And we’re back! Welcome to Multiversity Comics’ Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts reviews. We’re launching into season two with an episode full of jaguar arms, double-headed flamingos, mysterious masked people, and tasty Dave snacks for Mandu.
“Paw of the Jaguar”
Written by Chase Conley
Directed by Joanna Lewis & Kristine Songco
1. Bathos
Bathos is when a story switches tone from serious to trivial for comedic effect and it has gotten some bad press lately, especially in the way it’s used in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts uses it here not just for a moment of levity, but to highlight a key aspect of this episode—it’s not always a great idea to go rushing in half-cocked. Take note, this is how you use bathos correctly, folks! With angry double-headed flamingos.
2. A tour of season one
It’s been five months since season one, and so this episode touches on a bunch of characters and locations to jog our memories and get us primed for season two. We get to see the Mega Monkey from episode four (with Kipo’s “What We Have Is You” song again shown to have a calming effect), the Timbercats from episodes three and four, and Ratland from episode six. It’s a great way to act as a refresher without doing a straight recap.
3. The training of Boy, Talia, and Dasher
I’ve gotta admit, I was a little disappointed that this episode’s plotline would mean Asher, Dahlia, and Troy would be sidelined. I was looking forward to seeing them mess with the group’s dynamic. Still, at least we got this episode to flesh out their characters a little. As I mentioned in my episode ten review, the Benson and Troy moment was excellent, so getting more of that in this episode was a lot of fun. Seeing Wolf and Benson bond throughout the training—with Benson attempting a fist bump at the beginning only to have Wolf tap his fist with her finger, then at the end Wolf initiates a fist bump—was a satisfying evolution.
However, Dahlia chopping the log was by far the best moment. It’s such a nice bit of comedy that immediately makes a character much more real, and the way each character reacts to this speaks volumes. (I especially loved Wolf’s little smile. She’s found a kindred spirit.)
4. Kipo’s a science experiment
So Kipo’s spliced with a Mega Jaguar, which in any other story would mean we’d have a plotline about how Kipo’s sad because she’s basically a science experiment.
But this is Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts so instead Kipo’s thrilled because she’s basically a science experiment. How cool is that? Plus she gets to do hero training with the Chèvre Sisters, whoever they are.
5. “You can’t just charge in. . . ”
This was Kipo’s default mode in season one. She trusted her gut, and that was all. It’s pretty clear from the get go this isn’t going to fly in season two. This was an element of Kipo’s character that frustrated me a little in season one (much like it also frustrated Wolf), because by insulating Kipo from consequences, it was stunting her character growth. Season two rather pointedly says that’s not going to be the case anymore. It even has Kipo’s father outright state, “You got lucky. You were very brave, but you got lucky,” and then goes on to further hit that point home by having Kipo’s brashness end up getting her father recaptured by Scarlemagne’s henchmen.
However, the episode also highlights how Kipo’s gut instincts can be useful too. She was right to trust the Timbercats with Asher, Dahlia, and Troy. This was a great way to set a road map for season two.
What did you think of this episode? Let me know in the comments.
