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Centaurworld
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| Centaurworld | |
|---|---|
 Season 1 promotional poster | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Megan Dong |
| Voices of | |
| Theme music composer | Megan Dong |
| Composer | Toby Chu |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 18 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Megan Dong |
| Producer | Louis J. Cuck |
| Running time | 25–73 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | July 30 – December 7, 2021 |
Centaurworld[3] is an American animated musical comedy-drama television series created by Megan Dong, with songs by Dong and Dominic Bisignano.[3][4] Produced by Sketchshark Productions and Netflix Animation,[5] it premiered on Netflix on July 30, 2021.[1] A second and final season was released on December 7, 2021.[6][7]
Synopsis
[edit]Centaurworld follows a warhorse who is transported from her embattled world to a strange and colorful land inhabited by vibrant, singing centaurs of all species, shapes, and sizes.[8] The first season's story primarily revolves around a quest that the horse embarks on to recollect pieces of a rift key so that she can return home, receiving help from a herd of ragtag centaurs to find and commune with magical shamans guarding each piece.[9] The season culminates when Horse, having opened the dimensional rift to return home, reunites with her human rider while also accidentally unleashing a great evil known as the Nowhere King. Afterwards the second season begins, revolving around the rider and horse respectively working in the two worlds to assemble armies so they could fight the Nowhere King's evergrowing horde of minotaurs.[10]
Cast and characters
[edit]Main
[edit]- Kimiko Glenn as Horse, a brave warhorse who is separated from her rider and ends up in the magical dimension called Centaurworld. Horse loses her armour and becomes more cartoonish due to exposure to Centaurworld's atmosphere, though this causes her to have access to magic.
- Glenn's other voices include a "cataur" (cat centaur) named Madame Jelly who uses a cat piano in the sash competition, the "leaftaur" (leaf centaur) baby, and Horsatia, a wealthy horsetaur whom Horse masquerades as during her trip to the Horsetaur Kingdom.
- Megan Hilty as Wammawink, a motherly alpaca centaur who lived in Centaur Valley before accompanying Horse on her journey. She is initially overprotective of her herd and occasionally goes too far in her protection, but deep down she believes her herd can work on their own.
- Hilty's other voices include Shar (one of the Glitter Cats), the "leaftaur" mom, a "catfishtaur" (catfish centaur), occasional Moletaur backup singing, and the Killer Whaletaur.
- Sophia Lewis voices Baby Wammawink.
- Parvesh Cheena as Zulius,[11] a flamboyant and effeminate zebra-like centaur who has the power to magically shapeshift his mane. Zulius also has the ability to slow down time to comment on the current events, which greatly injures everyone around him.
- Cheena also occasionally performs as part of the Moletaur backup singers in songs they're in.
- Chris Diamantopoulos as Ched,[11] a cynical and belligerent finch-like centaur. He harbors a grudge against Horse, but eventually warms up to her. Additionally, he has a great fear of a creature he calls the "dentist", who allegedly had an affair with his mother during his childhood.
- Diamantopoulos also voices the "hyenataur" (hyena centaur), Pawter, Zimples, Sean-Anemone, the Rutabagataurs (non-singing), Horsatio (Horsatia's husband), the Narwhaltaur, Moletaur backup in Holes: Part 3, the Leaftaur King, a "gophertaur" (gopher centaur), and Guskin.
- Roman Engel voices Young Ched.
- Megan Dong as Glendale,[11] a neurotic and kleptomaniacal gerenuk-like centaur who can store an infinite amount of objects in a portal hidden in her stomach.
- Dong also voices Kale (one of the Glitter Cats), occasional Moletaur backup singing, and "Figure 2", a young human female who tries to steal some apples from Rider.
- Isabella Russo voices Young Glendale.
- Josh Radnor as Durpleton,[11] a naive and friendly giraffe-like centaur. He is the gentlest of the herd, but tends to act erratically.
- Andy Walken voices Young Durpleton.
- Jessie Mueller as Rider,[11] a human warrior and Horse's best friend tasked with returning a magical artifact to her general to save the world from an invading horde of minotaurs.
- Mueller's other roles are Pliptoria, the Moosetaur (Laroub) and the Walrustaur (LaCroiv), McCarpy, and a female soldier.
Supporting
[edit]- Renée Elise Goldsberry as Waterbaby, a hippopotamus-like centaur and one of the shamans in Centaurworld and mentor to Wammawink.
- Goldsberry also voices the medic in "The Ballad of Becky Apples."
- Tony Hale as Durpletoot, the voice given to Durpleton's flatulence after his wish is granted by the Tree Shamans. The flatulence's purpose is, presumably, to heal Durpleton's childhood trauma.
- Hale also voices Tony Durpleton, Durpleton's father.
- Carl Faruolo as Gebbrey, a paranoid and emotionally fragile ficus-taur on two legs. He is in constant search of his missing coat, as without it he suffers from extreme cold.
- Faruolo also voices Barnus (a barnacle with a loud voice), a message bird, a worker man, and Henchman 1.
- Lea Salonga as the Mysterious Woman, a human roaming Centaurworld with magical abilities.
- First Aid Kit as The Tree Shamans, a pair of wish-granting tree-like centaurs who are two of Centaurworld's shamans. They grant the herd not specifically what they want, but what they need, and as such they turn Ched into a horse, make Durpleton's flatulence speak, and help Horse gain backstory magic.
- Flula Borg as Comfortable Doug, a mole-like centaur. He normally does not help the herd and is submissive and often flat-out resents them, much to their displeasure. He often talks in a monotone and is quite submissive. According to Megan Dong, the creation of Comfortable Doug was inspired when a friend said he enjoyed the "comfortable visual style of the show Doug."[12]
- Borg also voices a message bird in "The Ballad of Becky Apples".
- Paul F. Tompkins as Horse's tail. After Horse was affected by the magic of Centaurworld, it developed sentience and a penchant for wisecracking.
- Tompkins also voices a human in a flashback with Tail's voice, a Yaktaur and one of the Trashtaurs, the rock music-loving Centaurs created by pollution.
- Santigold as Judge Jacket, a star-nosed mole-like centaur and leader of the mole centaurs. She is one of the shamans in Centaurworld.
- David Johansen as Beartaur, who lives in a cave and makes/collects figurines and dioramas of past battles.
- Fred Armisen as Splendib, a tiger-like centaur.
- Armisen's other roles include a "cataur" named Bimbam, The Duchess Malangella's psychotic grandson Malandrew, and a message bird in three episodes.
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Johnny Teatime, a kitten-like centaur, one of Centaurworld's shamans.
- Akinnuoye-Agbaje also voices Zork Presto.
- Jamie Cullum as Sunfish Merguy, a sunfish-like centaur, also called a merman, who runs a boardwalk amusement park.
- Rosalie Craig as the Whaletaur Shaman, the last shaman of Centaurworld.
- Brian Stokes Mitchell as the Nowhere King, an evil, sadistic, and monstrous creature that created the minotaurs to wage war upon the human world and Centaurworld. Mitchell also voices the Elktaur.
- Brian d'Arcy James as The General, the commander of the human forces.
- Dee Bradley Baker as Phillip J. "Stabby" Bonecrunch, a lizard-like monster from the human world.
- Baker's other roles include the Muskoxtaur (Kwhass-ón), the "puffintaurs" (puffin centaurs), "wormtaurs" (worm centaurs), a "gophertaur", some minotaurs, and Baydenbeast.
- Maria Bamford as The Duchess Malangella, a traditional centaur aristocrat.
- Bamford also voices the Duchess' Maître d', and the Opossumtaur.
- Colleen Ballinger as Crandy, a "birdtaur" (bird centaur) influencer
- Ballinger also voices a message bird and the basket woman.
- Scott Hoying as Mouthpiece, a pelican "birdtaur" who is a devoted fan.
- Grey Griffin as Old Man,[13] another "birdtaur" fan.
- Griffin also voices Bayden, Hanglydangly, and the lone survivor in "The Ballad of Becky Apples".
- Donna Lynne Champlin as the Prairiedogtaur.
- Wendie Malick as Gurple Durpleton, Durpleton's mother[14]
- Fred Tatasciore as Badgertaur
- Dominic Bisignano as "Figure 1," a young human male that tries to steal some apples from Rider. Bisignano also sings as Sunfish Merguy on the soundtrack album.
- A number of different background singers with semi-prominent choir roles:
- Toby Chu, who also sings for the Rutabagataurs, and the "keytaur" (keytar centaur).
- Randy Crenshaw
- Allie Feder
- Fletcher Sheridan
- Baraka May
- Sarah Mann
- Eric Peterson
Production
[edit]The series was first announced in September 2019.[3] Showrunner Megan Dong drew inspiration from her experiences joining choir in high school for the show's story as well as biology, which incentivized her to represent a large variety of animals as centaurs.[15] The segments which take place in the show's titular location were primarily animated by Canadian studio Mercury Filmworks while segments in the human world were animated by Korean studio Red Dog Culture House.[16]
Episodes
[edit]Series overview
[edit]Season 1 (2021)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Storyboard by | Original release date | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Hello Rainbow Road" | Megan Dong | Jen Bardekoff, Dong & Jessie Wong | David Au, Dominic Bisignano, Dong & Wong | July 30, 2021[a] | |||||||
|
In a war-torn land, a warhorse named Horse and its rider find their village burned to ash after they return from a mission to find the key to victory, a mysterious object known as the Artifact. When the opposing army of invaders attacks them, Rider and Horse reach a cliff. Horse begins to fall off the edge, and Rider tries to pull her back up, but Horse is too heavy and falls with the Artifact. Horse lands in a colorful world filled with strange centaurs of all shapes and sizes who befriend her, and she suddenly has the power of speech. Horse desperately wants to reunite with Rider, but she finds that she cannot leave due to an invisible barrier enclosing Centaur Valley. Horse persuades the centaurs to leave the safety of the valley, by using their magic to breach the barrier, and help her search for Rider. Songs: "Rider's Lullaby", "Welcome to Centaurworld", "Spells For Days", and "Hello Rainbow Road" | |||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Fragile Things" | Jen Bennett | Minty Lewis | Maha Tabikh, David Woo & Louie Zong | July 30, 2021 | |||||||
|
After leaving Centaur Valley, Horse and Wammawink's herd follow the rainbow road in search of a shaman. While Wammawink tries to tell her herd to walk slowly so that they can remain safe, Horse charges ahead telling everyone that they need to have courage. Songs: "Fragile Things", "Taurnado", and "What If I Forget Your Face" | |||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | "The Key" | Jeremy Polgar | Jen Bardekoff | Madeleine Flores & Samantha Suyi Lee | July 30, 2021 | |||||||
|
Horse, while chasing after what appears to be Rider, bumps into Waterbaby, the shaman. She tells them that the Artifact is part of a larger key, used to open the rift between Horse and Rider's home world and Centaurworld. Songs: "Making Friendships–BOATS!", "Frustration Tears", and "The Key" | |||||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | "What You Need" | Christina "Kiki" Manrique | Todd Casey | Alexandra Chiu & Chris Pianka | July 30, 2021 | |||||||
|
Horse and the rest of the herd continue down the rainbow road to the Lost Forest, where the Tree Shamans reside. Wammawink is shaken due to the forest being where her village once resided, leaving Horse to lead the group. Together, they must confront the difference between what they want and what they need in order to receive the next key piece. Songs: "What You Need", "He Never Says Anything Nice", "Rider's Lullaby (Reprise)", and "The Nowhere King" | |||||||||||||
| 5 | 5 | "It's Hidin' Time" | Katie Shanahan | Ryan Harer | Charlie Bryant, Quinne Larsen & David Woo | July 30, 2021 | |||||||
|
A rainstorm forces the herd into a cave, where they become trapped inside by a beartaur. Horse is confident that they can manage while Wammawink sleeps, so the group tries to find a way out without waking her. Songs: "Where Does Food Come From", "It's Hidin' Time", and "My Collection" | |||||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Holes: Part 2" | Jen Bennett | Amalia Levari & Minty Lewis | Maha Tabikh, David Woo & Louie Zong | July 30, 2021 | |||||||
|
The herd follows the rainbow road into a hole in the ground and must defend themselves in a trial against the next shaman, Judge Jacket, while Horse deals with her growing magical powers. Songs: "I Stealz So I Can Feelz", "Baby's First Spell", "The Underground", and "The Butt of The Joke" | |||||||||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Johnny Teatime's Be Best Competition: A Quest for the Sash" | Jeremy Polgar | Jen Bardekoff | Madeleine Flores & Samantha Suyi Lee | July 30, 2021 | |||||||
|
Horse and the herd reach the location of the next shaman, Johnny Teatime, and Horse, with Zulius' help, tries to compete in a daily talent competition to win the next piece of the key. Songs: "Everyday", "And We Do This Everyday", "I Don't Know Him", "Who Is She?", and "The Nowhere King (Reprise)" | |||||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Ride the Whaletaur Shaman!" | Christina "Kiki" Manrique | Todd Casey | Alexandra Chiu & Chris Pianka | July 30, 2021 | |||||||
|
The herd reaches the end of the rainbow road and the location of the last shaman. Horse feels lost because as her transformation has progressed, her memories of Rider have started to disappear. The rest of the group, worried about Horse, attempts to make her feel better. Songs: "It's Gonna Be A While", "Welcome To The Bay", "Who Is She? (Reprise)", and "Fragile Things (Reprise)" | |||||||||||||
| 9 | 9 | "The Rift" | Katie Shanahan | Amalia Levari | Charlie Bryant & Quinne Larsen | July 30, 2021 | |||||||
| 10 | 10 | Jen Bennett | Aminder Dhaliwal | Christine Liu, Maha Tabikh, David Woo & Louie Zong | |||||||||
|
Part 1: As the herd reaches the doorway to the rift, Wammawink tries to spend as much time as she can with Horse before Waterbaby arrives to complete the key. Part 2: While Rider and Horse face the Nowhere King in the rift, Wammawink and her herd must escape the grasp of the Mysterious Woman. Songs:
| |||||||||||||
Season 2 (2021)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Storyboard by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | "Horsatia Wighair Beansz?" | Jeremy Polgar | Jen Bardekoff | Madeleine Flores, Samantha Suyi Lee & Christine Liu | December 7, 2021 | |
|
Horse tries to recruit an army to defend Centaurworld, but no one wants to join. The herd visits the Horsetaurs' castle to see if they'll help. Songs: "Recruitment Song", "The Power of Privilege", "Durpleton's Lullaby" | |||||||
| 12 | 2 | "All Herd All the Terd" | Christina "Kiki" Manrique | Todd Casey | Alexandra Chiu, Christine Liu & Chris Pianka | December 7, 2021 | |
|
Up in their cloud condo complex, the Birdtaurs have been obsessively watching the herd. Horse and friends are their favorite reality stars! Songs: "We've Been Watching You", "Crandy's Been Watching You (Reprise)", "Reenactment Chorus" | |||||||
| 13 | 3 | "My Tummy, Your Hurts" | Katie Shanahan | Amalia Levari | Charlie Bryant, Quinne Larsen & Christine Liu | December 7, 2021 | |
|
Horse tries to enlist the fierce Coldtaurs in her battle --- but they capture Glendale! Back in the human world, Waterbaby sends a message to Rider. Songs: "So Cold", "Durple-Drop", "Breathe in a Bag" Note: This episode is dedicated to the memory of Maryam Chin Graul, who died on April 26, 2021, less than four months before the entire series was released. | |||||||
| 14 | 4 | "Holes: Part 3" | Jen Bennett | Aminder Dhaliwal | Christine Liu, Maha Tabikh & Louie Zong | December 7, 2021 | |
|
On a trip the Underground Kingdom, Horse learns that Rider has a magnificent new horse named Becky Apples. Would Rider really replace her? Songs: "Becky Apples", "Holes Matter", "What Would You Say" | |||||||
| 15 | 5 | "Bunch O' Scrunch" | Jeremy Polgar | Jen Bardekoff | Madeleine Flores, Samantha Suyi Lee & Sopharra "Sophie" Kim | December 7, 2021 | |
|
Horse discovers a powerful ability. She can jump into backstories! And seeing the tough times her herd friends faced helps her feel less alone. Songs: "Portal Tummy and Me", "My Very Favorite Time of Day", "The Best Dad" | |||||||
| 16 | 6 | "The Ballad of Becky Apples" | Christina "Kiki" Manrique | Todd Casey | Alexandra Chiu, Christine Liu & Chris Pianka | December 7, 2021 | |
|
Rider defies the General's orders and goes to the Nowhere King's castle to get the artifact. But her new horse, Becky Apples, isn't exactly cooperative. Songs: None (This is the only episode in the series to not have any songs.) | |||||||
| 17 | 7 | "The Hootenanny" | Katie Shanahan | Amalia Levari | Charlie Bryant, Quinne Larsen, Christine Liu & Allen Zhang | December 7, 2021 | |
|
All of Centaurworld's residents gather for the hootenanny. But can Horse turn this colorful collection of creatures into a fearless army? Songs: "What's a Hootenanny", "The Ballad of Guskin the Gophertaur", "Hootenanny Chorale" | |||||||
| 18 | 8 | "The Last Lullaby" | Jen Bennett, Christina "Kiki" Manrique & Jeremy Polgar | Jen Bardekoff, Todd Casey & Meghan McCarthy | Dominic Bisignano, Charlie Bryant, Alexandra Chiu, Megan Dong, Madeleine Flores, Quinne Larsen, Samantha Suyi Lee, Christine Liu, Chris Pianka, Maha Tabikh & Louie Zong | December 7, 2021 | |
|
Horse leaps into the Nowhere King's mind and learns his haunting backstory. Meanwhile, Rider and the herd come up with a plan. Songs: "Who Was She", "Elk Tour Suite, Pt. 1 & 2", "Once Shattered, Now Whole", "Digging Friend-holes", "Elk Tour Suite, Pt. 3 & 4", "Elk Tour Suite Pt. 5", "Elk Tour Suite Pt. 6", "The Legend of Flat Dallas", "General's Battle Song", "Battle Round", "Last Lullaby, Pt. 1", "Last Lullaby, Pt. 2", "Start Over - Stabbleton Intervention", "The Next Thing" | |||||||
Music
[edit]Season 1
[edit]| Centaurworld: Music from the Netflix Original Series | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album | |
| Released | July 30, 2021 |
| Recorded | 2020 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Label | Capitol Records |
All music is composed by Toby Chu (orchestration and production; melody by the writers).
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rider's Lullaby" | Megan Dong | Jessie Mueller | 1:04 |
| 2. | "Centaurworld" | Dong | Parvesh Cheena, Chris Diamantopoulos, Dong, Kimiko Glenn, Megan Hilty, Josh Radnor & chorus | 1:25 |
| 3. | "Spells For Days" | Dong | Cheena, Diamantopoulos, Dong, Hilty & Radnor | 0:51 |
| 4. | "Hello Rainbow Road" | Dong | Glenn & chorus | 2:27 |
| 5. | "Fragile Things" | Dong | Glenn & Hilty | 2:29 |
| 6. | "Taurnado" | Dong | Dong, Glenn & chorus | 2:43 |
| 7. | "What If I Forget Your Face" | Dong | Glenn | 2:33 |
| 8. | "Making Friendships–BOATS!" | Dominic Bisignano | Cheena, Diamantopoulos, Dong & Radnor | 0:46 |
| 9. | "Frustration Tears" | Dong | Glenn | 1:40 |
| 10. | "The Key" | Dong | Glenn & Renée Elise Goldsberry with Toby Chu | 2:07 |
| 11. | "What You Need" | Dong | First Aid Kit (episode) Dong (album) | 1:18 |
| 12. | "He Never Says Anything Nice" | Bisignano | Radnor | 0:41 |
| 13. | "Rider's Lullaby (Reprise)" | Dong | Glenn | 0:47 |
| 14. | "The Nowhere King" | Dong | Randy Crenshaw, Allie Feder, Baraka May & Fletcher Sheridan | 1:15 |
| 15. | "Where Does Food Come From" | Dong | Cheena, Dong, Diamantopoulos, Glenn & Radnor | 1:10 |
| 16. | "It's Hidin' Time" | Dong | Crenshaw, Feder, May & Sheridan | 0:46 |
| 17. | "My Collection" | Bisignano | Glenn & David Johansen | 1:38 |
| 18. | "I Stealz So I Can Feelz" | Dong | Dong | 0:44 |
| 19. | "Baby's First Spell" | Dong | Cheena, Diamantopoulos, Dong, Hilty & Radnor | 1:13 |
| 20. | "The Underground" | Dong | Santigold; Backup: Dong, Glenn & Hilty | 1:06 |
| 21. | "The Butt of the Joke" | Dong | Glenn & Paul F. Tompkins | 1:57 |
| 22. | "And We Do This Everyday" | Bisignano | Fred Armisen, Diamantopoulos, Dong, Glenn, Hilty & chorus | 1:35 |
| 23. | "I Don't Know Him" | Bisignano | Armisen, Cheena, Dong & Hilty | 1:18 |
| 24. | "Who Is She?" | Dong | Dong, Glenn & Hilty | 2:14 |
| 25. | "The Nowhere King (Reprise 2)" | Dong | Chu, Crenshaw, Feder, May & Sheridan | 0:47 |
| 26. | "It's Gonna Be a While" | Bisignano | Jamie Cullum (episode); Bisignano (album), Carl Faruolo & Glenn | 2:10 |
| 27. | "Welcome to the Bay" | Dong | Rosalie Craig | 1:50 |
| 28. | "Who Is She? (Reprise)" | Dong | Glenn | 2:09 |
| 29. | "Fragile Things (Reprise)" | Dong | Hilty & Craig | 1:20 |
| 30. | "My Collection (Reprise)" | Dong | Dong | 0:29 |
| 31. | "The Hero of My Story (Comfortable Doug)" | Bisignano | Flula Borg & chorus | 2:50 |
| 32. | "Before You Go" | Dong | Diamantopoulos, Glenn & Hilty | 1:49 |
| 33. | "The Key (Reprise)" | Dong | Goldsberry | 0:54 |
| 34. | "I've Been Searching For You" | Dong | Glenn & Mueller | 2:50 |
| 35. | "Nothing Good" | Dong | Lea Salonga & Hilty | 1:40 |
| 36. | "Nowhere King Battle" | Bisignano | Goldsberry, Hilty, Brian Stokes Mitchell & chorus | 2:07 |
| 37. | "Separate Ways" | Dong | Glenn & Mueller | 2:08 |
| Total length: | 59:06 | |||
Note: The song "Everyday", from the episode "Johnny Teatime's Be Best Competition: A Quest for the Sash", does not appear on the album.
Season 2
[edit]| Centaurworld: S2 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series) | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album | |
| Released | December 7, 2021 |
| Recorded | 2020 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Label | Capitol Records |
All music is composed by Toby Chu (orchestration and production; melody by the writers).
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Recruitment Song" | Dominic Bisignano | Kimiko Glenn, Fred Armisen, Santigold, Chris Diamantopoulos, Megan Hilty, Megan Dong, Parvesh Cheena, Josh Radnor, Carl Faruolo | 2:41 |
| 2. | "The Power of Privilege" | Bisignano | Maria Bamford, Diamantopoulos, & Glenn | 1:22 |
| 3. | "Durpleton's Lullaby" | Bisignano | Radnor | 1:42 |
| 4. | "We've Been Watching You" | Dong | Scott Hoying, Grey Griffin, Glenn, & chorus | 2:30 |
| 5. | "Crandy's Been Watching You (reprise)" | Dong | Colleen Ballinger | 0:27 |
| 6. | "Reenactment Chorus" | Bisignano | Cheena, Hoying, Dong, Glenn, Radnor, Hilty, and Toby Chu | 3:58 |
| 7. | "So Cold" | Bisignano | Dee Bradley Baker, Jessie Mueller, Glenn, Hilty, & Diamantopoulos | 1:17 |
| 8. | "Durple-Drop" | Bisignano | Radnor & chorus | 0:30 |
| 9. | "Breathe in a Bag" | Dong | Dong, Baker, Mueller, Diamantopoulos, & Hilty | 1:52 |
| 10. | "Becky Apples" | Dong | Glenn & Hilty | 2:19 |
| 11. | "Holes Matter" | Bisignano | Santigold, Donna Lynn Champlin, Fred Tatasciore, Dong, & chorus | 2:14 |
| 12. | "What Would You Say" | Bisignano | Radnor & Baker | 1:50 |
| 13. | "Portal Tummy and Me" | Dong | Isabella Russo | 0:49 |
| 14. | "My Very Favorite Time of Day" | Bisignano | Roman Engel & Glenn | 1:21 |
| 15. | "The Best Dad" | Dong | Andy Walken, Tony Hale, Wendie Malick, & Glenn | 2:15 |
| 16. | "What's a Hootenanny" | Dong | The Centaurworld Cast | 3:32 |
| 17. | "The Ballad of Guskin the Gophertaur" | Bisignano | The Centaurworld Cast | 3:06 |
| 18. | "Hootenanny Chorale" | Dong | Glenn & The Centaurworld Cast | 1:39 |
| 19. | "Who Was She" | Dong | Glenn | 2:02 |
| 20. | "Elk Tour Suite, Pt. 1 & 2" | Bisignano | Brian Stokes Mitchell & Lea Salonga | 1:39 |
| 21. | "Once Shattered, Now Whole" | Dong | Brian d'Arcy James, Mitchell, Salonga & choir | 1:47 |
| 22. | "Digging Friend-holes" | Dong | Flula Borg, Mueller, Radnor & chorus | 0:46 |
| 23. | "Elk Tour Suite, Pt. 3 & 4" | Bisignano | Mitchell and Diamantopoulos, with Armisen & Ballinger | 3:07 |
| 24. | "Elk Tour Suite Pt. 5" | Bisignano | Mitchell | 1:13 |
| 25. | "Elk Tour Suite Pt. 6" | Bisignano | Mitchell & Diamantopoulos | 2:16 |
| 26. | "The Legend of Flat Dallas" | Dong | Borg & chorus | 1:43 |
| 27. | "General's Battle Song" | Dong | James, Mueller, Baker, & Hilty | 1:33 |
| 28. | "Battle Round" | Bisignano | Glenn, Hilty, Dong, Radnor, Cheena, & Diamantopoulos | 2:19 |
| 29. | "Last Lullaby, Pt. 1" | Dong | Salonga, James, & Mitchell | 1:33 |
| 30. | "Last Lullaby, Pt. 2" | Dong | Glenn & Mueller | 1:49 |
| 31. | "Start Over - Stabbleton Intervention" | Dong | Hilty, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Glenn, Radnor, Baker, & chorus | 1:14 |
| 32. | "The Next Thing" | Dong | Glenn, Mueller, Hilty, Goldsberry, Radnor, Baker, Borg, Faruolo, Ballinger, Hoying, Cheena, & Diamantopoulos | 3:14 |
| Total length: | 61:42 | |||
Release
[edit]Centaurworld was released on Netflix on July 30, 2021.[1] A trailer debuted at the virtual Annecy International Animation Film Festival event in June 2021.[17][18] A trailer and release date for the second season was posted on November 9, 2021.[6]
Reception
[edit]The first season of Centaurworld holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 8 reviews, with an average rating of 9/10.[19]
Amanda Dyer of Common Sense Media gave the show four stars out of five, describing it as a "musical cartoon has magic, farts, and war-hardened horse." She also noted that the character designs are "ultra-quirky and silly magic," in the depth of the series' setting.[20] Petrana Radulovic of Polygon reviewed the show in the first season say it was "feels off-balance, too light-hearted in the beginning and middle to be taken seriously in the end. But with interesting characters, deliberate and interesting uses of animation style, and engaging music, it's intriguing enough to leave audiences hoping for more."[9]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ursa Major Awards | Best Dramatic Series | Centaurworld | Nominated | [21] |
| 2022 | Children's and Family Emmys | Outstanding Casting for an Animated Program | Linda Lamontagne | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series | Kristi Reed | Won | |||
| Outstanding Younger Voice Performer in an Animated or Preschool Animated Program | Andy Walken for playing Young Durpleton ("Bunch O' Scrunch") | Won |
Notes
[edit]- ^ This episode was released on the Netflix Futures YouTube channel on July 26, 2021 ahead of the debut of the first season.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Tartaglione, Nancy (June 14, 2021). "'Centaurworld': Netflix Drops First Trailer For Kids Series, Sets Release Date – Annecy". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ Milligan, Kaitlin (September 3, 2019). "Netflix Orders Animated Musical Comedy Series CENTAURWORLD". Broadway World. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Netflix Orders Animated Musical Comedy Series Centaurworld From First-Time Showrunner Megan Nicole Dong". Netflix Media Center (Press release). September 3, 2019. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ Brown, Tracy (August 9, 2021). "Netflix's quirky new cartoon comes from a surprising source: high-school show choir". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Porter, Rick (September 3, 2019). "Animated Kids' Series 'Centaurworld' a Go at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Megan Nicole Dong [@sketchshark] (November 9, 2021). "I can finally say that #centaurworld Season 2 is coming December 7th and I can't wait for you all to see it! Our cast and crew did incredible work and I'm so proud of everyone. (Also shoutout to @ClevelandBanana for our amazing trailer!)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Centaurworld Creator Megan Nicole Dong Talks Season 2, That Finale, and Comfortable Doug". ComicBook.com. December 28, 2021. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ "Centaurworld Review: Fearless Fragile Things". July 26, 2021.
- ^ a b Petrana, Radulovic (July 30, 2021). "Netflix's Centaurworld is a cute musical, until the body horror hits". Polygon.
- ^ "Horse Tries to Recruit Allies in 'Centaurworld' Season 2". The Good Men Project. December 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Milligan, Mercedes (June 14, 2021). "Annecy: Netflix Kids & Family Animation Unbridles 'Centaurworld' Trailer; New Images for 'Karma's World,' 'Back to the Outback' & 'Vivo'". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ Dong, Megan Nicole [@sketchshark] (August 20, 2021). "My friend Daniel Dominguez helped me brainstorm in early days. I joined a group convo one day wherein he recalled he used to enjoy the "comfortable visual style of the show Doug" but all I heard were the words "Comfortable Doug" and I knew this had to be a character" (Tweet). Retrieved September 21, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Grey DeLisle [@greylisle] (July 31, 2021). "Watch #Centaurworld on @Netflix!!!! Mostly because it's GREAT but partly because I'm in it!!!!!!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Craig, Jo (December 8, 2021). "Will Centaurworld return for season 3? Netflix renewal explored". HITC. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023.
- ^ "Netflix's quirky new cartoon comes from a surprising source: Show choir". Los Angeles Times. August 9, 2021.
- ^ "Centaurworld is a Cartoon Hybrid of Infinite Possibilities". Vulture. July 30, 2021.
- ^ Elderkin, Beth (June 14, 2021). "In Centaurworld's First Trailer, a War Horse Swaps Battles for Ballads". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ Netflix Futures (June 14, 2021). Centaurworld NEW Series Trailer | Netflix Futures. YouTube. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ "Centaurworld - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ Dyer, Amanda. "Centaurworld TV Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ dronon (March 18, 2022). "Voting is open for the 2021 Ursa Major Awards". Flayrah. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
External links
[edit]- Centaurworld on Netflix
- Centaurworld at IMDb
Centaurworld
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Centaurworld is an American animated musical comedy-drama television series created by Megan Nicole Dong for Netflix. The series centers on a hardened war horse named Horse, who is transported from her violent, war-torn world to the whimsical realm of Centaurworld, a magical land inhabited by eccentric, singing centaurs of various species, shapes, and sizes.[1] On her quest to reunite with her human rider and return home, Horse befriends a herd of colorful centaurs and navigates absurd adventures filled with music, magic, and humor.[2]
The show premiered with its first season of 10 episodes on July 30, 2021, followed by a second and final season of 8 episodes on December 7, 2021.[3] Voiced by a talented ensemble, Centaurworld features Kimiko Glenn as the voice of Horse, Megan Hilty as the herd leader Wammawink, Parvesh Cheena as the dramatic Zulius, Chris Diamantopoulos as the competitive Ched, Megan Nicole Dong as the anxious Glendale, Jessie Mueller as the Rider, and Josh Radnor as the gentle Durpleton, among others.[1] Produced by Netflix Animation and Sketchshark Productions, the series incorporates mixed animation styles and original songs spanning multiple genres, composed by Dong and co-executive producer Dominic Bisignano.[2]
Centaurworld received critical acclaim for its first season, earning a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 8 reviews, with praise for its inventive storytelling, vibrant visuals, and blend of silliness and emotional depth.[4] The series was nominated for an Annie Award[1] and won an Emmy for Outstanding Voice Directing at the 1st Children's & Family Emmy Awards, highlighting its strong animation and performance quality.[5] Aimed at children but appealing to all ages, Centaurworld explores themes of friendship, identity, and resilience through its quirky characters and musical numbers.[6]
Plot
Synopsis
Centaurworld is an animated musical fantasy series that contrasts two distinct realms: a grim, war-torn human world embroiled in conflict against monstrous forces, and the vibrant, surreal land of Centaurworld, populated by anthropomorphic centaurs who engage in whimsical, song-filled escapades.[7][1] The story centers on Horse, a battle-hardened warhorse separated from her rider during combat, who is suddenly transported through a rift into Centaurworld.[1] Determined to return home, Horse embarks on a quest to locate a rift key that will allow her passage back, navigating the eccentric and magical terrain while grappling with the stark differences between her disciplined, militaristic origins and the carefree, artistic society of the centaurs.[1] Horse finds unlikely allies in a herd of quirky centaurs, including the optimistic leader Wammawink, the dramatic Zulius, the mischievous Ched, the anxious Glendale, and the affable Durpleton, who help her adapt to their world and join her search.[1] In Season 1, the narrative focuses on Horse's initial integration into centaur society as she and the herd undertake a series of adventures across Centaurworld, encountering shamans and mystical challenges while piecing together clues to the rift key and reflecting on themes of belonging.[1] These journeys highlight the herd's musical traditions, which serve as a core element of their culture and aid in storytelling and emotional expression.[7] Season 2 escalates the stakes as the rift between worlds begins to destabilize, introducing the looming threat of the Nowhere King—a formidable antagonist from the void—who endangers both realms.[1] Horse rallies the herd to assemble forces from Centaurworld, while her rider seeks to rally the human army, forging alliances among diverse centaur tribes to confront the invasion and protect their friends, culminating in a broader battle that intertwines the fates of both dimensions.[1] Throughout, Horse's quest evolves from personal survival to a collective effort to preserve the fragile balance between the two worlds.[1]Themes
Centaurworld explores the psychological impact of war and trauma through the protagonist Horse, a battle-hardened warhorse grappling with separation from her rider and the horrors of conflict in the human world. This portrayal draws parallels to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as Horse's stoic demeanor and reluctance to engage emotionally reflect the lingering effects of violence, contrasting sharply with the whimsical absurdity of Centaurworld. Creator Megan Nicole Dong has noted that characters like Horse carry "trauma with them," using these experiences to inform their growth and interactions.[8][9] The series emphasizes found family and friendship as mechanisms for emotional healing, with Horse integrating into a herd of misfit centaurs who accept each other's flaws without judgment. This dynamic highlights communal bonds as a path to recovery, where vulnerability fosters connection rather than isolation. Dong underscores the value of "chosen family" and strong female friendships as central to the narrative, portraying the herd's acceptance as a counter to individual trauma.[10][11] Identity and self-expression are conveyed through the show's musical numbers, which serve as metaphors for processing complex emotions like grief and belonging. Songs allow characters to articulate inner turmoil and joy in ways dialogue cannot, facilitating Horse's evolution from rigidity to openness. As Dong explains, these moments "progress the story or inform the audience of where a character was emotionally," blending absurdity with authentic self-discovery.[8][9] The whimsical surrealism of Centaurworld critiques escapism by juxtaposing its colorful, nonsensical elements against the grim realities of war, questioning perceptions of "otherness" and the allure of denial. This contrast underscores how fantasy can both shelter and confront pain, with the Nowhere King symbolizing destructive external forces invading idyllic spaces. Dong describes the world as a "surreal escape" that blends "absurdity with real feelings," revealing deeper societal tensions.[8][12] Subtle commentary on diversity and queerness emerges through the herd's varied personalities and inclusive relationships, promoting acceptance of differences in shape, behavior, and emotional expression. The diverse cast of hybrid creatures naturally embodies inclusivity, reflecting real-world variety without overt preaching. Dong has highlighted how the show's design fosters a space where "everyone is just accepted for who they are," extending to queer-coded bonds and self-acceptance.[9][11]Cast and characters
Main
The main protagonists of Centaurworld center on Horse, a stoic warhorse from a war-torn world who is transported to the whimsical realm of Centaurworld and embarks on a quest to reunite with her rider, gradually learning vulnerability and embracing magic along the way. Voiced by Kimiko Glenn, Horse serves as the narrative's emotional core, evolving from a battle-hardened survivor fearful of the centaurs' chaotic magic to a shaman who harnesses her traumatic backstory to resolve the series' central conflict.[9][13] Accompanying Horse is the herd of centaurs led by Wammawink, an optimistic alpacataur who embodies nurturing maternal instincts as the group's compassionate leader and former shaman-in-training, guiding the dysfunctional ensemble with empathy while mentoring Horse through their shared journey. Voiced by Megan Hilty, Wammawink's role highlights themes of acceptance, as she unites the herd—despite their individual traumas—and orchestrates pivotal events like the hootenanny to rally Centaurworld's inhabitants against looming threats.[13][1] Among the herd, Zulius stands out as a dramatic, fashion-obsessed zebrataur with a flair for aesthetics and performance, often shapeshifting his mane for dramatic effect and serving as a flamboyant organizer who channels his self-consciousness into leadership roles, such as managing Horse's public appearances. Voiced by Parvesh Cheena, Zulius's competitive yet heartfelt personality adds levity and depth, particularly in his ex-partner dynamics and efforts to secure alliances, like enlisting birdtaur support.[13][14] Ched, a tough finchtaur voiced by Chris Diamantopoulos, represents brute strength with hidden emotional depths, initially harboring resentment toward Horse but growing to accept her while providing comic relief through his gimmick-based magic and evolving camaraderie within the herd. His arc underscores the theme of overcoming toxic traits rooted in past insecurities, contributing to the group's resilience amid escalating dangers.[13] Glendale, voiced by series creator Megan Nicole Dong, is a forgetful gerenuktaur symbolizing fragmented identity through her multi-faceted quirks, including a portal in her stomach for compulsive stealing and generating tiny versions of herself, which she uses to aid the herd in critical moments like retrieving a key artifact. Her shrill, goofy demeanor and anxiety-driven habits reflect the show's exploration of self-acceptance, making her an endearing, boundary-pushing member of the core group.[9][8][13] Durpleton, a gentle giraffetaur with a rock-solid, muscular build voiced by Josh Radnor, grapples with feelings of inadequacy despite his kind-hearted nature and naivety, often serving as the herd's first point of contact for newcomers like Horse and adopting unexpected companions to highlight his nurturing side. His short attention span and earnest efforts, though sometimes unhelpful, emphasize vulnerability and growth within the ensemble's dynamics.[13] Horse's human companion, the Rider, is a skilled warrior voiced by Jessie Mueller whose limited but pivotal appearances drive Horse's motivation, portraying her as a fierce adventurer and loyal best friend who confronts formidable foes in the human world, bridging the series' dual realms.[1][13] Opposing the protagonists is the Nowhere King, a shadowy, monstrous antagonist voiced by Brian Stokes Mitchell, whose enigmatic origins and destructive influence propel the Season 2 conflict, drawing parallels to Horse's own vulnerabilities while serving as the ultimate threat to both Centaurworld and the human realm.[13]Supporting
Waterbaby, voiced by Renée Elise Goldsberry, serves as an ethereal hippopotamus-like centaur and one of Centaurworld's shamans, offering prophetic guidance on mystical artifacts like the key that bridges worlds.[15] Her role enhances the lore through spiritual mentorship, particularly in rituals involving the herd's quest for dimensional travel.[1] Goldsberry's performance draws on her Broadway background, infusing the character with a resonant, otherworldly vocal quality that underscores Waterbaby's role as a beacon of wisdom amid chaos.[12] Durpletoot, also known as Tony Durpleton and voiced by Tony Hale, is Durpleton's neglectful father whose appearance provides comedic insight into family dynamics and childhood abandonment in the human-adjacent world.[16] Featured prominently in the song "The Best Dad," he highlights themes of parental inadequacy through humorous yet poignant rejection of his son's handmade gifts.[17] Hale's dual voicing of Durpletoot and related flatulence effects adds layers of absurdity to the backstory, emphasizing healing through exaggerated familial reconciliation.[12] The Mysterious Woman, voiced by Lea Salonga, is a human wanderer in Centaurworld possessing magical abilities that tie her to interdimensional conflicts, acting as an enigmatic ally with ambiguous loyalties.[16] Her presence introduces human elements into the centaur realm, aiding in key confrontations while singing powerful solos like "Last Lullaby" that reveal her fractured past.[18] Salonga's mezzo-soprano delivery, honed from roles in Miss Saigon, brings emotional depth to the character's prophetic warnings and alliances.[19] Additional herd members include Stabby (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker), a knife-wielding reptilian minotaur who evolves from a minor antagonist in the Nowhere King's army to a supportive figure, contributing to subplots of redemption and adoption within the group.[16] Minor antagonists like the Bird Royals, avian hierarchs enforcing rigid social structures in birdtaur society, add world-building through satirical depictions of elitism and conformity.[13] Baker's versatile voicing across multiple creature roles, including Stabby's growls and bird calls, enriches these peripheral elements with dynamic sound design.[12] Voice actors' contributions often involved improvisational elements during recording sessions, as noted by creator Megan Nicole Dong, allowing performers like Hale and Goldsberry to infuse humor and spontaneity that bolstered the supporting characters' quirky integrations into the narrative.[12] This approach heightened the comedic and lore-expanding roles without overshadowing core dynamics.Production
Development
Centaurworld was created by Megan Nicole Dong as her debut project as a showrunner, with Netflix announcing the series order on September 3, 2019.[2] The concept originated around 2015–2016, drawing from Dong's personal journey of self-discovery through high school show choir, where she transitioned from an academically pressured path to embracing the arts and performance.[20] This experience inspired the series' blend of whimsy and emotional depth, incorporating themes of loss, trauma, and healing alongside vibrant, animal-inspired centaur designs influenced by Dong's love for biology, Muppets, and musical theater traditions like Les Misérables and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.[21][9] The writing process emphasized integrating episodic adventures—such as side quests in diverse villages along a rainbow road—with an overarching mythology centered on the protagonist Horse's emotional arc and the world's lore.[8] Dong collaborated closely with co-executive producer and co-songwriter Dominic Bisignano on all original songs, starting with rough piano demos to align music with character development and plot progression.[21] Story editor Meghan McCarthy, known for My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, contributed to refining the narrative balance between humor, fantasy, and sincerity.[8] The series was structured from the outset as a limited run of two seasons to deliver a complete story, consisting of 18 episodes, with Netflix confirming the second and final season's release on December 7, 2021.[2][3][22] Pre-production milestones included Dong developing a comprehensive show bible detailing the expansive world-building, storyboarding the pilot episode, and composing four demo songs where she voiced all characters herself.[8] These materials were pitched over 100 times to secure buy-in from studios, writers, and artists, beginning formal development in early 2018 at Netflix Animation.[21] Character and world designs evolved from Dong's personal sketchbook scribbles, adopting a hand-drawn, marker-like style under art director Kimberly Knoll to capture the show's quirky aesthetic.[20]Animation
The animation of Centaurworld employs two contrasting 2D visual styles to delineate its dual realms, overseen by art director Kimberly Knoll. Sequences set in the fantastical Centaurworld, produced by Mercury Filmworks in Canada, feature a bouncy, colorful aesthetic inspired by Muppet performances, characterized by vibrant palettes, fluid squash-and-stretch movements, and exaggerated expressions to convey the world's whimsical, surreal nature.[11][8] In contrast, scenes depicting the human world—referred to as Horse's gritty, war-torn domain—are animated by Red Dog Culture House in South Korea, utilizing sharper lines, more realistic shading, and an action-oriented style to underscore the tension and realism opposing Centaurworld's playfulness.[11][8] This bifurcation in approach highlights the series' thematic divide, with centaurs designed as unique hybrids blending humanoid upper bodies with diverse animal lower halves, such as birds, trees, or rocks, to emphasize the surreal hybridity of their environment.[8][20] The production leveraged Toon Boom Harmony for rigging and animation workflows alongside TVPaint for detailed hand-drawn elements, enabling the dynamic, comic energy that permeates every frame through lively gags and broad character performances.[11] A key technical challenge involved synchronizing these styles to the series' extensive musical numbers and voice acting, requiring precise lip-syncing and rhythmic posing to match the high volume of songs while ensuring fluid transitions between studios.[11][8] This coordination demanded iterative collaboration, as the musical fantasy elements demanded exaggerated timing that clashed with the action sequences' grounded pacing.[11]Episodes
Series overview
Centaurworld is an American animated musical fantasy comedy-drama television series created by Megan Nicole Dong for Netflix. The series comprises two seasons with a total of 18 episodes, all released exclusively on the streaming platform.[1][23] Each episode has an approximate runtime of 25 minutes, with the series finale extending to 74 minutes.[23][1] The episodes were directed by a team including Megan Dong, Jen Bennett, Christina Manrique, Jeremy Polgar, Katie Shanahan, and Derek Prout.[11][24] Production codes for individual episodes are not publicly detailed in available records. The overall series runtime totals approximately 9 hours.[25] Season 2 serves as the series finale, with no additional seasons planned, as the two seasons were designed to form a complete narrative arc.[26]Season 1 (2021)
The first season of Centaurworld consists of 10 episodes, all released simultaneously on Netflix on July 30, 2021.[1] The episodes follow Horse's quest through the whimsical landscapes of Centaurworld, encountering various shamans and challenges while gathering pieces of a magical key to return home. Each episode features distinct directors and a writing team, with story contributions emphasizing episodic adventures in unique locations like forests, caves, and underwater towns.| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hello Rainbow Road | Megan Dong, Sean V. Jeffrey, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Yang E. Coutiño, Megan Dong | July 30, 2021 | Separated from her Rider during battle, Horse wakes up in a colorful world filled with strange beasts and begins her search for her friend amid the vibrant Centaurworld landscape.[27][1] |
| 2 | Fragile Things | Jen Bennett, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | July 30, 2021 | The herd embarks on a journey to find a path home, navigating fragile alliances and terrains as Wammawink advises caution while Horse pushes forward boldly.[28][1] |
| 3 | The Key | Jeremy Polgar, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | July 30, 2021 | Horse encounters Waterbaby, a shaman in a serene watery realm, and discovers the concept of a mystical key that may bridge her back to her Rider.[15][1] |
| 4 | What You Need | Christina Manrique, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | July 30, 2021 | In pursuit of the next key fragment, the herd ventures into an enchanted forest to consult tree shamans who offer wish-granting powers with unexpected consequences.[29][1] |
| 5 | It's Hidin' Time | Katie Shanahan, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | July 30, 2021 | Seeking refuge from a storm, the group hides in a mysterious cave, uncovering ancient wall art that hints at hidden secrets of Centaurworld.[30][1] |
| 6 | Holes: Part 2 | Jen Bennett, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | July 30, 2021 | Following the Rainbow Road downward, the herd tumbles into an underground domain where a Moletaur imprisons them, leading to a trial before a peculiar judge.[31][1] |
| 7 | Johnny Teatime's Be Best Competition: A Quest for the Sash | Jeremy Polgar, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | July 30, 2021 | Guided by Zulius to the glamorous Cataur Valley, Horse participates in an eccentric beauty contest overseen by shaman Johnny Teatime to secure another key piece.[32][1] |
| 8 | Ride the Whaletaur Shaman! | Christina Manrique, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | July 30, 2021 | Approaching the aquatic Merfolk Town for the last shaman, Horse notices her transformation deepening as the herd rides a massive whaletaur through ocean depths.[33][1] |
| 9 | The Rift: Part 1 | Katie Shanahan, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | July 30, 2021 | Arriving at the dramatic Rift, the herd pauses to reflect on their shared experiences while awaiting Waterbaby's arrival with the final key component.[34][1] |
| 10 | The Rift: Part 2 | Jen Bennett, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | July 30, 2021 | As Horse confronts a formidable threat alongside her Rider, the herd musters bravery to cross into the void and aid in the climactic battle for reunion.[35][1] |
Season 2 (2021)
The second and final season of Centaurworld consists of eight episodes, all of which were released simultaneously on Netflix on December 7, 2021. The season escalates the conflict as Horse and the herd seek alliances across Centaurworld to confront the Nowhere King and his encroaching forces, building toward a climactic resolution involving unity and confrontation.[1]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Horsatia Wighair Beansz? | Jeremy Polgar, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | December 7, 2021 | Horse attempts to recruit an army to defend Centaurworld from the Nowhere King's threat, but faces reluctance; the herd visits the elegant Horsetaurs' castle in hopes of gaining their support.[36] |
| 2 | All Herd All the Terd | Christina Manrique, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | December 7, 2021 | The group encounters the Birdtaurs, who reside in a luxurious cloud condominium and become fixated on observing the herd as unwitting stars of their own reality show.[37] |
| 3 | My Tummy, Your Hurts | Derek Prout, Katie Shanahan | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | December 7, 2021 | Horse seeks aid from the formidable Coldtaurs, leading to Glendale's capture and a tense negotiation; meanwhile, in the human world, Waterbaby attempts to communicate with Rider.[38] |
| 4 | Holes: Part 3 | Jen Bennett, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | December 7, 2021 | Venturing into the Underground Kingdom, Horse discovers Rider has acquired a new horse named Becky Apples, prompting reflections on loyalty and replacement amid recruitment efforts.[39] |
| 5 | Bunch O' Scrunch | Jeremy Polgar, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | December 7, 2021 | Horse uncovers a unique ability to enter her friends' backstories, delving into the herd's challenging histories to foster deeper bonds and resilience against the growing war.[40] |
| 6 | The Ballad of Becky Apples | Christina Manrique, Derek Prout | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | December 7, 2021 | Rider disobeys orders to infiltrate the Nowhere King's castle for a crucial artifact, grappling with the uncooperative nature of her new mount, Becky Apples.[41] |
| 7 | The Hootenanny | Derek Prout, Katie Shanahan | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | December 7, 2021 | Residents from across Centaurworld convene for a grand hootenanny celebration; Horse strives to transform this eclectic gathering into a cohesive and brave fighting force.[42] |
| 8 | The Last Lullaby | Jen Bennett, Christina Manrique, Jeremy Polgar | Jen Bardekoff, Dominic Bisignano, Todd Casey | December 7, 2021 | Horse delves into the Nowhere King's psyche to uncover his origins, while Rider and the herd coordinate a strategic plan to counter the escalating invasion.[43] |
Music
Season 1
The musical score for the first season of Centaurworld was composed by Toby Chu, providing an eclectic backdrop that blends whimsical orchestration with emotional underscores to support the show's fantastical tone.[16] Original songs were written by series creator Megan Nicole Dong and co-executive producer Dominic Bisignano, drawing from musical theater influences to craft numbers that mix humor, absurdity, and heartfelt moments.[44] The season's soundtrack, titled Centaurworld: S1 (Music from the Netflix Original Series), was released on July 30, 2021, by Netflix Music, featuring 37 tracks that encompass both full songs and incidental score pieces.[45] The album captures the season's 10 episodes through a diverse array of musical styles, from upbeat ensemble pieces to intimate solos. Key musical numbers highlight the season's blend of humor and emotion, serving as pivotal moments in character development. For instance, "Rider's Lullaby," performed by Jessie Mueller as the Rider, opens the series with a tender, folk-inspired melody that establishes the bond between Horse and her human companion, evoking themes of comfort and loss. In contrast, "Taurnado," sung by Kimiko Glenn as Horse alongside the cast, delivers comedic chaos through rapid-fire lyrics and exaggerated rhythms during a magical mishap, underscoring the show's playful absurdity. "Fragile Things," a duet by Megan Hilty and Kimiko Glenn, shifts to poignant balladry, exploring vulnerability and friendship with soaring vocals that deepen the emotional stakes of Horse's journey. Other notable tracks include "Hello Rainbow Road" for its adventurous pop flair and "Making Friendships—BOATS!" for its silly, repetitive chant that emphasizes group dynamics. Music is deeply integrated into the narrative as diegetic performances, where characters spontaneously break into song to process events, resolve conflicts, or propel the plot forward, much like traditional musical theater, guiding Horse and her centaur companions through their whimsical yet perilous adventures.[46] This approach ensures that songs feel organic to the world-building, enhancing both comedic timing and dramatic tension across the season.[44]Season 2
The musical score for the second season of Centaurworld was composed by Toby Chu, continuing his work from the first season with an emphasis on building tension through richer orchestration to match the season's escalating conflicts.[47] The original songs were written by series creator Megan Nicole Dong and co-executive producer Dominic Bisignano, incorporating more dramatic and introspective elements to underscore themes of loss, redemption, and confrontation as the narrative resolves.[47][48] Key musical numbers in Season 2 highlight character development and plot progression, blending whimsy with emotional depth. Notable examples include:- "The Nowhere King": An intense, operatic piece delving into the antagonist's fractured psyche, using dissonant harmonies and choral overlays to convey chaos and isolation.[49]