Krapopolis is a new animated comedy created by Dan Harmon, the mastermind behind Community and Rick and Morty. The show is set in ancient Greece and follows the adventures of Tyrannis, a king who wants to build a civilization, and his dysfunctional family of gods and monsters. The show is also Fox’s first animated series to be curated entirely on the Blockchain, which means that viewers can own and sell digital goods associated with the show, such as NFTs of characters, backgrounds, and props.
The show features a stellar voice cast, including Richard Ayoade as Tyrannis, Hannah Waddingham as Deliria, Tyrannis’ goddess mother, Matt Berry as Shlub, Tyrannis’ cyclops brother, Pam Murphy as Stupendous, Tyrannis’ minotaur sister, Duncan Trussell as Hippocampus, Tyrannis’ centaur son, and Dan Harmon as Philo, Tyrannis’ human son. The show is a parody of ancient myths and legends, as well as modern pop culture and politics, with references to Homer, Plato, Zeus, Medusa, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Donald Trump, and more.
However, despite its promising premise and talented cast, the show has received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the vocal performances and the animation quality, but criticized the show for being bland, formulaic, and lacking in originality. The show is aware of its own shortcomings, but does not do anything to improve them. As Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter wrote: “Krapopolis is a show that knows it’s bad and doesn’t care. It’s not trying to be clever or subversive or innovative. It’s just trying to be funny. And it fails.”
Some critics were more forgiving of the show’s flaws, and found it entertaining enough to keep watching. Jesse Schedeen from IGN said: “Krapopolis is a show that showcases Dan Harmon’s unique voice and vision. It’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely for me. I love the absurdity, the irreverence, and the creativity of it.” Jennifer Bisset from CNET agreed: “Krapopolis is a show that delivers on its promise of being a hilarious and bloody take on ancient Greece. It’s not perfect, but it’s entertaining enough to keep you watching.”
Others were more disappointed by the show’s wasted potential, and hoped that it would improve in the future. Caroline Framke from Variety wrote: “Krapopolis is a show that has everything going for it except for one crucial thing: a reason to exist.” Kelly Lawler from USA Today added: “Krapopolis is a show that makes you wonder what could have been if it had more time to develop its characters and its world. It has potential, but it needs more polish and depth.”
Krapopolis is a show that tries to be a comedy about ancient Greece, but ends up being a comedy about nothing. It is a show that has a lot of talent behind it, but not a lot of substance in it. It is a show that is atypically bland for Dan Harmon’s standards.
Relevant articles:
– ‘Krapopolis’ Review: Dan Harmon’s New Fox Animated Comedy Is Atypically Bland, The Hollywood Reporter, September 24, 2023
– Dan Harmon’s ‘Krapopolis’ Takes a Strong Voice Cast to Ancient Greece: TV Review, Variety, September 24, 2023
– Krapopolis Review, IGN, September 23, 2023
– Dan Harmon’s Krapopolis is a hilarious and bloody take on ancient Greece, CNET, September 25, 2023