Watch Strange Planet

Strange Planet is a new animated comedy series based on the popular webcomic and books of the same name by author Nathan W. Pyle. The show premiered on Apple TV+ in early 2023 and follows a group of blue-skinned aliens as they go about their mundane daily lives on a distant planet.

Visually, the show has a very simple, minimalistic art style with the alien characters drawn in a cute, rounded, almost childlike manner. The planet they inhabit is lush and green, dotted with angular modernist architecture. Despite the futuristic trappings, the show has an underlying timelessness to it.

The aliens communicate mostly in simplistic terms, describing even complex emotional states in plain language like “I am pleased about this development” or “This is causing me sadness.” Their behavioral quirks and social customs are just odd enough to point out the absurdity of many human ones.

Much of the show’s charm stems from the juxtaposition of the minimalist art and dialogue with the rather profound aspects of the aliens’ existence. It’s simple on the surface, but contains insightful commentary on relationships, society, and the meaning of life.

At the heart of the show is the family unit of the aliens. We meet a male and female pair raising their offspring, dealing with the various struggles of parenting and maintaining a household. Their interactions feel familiar even if the exact context is foreign.

Beyond the family, we’re introduced to a cast of colorful supporting characters living in the alien world. There’s a delightfully strange mix we get to know over the course of the first season, each dealing with their own problems that feel remarkably grounded despite the bizarre trappings.

While the show is humorous and fun on the surface, it also touches on deeper themes like love, work, belonging, and finding meaning. The aliens experience stress, sadness, joy and confusion much like humans do. However, their perspective on it simply comes across in a charmingly odd way.

Visually, it’s a marvel of efficiency and creativity. Clean simple backgrounds get the world across with very little detail. The minimalist alien designs are packed with expression despite their economy of features. Much is conveyed through subtle tilt of the head, the angle of their eyes, the slightest curl of a lip. It’s masterfully brought to life.

The pacing is relaxed, almost languid. The aliens move slowly, deliberately. There’s no rush or urgency to their actions. This calmness pervades each episode, giving it a meditative feeling even when exploring big themes. It’s less concerned with plot, more about vignettes and tone.

While it’s technically a comedy, it doesn’t rely on joke-driven humor or rapid-fire gags. Instead the humor is situational, born out of the absurdist nature of the aliens and their planet. It’s understated humor that catches you off guard, amplified by the deadpan delivery.

Strange Planet is utterly unique, a quiet little show with unexpected depth. It forges tremendous emotional connection with simple shapes and plain language. The juxtaposition of the minimal style with weighty themes creates a special alchemy that sets it apart. It’s a show that sticks with you long after watching. A gem of meditative philosophy cloaked in disarming simplicity.

Strange Planet is a series that ran for 1 seasons (10 episodes) between August 9, 2023 and on Apple TV+