How LEGO Monkie Kid Created the Perfect Protagonist

[@karlbenito9992]

Love how this monkie kid didn’t have problems or trauma but eventually gained them

[@puppyrex8]

Feel like Lego noticed how much people screamed over their favorite comfort character finally going through traumatic issues lol

[@thatoneguydjdoodles]

eh, maybe season 5 will lean more into it

[@milks-thoughts]

@@thatoneguydjdoodlesLEAN MORE INTO IT?? I’M SCARED TO SEE WHAT MORE TRAUMA THEY’LL GIVE HIM

[@TheMaskedguy000]

​@@milks-thoughtscan't be a good old action protagonist without that delicious trauma 😋✨

[@scarofherobrine]

Ayo u right!

[@matti.8465]

One of my favorite MK moments is at the end of season 3 when he casually says "sometimes I play dumb to lighten the mood", which recontextualizes a lot about his character. It's great to see a proper analysis on this show, there's so much potential but hardly anyone talks about it. I'd love to see something on Wukong, as he's a very flawed and complex person (especially if you take JTTW into account)

[@NeyamRye]

I remember that! Also your right so many different angles to analysis from

[@nelliebachesneg6655]

"His beliefs push him despite his wants" THAT. YES. THIS IS WHY I FIND HIM SO COMPELLING. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT INTO WORDS.

[@NeyamRye]

That's so cold

[@Danominator]

I'm so glad you're telling people about the show. We really need more folks watching it.

[@aidanlavin8211]

I remember when this show has been hyped up but there was no fanfare upon its release. Lego seems to be actively hiding Monkie Kid from western world.

[@Danominator]

@@aidanlavin8211 I really don't get why either. Even when you remove the rise in popularity of anime over here, it just seems like having a show like this to follow up Ninjago is a perfect evolution of the creativity you can find in a Lego show.

[@onixgrey2240]

@@aidanlavin8211 I’m pretty sure they *are.* considering it’s an eastern (mainly Chinese) legend, and the current tensions between china and the USA, im pretty sure at least streaming sites are trying to minimize it.

[@Danominator]

@@onixgrey2240 Hadn't thought of that 😬 modern world stuff gotta ruin everything huh

[@Caldoric]

@@aidanlavin8211 they're more into marketing it to the eastern world than the western one, especially since it's an Eastern story. I'm mostly upset the sets aren't too available in the states either...

[@Plexxis_SugarPom]

This show is so damn good. What’s funny is that on a first time watching,season 1 is kinda a slog. But as you get more attached to the characters and feel for them more, you learn to appreciate the first season because it’s when they were the happiest in the show. Season 2 expands and introduces the trauma, season 3 hammers that trauma in, and season 4 makes sure the audience knows these characters need therapy and that a hug might be in order.

[@Plexxis_SugarPom]

@Elijah-iw9pc oh hello! If you wouldn't mind, I am not religious. So, while I appreciate your invite, I am going to decline, thank you however, and have a wonderful day!

[@kiricappuchin]

I thought Season 1 was a good start. It lets you get used to these characters, their world and their daily lives, and like you said, strengthens your attachment to these characters. So it hits even harder when you see such a friendly carefree guy like MK get his whole world turned upside down so quickly >:]

[@Plexxis_SugarPom]

@@kiricappuchin RIGHT?! Like, season one BASICALLY TRAPS YOU. It’s like “ooh so goofy! Cool! a cartoon about popular Chinese legend Monkie king! Introducing some of the villains and new characters, while reminiscing and keeping it respectful to the source! That finale was interesting!” To season 2 being “aw poor MK! The LBD person is really getting to him! I hope he’s okay!” Season three just decides to hit hard in the first few episodes, take a chill pill for the middle bit, AND PICKS UP A SLEDGEHAMMER IN THE FINAL FEW. Like, the transition from Monkey King’s demeanor between amnesia rules and the prince the shadow and the mountain or whatever it was called is so interesting, AND MEI WAS SUCH A MOOD IN THE LAST EPISODE. The audience is kinda just watching in awe going “…damn wait a sec weren’t you happy a month ago?” And then season 4 decides to walk through a door and talk about having an existential crisis. This show needs more attention isttg

[@YourMC_AnEMAtion]

​@@kiricappuchin NOW THIS IS WHY I LOVE MK MORE

[@dunkwaffle4895]

MK is a very compelling and interesting protagonist, being a longtime fan of this show since it released three years ago, it is great to see it get some recognition from a writing standpoint.

[@bendobricks]

The writers have done a fantastic job with MK. He has far surpassed my expectations of him when I first started watching

[@robiandrei5821]

​while you make a video about season 4 special

[@داركماتر-ت1ط]

​@@bendobrickscould you talk about sun Woukang and his Journey of his Greatest Mistakes

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

I agreed

[@AUDHDMK]

In short: he's a very anxious, very silly protagonist, and I love and cherish him with my entire well-being

[@Mapple318]

I dont know if i like your profile picture or if it is traumatizing me-

[@RYUisMEnotYOU]

all hail MK, all hail MK, all hail MK (were totally not MK clones)

[@Vee_101]

I love the use of Giratina's theme at 13:12, makes the ink monsters just that much creepier.

[@TheOldEverglades]

yeah

[@samdavid5772]

The lady bone demon is absolutely terrifying. If it wasn't a Lego kid show, there would be a lot more on screen deaths O·O

[@whitemoonwolf13]

not even that. the way they were able to animate her and her ghost nonsense was so fucking spooky. just trying to think about it being done as a typical anime, fuck she would have been so much creepier

[@mysticalkeyblade759]

I do like how Macaque did comfort MK and try to help him through his trauma before the s4 special

[@imnowapinecone]

A big reason why wukong and mk seem more like people instead of just characters despite how powerful they are is because the book wukong is from is an allegory, and Wukong represents the mind he is meant to act realistically, not like some perfect main character that has perfect morals and stuff he, this fact definitely helped with mk because like you said a lot of wukongs traits rubbed off on mk

[@Icepiq72]

The line "then prove us wrong" hit so hard. MK believes everything his fears are telling him, and as much as he believes in his fear, his fear believes in him too. His subconscious wants to scare him and it also wants to protect him, as every person's psychology does. Sometimes we are our biggest supporters and our biggest critics, and I love how the show never went "Jekyll and Hyde" with regards to characters' insecurities and enemies. They overlap and agree on some things.

[@aristopheliese]

you do an AMAZING job talking about MK oh my gosh. one thing i want to add on though is that regarding MK and his relationship with Sun Wukong is that nearly every single bad thing MK has heard regarding him (betraying the brotherhood, leaving behind Macaque, etc.) had been from people that AREN'T Wukong. Both MK and the viewer perspective of Wukong regarding his past has always been something we have desperately lacked Wukongs input regarding. While yes, Wukong has shared some details of his past to MK and the group it has always been small or vaguely discussing it, and now in S4, that is especially prominent regarding the brotherhood and the scroll and Wukongs current status. Yet taking into account the original inspiration for LEGO Monkie Kid, Journey to the West, along with several scenes throughout the show, mainly in later seasons, it could be possible to infer that when Wukong was doing these "morally questionable" acts it was outside of his own choice, Wukong being used as a weapon for other peoples bidding. I also think that in part is why Wukong is so adamant on helping MK harness his powers rather than let MK figure shit out on his own, that was what caused Wukong to be used as a weapon and Wukong doesn't want that to be what MK experiences (I also don't know how to add it in, but I want to point out that through the whole show everyone else tends to refer to MKs powers as "The Monkey King's powers" yet Wukong is the only one to directly say that they are MKs powers, not powers he handed down to MK) Basically what I'm wanting to get at is not only is MK a complex and interesting protagonist, yet so is Sun Wukong, not quite a protagonist yet he is interesting and complex with many layers and a moral complexity outside of black and white, just like his successor. I don't think Wukong is a bad guy, and I surely hope the show doesn't try and paint him as such, I just think he's got interesting and complicated morals and past that you don't typically tend to see outside of a kids show.

[@bendobricks]

Yea your absolutely right, Wukong himself is a lot more complex of a character than I painted him out to be in this video. I’ll probably do a follow up video at some point discussing him more in depth along with macaque!

[@fangirl_did_lie2733]

@@bendobricks I can't wait to see that

[@aristopheliese]

@@bendobricks oooo! I can't wait to see it if you decide to do that! I also wanna add I really like how you pace and edit your videos and can't wait to see more content from you, keep up the amazing work!

[@Damian_Howl]

I hope the show doesn't make Wukong a bad guy . As a person who read the Journey to the West novel , I'm very attached to Wukong more than I am MK . I just don't want the show that is supposed to pay homage to the novel to make the great Wokong a crapy bad guy

[@fangirl_did_lie2733]

@@Damian_Howl same

[@Je-S1001]

13:15 Seriously, Giratina’s battle theme fits almost too well for that sequence, like the music was made specifically for it.😮

Might have to do with Giratina's Spear Pillar scene in Platinum being similar.

[@Je-S1001]

Yeah probably.

[@Je-S1001]

@Elijah-iw9pc I’m sorry, what?

[@smokestorm6291]

4:33 I also like how the his clones also aren't "good guys", and are causing trouble. Gives a bit to the 'Harbinger of Chaos' thing the ink version of him was going on about. >.> Plus, with the season 4 special, I am so hype for season 5!

[@robomix3162]

15:53 I DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE MK GRABBING HIS ARM JUST LIKE WUKONG DID BEFORE LEAVING HIS FRIENDS THAT *SUCH* A COOL DETAIL Edit: ITS EVEN THE SAME ANGLE AHHHH i love this show, can you tell?

[@chopchopzz]

I've never watched Monkie Kid, but the sets are absolutely amazing tho.

[@bendobricks]

The sets are fantastic but so expensive so I still don’t own any yet lol

[@chopchopzz]

​@@bendobricks Same, but I really want to buy that cloud Dragon

[@sisterlillybug3142]

Dude, watch it. It’s so worth it

[@Phantom86d]

I just finished binge watching it and started again. Here you go. kzbin.info/aero/PL_NgQfcVRnkPmn90ACvOBKPXZOaYESXvf

[@SillyVania]

​@@Phantom86d i need to save this playlist

[@FelixsCorner]

I absolutely love MK as a protagonist.. How much he grows, his past, his motivations- AND the fact that we can relate to him so much! He suffers so much and oughhhhhhhh it hits hard sometimes

[@tiaviva2332]

Same. He kinda reminds me of ko for ok ko let's be heroes. ( Not because they look similar ) but also because they're both so determine to get they're point across.

[@calacalamari3977]

6:50 i'd argue that's slightly off. granted, havent watched the whole vid yet, but macaque's main goal for teaching MK was to plant doubt in his mind against monkey king's abilities. he wanted to hurt monkey king, and decided to go after MK because he's the closest character to monkey king. macaque needed MK's powers to have a better chance at taking on monkey king, he didn't care about MK in the slightest.

[@fangirl_did_lie2733]

This

[@Toggle416]

ah love to see more monkie kid deep-dives - would love to see one on macaque and wukongs relationship or LBD - great content as usual, keep it up!

[@bendobricks]

More Monkie Kid videos are definitely coming. I love the show and it’s characters

[@SillyVania]

​@@bendobricks MORE MONKIE KID VIDEOS?! :0

[@JakeSmith-mq5dc]

@@bendobricks Ooh, I hope you do the Demon Bull family then. Or Mei's character

[@heatherfall_3996]

​@@JakeSmith-mq5dcyesss. Mei's character is really quite interesting, I'd love to see a video on her character. Also Red Sun

[@SashyyKane]

this really perfectly encapsulates why MK is such a great protagonist and character in general. He's so silly while also being very relatable with his struggles and issues, and I love how this video essay really showcases his depth and why he's so cool

[@koalacreature6418]

"has... a bit of an ego" NO. SUN WUKONG? AN EGO? NO WAY. (i cackled)

[@commandervideo5273]

It’s still hilarious to me that a very excellent show with god tear animation and great story telling and characterization is still technically a Lego advertisement.

[@SkylerDemness]

Sometimes I even forget it is a Lego!

[@kenji6492]

It helps that the 2D animation gives it such a distinct look from other lego media, even the really high quality ones like Lego Movie and Lego Batman. Sometimes you just accept that this is how the characters look and forget they’re minifigs.

[@AnEmu404]

Hey, a lot of great animated kids shows have been funded by merchandising. It’s how the shows get off the ground, and some writers use it as an opportunity to write great stories!

[@lunar_proxy]

i thought he was just gonna be another boring "overly enthusiastic, kinda stupid protag with a hero complex with zero real depth" that i just had to endure for the plot, but this show rly smacked me over the head for that 💀mk is genuinely intriguing and SO much more than the stereotype you might put him in at first. even in season 1 you can see he has more depth than that, it's not as visible but definitely there. i love this littl monke boy

[@claudius3359]

Honestly this show is so unique because it's basically the things that are inspired by JTTW in animes are coming back full circle to actually tell a sequel/retelling of JTTW.Namely the 'strong but dumb' protags that are strangely inspired by the intelligent stone monkey.

[@angel_ovo55]

Macaque doesn’t care for Mk in the beginning. He wasn’t worried, just grieving and taking it out in Wukong’s kid. (Macaque also is proven to be unreliable so don’t trust him too much)

[@Catfishade]

i'm crying and it's entirely your fault i want you to know that /pos in all seriousness tho this is the first LMK video essay I've seen that actually analyzes the writing of the show and I'm SO grateful for that because nearly not enough people realize just how deep the characters here go and I'm so happy someone competent is covering the topic you crushed this one

[@EthanMallonee]

The dichotomy of beliefs countering and overcoming wants... That struggle is present to one degree or another in all of us, and it's actually really inspiring to see main characters who are forced to struggle through it. Phenomenal essay! I hope to see more :D

[@ConceptOfCreat10n]

Been waiting for an entire year to find a video essay on LMK that spoke positively about it, if at all, and stumbling upon this one just made me so much happier! I loved hearing your thoughts on MK and I totally see all the points you made. Not many people really care to dive too deep into the symbolism and mental strength of MK and the difference between his wants and beliefs. So uh... Yeah! Good job, I like this, 10/10, would recommend!

[@grayblethenerd]

Jack De Sena (the voice actor for MK) did an AMAZING job with the Shadow MK scene in s4ep7.

[@Doodles.Lion153]

This is what I got from season three when I watched it: season three is spent breaking down WuKong and building up MK. which takes a while due to the amount of constant traumatic experiences he's having added with the major confidence hits he has to relearn that yes your not immediately going to succeed at everything, but that doesn't mean you should give up on yourself as a person. WuKong while taking just as much if not harder confidence hits that didn't exist in the first place. WuKong gets back up as though it didn't affect him. That's the difference MK acts and feels like real person on their own path learning to be better to themselves. Wu Kong doesn't want that he used to royally screwing up dealing the consequences and just getting up again no matter what happens, the only thing that truly got through to him was Mei screaming at him that's he's hurting MK by being like that way. And WuKong just crumbled right there, causing him to break down. Mk crumbled because of traumatic events that built up and he couldn't take it. Monkey King? He assumed MK wouldn't be able to hold his own and that he would just be better off if MK wasn't on the battle field to distract him.

[@Doodles.Lion153]

I made a writing error when mentioning WuKong confidence I meant to say he had no confidence in the first place and what little he had was directly connected MK, that is a smaller better version of himself, that's why WuKong cared so much more about MK than anyone else, even himself.

[@guywithrevolver]

I like how we explore his character more and more as the shows status quo changes. At the start of the show, it focused on more episode by episode plots, with only a bit of an overarching stpry connecting them. As the status quo changes, and the overarching story is brought more into the limelight, we get to see more of MK's character, more of his struggles, and more hints about his past. This culminates in season 4, the breaking point, where the show has become fully serialized and now MK starts to feel like nothing's ever going to be the same ever again.

[@Kanade_yoisaki273]

I love how this cartoon shows the true suffering from being a hero and the backstory is just so interesting

[@jemmine]

As someone who know a bit of journey to the west monkey kid is insanely faithful to the source material

[@starbeam-neko]

I absolutely love this! But a little comment for macaque is that when MK first met him, macaque didnt say care for MK's well-being. Using him as a stepping stool to exact his revenge on Wukong, seeing him more as a mini Wukong and punishing him for his mentor's mistakes. Ofc by the end of s3 macaque realizes that MK is his own person and isnt a carbon copy of his mentor cause MK managed to do the thing Wukong couldn't: hear people out.

[@cyanado2697]

A little detail i found interesting that might not matter but, the scene where mk is talking with subodhi and he has this realization that his the initials of his name are for his hero name, MK=Monkie Kid, might mean mk didn't consider the coincidence and was always destined to be the monkie kid whether he wanted to or not....

[@claudius3359]

Just for added insight,somebody said the chinese dub has Subodhi saying "A stone monkey." instead of "Monkie Kid". Though personally,it works better than "Monkie Kid".I kinda can't take the 'running gag' about MK's ambiguous name,and this feels like a continuation of it."Stone Monkey" actually clarifies what it is that Subodhi needs to & means to say.

[@_Leyaaa]

I love how you analysed mk's character. We actually bearly know about them and it seems that mk too doesn't know anything about himself. The 4 season really showed us more of mk then any of the other 3 ever did. The show now goes So much deeper and i love it. At first the show looks like this funny Kids show with lessons Kids learn with the Main character but as the show progress we see that it's more then that. We can Say that the show is about growing and learning your purpose in the world and learning about yourself . Great video please do more! I love to see this fandom getting bigger.

[@AnEmu404]

Yeah! Something notable is mk’s coping mechanisms. It’s super prevalent at the start of s4, but in retrospect it’s a major part of s2! He hides things! He doesn’t talk about his issues, and as we glean from the ‘sometimes i play dumb’ line, he does this as he wants to appear always happy-go-lucky. It kinda makes him a deceptive main character who hides their true feelings, but only for the sake of others. It also makes him *a lot* like Wukong as that’s what we see Wukong doing throughout the series constantly. I think it stems from his deep desire to be normal, and yet also be a hero, which is impossible. I love the fact that we know his beliefs, but don’t actually know his _wants_ until much later on, since he hides that from *both* his friends and the viewer. It gives him so much depth, and re-contextualises a lot of the way he acts throughout the series after s1. His writing is so good honestly i was so glad to see this video pop up!!!

[@_Leyaaa]

@Elijah-iw9pc No thank you

[@171QA]

Looking back on it the White Bone Demon reminds me of Belos from TOH. Both wanted to believe they were the heroes of their own story, preordained to make things better, but really both delusional in their mindsets and manipulated the hero of each respected story and made comparisons with each other.

[@puppyrex8]

For an odd reason SO MANY people compare this show with TOH, and having watched both shows I don't see similarities with anything else but character stereotypes.

[@AnEmu404]

@@puppyrex8maybe it’s just because they’re both good, recent animated series’s that people love. I like both, and I often find myself comparing shows I’m into, even just a little, if they’ve come out recently. It’s probably also the character tropes, magical/mystical abilities, and action-adventure elements that make them similar, since not all recent animated family friendly shows have that - even if the actual plots are very different.

[@harmonetheanimationaddict4419]

Except Lady Bone started off with genuinely good intentions.

[@sapphirewingthefurrycritic985]

Then we find out that Sun Wukong went after all that power to protect those he cared about but lost sight of it.

[@baelGIGAN]

the only problem that i even have with the show is that the side characters don't really do much and just stand around, but that has since changed with the latest season and i genuinely don't have any major critiques for the show anymore, maybe the pacing is a bit too quick but that's not really a fault of the show itself. Also love how monkey king and azure lion are voiced by goku and vegeta lol

[@certifiedmacaquekinnie]

It was weird because I knew monkey king sounded so familiar but I couldn't catch who and the pacing really feels like rwby volume one but they had the most time to make 7 more volumes with no rush

[@tc4331]

I think if LEGO let LMK have more than 11 minutes per episodes (or more episodes in general) then I think LMK could've been better. I still have an issue with its pacing but with the limit they have per episode I'm impressed that they gave a lot for ten 11-minute episodes and specials.

[@baelGIGAN]

@@tc4331 100% agree, took the words right out my mouth

[@tc4331]

@@baelGIGAN usually I wouldn't excuse shows for being fast paced, but if they have limited episodes and time, then they have my biggest respects for hyping of the audience and making them love the show despite that. LMK and TOH (2nd half to last season) are the two prime examples of the hardwork and love the people behind the show gives for the audience to enjoy and love it as much as they do despite it's limitations.

[@Saralinwashere]

When I first saw this show I immediately fell in love with it, the characters, the story, the animation, everything! I'm glad to see more people are giving it attention, that was a really good essay!

[@MrNoremac208]

Literally the best thing Lego has ever produced. Having godlike animation and a completely stacked cast are just two of the reasons why that is. Great video dude!

[@silas.1769]

OKAY IM NOT FULLY DONE WATCHING THE VIDEO BUT I JUST WANNA ADD THIS (I DUNNO IF ITS REFRENCED IN THE VIDEO) There are several times where the antagonists refer to the powers MK has as Wukong's powers, but Wukong never says its his powers. He refers to it as MK's powers. Also, Wukong refers to the staff as "A big ol' stick, it takes someone special to lift it." which could mean that MK's powers were there BEFORE the staff :3

[@silas.1769]

FORGOT ABOUT THE SEASON THREE PART BUT He gets his powers back without the staff, referencing again, the meaning that the powers might have never come from the staff in the first place. I also would like to reference the moment in Skeleton Key where MK holds up the key to his head and we get a cool random scene that could have SO MUCH foreshadowing.

[@michaela6425]

I like how in the season 4 special MK finds himself become more of a leader, (Helping alongside Mei to make a plan) he helps comfort a depressed Sun Wukong, and finally excepting his demon monkey form, using it to help others

[@portymkyo2106]

I love during s4 and s3 you just see the buildup that mk and wukong are the same. But, in the special theres suddenly this huge split between the two and what they fear

[@darkrosestudios1049]

I just recently discovered this show and I’m so glad I did. It’s gone under my radar for years and I’m so mad about it. Finally proud to be a fan as it deserves. What a fantastic underrated masterpiece

[@tweets009]

and also its super cool how mk is forced to be a hero and wants to just be with his friends but yet despite everything he does he is just destined to cause chaos and pain no matter what he does

[@Logan-tinyplanetss]

you absolutely nailed it, thank you so much!! i am so attached to mk as a character, and i love how he is a good mixture of goofy and hyperactive and bold and terrified he feels SO real and so well-rounded to me

[@Sakurablossem3]

I‘m so happy to see people talk about this series and the depth of the characters in it. I really love this show and I hope you maybe will continue talking about it in the future

[@Sakurablossem3]

@Elijah-iw9pc I‘m an atheist

[@darkkmoon4214]

I like to think that in season three, the reason they went over the things MK learned is because of the severe doubt he was having from loosing his staff and loosing to the lady bone demons mech. He thought he learned everything, but really, he needs to experience what it's like to "loose" first, then build himself again.

[@paigejustneedstocope]

Excellent observations in this video! I’m glad to see this show getting out there a bit because it is really good! I appreciated all the things you said about MK and the seasons and such, but is it alright that I slightly disagree that Wukong was the only source of MKs insecurities? If I could explain myself, MKs anxiety didn’t necessarily stem from just Wukong. In the Impossible Delivery episode, and others, it is Pigsy who makes him anxious. In S4 we discover that MK doesn’t just work for Pigsy in exchange for living space, but that Pigsy is the only guardian figure MK had really known. It implies that Pigsy raised MK, to the point where MK confidently claims Pigsy as his Dad and starts getting a little annoyed when people imply Wukong as a father figure. Now imagine that father figure you’ve always known keeping your relationship as employer and employee. Imagine him threatening to fire you and replace you. We can see that Pigsy is joking, or trying to push him, but the anxiety was real for MK. When MK says that Pigsy is his dad, Pigsy denies him the right to call him that, as though confused that he’d ever think that. Then MK leaves and Pigsy says “Doesn’t he know that we’re his family?” It’s clear to us how much he cares for MK, and I’m not trying to dis Pigsy at all! But just as Pigsy was shaming Wukong for “Talking garbage to MK instead of talking to him straight.” I think something similar could’ve been said to Pigsy. If MK thinks he is replaceable to Pigsy, how much easier would it be for MK to believe that he is replaceable to Wukong? I’m glad both Wukong and Pigsy are starting to get a little better with things. They may not be perfect, but Wukong is actively trying to be more open with MK, and the first thing Pigsy does when they’re safe at the end of S4E10 is call MK “son”, clarifying to MK clearly how much MK means to Pigsy.

[@thewitchwannabe5116]

I love him because, most kids media just hint to the MCs issues leaving the fandom to speculate about it but even when MK was trying to deny his problems the audience could see them there, building. Like from s2 you this kid has ISSUES and he’s not addressing them

[@lemonhail1041]

I feel season 3 was less focused on mk and more about the other characters and how they contribute to mk’s development, especially monkey king. For example when mei says, “Time and time again I’ve watched you put mk in danger” (that line honestly doesn’t make sense considering mei and mk chose to take on lbd but whatev) which is wukong does. So I believe this season was kinda essential for mk even if it wasn’t as focused on him.

[@scarofherobrine]

My friend got me into it lmAo No regrets... I love the characters and story, the animators aren't afraid to get SPOOKY and deep

[@scarofherobrine]

@Elijah-iw9pc Thanks for the invite, my guy. However, I am already taken by the one true God :]

[@davosh2970]

SO AWESOME that you're talking about this show man, idk if you ever will but seeing a video about Red Son would be awesome, he's super interesting.

[@sparklingjustice9826]

Bro this was a really good analysis of MK! Him becoming more like Sun Wukong is so fascinating to me. I first noticed it in season 3 when both MK and Wukong’s color pallets seemed to be combining and it seemed like MK was getting more reckless. But the fact that MK becoming more like Wukong is not necessarily good isn’t something I noticed until recently. Btw I’m curious since he’s my fav, but why do you say that Wukong may be morally corrupt? I always just thought they he was morally grey, which to me adds to the whole ‘hey maybe becoming more like your idol isn’t actually the best’ idea. Again, great video!

[@bendobricks]

Thanks for the kind words. To answer your question, I refer to wukong as being “possibly morally corrupt” as I perceive him to be somebody who in the past seems to have mistreated those close to him (specifically the brotherhood) which is a trait that MK desperately wants to separate himself from. Like azure lion and wukong himself even said, he wasn’t always the easiest to get along with. I don’t necessarily think wukong is a bad person or necessarily evil but that’s how he is somewhat depicted when we see flashbacks. Still even so azure lion planned to help wukong see reason at the end of the day so even those hurt by him recognize he isn’t a lost cause, he just made some mistakes. There’s your overly long answer thank for the comment :)

[@sparklingjustice9826]

@@bendobricks Oh I see! Thank you for the explanation!

[@pepperxwx9632]

i love how lmk characters develop; they dont start with a lot of trauma, but instead gain it eventually as the show progresses. love how you explain mk's character and arc, i'll probably watch more of your videos :))

[@jasper5707]

THANK YOU, yes the more attention on this awesome show the better! I love this show and it deserves so much love

[@f4llen.starzz]

MK reminds me of a silly little fools gold character , possibly named sips

[@SkylerDemness]

When I started Season 1, I didn't really expect to get invested into the show as much as I am right now. If I talked to myself when I started watching the show that it is going to be one of my favorites, I wouldn't believe that. You explained very well how wonderful Monkie Kid is, and how they made MK such a wonderful protagonist, one of my favorites. Usually I do not like protagonist characters because they are mostly the same when it comes to personality. But Monkie Kid begged to differ. The lore and character writing is phenomenal, one of the best I have ever seen in cartoon fiction. I cannot wait and see The Season 4 Special!

[@XRyZ009]

MK and Sun Wu Kong’s relationship reminds me of Naruto and Jiraya and even Kai and Sensei Wu’s relationship in the beginning of the series

[@monkeychief1904]

Lego Monkie kid is such an amazing show and it deserves so much more love. Mk is such a cool character and this was a really good analysis! I really like how you mentioned how Mk kinda subverts expectations, I fell in love with the characters in season 1 and then season 2 showed me just how complex the characters actually are and got me really excited about future seasons and episodes. The writers have outdone themselves with this show

[@dontask9000]

Lego Monkie Kid is a hidden gem. More people need to know about it.

[@randomotakunerd]

I'm so glad you made this video! I love this show because it's surprisingly good and complex! But, I think the only way for MK to truly know his past/origin is by looking into Wukong's. Because the entire show has been hinting that Wukong's past is filled with too many unanswered questions (Why was he looking for a successor? Does he know MK's origins? Did he play a hand in it? Why did he join the heavens against the demon brotherhood? The Circlet? The fight between him and Macaque? Etc). I think it would be really neat. (Also pretty neat if you did a video on the aforementioned Monkey King :) )

[@landofthehazymist]

a lot of those questions, particulartly the circlet, are alr answered in JTTW, the book/myth/story the show is based on

[@randomdude21.0]

in so glad someone is sharing the show its ine of my favorite shows of all time

[@spinjitzumasterfalcon]

You know, I kinda want to see you dive into Garmadon's character in books such as his comic series and Spinjitzu brothers. Like MK, he too has his own inner demons, however as the antagonist. It'd be cool to see you break down his character.

[@ag-13studios51]

I don't usually watch character analyses, but I'm so glad I found this video. Not just as a learning writer, but as a pure fan of the show, I really enjoyed this video and learned quite a lot. Not just about MK, but about main protagonists in general. I've been very attached to protagonists like MK (Anne Boonchuy, Leo from RotTMNT, Cuphead from the Cuphead Show, and of course MK included), and this video has taught me that there's always more to the main protagonists than we see Thanks again for making this video man, especially for telling those who click on it about this amazing show. Make sure to take care of yourself as you make content for everyone to enjoy! Now, to quote Sun Wukong: "Okay bye~!"

[@MothFable]

i love the journey to the west books a lot. just fun books to read. i also love how incredibly versatile they are with adapting and storytelling.

[@Amonginator]

I love how this show is basically Lego Ninjago but in a sort of cartoony anime style

[@goldninjagaming9505]

This was a really compelling and well-written analysis of MK! Lego Monkie Kid has slowly become one of my favorite Lego shows to watch, and you've really brought to light what makes MK work as a protaginist. If there was one thing I wish you had touched on more, it's one thing during the final episode of season 4 as of right now. Macaque, of all people, the one who first planted the seeds of doubt in MK's mind of being Wukong's successor, is the one to help MK find the confidence and direction he needed to head out and save his friends because MK helped guide him back onto the right path.

[@bowserbreaker2515]

I've loved Monkie Kid since it came out, so it's great to see it's getting more coverage.

[@EmberVee]

I don’t think that corrupted MK is necessarily evil… I think it’s just some sort of being meant to help you conquer your fears… I mean, why else would they say: “then prove us wrong”?

[@faithmoffat3087]

I would love to see your options on swk Analysis and how he healing and growing from jttw trauma and trying to improve and fixs his mistakes (from a wukong stan), I love how you know wukong like dad for mk.

[@wholehogscrap]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE USE OF GIRATINA’S BATTLE THEME FOR THE TRANSITION TO SEASON 4! GOOD WORK!

[@MillyTheShapeshifter]

I really like this show in all honesty. This is probably my favorite lego show since ninjago. I have no hatred towards any of the characters, I either love this character with all my heart or I'm neutral. I wish they put all the seasons on the lego app instead of just season 3 and 4 though.

[@thomasedgar8612]

not to mention the ink monkie lied, the lady bone demon didnt say "all YOU do is cause pain and suffering" she said "the path youve chosen will only lead to pain" it implies martyrdom rather then suffering for others

[@josephmaller592]

Well, you just convinced me to binge watch the entire show.

[@puppyrex8]

WELCOME TO INSANITY, BROTHA 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Catfishade]

YES!!! ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

[@certifiedmacaquekinnie]

Trust me it's worth it

[@Targetstrike]

here's to hoping more people do video essays on this amazing show

[@mephilesfan]

so glad to see your commentary on this show, would love to see more videos on it if you have any topics you’d like to delve into

[@TheSkrunkyScrimblo]

I’m so glad this show is getting more recognition, it’s SO good and we really need more people watching it

[@codenamexelda]

First the perfect antagonistic and now this? Lego is clearly doing something right.

[@petermccormack6288]

Monkey kid is basically a lego anime in my opinion and I love it

[@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606]

My favorite part about Monkey Kid is that it maintains the spirit of the original story Sun Wukong is FROM; The Journey To The West. Sun Wukong and the Six-eared macaque are two of four primordial beings that defy explanation and are of equal power, and so Wukong and Macaque are intrinsically linked, and during The Journey To The West, have faught before. The Lady Bone Demon was a trickster demoness that manipulated Wukong's friends against him, and sure, was defeated in one chapter originally, but expanding on her story as a manipulative mastermind behind the scenes with bone powers goes in line with her character. Red Boy and the True Fire of Somadi, Pigsy and Sandy, all are great and accurate retellings of the characters and events of The Journey To The West. Even Wukong's Powers are brought in; "The _old_ you would have levelled these MOUNTAINS to stop me!" Macaque shouts to him once, which is, shall we say, accurate. All great references to the book Wukong is from.

[@Animattur]

Monkey Kid does not have the right to be THAT good. Yesterday i have finished the 4th season and my gosh, it is getting better and better. I love the animation - it is simple, and yet i love the way creators find their ways to overcome the problems with time, budget and ETC Characters are adorable. Sandy is my favorite, and he is so cool and powerful (And what makes him more powerful is fhe way how he can hold his power) And Monkey King.. I love that he is a terrible mentor and not the best person. In comparasement with Master Wu, Wukong is so childish, and therefore so interesting. He is experienced, yes, but he is not a good at teaching (And solving his problems). And i love how usual they adress his immortality as a problem. And Macaque as a mirror-version, yet not a villain. He is a great mentor with his.. Methodes. And for sure, he was.. A villain for time, but yet he tried to help heroes. MK is a great character. I love how much he self-reflects his story and choices. He makes mistakes, but for the most part he clears the road after the Monkey Kid. Villains are amazing. Bull King is.. Simple, but he has a great side, and i love that he values his family that much. Lady Spider Demon is the biggest loser, and at time of her demise you feel sorry for her. Lady Bone Demon... My god, she is so creepy, so dangerous. Her last words are still stuck in my head. It all leads to pain. And Lion dude is cool, just cool. He is deep, interesting and understandable, much more than others. The show knows when it should be funny, and when it needs a bit of seriousnes. Characters ask questions and find answers, change and go on, make mistakes and fight to make things right. It is.. Amazing, what to say.

[@clotildeboulanger7661]

Finally an analysis of MK's character ! I really like how you developed season 1 and 2 especially, it's easy to miss because of the show trying to find its marks and the general energy of everything but everything the show becomes by season 4 has been planted in these seasons ! I'd be really interested in what you could say about the other characters or Monkie Kid in general, very nice video :D

[@okamiseele8614]

Every time I finshed a season of this show I thought that the next one would fumble the ball somehow. I thought that nothing could top season three, and then season four topped it in episode one! MK is such an interesting protagonist in the way that is growth isn't linear, but has ups and downs. I actually thought that out of the four seasons, two was weaker than three just because it seemed to be doing more set-up for three than it was doing work for itself. But I could also like three over two because I liked the story better.

[@animeyuki465]

I can’t wait for season 5

[@chronred8190]

"stop talking, get out of my head!" "... then prove us wrong" also mk: proceeds to prove right his shadow self damn he still got the last laugh even after being taken out of the picture 💀

[@ziadahmed2295]

THIS! MK is really a perfect protagonist and his character has been so fun to follow

[@GoddessOfCats]

I've never been interested in LEGO shows in my life. They just didn't appeal to me. But when I saw clips from this show, I instantly fell in love. I don't know if it was the anime inspired animation, the amazing voice cast or the incredible story. All I know is that I was instantly hooked.

[@skootergirl22]

Jack desana nails it on the head glad they got him to voice MK

[@skootergirl22]

@Elijah-iw9pc nope bot

[@tiaviva2332]

fr like it won't feel the same if it wasn't him. I say HE WAS BORN FOR THE ROLL!

[@TB26]

I dunno about "perfect", but the characters, writing, and animations make this worth the watch. Makes me think that some of the key animators from "rise of the tmnt" worked on this as well, when I look at it.

[@didjargo]

A cartoon show that was made for the purpose of promoting a line of Lego sets has absolutely no business being this well written or this visually stunning.

[@kingaworoch2099]

Amazing video man! I hope you will talk about this series more, it really needs more attention.

[@bendobricks]

Definitely gonna be making more monkie Kid vids in the future! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@aspen4786]

U have no idea how much I loved this video. I cannot begin to explain how happy it made me to see someone explain mks character so well. Instant subscription man, well done! I can’t wait to c what else u do!

[@BuizelCream]

Now even I think Season 5 tops Season 4 when it comes to its writing on how far it can push MK as a character despite it being puppet animation. Still a high recommendation to follow up!

[@boomgirlbucko]

If Macaque only took Mk's powers so that he wouldn't become another Wukong, then why did he still try to kill MK later in that episode? The only explanation I can think of is he was trying to motivate Wukong to fight back

[@pogchamporado]

cant watch this rn but will come back to it because i NEED more people to do video essays on this incredible show

[@moniqueperkinsmp]

OML FINALLY YOU TALKING ABOUT MY 2ND FAVORITE LEGO SHOW LETS GOOOO

[@nightlypiano41]

I find it amusing that MK's arc for Season 4 is just PTSD from S3

[@doriankamanzi6874]

this show is just so good for some dam reseon lego showes can be so good but this one is the best so far