There's so much to love about Cuphead. Not only does it wear its influences on its sleeve, but it also perfectly reproduces the feel of such influences to the point where it almost feels like something that was dug out of a time capsule and made to run on modern consoles. Cuphead has managed to capture such a wide base of players in a short amount of time due to its iconic art style, beautifully fluid animation, and utterly charming personality.
It only makes sense then that something that looks like it was ripped directly from an old cartoon would also receive its own animated series. Netflix has announced that the world will see the release of a Cuphead animated series sometime in 2021. While the world will still need to wait for a specific release date, there are a ton of reasons to get excited for this upcoming show now. If the show is executed correctly, it's likely that these will only be the first of many episodes for our beverage-holding friend and his cast of colorful characters. For a better idea of what exactly makes this franchise such a potentially great fit for a Netflix series, a closer look back at the original game is warranted.
The first thing to discuss is of course the art style of Cuphead. What really makes this game pop is that it looks authentically like a cartoon ripped out of the past. There's actually a specific term for the loony art style that gives some historical context to the series' influences as well. Known as "rubber hose" animation, this was a prevalent style for a then just-blossoming medium of entertainment that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s. Though the popularity of this art style diminished with the release of more realistic looking animation like that seen in Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, Cuphead has basically resurrected it. This particular style is known for being especially chaotic and experimental, as is typically the nature of art that is new. Characters move in interesting ways, their bodies can shift and don't seem stuck to a particular form, and they often transform into different shapes and items to accentuate specific reactions.
The really amazing part about Cuphead is the way in which it makes animation that was previously only seen in older cartoons work within the medium of video games. Never before had there been something that not only looked like cartoons of yore, but also that had the exact same fluidity of its influences. Cuphead moves around and jumps through deadly scenarios, and it is seamless to the point of almost looking like someone pre-animated the entire thing. The game just doesn't look like a video game, but it definitely plays like one.
Cuphead is no easy game to beat. It's fitting that the antagonist of the game is the literal Devil, because players have certainly had a hell of a time beating it. There are bosses that will test even the most seasoned gamers' platforming skills. Many who have played the game will almost certainly be able to recall a particular boss that gave them an especially tough time. Like the maniacal clown made of balloons in the carnival level, or the multi-stage perils of fighting against King Dice. They all test the player in different ways, and this constantly shifting variety should be brought along into the cartoon series as well. The lairs or homelands of each boss should be vividly brought to life on the television screen, creating a rich tapestry of colors and influences.
Then there's the music. While the preview for the upcoming Netflix series may not completely mimic the art style of the games, instead opting for a bit of a mixture of the game and modern cartoons in appearance, fans can only hope it sticks to the music as faithfully as possible. The game has a collection of bombastic and upbeat jazz music. It fits the game perfectly, keeping an up-tempo, highly energetic vibe that put the player in the perfect headspace at all times. Assuming that the Netflix series will want to keep this feeling of wild improvisation, it only makes sense that a soundtrack heavily inspired by that of the games would help the show out in a similar fashion.
Lastly, the biggest reason to get excited for the Cuphead show is just the prospect of more Cuphead. The first game is charming without being overly long. It's highly replayable for this reason. However, fans definitely want more of Cuphead and Mugman's adventures. While there is already a DLC that is suitably titled "The Delicious Last Course" that promises even more from our heroes, the show is another way for fans to scratch a part of that Cuphead itch. Just don't make any deals with the devil to make it get here faster, it'll definitely be worth the wait.