Twelve Forever

Netflix's Twelve Forever has an interesting albeit familiar premise, a modernized retelling of the Peter Pan story about a trio of middle schoolers who travel to a magical dimension to escape reality and eventual maturity where imagination is limitless and they have superpowers. Unfortunately, that last sentence pretty much covers it as far as depth is concerned, as the series often illustrates that the creators really did not put that much thought into beyond the idea for it.

Not long in it becomes quite apparent that this was meant to be for Cartoon Network as its trying to replicate the 'fantastical sitcom' approach of Adventure Time and Steven Universe, however its tonal balance is very uneven; sometimes they try to go big with the laughs, big with the drama, but it doesn't gel all well together. Almost every episode feels like it was based on a first draft...

The world, or in this case the island of, Endless is interesting but its all too random and doesn't have any cohesion or rules. And most of its inhabitants come across as rejects from Adventure Time.

Reggie, the lead character of the show, comes across like a brat a lot of the time and isn't very easy to latch onto. She and her friends all lack chemistry and do not play off of each other well to engage a viewer much.

Not the worst show ever, but more time in the writer's room needs to be spent for it really kick into high gear. Too bad they had to redo everything from the Cartoon Network short from a few years prior - it was a lot better and more thought out.

In 2015, Cartoon Network released a pilot called "Twelve Forever", features the main protagonist, Reggie who is not a huge fan of growing up, she goes on her adventures involving her own imagination with her friends. Cartoon Network made a pretty bad mistake for rejecting such a good masterpiece, but thankfully Netflix, the home of entertainment and animation made it into a full series and hopefully they don't cancel it like they did it to Tuca and Bertie...bunch of jerks, cancelled one of the greatest cartoons on Netflix. I watched Twelve Forever and it was pretty good, I didn't like the characters who picked on Reggie for being a bit immature, and the Butt Witch is also a pretty good antagonist. Twelve Forever may look like a Cartoon Network show from nowadays, but it pretty fun to watch. I give this one an 8.5/10

This show is really underrated and overlooked! It's funny, with very bright, colorful animation. The best thing about this show, however, is the subject matter. This show tackles serious (and sometimes relatable) issues in a mature way. I've rarely ever seen this in a kids cartoon, and it really makes this show stand out.

Stories are way more interesting and deep for a kids show than I imagined! Voice acting is superb.....excpecially Bridget Everett who I adore! I am halfway through the season and hooked. Really hoping for season 2! I am greedy. I rarely review, but I wanted to make an exception for this little gem that transports me right into my childhood! Great characters, even the ones who only appear briefly!

I think this show gets way too much hate. Despite some of this show's problems, it's too enjoyable and engaging for me to hate. Besides the hate this show gets because the creator is creepy and treated her co-workers badly (separate the art from the artist, people), a lot of people say that Reggie is too immature and that the show's depiction of the Butt Witch is transphobic. I will counter these claims, while also giving my thoughts on the show and will detail the show's downfall.

First of all, there are a lot of 12 year olds who are immature. Heck, I was immature when I was 12. I made my first few reviews on the site when I was 12 and used way too much exclamation points, and made them way too long. Now I'm 15 and my reviewing style has changed for the better. Heck, when I was 12 I was like Reggie. I loved toys, drawing, and making up stories. I still love those things today. Besides, her immaturity is what makes the show fun. Would you really want Reggie to be uptight and serious?

The show is really fun and relatable. Puberty really does suck. Sure, it's a path leading to things you can do when you're an adult like drive, get a job, and drink alcohol, but getting acne, voice cracks, etc is no fun at all. That's why before you become an adult, you should embrace your childhood and live your life to the fullest before you turn 18. Even though Reggie constantly using Endless Island as an escapism method does become a problem, you can understand why she does it. The show not only addresses puberty, but also addresses stuff like a big brother moving away and getting a crush on someone the same gender as you (Reggie gets a crush on another girl). I'm actually bi, so I relate a lot to Reggie getting a crush on a girl.

Endless Island is rich and expansive, and it would be really cool if it were real. The creatures there are kinda weird though, but that's just the result of a child's imagination. Now, onto the Butt Witch. Just because she has a man voice and is the villain of the show doesn't mean that the show is transphobic. The actual, rightful owner of the show, Shadi Petosky, is a trans woman, so there. Butt Witch having a man voice is a reference to how your voice changes during puberty.

However, the show was somehow doomed to fail. The show was originally pitched to Cartoon Network, but was rejected (I still think the Cartoon Network pilot is one of the best CN pilots next to Infinity Train and Welcome to My Life). In 2017, it was announced that the show would be moving to Netflix instead. Its release date was changed multiple times before finally premiering in late July of 2019. The show was given minimal advertisement. Then, the animation studio behind the show, Puny Animation, shut down. Later, Julia Vickerman (the creator) was revealed to be a bad person, as she followed a 14 year old boy around a carnival. Now, it's a bit awkward that the show is about a kid who wants to be 12 years old forever. Later, the show was cancelled after only one season.

That's a shame. It really did have a lot of potential. It's fine if you don't like it, since everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think the show needs more love.