Netflix’s Gudetama an Eggcellent Adventure review: meh (in a good way)

Of all the numerous Sanrio characters, none converse to me fairly like Gudetama: a genderless, aimless egg that desires nothing in addition to some soy sauce and to be left alone. Identical. The character makes for lovely stickers and T-shirts, and now it’s being stretched out into its personal collection on Netflix. It appears fully pointless, and it principally is — we don’t actually need to know any extra about Gudetama aside from its distinct lack of motivation. Even nonetheless, the present — dubbed Gudetama: An Eggcellent Journey — manages to be simply charming sufficient to justify its temporary run. Whereas many TV exhibits may be exhausting, Gudetama is as an alternative viewing for whenever you’re exhausted.

The premise is, naturally, fairly goofy: Gudetama and a child chick each in some way hatch from eggs in a carton inside a restaurant’s fridge. The chick then decides that they have to be siblings and turns into intensely centered on discovering their mom hen. Gudetama, who isn’t all that thrilled at changing into sentient, doesn’t see the purpose. However the chick is type of like that one pushy buddy who’s at all times forcing you out of the home, and it manages to drag Gudetama into an journey regardless of its objections. The 2 make a superb odd couple; the chick, perpetually upbeat, and Gudetama, who says “the longer term is bleak” when requested about its goals.

The collection is brief. There are 10 episodes, however they’re all lower than quarter-hour lengthy, so the gag doesn’t have an opportunity to overstay its welcome. And to amplify the surreality of a listless, speaking egg, the present makes use of a mixture of animation and dwell motion. So this goopy cartoon egg is hanging out in the actual world, speaking to precise people. There’s a TV producer determined to get Gudetama on digicam and a primary minister flagging within the polls who takes Gudetama’s clear-eyed view of the world as a supply of inspiration.

Maybe essentially the most enjoyable factor in regards to the collection, although, is the entire meals jokes. Gudetama and chick are simply two components of a surprisingly deep and secret culinary world, with eggs on the middle. On their journey, they meet aged tamago sushi rolls who impart knowledge; hardboiled eggs who’re, properly, hardboiled; and century eggs who’re shut-ins that hate the sunshine. At one level, Gudetama and the chick try to steal some desiccant packets as a way to hold the egg from spoiling, they usually find yourself pulled right into a felony underworld led by a large omelette, a bit like if Jabba the Hutt was edible. It doesn’t make a lot sense, but it surely doesn’t have to. It’s a narrative a few speaking egg.

As cute and foolish because the present is, although, there’s a powerful present of pessimism working by means of it. Gudetama isn’t simply lazy: it’s defeated. It seems at our world, with all of its many problems, and wonders what, actually, is the purpose. Higher to do nothing or drift than cope with the headache. At one level, the egg even runs for prime minister with the platform “eight days off per week.” Now that’s one thing we are able to all get behind.

Very similar to Aggretsuko, the Gudetama present had the potential to be little greater than a one-note joke that doesn’t justify its existence. And whereas it’s principally disposable, its relatability additionally makes it an excellent diversion for the entire different lazy eggs on the market. Look, we’re midway by means of December already, and although the vacation break is shut, it nonetheless feels miles away as I sort this. All of us want somewhat assist to recover from that hump. If that assist occurs to be somewhat yolk who likes to say “meh,” so be it.

Gudetama: An Eggcellent Journey is streaming on Netflix now.