The Centaurworld Paradox

This video is about the Netflix series Centaurworld and the harsh anachronism that is present throughout the series' plot and presentation. While that kind of descriptor usually comes with negative connotations, this essay argues how that anachronism helps to serve a rather interesting message about adulthood and childhood in the context of animation.
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'What You Need' Cover Sung by Emily Hart • What You Need - A Cent...
Original Music by Molly Noise: mollynoise.ban...
Centaurworld Instrumental Tracks from Phizzy: • Centaurworld Karaoke
Script Editing by Argus Swift
Table of Contents:
0:00 Introduction
1:43 What is 'Centaurworld'?
11:42 Spoiler Section
17:10 End of Spoilers

[@ceriseauthor7155]

There is only one terrifying creature that could surpass the nowhere king and assume the mantle of the villain for a third season. She could, perhaps, destroy both worlds in fire and terror. Her name is Becky Apples.

[@HenryKathman]

Truly the most devious villian of modern animation

[@poppiaria]

My favourite thing about the end of this show is that effectively the war was ended by Becky Apples getting revenge for Gary.

[@Vallleryan]

​@@poppiaria Becky Apples was Gary's horse?

[@justanothercomment]

This is why I always find it so strange when people say: "Yea I liked centaurworld.. but it would've been SOOO much better without all the silly, kiddie, centaur stuff! They should've focused solely on the cool, dark, _mature_ things, and not tried to merge the two!" Like.. I feel like you maybe missed the point my dude 😂

[@thepinkestpigglet7529]

Wait...people complained the kids show...was too kiddie?

[@justanothercomment]

@@thepinkestpigglet7529 Yepp, insecure cartoon fans can be like that lol

[@Stickamajig]

Honestly the kiddy lighthearted stuff balances out the darker stuff so that way the show isn't just sad.

[@gbearcham187]

yeah I get what you mean, but I have to disagree. i personally didn’t go out of my way to watch it i just was so bored out of my mind until i saw ppl talking about the nowhere king and i was like “oh so the show actually gets interesting?” i wasn’t expecting anything mind blowing, it does suck tho that when they decide to focus on the story, they will go super dark but then you have to fight thru all the silly kiddy bullshit to get there. i didn’t expect anything less but it does irk me that they set up such an interesting plot with rider, the war, the purple-haired lady and the nowhere king that compared to the rest of the show, it feels like we’re watching filler episodes of a main story. ig that’s maybe the point? idk some of the songs are good but that’s kinda it for me🤷‍♀️

[@lazydroidproductions1087]

ACTUALLY THERE IS A SINGLE HERO FOR THIS SHOW WHO SAVES THE DAY AND MAKES EVERYBODY HAPPY. HIS NAME IS COMFORTABLE DOUG, WHICH IS WHAT HE IS CALLED, BECAUSE HE IS COMFORTABLE AND HE IS ALSO DOUG, WHICH TOGETHER MAKES HIM COMFORTABLE DOUG.

[@HenryKathman]

You’re right, I failed to acknowledge this truth because I am not comfortable enough

[@brickabrack_cat]

Tbh, I only just realized that Comfortable Doug is that perfect amalgam of both worlds. It's quite literally who he is - he's comfortable with himself and it's reflected in his unique ability to travel between worlds at will. Probably slow on the uptake there. 🤷‍♂️

[@lazydroidproductions1087]

@@brickabrack_cat I did not realize that, interesting

[@batzdoartz]

@@brickabrack_cat that was the true message of Centaurworld

[@Leticiapais_]

Comfortable Doug is not a hero, he is heroism itself

[@carolinaazevedo2088]

My therapist told me I was trying to deny my inner child. " What is wrong with being a child?". This show is so much like therapy. The hard parts and the best parts.

[@MillieBlackRose]

You found your inner child...in Centaurworld.

[@Alegriacaptions]

@@MillieBlackRose ...wooooOOOOOORLD *splat*

[@MillieBlackRose]

@@Alegriacaptions nice

[@ezramendoza318]

This show was nice in that way, but it felt like it was traumatizing somehow.

[@carolinaazevedo2088]

@@ezramendoza318 i think it is because it is difficult to confront theses feelings

[@carlycrays2831]

I love this video! My only issue is, I don't think the elktaur did change in the end. He never apologizes for hurting countless people. He just tells his wife that she's free. He doesn't even say he's sorry or mention anyone else. That's the part of the song where she finally gains the resolve to kill him because she realizes that he still can't change.

[@HenryKathman]

That’s a fair assessment

[@nickybuttons6443]

I'd argue that after everything that both halves of him had gone through and everything that he'd done he was probably pretty far beyond saving by that point. As bittersweet and somber as it is I think by that point him dying was the best way to end everyone's suffering, including his own.

[@prcervi]

he couldn't even fully be reformed into his original state after how badly split his halfs were, as notable by the dual voices he gets at that point

[@bluezard2590]

That's an interesting take on it. I never liked her killing him because it felt pointless to me. This would at least bring some reason into it.

[@femoman]

@@bluezard2590 I'm with OP on this one: Not every villain is deserving of a redemption arc. Even after everything he caused, Elktaur never shows any regrets, apologises or anything. Notice how when the Woman points her spear at him, he holds the spearhead in place against his head. Even he knows that he's beyond saving at that point.

[@-chippedstars-2889]

The first time I heard the Nowwhere King lullaby I knew this show was going to be something compleatly new and fresh. The Treetaur song is also fantastic. I love the dicotomy between the human and centaur worlds too

[@catalinacaro8183]

Having being critiziced in the past for being "too childlike" like if it was something reallying bad, when i was just being silly and having fun, and briefly thinking there was something wrong with me... This video struck hard Even if im out out of that toxic environment long ago, glad i got out

[@confettiveda2460]

Someone once said that Comfortable Doug made no sense, but I feel like he's an integral part of the theme in this show: Comfort. The more comfort one finds in Centaurworld, the more they become a part of it. Horse- Initially uncomfortable, but has to become comfortable in order to grow and progress. Jebry- He constantly seeks comfort from a single item, but even when he manages to get that item, it turns out that the item is just as harmful (if not more) than when he didn't have it. Elktaur- 100% UNcomfortable. His art style, even before he split himself, was aligned more to the human world than Centaurworld. And in his perpetual state of discomfort, he made it everyone's problem. The Lady- She's been in Centaurworld for _years_ and her style hasn't changed in all of that time. She hasn't been allowed to be comfortable in this world, despite the Incel-- I mean Beartaur's attempts. Philip J. Bonecrunch (Stableton)- Derpleton straight up forced this man to be comfortable in this world to the point that he turned into a baby the moment he called Durpleton his legal guardian. Comfortable Doug- The absolute pinnacle of comfortable. In the words of Flat Dallas, he's both the rider and what would be his horse. He is one with himself. He knows who he is. He is Comfortable Doug. Comfortable Doug. Comfortable, Comfortable, Comfortable Doug.

[@madeofmandrake1748]

Okay but did any of you consider that Horse, to other centaurs would look like the equivalent of a human head resting directly on hips, with the torso completely missing?

[@Kelpy_Seal]

I haven’t really thought of the show in this light before, what an amazing take on its themes.

[@HenryKathman]

Thank you! I try my best.

[@stitchesandstaples]

Centaurworld is a grownup version of My Little Pony. We have a character (horse not pony) who is used to doing things solo and has to learn basically friendship and evolve as a character to beat the bad guys with music. MLP just focuses more on the elements of friendship and is not subtle. Centaurworld has very similar themes but more subtle. We have trauma, grief, self hatred, abandonment, fart jokes, depression, kleptomania and whatever Ched is.

[@Crithosceleg]

Ched is the best Tulip Stepper this side of the Rainbow Road, that's what he is :^)

[@vonnie0_0]

Don’t forget Comfortable Doug.

[@beeftips1628]

and both are extremely good shows, and another it took mlp i think 5 season before it made a fart joke and centaurworld made a fart joke in its final episode

[@Vashy434]

Ched is def a representation toxic masculinity and the pressures of forcing masculinity on people and trying to make them think they have to live up to an ideal self.

[@Myrdin90]

Ched was told (and thought) his entire early life that he was small, pathetic, ugly and useless. He's desperate to force himself into any social sitution that threatens the status quo of his friend group and he is desperate to tell everyone how cool and useful he is because he's afraid of being abandoned when they "see" that Horse is "better" than him. Like he was abandoned by those tulip stepping centaurs.

[@DrawpinionDump]

Oooh this was a great one!!! So glad to see this show getting some love Horse's physical change was one of my favorite aspects of the show, I loved this rather literal way of showing how much this journey affected her! I'm a sucker for stories about healing through embracing your past/childhood self instead of rejecting it :>

[@kingalex105x7]

the nowhere king is one of my favorite villains just for his backstory and how gross he is, its fantastic

[@acorn0]

I never really thought of the two contrasting animation styles as representing childhood and adulthood, but I really like the take on it. Especially with Horse embracing her inner child by transforming into a more cartoony design while the General denies every part of childhood. I kinda relate to it also. More recently I've been embracing and revisiting parts of my childhood through animated television. The majority of the shows on my watchlist are animated ones, whether they are for kids or adults. As someone who is approaching adulthood, embracing this part of myself has made me feel better about the future. I feel like I am able to enjoy "childish" things while still dealing with the hardships that come with being older. I know people that have almost completely given up "childish" things in favor of growing up. They become sorta of detached from that part of themselves. I personally think it's important to hold on to your childhood while also embracing adulthood. Ultimately, Centaurworld does a really good job of showing this.

[@acat5338]

What I personally found odd about the story is that the characters act as if the story happens over centuries. None of the humans nor centaurs except for a few know of each others' existence. When in reality it seems like the entire lore is maybe something around 30-40 years. Both the Princess and the Elktaur are probably around 20 years old in the flashbacks, but towards the end of the story are maybe in their 50's or 60's. No grey hair, at best just a few wrinkles here and there. I find it very hard to believe that there would be such a huge gap in knowledge of the past despite it being so recent.

[@Zorae42]

Umm, that's probably because almost all of the older people were killed in the war.

[@mrrd4444]

That's pretty normal though, a lot of generational knowledge is lost if people either aren't around to share it or refuse to acknowledge it. Lots of kids in the LGBTQ+ community right now don't even seem to understand that gay marriage was only legalized in 2016 and how hostile the environment was legally and culturally in the 2000s, and that's just part of my life and memory. People forget things in a decade's time even WITH records, and when people are hellbent on forgetting or hiding the pain (like the cattaurs), even more so.

[@mrrd4444]

What a genius perspectives to take on the show, I love how the centaur world appears to be fairly friendly but you still have terrifying elements like the scent or tornado what a genius perspective to take on the show, I love how the centaur world appears to be fairly friendly but you still have terrifying elements like the taurnado which forcibly pulls you into a group whether you like it or not, which is a pretty common experience and fear for young people.

[@mntacuyan]

I really appreciate this take on Centaurworld. I want to share I found similarities of Nowhere King with Hans Christian Andersen's tale, "The Shadow" If you look closely how the learned man's other self separated from him is like how the elktaur split himself. That tale ended a lot more grim of course. Anyways, this is a great take on the show! I'm so glad more folks are talking about it.

[@HenryKathman]

Ooh! That’s a great parallel to this story. It honestly would be interesting to think about the fairy tales that have thematic parallels to the show

[@imaniislander755]

yeah i agree centaurworld is great at showing the blurred line between adulthood and childhood the ups and downs and how children go through bad thing to bads thing that adults also go through.

[@snbsixteen6stars201]

Really really loved the music and the smooth animation of this show, well the ending felt a bit quick, IT dose not take away how good this story was told and hoe well detailed the charachters were

[@HenryKathman]

Oh yeah, but I think that’s more a testament to Netflix’s poor management of their animated shows than the story itself

[@snbsixteen6stars201]

@@HenryKathman (deep sigh) yea.. Netflix is not kind to animation

[@carlycrays2831]

@@HenryKathman I'm sort of happy the show only had two seasons. It was perfect. But yes, Netflix's management style is, umm...well...

[@god_2.0_the_better_version]

@@HenryKathman I think Netflix is doing that as a sort of purposeful self sabotage. Disney is taking everything, and if Netflix can get money from Disney wanting to buy them while leaving the entire place a mess of scrapped shows and terrible movies, then they win at least a little bit in the end. It is kind've a stretch, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were true.

[@slothoftruth518]

Not trying to be rude, but were you having a stroke when writing that?

[@graymabesadoxography1700]

i came back to rewatch this essay, and i have to say that one thing i love about the elk's character design/animation is that he always looks fvcked up. the wide, unblinking eyes and intense eye contact with whatever he's looking at is just unsettling. that, or maybe my subconscious fear of deer is seeping through how i view his character.

[@mysouptoocold1656]

Love how they have two animation studios work on this! Beautiful work

[@HenryKathman]

I didn't know that detail! But that makes sense. Thanks for sharing that!

[@felinoidrose]

it does look a little awkward in parts of the finale when its obvious the human world studio is animating the centaurs too, but overall its really cool :)

[@johnbarten3903]

About 3 minutes in, living it so far. I guess what made me really enjoy the series is the fact it reminded me a lot of the graphic novel series _Bone_, which is sort of an inverse of Centaurworld (Pogo-funny animal type characters go to Middle Earth basically)

[@HenryKathman]

Oh believe me, I am very familiar with Jeff Smith’s work and I’ve a lot of thoughts on it. But I won’t say too much more other than stay tuned!

[@johnbarten3903]

@@HenryKathman Oh that’s cool to here. BTW, I really enjoyed this video. Your’s and Crown Prince’s video are the best Video Essays on Centaurworld I’ve seen. I even shared it in the animation discord I’m in.

[@milogop3574]

This video got me to watch Centaurworld, and there’s no way I would have otherwise. Thankfully, I didn’t remember any of the spoilers from this video because it had been so long since I watched it lol. That being said, your analysis of the philosophy and themes stuck with me, and was the reason I was able to take the show seriously in the first place! So thank you, I ended up loving it. It’s criminally underrated.

[@Maria-fz8km]

I'm glad someone else talked about this theme, i really related to it watching the show since i had a phase as a kid where i overtly rejected anything i perceived as too childish, in order to be seen as mature. Then realizing that part of maturity is accepting both.

[@GoodMorningSunshine3225]

Something i like about the nowhere kings design is- despite being big and balloon like hes still built like hes starved. The big part is the ribs, then it gets small, then slightly big again like the hips. Like his stomach is still empty and neglected. Still suffering in that way even after transforming.

[@aris1869]

This show was like a fever dream you have at 3 am when you have food poisoning and can’t eat or drink anything and you just watched a bunch of random kids shows and the office and Rick and morty and you can’t tell if your dreaming or hallucinating and when you wake up you try to explain to your cat why the world is ending tomorrow

[@robowyatt398]

I’m always disappointed when nobody acknowledges that elktor does get a redemption in some way, him putting the key spear to his head accepting what he has done and that he needs to be punished for it, that is all he needs to make me feel sympathy for the basterd

[@Nortarachanges]

Yeah I took his death as more metaphorical. You can stop letting someone hurt you. Even if they’re really sorry The person who got hurt doesn’t have to keep giving their abuser chances. Doesn’t have to keep forgiving. The relationship can end

[@straightbuggin7706]

@@Nortarachangesreading this has literally helped me so much, thanks my guy

[@Nortarachanges]

@@straightbuggin7706 oh no worries! I filter stories through “what is this saying about how we should treat each other?” a lot. Not sure why. And there are definitely people who have hurt me but still wanted my continued presence. Wishing you luck with you relationships

[@suisui7481]

I discovered this show because of following Kimiko Glenn and adoring all she does, and I love this show from the music to the animation to the plot to everything you mentioned truly great that you did a video about it

[@HenryKathman]

Kimiko Glenn does so much great stuff, though she killed it as Horse, especially with the singing. Honestly, it makes we wish she got to do more musicals

[@suisui7481]

@@HenryKathman i discovered her from seeing scenes of her in Waitress and she is amazing in that

[@beeftips1628]

@@HenryKathman she also killed it as Izzy Moonbow in MLP a new generation, by far best character and really captures izzys overenthusiasm and excitement after finally meeting other ponies that aren't all gloomy and or unicorns

[@Quackervoltz]

@@beeftips1628 Now watch Ducktales 2017 my beloved

[@Dragon-365]

I love that half of the shows that were mentioned at the beginning got canceled

[@slothoftruth518]

This show was freaking amazing and the Nowhere King was so scary, and even the lyrics to his “warning” song, “The Nowhere King,” are so dark, ending with “You will bring joy to the Nowhere King when he sees the light leaving your eyes.” I love this show.

[@LasagnaTheArtist]

I can't say how much I appreciate this take on the themes of the show. I never would have thought to view the General as a result of repressing one's inner child, but it's a fascinating take. It's one that fits well with the themes of trauma and emotional healing, and what dangers can result from consistently refusing to acknowledge the problems you're facing. I always read the Nowhere King and General as a mix of "trying to become a "model minority" by repressing your less "refined" parts in favor of shallow acceptance" and "perpetuating a cycle of abuse by using trauma as an excuse to ignore your own faults," but your take is fantastic as well. Goes to show how well-thought the villain(s?) were, that you can read so many meanings into the story.

[@HenryKathman]

That's an interesting perspective that I hadn't considered, thank you for sharing! I always love being able to see comments that are critically engaging with my writing like this, so keep it up!

[@Leticiapais_]

"Forming a being that can never truly belong anywhere, not in the world of childhood or adulthood": A teenager

[@dumbnoodleman]

ah yes teenagers the world ending hell beasts /j

[@wAnderingspiritss]

Truly, teenage wasteland.

[@PinkiemachineStudios]

One thing I do wish shows like this would acknowledge more often is the difference between innocent fun and foolishness. Most people today probably don’t even know that these two things are not one in the same. There’s a place for fun and frivolities and letting loose every now and then, and these are good things in moderation, just like work is good in moderation, but once the fun passes into pure foolishness, it is no longer a good thing. Foolishness is mindless, it is without morals, it is without concern, it even tends to lack innocence. It’s doing something stupid for stupidity’s sake, or a cheap laugh. Even vanilla “fun” has more virtue and intelligence than that. I wish people would stop conflating the two. You don’t have to be foolish to be child-like. Being foolish only makes you childish. The difference? Childish-ness is all the worst qualities of children-their stubbornness, their whining, their noisy-ness, and their inability to share or think of others first, to name a few. Child-likeness is all the best of children-their willingness to help, their optimism, their purity and innocence, their faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, and wonder. You’ll notice that “foolishness” is nowhere to found on their list of positive attributes. You don’t need foolishness to have fun, be happy, goof off, or be light-hearted. Learn the difference. (Thank you for reading, this has been a message to no one in particular.)

[@scrunglylittleguy]

This show was goofy and then the last few episodes hit so hard.

[@zecaneca3774]

This show has literally all the messages from both adult and kids show we grown with but in such a unique and beautiful way is my favorite show and im glad to see someone talking about it one year after its release, thanks a lot for this amazing video

[@tommyleejones623]

Who else tried watching it originally for the memes, expecting it to be bad, and then being surprisingly entertained by it, and getting hooked?

[@jmiller6066]

Centaurworld is one of my favorite series I've seen in the last decade. Nearly everything about it hits the mark for me - it's experimental and trying something different, the themes are fantastic, multiple styles of animation that are an intrinsic element of the storytelling, musical numbers, everything

[@The_Sin_Squad]

Wow, this video blew me away! One of those video essays that I know will enhance every future rewatch of the source material. Thank you for this beautiful and concise analysis!

[@HenryKathman]

Uuuhhhh holy shit thanks!

[@fullmusicbard2591]

I haven't watched Centaurworld, but this video was fascinating. You presented an excellent breakdown of the flaws in 'adult' and 'child' oriented animation (a subject that's especially close to me, since I have a story with a vaguely similar idea lol). :]

[@WeRNotAlive]

Really great analysis! Always good to see more creators talking about this show!

[@ghostmaya5724]

great video! glad to see people are making centaurworld content bc it consumes my brain

[@HenryKathman]

Oh yeah, I think its a show that I think a lot of people looked over because the premise seemed weird to them, but I hope it can get more people to at least give it a shot.

[@aiiiia9971]

@@HenryKathman As "weird" as the premise is, it contains all the elements and genres that appeal to me combined in one show. I was able to enjoy it because of that perhaps, but more importantly I think that there is something for everyone in this series, and if it was given a fair shot it can teach so much to so many people. It really is beautiful and it amazed me in so many aspects. I really need people to stop sleeping on it and open their minds up enough to see what an interesting story it tells

[@LilayM]

Thank you for this! I wasn't quite able to understand the connective tissue between S1 and S2; something didn't sit quite right for me. The lense of childhood/maturity is an exceptionally fitting one - thank you for making it obvious for me. It seems silly to have missed it, but I did. The show makes much more sense now (for me). I was stuck on love/acceptance of self/other; childhood/maturity traits is a MUCH better fit, thanks!

[@OCDroodles]

Ah, yes, my favorite anime: Horse Isekai In all seriousness, this show got me through the worst time in my life (last semester in college far from home, death in the family and debilitating dismorphia) and I have a lot of treasured memories of watching it on repeat with my roommates. It's the one thing that has me keeping my netflix subscription.

[@sageeden7274]

What really f**ked with me was when they spoilers: entered the whale to forget their sadness, slowly becoming husks of what they once were, until they are eventually gone.

[@GreyWolf11022]

So many hidden messages, love it. I hope there are more shows like this

[@HenryKathman]

Oh there are, you just gotta look out for them

[@GreyWolf11022]

@@HenryKathman indeed. If u have recommendations i would welcome them :)

[@ro_the_lion]

I'm not sure 'anachronism' is the word you're looking for here, since the 'chronism' means it's specifically about elements from one time being inserted into another time, usually with notable discordance. Like having a computer in the medieval ages. Centaurworld's two dimensions both seem to take place outside of history, with no technological disparity between them. So really, I'd say it's just more of an absurdist juxtaposition, between the two styles. On another note: I'm so glad the princess actually went through and killed him, as was just. I was so worried, when she wavered, that they would go the Steven Universe route of pardoning those who have done irredeemable things, and let a simple change of heart seem like all of their cruelty can be treated as bygones. The Nowhere King was beyond redemption, I dare say he was not able to see his own wrongs, apart from where it was related to a personal emotional connection.

[@Maxwell_Twist]

This has to be one of my favorite shows because of the way it looks at adulthood. "A child thinks that they must put away their toys for them to become an adult, while an adult knows that growing up is about taking responsibility for their actions, not the toys they play with." While that's not an exact quote, nor do I remember where I saw it since it's been at least a decade since I found it, that message has stuck with me since I discovered it. Becoming an adult has very little to do with your age, at least not mentally. Mental adulthood is when you start taking responsibility for your actions and the effects they have on others.

[@nuniyoa]

help i'm the person who made the meme at 15:46 😭😭 it's so funny to see it out in the wild like that !! also dw: i agree with you on the elktaur thing, i just thought that would be a funny picture to make haha

[@HenryKathman]

Oh yeah, I figured that the meme was being ironic, though I feel like it really encapsulated the elktaur thirst I have seen in watching this show

[@nuniyoa]

@@HenryKathman oh yeah it definitely encapsulates the elktaur thirst, i was keeping up with the reactions to that post and goodness gracious you can tell some people really liked him 😭

[@kordacpz]

okay in all seriousness this is perfect . this video is perfect . despite me already loving this show , you got me to see it from a completely different perspective that i had never even thought about , and it made it all the better . will definitely tune in to see whatever you discuss in the future !

[@CapemanProducti0ns]

Goddayum Got goosebumps along your narration over the nowhere king's transformation. Amazing video!

[@nejamin]

Ok- Holy CRAP, this video was awesome. Like I’m a huge CW fan and never noticed a child vs adult theme. Plus I totally loved how u included Ched’s positive trait as trying hard to be helpful. Cuz honestly he’s my least fave and I never saw any positivity in him.. On my 100th rewatch I’ll totally be keeping that in mind.

[@elizabethevelyn7125]

Thanks so much for this analysis, it really adds to the perfection of the NK's theme song being a twisted lullaby

[@scatmanjohnfan22]

This is probably the best take on this show ive seen

[@nailinthefashion]

Just finished it on a Tuesday after starting it Sunday night lmao. At first I was like imma hate this black stereotype aren’t I but then I ended up almost sacrificing myself for Waterbaby. My favourite part was West Covina. That felt so authentically XD random til it made sense, a little too much. Not to merch the lgbt representation or one of the most successful dad related storylines ever. Muah, all the chefs are kissing.

[@The_Nailsmith]

I miss this show so much…

[@EmRose.r]

Ah, Comfortable Doug 😌 he is who I strive to be. In all seriousness though, I knew there was a reason why I love this show and gravitate towards it so seamlessly. Though I am now 23, I'm still struggling to balance my new maturity and my easy shift back to the mind of a child. It's true that I've been through a lot of trauma and I appreciate this show for going beyond what a "normal kid's show" does now a days. Much like MLP FIM helped me through my teen years, this show can help me navigate my early years in adult hood though in a less extreme way

[@GreyAcumen]

There is a difference between "Adult" shows, and "Mature" shows, and the problem is that media likes to use them interchangeably. Not all "adult" shows have any maturity to them, and there are many Mature shows that frankly SHOULD be watched by children. Many people also make the mistake of thinking that silly humor and maturity are somehow antithetical.

[@phlox238]

honestly can’t believe this show is rated Y7, i would expect it to be at least PG lol

[@HenryKathman]

I suppose, but I sometimes think we place too much value on parental ratings acting as a sign of legitimacy or maturity. Like Centaurworld is definitely intense, but I don't think it would make to the show any better if FCC decided that kids of a certain age shouldn't be allowed to watch it without parental supervision. IDK, ratings systems are weird and lowkey antiquated as a means of moderating harmful materials IMO

[@nanabobo567]

@@HenryKathman true, but it's just surprising that they allowed it to be rated that way. Never heard the word "afterbirth" on a Y7 show before.

[@lazydroidproductions1087]

Eh, Tron Uprising manages the same rating in 2012, and it features bloodsport, cold-blooded murder, torture, some real existential shit on the nature of freedom for literal computer programs, a totalitarian regime with fascist elements, and more

[@carlycrays2831]

@@lazydroidproductions1087 Disney likes the violence

[@lazydroidproductions1087]

@@carlycrays2831 now if only there was enough money in Tron for them to like it enough for a second season of Uprising… it always seems to be a maybe, same with Tron 3, but still we hope for one thing: Tron Lives.

[@goliathtigerfishes]

I really, really love Centaurworld. It is a shame that people can't get past the goofiness because it's really heartfelt, funny, and has one of the best villain deaths that I have ever seen.

[@rainbowzebra361]

This is one of my favorite shows, and I loved your take on the message behind it

[@MissXHiem]

aaa that cover at the end was really icing on the cake, excellent video!!

[@HenryKathman]

Thank you so much!! If you want to hear the cover by itself, I've uploaded it here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWG3qmWnf6mJm6s

[@tedsowards]

I watched the show as it first came out it was baffled by its message. I kept wondering if it had some deep message or if it was dumb. It’s not a good sign when I realized that I had forgotten all of the major plot points. You’ve convinced me to give this show another watch through.

[@trevorbrooks7816]

Wow i never thought of it like this but I think you make so many great points i love it. I really wanna make a video about season 1 centaur shamans and the ideals and philosophies they value in each of the realms they've rules over. I think each shaman maps decently to schools of thoughts like consequentialism(twin treetaurs) or utilitarian(whaletaur). All the other shamans mapped onto other things i was learning in my philosophy class and i thought it was cool

[@aiiiia9971]

Please make a video about this I would love to pick it apart!

[@autismcenteral7306]

All herd all the terd!

[@HenryKathman]

Indeed! Don't forget to leave me some Birdtaur eggs for the algorithm lol

[@Egg-Thor]

This was an amazingly crafted video and an amazing take on the show's themes! It's clear you really thought this through! This is the high quality I'm looking for, subscribed!

[@zackbuildit88]

I've never been so early for anything KZbin related

[@TisNessie]

Thank you so much for talking about this show! I don’t think it gets enough love or attention ❤

[@VaSoVaVa]

I usually see an opinion about ElkTaur(Nowehere King) being a representation of Self Hate. His hate make him the monsters for both worlds, a lot of deths and also turn life of million living beings into the nightmer, or sicle of unhelfy copping mechanism, and make the one and only "beloved" for him person live day after day knowing, that everything is gone. Of course he will die after his "reunion", even after reverse spell there were two voices in one budy! Broken - can't fix a total teror without cut of such a pain of being himself. (And i pretty sure Horse try to kill him this intense after she take care of Rider, and this is a back for her way). So an idea about child vs adult is fresh one, thanks. Also i love that this litttle abomination of everithing can still bring back some interesting topics, that means the show is much better than it seems. Breath in a bag, and thank you for the video)

[@echofox7525]

Saw the title and I thought I'd be learning about a paradox, not a show. Still interested, I was just completely thrown off guard

[@TheTingcat]

I mean, isn't the paradox that in order to be an adult, we must accept and embrace that which we might deem childish?

[@sheokh]

In the words of C.S. Lewis “when I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”

[@Kamari333]

re-explaining the message in different words just makes me love it and this show even more

[@theenasexperience1870]

Excellent analysis! Just discovered you, can't wait to see you do another great dissection.

[@iketheneek3531]

Fantastic analysis of the show, but i must say, not enough comfortable doug

[@HenryKathman]

You’re right, im an absolute hack and a fraud

[@limerslimer]

word on the street is your script editor is a cool dude with a monster hog

[@HenryKathman]

Big if true

[@poppiaria]

The use of "Who is she" about four times in this show with the lyrics changing is masterfully done, it tells the tale of how Horse has no self worth and only sees value in being there for Rider. In the first "Who is she" Horse says she's doing it specifically for Rider "She is flawed, but shes learning, she is odd, but shes yearning for someone worth it". The second has her consider abandoning everything because she only lives for Rider and how the entire song is almost entirely about Rider "Who is she? I swore i'd never let her go", the third exists to tell a tale of Horses life when she thought she was stuck inside the Nowhere King "Who was she? I guess it doesn't matter, she was loved" and the fourth has her fully self accepted with her own worth "She is Flawed, shes still learning, she is odd, but shes yearning still to be better, and her friends make her better". She learns that she can love herself while others love her. The even better part is this technically applies to all of the Herd? Their self worth is nothing when Horse meets them. Durpleton hates himself due to his dads abuse, Zulius hates himself due to his loss of Splendip and the sash, Glendale hates herself due to her obsessions, Wammawink hates herself due to her family loss and abandonment issues, Ched hates himself due to the rejection of the Horsetaurs. By the end every single one of them finds their self worth. Durpleton in his son and rehabilitating Minotaurs and being the Dad his dad couldn't be, Glendale in her ability to help others who are as scared as she is, Wammawink in her magical abilities and familial love, Ched in his ability to stand up for himself and Zulius.....i mean he doesn't have much of an arc cuz they kinda gloss over it but it's supposed to be when he meets Splendip. Even smaller characters have this. Comfortable Doug talks about how he "became Comfortable Doug" because he discovered his own worth. Gebbrey in his obsessive searching for his jacket discovers himself, The Whaletaur only saw worth in assisting others sorrow but when confronted she becomes far more upbeat and changes. This all comes back to the Nowhere king who had zero self worth and made it everyone else's problem to suffer. "If I belong nowhere, I'll make you belong nowhere". As the Elktaur he cut off his own antlers, separated himself, destroyed himself because he believed nobody could love him. He's a selfish monster who cannot bare the idea of not hating himself, literally expanded by splitting himself and hating himself from both halves, General hates Elk, Elk hates General.

[@DaisyAzuras]

This was a good insightful video. It helped me understand why I loved this show so much.

[@gracetalbot]

watching this after the HBO cancel-pocalypse, im really worried for the future of animation. so many shows lost and cancelled :(

[@VanessaAnn93]

This is an excellent essay, keep it up!

[@jasonhair2457]

This show doesn't get the credit it deserves, and I'm glad I found this video. Great job.

[@emeraldsky2823]

SO MANY PEOPLE SLEEP ON CENTAURWORLD AND I LOVE CENTAURS, AND I LOVE WORLDS, ITS ALREADY THE BEST THING EVER

[@PsychoNeko011]

I feel like watching invincible before this it can kind of help one understand the split abit more. The two halves are the exact same with the exact same memory, leaving now two beings who strive for the love of the princess, but only one can while the other hides and sulks in the shadows

[@daianmoi8528]

I didn’t like the ending when I first watched it, but you really turned it around for me. Good show.

[@TheMenasaur]

OH HEY IT’S HENRY This just showed up on my homepage! Glad to see you’re still active on here!

[@HenryKathman]

Yep, never really went away lol

[@FoxFallsInc]

1:57 Yes ... No butt all jokes aside this accurate on how it feels to watch centaur world. A mind numbing blur with everything mixing together any incoherent fashion that makes everything feels I don't know...a fever dream

[@mk-aka-morgan8386]

Centaurworld is my favorite show of all time it’s so good 💖💖💖

[@theashguardian8640]

I watched the first 2 minutes of Centaurworld and that's when I had my boyfriend start watching it with me. we LOVED the beginning and the animation, but both of our tastes in humor didn't match well with the show. We didn't like watching it, but still wanted to learn about the story. I love the story and what everyone represents in it and I truly do think it's a work of art. I just wish I had the ability to enjoy the goofy parts of the show like the rest of you guys. thank you for this summary!!!

[@x3AnimeFanXD]

I remember that I tried convincing my gf to watch the show with me and after 2 episodes she noped out of it, saying it was too weird for her. I agree that some of the humor needs time getting used to, but I really liked the characters and I was saddened that she no longer wanted to invest time into it. I hope one day we can pick it up again since, after getting willingly spoiled, the show has so much meaning and so many beautiful themes.

[@leviantler8702]

This gave me yet another way to look at this show in the rawest way yet..It hits so hard ;-;

[@whalercumming9911]

The 5 out of 10 show with the most Perfect Horrifying Villain ever. The Nowhere King truly comes out of Nowhere and makes this show a must watch

[@forestgrump4723]

I’m with you on many shows being canceled before their time. But I think 2 seasons was perfect for centaur world. It kept the bright cheerful songs from becoming grating and tiring. It told the story it intended to, and did it well.

[@T0xXx1k]

I just want to thank you for making a Centaurworld video I feel like none exist and it was so great i really loved it so thank you 🧡🦇

[@_JumJum]

The only thing keeping this show to be perfect it's the bathroom humor and fart "jokes"

[@magentialice]

the intro giving me paint because of all the animated shows we lost

[@HenryKathman]

There is a degree of dramatic irony to that section in hindsight, but I think it makes the final points of the video of properly supporting and compensating the different artists in the animation industry more salient

[@devasher583]

It's so painful to me, that centaur world looks like a goofy cartoon for 10 year olds, cuz I can't find anyone who's willing to watch it with me so we can geek out about it

[@jurassicstaff8639]

NO ONE is comfortable until we are ALL comfortable ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜🤎🤍

[@Chive_Rootster]

Centaurworld is one of the best shows ever made, and I am willing to die on that hill

[@ethanshupe4403]

I'm not sure I agree that he 'never had the princesses best interests in mind'. I think its pretty thoroughly stated that his self esteem was so low that he genuinely didn't think it was possible that she could love him as he was. He felt that destroying himself was the only way to be good enough for her. I don't know that I'd call that a 'good' trait. But I wouldn't call it selfish or evil either. It seems very human to me.

[@jahmocha9542]

Focusing on your own self hatred to the detriment of others is still selfish, regardless of if you believe what you're doing is right. Believing that a particular person will never love you, without any external proof, is just as self centered as assuming that a particular person will always love you, without any external proof.

[@tragictraveller]

1:55 is the best explanation of centaur world i've seen yet 😂

[@johnvinals7423]

So essentially there’s a conflict between Stoicism and Epicureanism at the core of this show.

[@thezombiekat7506]

no where king is now a teenager

[@HenryKathman]

I mean… you could read him as an example of what happens when someone is stuck in a perpetual adolescence, so yeah! Lowkey jealous that I didn’t think to phrase it like that

[@poplick65]

Went and watched both seasons after the intro real quick. Really cool show. 9/10 didn't quite make me have an existential crisis, but still pretty good.