Superhero Media: Neo Yokio - Season 1

This is one of those odd cases where I'm not sure if this programme is just silly fun or really damn clever. Some elements of the setting and characters remind me of 30 Rock and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which may be contributing to the feeling that it's very smart, or perhaps obfuscating the silliness somewhat. The city-state of Neo Yokio is an odd hybrid of New York, Monaco and how Europe looks in Studio Ghibli films, with a sunken section of Manhattan, "the sea under 14th Street" and a slum district in Queens reminiscent of Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong. In fact, this programme is probably worth a quick binge for the setting alone, if you're the kind of gamer who likes a fictional base for their games. In the Victorian era, the city-state was besieged by demons so the mayor invited Old World exorcists citizenship and wealth to emigrate, creating today's Magocracy, where exorcist families are the wealthy and well-to-do of the city. 

Our protagonist is Kaz Kaan, a member of the idle rich more concerned with fashion and social standing than his destiny as a demon-fighter. Kaz's privilege is probably his defining feature, with more episodes revolving around Neo Yokio high society than actual demon battles. All of Kaz's friends are also vapid, idle 1%ers with no real need to work, excepting Helena, who, after being possessed and freed by Kaz, starts down a path of militant, anti-consumerist minimalism, calumniating with the bombing of a local landmark. Wait, is Helena the actual protagonist? She changes over the course of the series, is more identifiable to the audience and actually engages with narrative conflict. God damn it. I'm sick of these not being about the actual protagonist in favour of a bland male with poor motivation. 

Ok, so is Neo Yokio worth a watch, despite its flaws? I'd say so. As mentioned above, the setting is unique and charming, the voice cast is amazing (Jude Law, Richard Ayode and Susan Sarandon, to name a few) and the references to other Anime are fun to catch (I got Ranma 1/2, Sailor Moon, Dragonball Z and Naruto, but there are probably more). Given that it's Netflix and requires no real effort or additional cost to track down, I'd add it to your watch list and bust it out over a slow weekend whilst painting or making some terrain. Unless the second season manages to do a bit more, I doubt you'll ever see a Kaz and Charles on my Ultimate Alliance tables.