Watch This: Gnome Show Pilot

The internet has allowed a generation of independent animators to connect with audiences around the world. The most successful have built up quite a following. One of the most distinctive talents to have broken through in the past few years is Dutch animator Cas van de Pol. They have become well known for their parody animations of films and video game franchises.  Branded as "the Ultimate Recap Cartoon", popular examples include The Lion King, My Neighbour Totoro, Avatar: The Last Airbender and K-Pop Demon Hunters. But now Cas is turning their not inconsiderable talents to something longer-form. They have completed a full-length pilot episode for a potential series called Gnome Show. And it's a little bit special.

Gnome Show follows an old-fashioned forest-dwelling Gnome named Willem. When his home is threatened, he must head into the big city in search of the tools to save it. There, he encounters strange urban residents and bureaucrats, finds friends and generally has the biggest adventure of his tiny life.

The pilot is made in Cas's signature style, with cartoony character designs and anarchic charm. This is mixed with some really beautiful painted backgrounds, animation flourishes and even some impressively subtle use of CGI to make it their best-looking production yet. It looks incredibly professional and easily matches something that could be found on a broadcaster or streamer.

The cartoon looks like it would be suitable for young audiences, but beware. Some liberal deployment of very salty language and some gross-out humour mark this out as adult animation.

Gnome Show is directed by Cas van de Pol and written by Cas van de Pol, Lars Korendijk (snekflat) and Florian Walraven. It features the voices of Jon O'Connor, Zach Hadel, Meatcanyon, Brock Baker, and Zane Little.

The pilot is super-entertaining and charming, but what chance does it have of getting a series? Cas is raising funds by selling Gnome Show merchandise, available here for a limited time only. You can buy a Willem plushie, a frog plushie or a set of enamel pins, and support the show. You can also sign up to their Patreon and support the show and their recap cartoons.