It arrived yesterday in my mail! Unfortunately, I had to wait until today before I was able to read it.
Death is weird! — The Collector
I loved it. The Long-Lived King works wonderfully as an extra episode of The Owl House, and at the same time as a gorgeous send-off to its world and cast. There are some fanservice-y moments for longtime fans, but also manages what the original series did best, which is telling a touching story without being afraid of tapping into some heavy themes, while also keeping it short, simple and sweet.
Spoilers ahead!
spoiler
Having perhaps the two most child-like characters discuss what they think of death, what it’s like to them, and how to confront it, was a great choice. Sometimes, taking heavy and complex themes and deconstructing them to their fundamental pieces, by talking about them in the most plain language possible, is both sweet, funny and effective.
Yes, death is weird. It’s also unknowable and scary. But it’s also normal, and its existence doesn’t invalidate what precedes it. It’s not a ground-breaking discovery or some new age religion, but it’s a sweet message that everyone needs to be reminded of every once in a while.
What about you? Have you read it yet?
“Older” is doing some heavy lifting here. It’s the same target audience as the original show. I would say any teenager would enjoy it, unless you’re a very concerned parent that doesn’t want their kid to hear the word “death” before becoming 18.
I suppose a kid below 10 wouldn’t appreciate the nuance of the themes that get discussed in the story, but it’s pretty much dependant on the child. I played Metal Gear Solid when I was 7-8 yo and I loved its themes. But I was also a precocious child who was very interested in politics since I’m able to remember lol