5 Reasons You Should Watch Animated “Wingfeather Saga”

Many families are faced with choices that do not affirm their core values in an age where epic fantasy is the dominant form of entertainment.

There are many stories about dragons, swords, ancient myths that come true. But is there one story that extols the virtues responsibility, courage, family togetherness, and teamwork?

Animated fantasy-adventure series “The Wingfeather Saga,” There are three half-hour episodes available on the free Angel Studios appInvites grade-schoolers to Aerwiar, along with others, will be available in February.

Three siblings leave a small village to join a grand adventure with amazing creatures. They face off against Gnag, the Nameless and his Fangs, lizard-like creatures.

Andrew Peterson, author and songwriter from Christianity, is best known for CCM hits like “Is He Worthy,” spent nearly a decade writing The Wingfeather Saga—so there’s a lot for the uninitiated to catch up on.

These are five reasons you should jump in to this epic tale centered around redemption, discovery, and purpose.

Epic Storytelling Mixes with Kid-Friendly Whimsy

This four-book series draws inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien, Christian Fantasy Author. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and George MacDonald — with a grand quest, formidable villains, and many mysteries revealed in time.
Like Dr. Seuss or The Hobbit, the whimsical humor is characterized by tongue-twister animals (such as squeeblins or thapperflys), and a tongue in cheek narrative voice.

Children love the mix of drama and silliness. Reading the books is not necessary to enjoy the TV series.

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A mom reviews the series. “absolute game-changer” Her 12-year-old daughter. “Never did I think that this son of mine would actually ask for books for Christmas!”

The Family at Center will Look (and Sound!) Familiar

We’ve all seen typical hero’s journey sTories—from “Kung Fu Panda” to “The Wizard of Oz”—where a vast new world opens up through the eyes of a single protagonist.

But, in “The Wingfeather Saga,” A multi-generational family with three grade-school-aged children and a mother and grandfather, finds strength from start to finish. They all are transformed along the journey.

Janner, the oldest brother of Janner (12 years old), is meticulous and watches over his siblings. Tink (age 11), a k a Kalmar (age 11,) is daring and rambunctious; while Leeli (8 years old) is imaginative and creative.

Leeli walks with a limp and her grandfather Podo makes her a new crutch each year as she grows.

Kevin McNally speaks for Podo“Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise) and the kids’ mother, Nia, by Disney legend Jodi Benson (“The Little Mermaid”), among several talented co-stars.

Trailblazing Animation Style

To match the boldly original novels, the producers and artists who brought the saga alive chose a visual style that was unlike any other animation.

Chris Wall, Showrunner at DreamWorks, shared his experience with me about how it was done. “photoreal CGI” common today leaves little to the mind’s eye.

“All the answers are right there in every pixel on screen,” Wall. “So what would it look like to have something that’s more abstract, that invites the audience to imagine, to fill in details that we aren’t giving them?”

This new hybrid style, called paint motion, was created by dozens of artists. It combines 2D hand-drawn elements with CG-driven characters.

Every Episode Has A Worksheet to Spark Kids’ Creativity

Use social media to share your thoughts “Wingfeather” The acronym T.H.A.G.S. is used on merchandise to signify Three Honored and Great Subjects.

These subjects will appear on-screen in the series lore as the story progresses.

Each episode has a free worksheet covering those subjects (just watch the show’s Facebook page). It encourages children and teens to draw, think, and create.

Perhaps every viewer, like the saga has a greater creative purpose. This takes effort and discipline to fully grasp.

Surprisingly, Redemptive Themes Reappear

The journey to bring “The Wingfeather Saga” It took many years to get to the screen, but it was finally possible thanks to $5 million of crowdfunding. Season one will be available in May.

Yet, even now, it’s in the earliest stages of roll-out, as six more seasons have been outlined to adapt the four-book cycle.

Parents can learn life lessons from every chapter. However, the overall story requires time. Peterson, himself a pastor’s kid, says kids’ “guard goes up” When we try to squeeze teaching in at every opportunity.

“I grew up in the church,” He said. “And the quickest way to make me stop paying attention to something was to suspect there was a Sunday-school lesson hidden in there somewhere.”

He encourages families to enjoy the saga — full of drama, humor and discovery — which naturally moves to exploring the truths within, saying, “Story works on its own level, on its own terms. Mystery is part of the medium.”

Episodes 1-3 from The Wingfeather Saga can be found now at a free mobile app. The six-episode first season will resume on February 10, with Episode 4.

This article originally appeared at FAMILY THEATER PRODUCTIONS

Josh M. Shepherd writes about culture, faith and public policy issues for various media outlets. He and his wife have two children.

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