'Caliph Stork' is a charming story that does deserve to be better known. Not one of my favourite, or one of the best known, stories that feature in this interesting, if uneven, and still overlooked German animated series 'Simsala Grimm' (with English dubs available). Will say that watching this quite decent (though not exactly ideal if looking for a straight up faithful adaptation, on that front the series generally will disappoint) episode will make one interested in getting acquainted with the story if not done so already.
'Simsala Grimm' is as has been already said above uneven, with some episodes being quite a bit better than others, but deserves more credit in its own right, fitting the bill of introducing one to these stories well. Even those familiar with the stories are likely to find the series and how it tells the stories featured interesting, if perhaps more children than adults. It was great to see a nice mix of the famous and oft-adapted tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones, that is something that is appreciated about other animated series based on fairy-tales like the 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' anime from the 80s. On its own merits (best forget about expecting something faithful), 'Simsala Grimm' is pleasant, though not one of my favourites, and those not familiar with the original stories may find themselves intrigued into checking them out.
After the less than wonderful 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp' underwhelming, do consider it perhaps the weakest 'Simsala Grimm' episode, it is good to say that 'Caliph Stork' is a return to the above average standard of most of the series. It is decent if not great.
The character designs are somewhat derivative, anybody who has seen many of the previous episodes will see a lot of similarities in the character designs between those and this, giving the sense of recycling. Some 'Simsala Grimm' episodes have less than great writing, with 'Caliph Stork' it is certainly much better than in 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp' at any rate but it is not without its corny moments.
Do like Doc Croc and Yoyo as characters but some episodes, 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp' being the worst offenders', suffer a bit from their presence feeling like padding that doesn't always add much. They certainly serve a purpose here and are helpful but the story would have worked every bit as well without them.
Saying all of this makes it sound like 'Caliph Stork' is bad. Have actually indicated already that it is decent and it's one of the better faring Season 3 episodes. Really like Doc Croc's resourcefulness and intelligence and Yoyo is as ever very cute and amusing, both likeable characters. The original characters are well done with a likeable protagonist.
Much of the animation is quite nice, the finesse is not always there or the imagination, but it's vibrant and has some nice detail. Nothing amateurish about it at all, not on Dingo Pictures' level. The music fits well (likewise with the never hammy or bland voice acting) and the main theme is catchy. Have always really liked the once upon a time approach to the intro.
Found myself mostly entertained and engaged by the story. It didn't feel dull or rushed, even if not everything felt necessary, it's easy to follow yet it doesn't thankfully feel dumbed down. Same with enough of the writing, which amuses and charms enough even if again it is not perfect.
In summary, decent. 7/10
'Simsala Grimm' is as has been already said above uneven, with some episodes being quite a bit better than others, but deserves more credit in its own right, fitting the bill of introducing one to these stories well. Even those familiar with the stories are likely to find the series and how it tells the stories featured interesting, if perhaps more children than adults. It was great to see a nice mix of the famous and oft-adapted tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones, that is something that is appreciated about other animated series based on fairy-tales like the 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' anime from the 80s. On its own merits (best forget about expecting something faithful), 'Simsala Grimm' is pleasant, though not one of my favourites, and those not familiar with the original stories may find themselves intrigued into checking them out.
After the less than wonderful 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp' underwhelming, do consider it perhaps the weakest 'Simsala Grimm' episode, it is good to say that 'Caliph Stork' is a return to the above average standard of most of the series. It is decent if not great.
The character designs are somewhat derivative, anybody who has seen many of the previous episodes will see a lot of similarities in the character designs between those and this, giving the sense of recycling. Some 'Simsala Grimm' episodes have less than great writing, with 'Caliph Stork' it is certainly much better than in 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp' at any rate but it is not without its corny moments.
Do like Doc Croc and Yoyo as characters but some episodes, 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp' being the worst offenders', suffer a bit from their presence feeling like padding that doesn't always add much. They certainly serve a purpose here and are helpful but the story would have worked every bit as well without them.
Saying all of this makes it sound like 'Caliph Stork' is bad. Have actually indicated already that it is decent and it's one of the better faring Season 3 episodes. Really like Doc Croc's resourcefulness and intelligence and Yoyo is as ever very cute and amusing, both likeable characters. The original characters are well done with a likeable protagonist.
Much of the animation is quite nice, the finesse is not always there or the imagination, but it's vibrant and has some nice detail. Nothing amateurish about it at all, not on Dingo Pictures' level. The music fits well (likewise with the never hammy or bland voice acting) and the main theme is catchy. Have always really liked the once upon a time approach to the intro.
Found myself mostly entertained and engaged by the story. It didn't feel dull or rushed, even if not everything felt necessary, it's easy to follow yet it doesn't thankfully feel dumbed down. Same with enough of the writing, which amuses and charms enough even if again it is not perfect.
In summary, decent. 7/10