I have a deep love for the Moomins which only came around in the mid 2000s with the release of the comics. Tove Jansson's comics were published in the 1950s in the Evening Standard and it was here that the characters became popular, however the collected volumes weren't released until 2006. As a comic collector I noticed the first 4 volumes on sale and decided to buy the set and it was here that the whimsical stories with heart and street philosophy entered my life. I have previously watched the creepy stop motion animation in my youth and it haunted my dreams with its jerky style and strange music (which I purchased and have a new-found appreciation for), but I did watch the 90s animated show occasionally and liked that just fine.
Sky and Finish Channel YLE released two series of Moominvalley in 2019 and 2020 and I enjoyed the shows with my family- my two young daughters and my wife. They knew the characters from the various items strewn around the house, the children's books and our visit to Moomin World in Finland several years ago. They loved it but I thought the show was attractive enough but not remarkable. I felt at the time that whilst the lush vistas of Moominvalley and the crystal clear rivers and lakes were wonderfully realised in computer animation, there was something lost in translation as the texture and expressive lines that bring comic characters and the world were missing. However, over the past few years as my family and I have had many multiple viewings of the show, my appreciation and affection for the show has grown and I have grown to love it and judge it less harshly.
So, it was with bated breath that we waited for the drop of season 3. Covid delayed the release, for obvious reasons, but the show finally came out in 2022. The first thing to note is that the voice of Moomintroll has changed from Taron Egerton to Jack Rowan but it’s not that noticeable as they both sound similar enough.
Another big change is the flow of the stories; this season unexpectedly shifts from late summer to Autumn, with Winter episodes in between, and now concludes with the start of summer. I could be reading too much into this but I think this change shows how the characters have grown. Initially, they followed predictable paths, but now they're stepping out of their comfort zones. No-one illustrates this growth as much as Snufkin who usually appears in Spring and leaves in Winter, sticking to this routine in the first two seasons. This season however he remained part of the story throughout, even during Winter. In fact, by the end, he chooses to stay with the group, showing personal growth despite his past social anxieties. It’s unclear if this growth means he has overcome his anxiety or simply feels more comfortable in Moominvalley with the community he has become a part of.
The Moomins themselves have also changed; they don’t hibernate this time and are active throughout Winter, adding to their character development. So what we have is a Moominvalley that has truly undergone some change and matured.
There is real growth in character this season, especially for Snufkin.
Here are my synopses of the episodes and my reflections:
Homecoming- When the Moomins return back to the Valley they see their home in a state of decay. They realise that a false prophet is selling easy solutions to problems and it is causing conflict. Moominmamma comes up with a very simple solution, after all "Talking is all we have... We all have more in common than naught. We shouldn't allow petty differences to divide us... We wouldn't have to create sides if we didn't create borders."
This is a deep and pertinent episode after the stratified discourse we have had across the world with Covid, Brexit, Climate change and the various conflicts playing out.
Moomintroll's Grand Adventure- When Moomintroll falls overboard he lands on an island. He meets Snork, the inventor, and proceeds to play out a great adventure in the style of Robinson Crusoe. Unfortunately, Snork is practical and reveals that the island is not what Moomintroll was expecting. So, Moomin makes up tall tales to impress the creatures in the valley but this has repercussions on his relationships.
This is a super sweet episode as when Moomintroll reunites with Snufkin we get a huge hug. This shows the personal growth that the man in green has undergone and the payoff is huge. Also, we learn lots about being honest and being true to yourself.
Brisk and Breezy- We are reintroduced to the chauvinistic Mr. Brisk as he is a camp leader leading our menagerie of characters. Through a plot device, Little My finds out that Brisk may, in fact, be her dad. She puts him through trials and challenges to gather if he has the mettle. When a storm puts the life of the group in danger they work together to stay safe.
I liked this episode a lot as we get to see the more emotional side to Little My. Usually, she's a sneaky agent of chaos but here she needs validation and seeks approval. It's a sweet episode with heartfelt moments with Little My and Moominpappa.
Inventing Snork- We meet Snork and realise that he is quite a eccentric character, probably on the autistic spectrum. Moomintroll endeavours to befriend him and introduce him to the characters of Moominvalley, unfortunately his directness rubs people up the wrong way. Snork leaves the valley and the crew try to get him back.
This is a really sweet episode as Snork stays true to himself. He makes friends by being his authentic self. As a teachable moment it is lovely.
The Stinky Caper- When the scoundrel Stinky comes to Moominvalley and steals a painting from Mrs. Fillyjonk, the Moomin's try to get him to see the error of his ways. The newly formed crew create a plan to unheist the painting.
I loved this episode as it played with the genre stereotypes. It's cute and places Moominmamma as the arch matriarch
Toffle's Tall Tales- With Winter approaching, the Moomins are getting ready for hibernation but they need to make sure Toffle is sorted. However, they live far away so Moomintroll and Sniff decide to take them there. However, Toffle is reluctant to be alone and delays them on their journey.
This is a cute story about the worry of being alone. Toffle doesn't like being alone and, as they open up, they show their more vulnerable side. I like how the series has made the character non-binary, they/ them, and how it doesn't change the story in any way but it is representative. Representation matters.
Winter Secrets- Stinky breaks out of jail (as the jail door wasn't even closed) and the fuzz are after him. Moominpappa gets a posse to round up the criminal whilst Moominmamma harbours the criminal. It is a tough balancing act as she tries to keep the guests that keep visiting her house happy alongside Stinky.
The episode looks at the justice system and if it rehabilitates or punishes. Moominmamma sees the good in people but people take advantage of her good nature. She and Stinky team up to gather belongings of her visitors to make their stay more acceptable. It's a fun vibe and very cute.
Lonely Mountain- Moomintroll goes on an adventure in the wintertime, during the period he should be hibernating, to climb the Lonely Mountain to join Snufkin on his annual migration. Snufkin and Moomintroll are great friends but the latter is a bit much and disturbs the peace, much to Snufkin's annoyance. In the b-story, Little My connects with a squirrel and learns that friendship is important and that magic is real.
This episode is very sweet as it's all about connecting but also reflecting. It's a chance for Snufkin and Moomintroll to start being honest about their feelings and for Little My to see that friendship and opening up is not a weakness.
Miss Fillijonk's Last Hurrah- After nearly choking to death, Mrs. Fillijonk is confronted with her own mortality and decides to do away with her worldly possessions. She creates a bucket list and experiences many of life's adventures, with hilarious consequences.
This is a hilarious episode about living life to the full and not regretting anything. What makes it more special is that the b-story, about carefree but selfish Sniff finding a new toy he truly loves, is a good juxtaposition to uptight Mrs. Fillijonk finally living life to the full. I like the musical number-a first for this show that is full of whimsy!
Snufkin and the Fairground- When a storm endangers life at a fairground, Snufkin and the Hemulen save the lives of the people there. However, after seeking a new path and quitting the carnival life, the Hemulen passes on responsibility to Snufkin- which he struggles with.
This episode shows Snufkin undergoing real growth, having to accept the responsibility he initially tried to delegate out to Moomintroll. Also, we see another side to the Hemulen, a kinder, more sweeter side.
Call of the Hattifatteners- When a hattifattener is found without his spark, the Moomin crew look to reunite the creature with his family and reignite his electricity. They go to sea and undertake an epic adventure. Meanwhile, at home the ancestor wreaks havok and draws all over the house.
This is a sweet adventure where Moominpappa, Little My and the Fisherman look to save the hattifattener. The fisherman and the hattifattener develop a close bond and Stinky pays a visit.
Moominmamma's Flying Dream- When Moominmamma develops a cold, Mymble takes over the house. This leads to chaos in the house as Moominmamma recovers and remenesces about her hot air ballooning past.
This episode is about the dreams of our youth, how life happens and how we should never give up on them. The sight of Moominmamma when she sees the hit air balloon is delightful and filled me with joy, kinda making me teary-eyed.
Midsummer Magic- When there is a solar eclipse, the residents of Moominvalley don't understand what is going on. They fear it has been stolen so Moomintroll, Snufkin and Sniff go on a journey to find it. They encounter the Hobgoblin who has stolen it for his enchanted garden and uses his wiles to get the group to stay with him forever.
The b-story is the main draw here for me as the group left behind deal with the fear of not having the festival occur or the adventuring party not coming back. The main story is of being true to yourself and not being tempted by false dreams and idols.
I very much enjoyed my time with the third series of Moominvalley as I felt that it offered even more dynamic animation and intricately woven complex stories, showcased prominent b-stories and showed notable character growth throughout the episodes. Fan-favourites such as Stinky and Snork finally made their much-anticipated debut, with Stinky bringing an exciting edge to the narrative and Snork providing warmth and empathy, particularly for those on the autistic spectrum.
Overall, it was an excellent series with a real humanist touch. I highly recommend this series to both fans of the original work and newcomers alike.
LINK- Moominvalley Season 1 Review
LINK- Moominvalley Season 2 Review
LINK- Japan: My Journey to the East
LINK- Nintendo: My One True Gaming Constant