Cartoon Network’s New Mini Series “Long Live the Royals” Arrives

With the holiday season in full force upon us we find ourselves before an array of any number of holiday themed episodes, classic flicks of the most wonderful time of the year, specials themed with twinkling lights- and dreaded hiatus of some of favorite series. Even though it is grand to count-down the days until you celebration of choice arrives and enjoy all the season has to offer. Sometimes, well, sometimes the best thing is to step back from the holly-jolly jingles and re-focus onto something slightly different.

Normally you any new content during this time of year is very centric on the idea of the nearing festivities, good will, friendship or family. This is the case of the latter with Cartoon Network’s new mini-series, “Long Live the Royals.”

Cartoon Network has been running with the platform of mini-series for a while now and it has very promising and captivating response from fans, even to the point of wanting more after the fact. Mini-series are a great form to play with given the selective time-frame you have to tell a story and develop your characters. It can do wonders, or prove to be quite the challenge. For Cartoon Network it has been the former.

By now the trope of royalty has been done greatly across a wide range of mediums. From the likes of the popular Princess Dairies novels and films, countless Disney Princess films, and to the TLC reality series “Suddenly Royal” we have seen this regal on-goings often. Yet it is always interesting to see what even a common trope can become. In the hands of the right and talented writer anything can become grand.

Based on a pilot that appeared online back in May of 2014 the series takes viewers into a kingdom, that blends modern and medieval existence, lead by the likes of King Rufus, Queen Eleanor and their three children. The story follows Peter, Rosalind, Alex and their parents as they celebrate the annual Yule Hare Festival. A celebration filled with food, fights and singing- you know, the usual.

Anytime family is a central point of a work there is usually some level of hijinks not too far off into the distance. A point that is very clear within the basic summary of the series. Ruling a kingdom is one thing, trying to manage a normal family life is a trying task for anyone.

One of thing things that stood out was the fact it is noted that each of the four parts of this series is intended on honing in one specific characters in the family.  Primarily that of some type of conflict that must be confronted head on.

I myself have only seen the pilot, yet I will attest that the series has quite a bit of promise…and it may or may not remind me slightly of a certain summer anime. Anytime you have slice-of-life, or even a larger cast of characters there is a lot that can be done. Even if it is just by having the characters play off one another. So much to run with.

The addition of the family in question being royal adds in some layers, not only with what comes with being in-charge of leading a kingdom, but that kingdom’s heritage and customs. Just by looking at the pilot it is clear that there is a blend of modern influences and more classic ones that are more commonly attached with the medieval period.  The balance between what you might call two vastly different realities is also interesting.

And I, as usual, heavy analyzing.

Be sure to tune into the four part mini-series, “Long Live the Royals” on Cartoon Network.

Join the conversation: if you have been watching, what are your thoughts on the series? Do you like the mini-series platform?