Season 1 of ‘The Hollow’ was a pleasantly surprising animated series which kept me hooked for the entire 10 episode run. When the series concluded, I was intrigued to see how they would continue the show as it ended it a very interesting way which mixed media.

In season 2, Adam, Mira and Kai find themselves in ‘The Hollow’ again but this time the rules seem to be different. There seems to have been a glitch in which our leads beat the game but didn't end up going home, they go 'home' but it is a glitched out approximation of home, with digital parents and NPC who are walking into lampposts etc. So over the course of 10 episodes our trio face the dangers of other teams who are playing the game to win but our three just want to go back to their real home. It's an interesting premise; what happens if you win a game but it glitches and traps you inside?

Season 2 of ‘The Hollow’ builds on the excellent first season but raises the stakes and places more focus on the interplay and relationship dynamics between the characters. They argue, fight, make up and act irrationally, all very human traits in a crazy digital online world as well as the real one. We get to understand the complex dynamic between Adam and Reeve, Kai and Vanessa, Skeet and Mira and understand why their game glitched.

The message is very clear, beware mega corporations who harvest your Big Data; giving away your information comes at a price, nothing is for free so read the terms and conditions. Post Cambridge Analytica, the world has seen that data is power which leads to influence and this show deals with that in its own clever way. The show is also a meditation on what it means to be alive and Artificial Intelligence, it reminded me of the premise of the video game 'Thomas Was Alone'.

The show moves at a cracking pace but highlights includes Wierdy's upbeat version of ‘Creep’ by ‘Radiohead’ and seeing Kai grow into his relationships with his peers. I won't spoil it but the final boss battle is pretty epic too.

The animation style is the same as the first, which is fine but to think with the ending that they did it would have been bold to go with a new art style and keep the show original and unique. However, Flash style animation it is but again this is not the selling point of the series, the story is top notch and the characterisation is very good.

With the ending of this series there is a possibility of season 3. Overall, this series is an under-appreciated gem and is well worth a watch. Look past the divisive art style and you will find a deep series with much to appreciate and admire.

LINK- The Hollow- Complete Season 1 Review

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Manga Exhibition at the British Museum

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- The Moomins 80's Soundtrack Vinyl Review

LINK- The Mysterious Cities of Gold Retro Soundtrack Review

The Hollow is a 10-part animated show with an intriguing central mystery. We are introduced to three teenagers, Adam, Kai and Mira, who wake up in a cell with amnesia. They work together to escape and figure out who they are, where they are and how to get back home.

The three main protagonists have a great dynamic; Adam is a strong leader with super strength, Kai can fix machines and Mira can talk to animals. With their abilities they try to survive in the harsh and mysterious worlds they seem to be inexplicably pushed around in, and as they do so they find the other powers they have.
The premise is très J. J. Abrams, but what separates this from ‘Lost’, apart from it sticking the landing--which is does, is that it does things I haven't seen other animated shows too. It is quite unique in the way it pushes animation boundaries. Once you're a few episodes in an overriding mythology comes through and so, predicting the ending may be possible but the finale is very original and a bit left field.

In terms of animation, there is an issue for me here. Whist I love the story and characterisation, the animation style left me a little cold. I like and character designs and world building but the Flash animation-style cycles look very dated. This is a shame as even shows with a poor animation legacy like Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated have remained true to their origins but updated it so it looked incredible in 2011, whilst this looks... like 1960s Hanna-Barbara, or gosh forbid, Filmation quality animation. But dodgy animation aside, the show is well worth a watch as the mystery will keep you guessing to the end. In fact, without spoiling the ending, the show could continue with different animation styles as the story lends itself to this quite easily. I look forward to seeing where the creators take this show next.