3Below: Tales of Arcadia
3Below: Tales of Arcadia is an animated science fantasy television series that serves as the second installment in Guillermo del Toro's 'Tales of Arcadia' trilogy. The narrative follows royal alien siblings, Princess Aja and Prince Krel of House Tarron, along with their bodyguard Varvatos Vex and dog-like pet Luug, as they escape a coup on their home planet Akiridion-5. They crash-land in the suburban town of Arcadia Oaks, California, and must assume human disguises while attempting to repair their damaged spaceship and revive their incapacitated parents. Simultaneously, they evade intergalactic bounty hunters and the forces of the evil General Val Morando, who seeks to conquer their home world and eliminate the royal heirs. The series blends action, adventure, sci-fi, and comedy-drama elements, exploring themes of immigration, cultural adaptation, friendship, and finding one's place in a new world. It is generally targeted at a tween audience.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe series introduces an explicitly lesbian character, Shannon Longhannon, who shares a romantic kiss with another female character, Connie, in Season 2. Additionally, a background scene in Season 2 depicts two women holding hands in a cafe. This represents a direct inclusion of LGBTQ representation within the narrative.
In Season 2, Episode 7, 'Asteroid Rage,' the character Shannon Longhannon, a friend of the protagonists, shares her first kiss with another girl, Connie, during a moment of perceived impending doom. Shannon is identified as a lesbian character. Earlier in Season 2, a couple of women are also seen holding hands in a cafe.
Violence
Medium3Below features frequent and intense action sequences involving alien technology, laser fire, and physical combat. Characters engage in battles with dangerous bounty hunters and soldiers, resulting in implied or depicted deaths of non-human characters. The overarching plot revolves around a violent coup and an attempted invasion, leading to significant conflict.
The Zeron Brotherhood bounty hunters are described as 'walking instruments of death', and Varvatos Vex's backstory involves his family being killed by bounty hunters, fueling his desire for revenge. Deaths are depicted, such as the brutal demise of Buster, who 'exploded into goo', and other alien characters are 'stabbed and laser to death'. Colonel Kubritz is also killed in an explosion caused by General Morando.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe series contains moderately scary and intense content, including menacing alien villains, life-threatening situations, and significant battles. The constant threat from bounty hunters and the looming invasion by General Morando create a pervasive sense of danger and suspense.
The Zeron Brotherhood are depicted as formidable and frightening adversaries, described as 'walking instruments of death' who 'elicit fear, dread.' Characters face intense peril, such as in 'Asteroid Rage' when Shannon and Connie believe they are facing imminent death from asteroid fragments. The series involves large-scale conflicts, including General Morando's coup on Akiridion-5 and his later invasion attempts on Earth.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomantic relationships are present but are generally mild and age-appropriate, primarily focusing on adolescent crushes and affection. These include hand-holding and chaste kisses, without explicit sexual content. The show also depicts a same-sex romantic kiss, as detailed in the LGBTQ section.
Princess Aja and Steve Palchuk develop a romantic relationship, sharing multiple kisses, such as a slow-motion kiss during the Eternal Night War. A clip from their 'first date' shows them nearly kissing before Aja's alien form briefly emerges. Varvatos Vex, despite his warrior persona, 'flirts with the possibility of romance' with Nancy Domzalski, culminating in an offscreen kiss.
Profanity
LowThe series contains minimal to no strong profanity. Reviews mention the presence of 'farts and weird 50s jokes' and 'toilet humor' within the broader Tales of Arcadia franchise, alongside 'pseudo-swear words,' indicating that the humor is largely mild and avoids offensive language.
A general review of the series mentions 'farts and weird 50s jokes' contribute to the humor rather than strong language. Similarly, a review for 'Wizards: Tales of Arcadia' (part of the same trilogy) notes 'toilet humor, bad attitudes and some pseudo-swear words,' suggesting the overall language across the franchise is not strongly profane.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowWhile the larger 'Tales of Arcadia' universe, particularly 'Trollhunters' and 'Wizards,' heavily features magic and the occult, '3Below' itself is predominantly science fantasy. Direct 'witchcraft' is minimal, though it does include a reference to a 'Soothscryer' as a source of mystical information.
In their quest for Gaylen's Core, Aja and Krel are advised by Blinky to consult a 'Soothscryer' in 'The Deep' to learn the Core's location, implying a form of divination or magical guidance. Although '3Below' focuses on advanced science and technology, it exists within a universe that explicitly includes magic, sorcery, and magical artifacts from 'Trollhunters' and 'Wizards.'
Substance Use
LowThere is no explicit depiction or discussion of alcohol consumption, illegal drug use, or smoking by characters within '3Below: Tales of Arcadia.' The narrative focuses on action, sci-fi elements, and character development, without incorporating substance-related themes.
No specific scenes or dialogue indicating characters consuming alcohol, using drugs, or smoking were identified across reviews or plot summaries. The series avoids these elements, aligning with its target audience. The voice actor for Krel, Diego Luna, starred in 'Narcos: Mexico,' which is noted as a separate, adult production, and not indicative of content within '3Below.'
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowThe protagonists, Aja and Krel, as aliens unfamiliar with Earth customs, often display unintentional disrespect or rebellious behavior through their misunderstandings of human social norms and authority figures in high school. This is typically played for comedic effect rather than promoting genuine defiance.
As 'fish-out-of-water' characters, Aja and Krel frequently engage in actions that defy human expectations or rules, such as jumping on a planetarium or destroying property, which some viewers found unrealistic due to a lack of consequences. Aja, in particular, challenges the traditional roles of her alien society by desiring to be a warrior.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe series does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery of Christian beliefs, or sacrilegious content. The narrative primarily focuses on science fantasy, adventure, and themes of cultural adaptation and identity, without engaging in religious commentary. The creator, Guillermo del Toro, has a complex personal relationship with religion, but this does not translate into anti-Christian themes within '3Below'.
No instances of direct anti-Christian or anti-religious themes were found within '3Below' itself. Creator Guillermo del Toro, while a 'lapsed Catholic' and self-described 'raging atheist' at times, acknowledges that his Catholic upbringing influences his work through imagery and themes, rather than anti-religious sentiment. The show avoids specific religious content, focusing instead on universal themes.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 10+ due to themes of intense action and peril, discussions of war and betrayal, mild romantic elements including an LGBTQ kiss, and complex sci-fi plot points that may be better understood by slightly older children. While Netflix officially rates it 7+, parental reviews often suggest a higher age.
Additional Notes
3Below: Tales of Arcadia is part of a larger interconnected universe, and certain events and characters from 'Trollhunters' and 'Wizards' may appear or be referenced, enriching the overall narrative. While this analysis focuses on '3Below,' parents interested in the full 'Tales of Arcadia' trilogy should be aware of the distinct magical elements prominent in the other installments. The series has been praised for its depiction of immigration through a sci-fi lens.
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