The Cuphead Show

***The Cuphead Show!*** is an  animated slapstick comedy streaming television series developed by Dave Wasson for Netflix, loosely based on the 2017 Canadian video game *Cuphead* by Studio MDHR. Chad and Jared Moldenhauer, the creators of *Cuphead*, serve as executive producers, along with Wasson and CJ Kettler from King Features Syndicate, and Cosmo Segurson serving as co-executive producer.

The series was released worldwide on February 18, 2022, and received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its animation, voice acting, music, humor and tone, but some felt it lacked in substance, with the episodes' plots being criticized for being "too fragmented" and "often repetitive". The second season was released on August 19, 2022, followed, soon after, by the third season released on November 18, 2022.

## Plot

Set in the 1930s-style world of the Inkwell Isles, *The Cuphead Show!* follows the misadventures of Cuphead and Mugman, a pair of anthropomorphic cup brothers who live with their elderly grandfather and caretaker, Elder Kettle, in a teapot-shaped cottage. The brothers' stories often center around them trying to find their way out of various issues, occasionally meeting and interacting with characters from its video game source material. One plot point is the Devil, the main antagonist from the game, hunting Cuphead for his soul, as he believes it is rightfully his after a botched soul-harvesting attempt, only to be always foiled by Cuphead and Mugman.

* Tru Valentino as Cuphead, Gameshow Announcer, and Bee Cops
* Frank Todaro as Mugman, Sargent Gumbo Gumbull, Jerry and Earthworm
* Grey DeLisle as Ms. Chalice, Hilda Berg, Dorris, Emma, Screwdriver Clerk and Mrs. Mayor
* Joe Hanna as Elder Kettle and Sal Spudder
* Cosmo Segurson as Porkrind, Chauncey Chantenay, Elephant, Hot Dog and Parrot
* Jim Conroy as Ollie Bulb, Jasper and Duke
* Candi Milo as Cherry and Brandywine Heirloom
* Keith Ferguson as Bowlboy
* Chris Wylde as Ribby
* Rick Zieff as Croaks
* Andrew Morgado as Sherman, Stickler and Mr. Mayor
* Cristina Milizia as Baby Bottle
* Dave Wasson as Mr. Telephone, Ice Cream Man, Bee Cop and Henchman
* Zoë Moss as Baroness Von Bon Bon and Whippet Creampup
* Gary Anthony Williams as Quadratus
* Jason Vande Brake as Captain Brineybeard
* Chris Kattan as Werner Werman
* Adam Paloian as Ms. Cyclops and Hippo Usher
* Natasia Demetriou as Cala Maria
* Mick Wingert as Ludwig
* Marcia Gay Harden as Sally Stageplay
* Melique Berger as Belinda and Bonnie
* Dawnn Lewis as Bedelia and Boo-Boo
* Deeki Deke as Sword
* Wayne Brady as King Dice
* Luke Millington-Drake as the Devil
* Kimberly Brooks as Elephant Grandma

## Development

In July 2019, it was announced that Netflix had green-lit the series. Chad and Jared Moldenhauer from Studio MDHR are executive producers, along with C.J. Kettler from King Features Syndicate, Dave Wasson, and co-executive produced by Cosmo Segurson. Clay Morrow and Adam Paloian are supervising directors. The series is animated by Lighthouse Studios, a Kilkenny-based division between Mercury Filmworks and Cartoon Saloon, and stop motion animation was provided by Screen Novelties. In an effort to meet streaming series deadlines, the show's production crew were unable to utilize hand-drawn animation like in the game, instead choosing to use puppet-based methods while also putting in various elements to match the 1930s rubber hose style. The series was first revealed at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2020, with the announcement that the show's music will be composed by Ego Plum.

## Release

The first season was released on February 18, 2022, and consisted of twelve episodes. Netflix ordered a total of 36 episodes to be produced, that would end up getting released as three seasons. The second season was released on August 19, 2022, and consisted of thirteen episodes, with the third and eighth episodes being close to 25 minutes long. The third season was released on November 18, 2022, and consisted of eleven episodes, with the first, and the finale episodes being approximately 25 minutes long, and the sixth episode being the longest episode, approximately 30 minutes long.

## Episodes

Every episode is written by Deeki Deke, Clay Morrow, Adam Paloian, Cosmo Segurson, and Dave Wasson.

## Reception

On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, 69% of 16 critics gave the first season a positive review, with an average rating of 7.0/10. The site's critical consensus is: "While *The Cuphead Show!* fluidly recreates its video game forebear's eye-popping animation, this good-looking vessel is still waiting for some substance to fill it." According to Metacritic, which calculated a weighted average score of 69 based on reviews from 4 critics, the season received "generally favorable reviews".

*The Escapist* noted that "fans and critics have been left disappointed by the series due to its lack of substance and short nature" but the target audience that is children and "kids will discover a bouncy and energetic cartoon and probably find what's here incredibly entertaining."

## Accolades

It is nominated for the 2022 Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Series.