Watch El Deafo

El Deafo is an animated series based on the graphic novel memoir of the same name by Cece Bell. It follows the story of Cece, a young rabbit who loses her hearing after a childhood illness. Now navigating the world with a bulky hearing aid she calls her "superpower", Cece struggles to make friends and fit in at school.

The show opens with Cece excitedly starting elementary school, only to quickly realize how different things are for her now that she can't hear well. Simple things like responding when the teacher calls on her becomes a challenge. Cece's well-meaning mother tries to help by alerting teachers about Cece's hearing loss, but this only serves to further isolate Cece from her classmates.

At home, Cece retreats into imaginary games with her stuffed animals and dog. She pretends her hearing aid gives her superpowers like flight and reading minds. Her coping mechanism starts to become an alter ego she names "El Deafo", a confident hero version of herself.

When Cece's family relocates to a new town, she decides this will be an opportunity for a fresh start. She asks her mother not to disclose her hearing loss to her new school. Cece makes friends with a girl named Martha, but struggles with "secret keeping" as she navigates their blossoming friendship. Martha eventually discovers the truth about Cece's hearing loss, but accepts and supports her.

Empowered by Martha's friendship, Cece starts to gain confidence and advocate for herself, asking teachers to use assistive devices like a microphone during class. She also joins a swim team, pursuing interests beyond her hearing loss.

While the story has lighthearted and whimsical moments as Cece explores her imagination, it also tackles weightier themes related to disability, identity, communication, and friendship. Cece learns lessons about accepting help when needed, while also coming into her own.

Visually, El Deafo utilizes a vivid color palette and an expressive animation style. Cece is depicted as an anthropomorphic rabbit, while other characters appear as different animals. The medium of animation brings Cece's creative inner world to life in imaginative ways.

Overall, El Deafo presents an uplifting story of a young girl overcoming adversity, finding inner strength, and learning to embrace her differences. While aimed at children, its empowering themes around disabilities, confidence, and friendship resonate widely. The show translates the original graphic novel into an engaging and accessible animated format for modern audiences.

El Deafo is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between January 7, 2022 and on Apple TV+