situation happening. It’s a simple but very effective approach to intensifying the action.
It also rather impressively breaks the borders of the aspect ratio and makes the action seem more alive-- like a 3D effect. Once again, this intensifies the action and when an object or character breaks the frame it almost emphasizes them and what’s happening in the story at that moment. Another way it intensifies and emphasizes a moment is by using split-screen panels like in a comic book, something that anime often utilizes.
The ways that the action in the series is like anime begins with how the action is woven into the storyline. It plays a significant role in who the character is, which is commonly seen in anime, and the action is emphasized more than other parts in the story: Lighting shifts, tone shifts, and the focus is on the movement. There’s always a lot happening in the story and a lot of foes to fight. As a result, the show is fast-paced and feels more action-packed and chaotic, which keeps the rhythm of a journey going.
The fact that it offers anime fans a new story to explore is perhaps its biggest offering though. One of the benefits of watching anime is that many of the stories are reflective of Japanese culture and as a result, make for fresh and sometimes informative content for audiences in other parts of the world, which is no different with Maya and the Three. Like anime, Maya and the Three tells the stories and reflects the cultures of an underrepresented group of people in television. It makes for exciting new storylines to audiences unfamiliar with the tales of the culture while also sharing the perspective of many Mesoamerican groups.
Additionally, it incorporates a lot of Spanish, just as anime does with Japanese. The language is part of the story and to omit it entirely would take away from the authenticity and the emphasis of the tale. Taking the authenticity further, the character’s outfits are vibrant, visually appealing, and indicative of the cultures they represent. It even offers a new perspective on a familiar concept, the warrior’s death.
However, the show doesn’t just reflect Latinx culture and anime qualities, but even weaves in some familiar English elements by adding a twist to a Lord of the Rings-style fantasy story to portray Latinx culture. Beyond that, much of the storyline relies on the folklore of several other different cultures to bring to life full characters and impressive creatures. It is truly a blending of worlds and styles and does justice to many groups.
The 9 episode show is labeled a limited series and a season two has not been confirmed or even mentioned at this point but there is room for one. Exploring the stories of a culture we seldom see in television already presents plenty of story options, but even as rich as the story in this show is, it barely scratches the surface of the history. There is certainly plenty more story inspiration to work with in terms of the historical timeline and remaining folklore of Mesoamerica and the later years of Latin America.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FerY7qQflfU
The cultural representation, lively action bursting from the borders, and innovative graphic blending of Maya and the Three are undoubtedly impressive and clearly contribute to the story. Beyond the truly cinematic experience created by the visuals of this show, it has the tools it needs to leave a lasting impression on audiences and likely, on streaming services. Netflix audiences can surely anticipate more impressives shows that use these same methods of graphics and respectfully borrow from the arts and stories of many different cultures, keeping the content fresh, entertaining, and impactful.