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Mr. X
Although the amphibian-inspired world of the show is clearly its bigger selling point, this season has shown that the human world is just as appealing. A big reason for this is the new characters Anne and the others have come across during their time here, all very charming, likable, and helpful in their cause. For every ally though, there’s also a major threat to the main goals, and after a tease in the previous cartoon, such a threat is fully introduced here.
He’s a skilled FBI agent known as Mr. X, and when he receives reports of talking frogs in Las Angeles, he makes it clear that he means business against extraterrestrials and should not be messed with. At the same time, he’s also very suave and charismatic making for a lot to work with in terms of personality, courtesy of being voiced by and modeled after drag queen, Ru Paul. However, Mr. X still proves very formidable when he sets off to carry out his mission.
Anne and her family are unaware of the looming threat aside from Anne being cautious hoping that they won’t have to deal with anymore craziness after the recent robot fight. Still, she decides to introduce the Plantars to theatrical films, taking them to the cinema. It’s a refreshing setup once they reach there with lots of background references to other films and a look at how big screen blockbusters bring an abundance of trailers and sensory overload.
With this reassurance though, Mr. X’s involvement hits hard as he eventually tracks his prey down. The audience gets a sense of his threat when he stops at the Boonchuys’ Thai restaurant looking for information on the talking frogs. Anne’s parents deny any knowledge, but immediately see the urgency of what’s going on and stop what they’re doing to take action and help their daughter.
This in turn makes for huge tensions for Anne who doesn’t think her parents are up for the task of serious confrontations like this. Considering that they’ve only just gotten involved with what she’s up against, despite their clear spirit and adrenaline rush, her feelings are understandable. Still, the cartoon does great justice for the Boonchuys as they prove to be very active in helping Anne despite their lack of experience. In addition to immediately sensing trouble, they’re quick to chase down Mr. X’s vehicle and warn Anne of the coming threat. Anne doesn’t hear them at first due to the movie playing, but they do eventually contact her, albeit with a few humorous blunders of working the phone.
Still, it builds to the seriousness of the threat once Anne and the Plantars finally do notice Mr. X. It’s here where his calculating nature is at its most threatening. Now that he’s found Anne and the Plantars, he refuses to let them go, and his ties to the FBI bar any potential escape route. With Anne insisting they handle Mr. X on their own, the threat of the situation continuously increases. However, this only leads to her and the Plantars trapped in a bathroom with escape not looking likely. Then, miraculously, things work in their favor with a sudden blackout, and Mr. X made to look like a fool where the talking frogs are somehow replaced with actual Earth ones.
This was all the work of the Boonchuys who solved the problem with creative thinking and using what they had, proving to be capable and highly supportive of their child. Some might say these parents are as impressive in this cartoon as Mr. X himself.
For that, the cartoon is a major sign of appeal for this show’s take on the human world.
A+
Sprig’s Birthday
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While this show has covered interesting lore and heavy emotions, one of its biggest selling points from the start has always been fun adventures with a girl and her frog friends. This cartoon is a solid opportunity for a big display of said adventures where while it is antic-driven, it’s made endearing by the chemistry of arguably the biggest stars, Anne and Sprig.
Though it all starts with plans on more research for their cause, there’s a reason for a break in the action when Hop Pop and Polly have a surprise for Sprig. Placing a traditional mud crown on his head, they announce that today is Sprig’s birthday. This is surprising to Anne, clearly unaware that today was a special day for her friend. However, birthday customs in Amphibia don’t seem like the best way to honor someone. Apparently, all they involve is the frog of honor getting the mud crown, and then looking out into the distance to reflect on life for a short time, and then it’s over. It should be noted that past cartoons have shown birthdays in Amphibia to follow more traditional customs like presents and cake, so that costs this cartoon points for continuity.
Anyway, Anne doesn’t think that’s enough to do for a friend on their birthday, so she takes it upon herself to make Sprig’s special day really stand out and prove herself a great friend. The results are a lively Earth birthday montage filled with all the fun things one could wish they could do for their birthday, especially in a place like Las Angeles. Through party stores, stops at roller coasters and carousels, special restaurant meals, and visits to landmarks like the Hollywood sign, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun. Anne clearly pulls out all the stops for this birthday, and it shows.
However, things get concerning when Sprig says this birthday is only Top 3, and Anne can’t accept anything less than Number 1. It’s at this point when Anne becomes very obsessed with her goal, almost wanting to control Sprig to see her as the best. Some might say that she’s clearly under the influence of the controlling ways of Sasha who did something similar for Anne’s own birthday. However, there’s something endearing to set Anne apart with a genuine desire to be a great friend as opposed to also wanting to be in control over others.
For that, it’s easy to see heart in her pulling off the ultimate birthday move of taking Sprig for a hot air balloon ride. This move has a well-staged setup with the balloon designed as a creepy clown, and Anne’s impatience and desire to be a great friend to Sprig leading to hijinks due to high winds. The balloon gets loose through the city, and the very sight of its creepy clown face humorously gets in the way of the lives of random Las Angeles citizens. They’re all unaware that their plans were thwarted or were inspired to make rash decisions because of the innocent shenanigans of two friends.
In the end, Anne and Sprig are saved by conveniences to cushion their fall, though Anne is saddened that her efforts to give Sprig a great birthday backfired. However, Sprig reassures her that he really does treasure the time he spends with his friend, which is why he still sees this birthday as a great one. It’s also nice to hear exactly what his top two birthdays are, particularly one where his parents gave him his prized hat, as well as Anne giving him his gift of a telescope. For all the antics they caused in their adventures, it’s great to end on a strong note of heart…though the balloonist is probably still going to get fired for what they did.
This may not be the most substantial cartoon, but the birthday setup and heart of the two main friends make it a charming one to watch nonetheless.
A
Fan Art
Series Ranking
1.
True
Colors
2.
Hopping
Mall
3.
Reunion
4.
Marcy at the Gates
5.
Anne-sterminator
6.
Toad Tax
7.
The First Temple
8.
Turning Point
9.
Battle of the Bands
10.
Barrel’s
Warhammer
11.
Anne vs Wild
12.
The Domino Effect
13.
The Third Temple
14.
Toadcatcher
15.
Prison Break
16.
The Second Temple
17.
Temple Frogs
18.
A Day at the Aquarium
19. Mr. X
20.
Anne of the Year
21.
Contagi-Anne
22.
The
Shut-In
23.
Best Fronds
24.
After
the Rain
25.
Family Shrub
26.
Fixing
Frobo
27.
The New Normal
28.
The Dinner
29.
Hop-Popular
30.
Anne Hunter
31.
Wally and Anne
32.
Children of the Spore
33.
Fight at the Museum
34.
Friend
or Frobo
35. Sprig’s
Birthday
36.
A Night at the Inn
37.
Bessie
and MicroAngelo
38.
Handy Anne
39.
Scavenger Hunt
40.
Lily Pad Thai
41.
Dating Season
42.
Anne or Beast?
43.
Combat Camp
44.
Little Frogtown
45.
Cursed!
46.
Thai
Feud
47.
Snow Day
48.
Civil Wart
49.
Maddie and Marcy
50.
Stakeout
51.
Croak and Punishment
52.
Taking Charge
53.
Flood, Sweat, and Tears
54.
Bizarre Bazaar
55.
The Plantars Check In
56.
The Sleepover to End All Sleepovers
57.
Wax Museum
58.
Return
to Wartwood
59.
Sprig Gets Schooled
60.
Swamp and Sensibility
61.
Trip to the Archives
62.
Toad
to Redemption
63.
Anne Theft Auto
64.
Adventures in Catsitting
65.
Hop Luck
66.
New
Wartwood
67.
Ivy on the Run
68.
Night
Drivers
69.
Quarreler’s
Pass
70.
Hop Pop and Lock
71.
Plantar’s Last Stand
72.
Fort in the Road
73.
A Caravan Named Desire
74.
The Big Bugball Game
75.
Fiddle Me This
76.
Truck Stop Polly
77.
Family Fishing Trip
78.
Hop ‘Til You Drop
79.
The Ballad of Hoppediah Plantar
80.
Girl Time
81.
Breakout Star
82.
Grubhog Day
83.
Cane Crazy
84.
Lost in Newtopia
85.
Sprig vs Hop Pop
86.
Cracking Mrs. Croaker
The next review follows Sprig try to be a super hero, and there's an attempt to save Marcy from King Andrias with horrific results.
Next time is more DuckTales reviews.
If you would like to check out other Amphibia reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
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