animorphs

Animorphs Morph Into Potential New TV Series

For those who don’t remember the 90s, here’s a history lesson. Around the turn of the decade a hot new computer-assisted special effect started becoming popular. Terminator 2 and Michael Jackson’s “Black Or White” music video popularized the technique of “morphing” — seamlessly warping one object into another one. It was so trendy that entire properties based themselves on morphing as a superpower. “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” was introduced in 1993, despite its Sentai origin having nothing to do with morphing at all. Then in 1996 Scholastic started publishing Animorphs — a series of books where morphing was in the name and on the cover, with each depicting a photo of a real kid shifting into a real animal through several steps.

Animorphs was an instant hit for creator K.A. Applegate, who would (mostly) write 54 books in the main series, plus a few specials, until its end in 2001. The premise is not unlike that of Invasion of the Body Snatchers or They Live where it’s discovered aliens have not only invaded Earth, they’re already taking over humanity one body at a time. But there are good aliens called the Adalites, and they grant their shape-shifting powers to some trustworthy teenagers in hopes they can defeat the evil Yeerks.

It wasn’t as optimistic or as goofy as its 90s contemporaries, though. For all its marketing as a kids series with bright colors and visual cover gimmicks, Animorphs told a dark tale of abuse, war, and suffering. Applegate has stated her intent was to make kids think seriously about the cost of war and hammer home that it wasn’t a “cool” thing. She hoped she could use her influence to push us to peace, but, well. it didn’t work out that way.

It would be nice if an Animorphs show didn’t gloss over this aspect of it (a two-season series was produced for Nickelodeon that was somewhat sunnier), but this new show we’re talking about is headed for Disney+, and they’ve sanded the edge off other books they’ve adapted, like Artemis Fowl. That being said, Ryan Coogler has been handed the reins of the production, and Bayan Wolcott (who is writing episodes of Hulu’s dystopian The Testaments) is penning the scripts, so…there’s hope they will keep the tone authentic.

Join the club!

Video interviews, reviews, game news, and pure fandom - be the first to know!

Help Support PopGeeks

PopGeeks runs on reader support. We are not backed by corporate media, driven by algorithms, or overloaded with invasive ads. We are an independently run site created by fans, for fans, and we cover what we love: movies, TV, video games, comics, and tabletop RPGs.

Support PopGeeks for just $1/month and help keep our content free and ad-light. Your support covers hosting, pays our writers, and helps sustain independent coverage of movies, games, TV, and geek culture. Every dollar makes a difference.

This is a voluntary support payment. No physical goods or exclusive digital content are provided. PopGeeks content remains freely accessible to all. Sales tax does not apply.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. And thank you for helping PopGeeks stay fan-run, freely accessible, and fully independent.

Loading new replies...

Avatar of Justin J
Justin J

Active Member

1,152 messages 20 likes

For those who don’t remember the 90s, here’s a history lesson. Around the turn of the decade a hot new computer-assisred special effect started becoming popular. Terminator 2 and Michael […]
Read original article here:

It's exciting to hear about the potential of an Animorphs series! The original books had such a dedicated fanbase, and with today's special effects, they could really bring the morphing aspect to life in a way that feels authentic and thrilling. What do you think they need to focus on to make it successful?

Reply Like

click to expand...
Avatar of Bhad Witch
Bhad Witch

New Member

4 messages 0 likes

I remember reading Animorphs when I was younger, and I think many people forget how serious it actually was. It was not just kids turning into animals. It talked about control, fear, and difficult choices. That part is what made it stand out to me. If they are making a new show, I really hope they do not remove that. I am a bit worried because Disney+ sometimes makes things more friendly for a wider audience. I understand why they do that, but Animorphs needs that darker tone or it will feel empty. At the same time, seeing Ryan Coogler involved gives me some confidence. He usually respects the core of a story. I think if they balance it well, this could introduce a new generation to something meaningful, not just entertaining. I just want it to feel honest to what the books were trying to say.

Reply Like

click to expand...
Avatar of BlueBeetleBohemian
BlueBeetleBohemian

New Member

22 messages 0 likes

The idea sounds interesting, especially the part about aliens already living inside humans. That feels more serious than I expected from something marketed to kids. I think a modern show could do a lot with that concept if they treat it carefully. My concern is that streaming shows sometimes try to move too fast and focus on action instead of ideas. I would like to see more character development and the emotional side of the story. The mention of war themes makes me curious because that is not common in younger-focused stories. I will probably check it out if it comes out, but only if early reactions say it respects the original tone. Otherwise, it might just become another average sci-fi series.

Reply Like

click to expand...
Avatar of lindseymathis
lindseymathis

Entertainment Enthusiast

188 messages 12 likes

I remember my high school library had the complete Animorphs collection, and it honestly felt like a hidden advantage. I did not have to spend anything, but I still got to read the entire story from start to finish. That made a big difference because this series really works best when you follow it all the way through. It is not just random adventures, there is actual progression and consequences. I think students today are missing out on that kind of access. Having everything in one place made it easy to stay invested. I would borrow a few books at a time and just keep going. It became part of my routine after classes. Looking back, I appreciate that a lot because not every series was that accessible. It also made me more interested in reading in general.

Reply Like

click to expand...
Avatar of defend_my_bias
defend_my_bias

New Member

13 messages 0 likes

Same experience for me. Our school library had the full set, and I took advantage of it as much as I could. I did not even plan to read all of them at first, but since they were all available, it just happened naturally. I think that is one of the best things about libraries. You get access to a full story without worrying about money. Animorphs especially benefits from that because there are so many books. If I had to buy them, I probably would not have finished the series. It also helped that the books were quick to read, so I could go through several in a short time.

Reply Like

Avatar of Daniel517
Daniel517

New Member

7 messages 0 likes

I feel a bit jealous hearing that because my school did not have the full collection. We only had a few random volumes, so it was hard to follow the story properly. That is why having the complete set in one place is a big deal. Animorphs is not something you can just read out of order and fully understand. There are ongoing storylines and character changes. If I had that kind of access, I think I would have appreciated the series even more. Libraries really make a difference when they are well stocked.

Reply Like

Avatar of BoomboxBeats
BoomboxBeats

Member

172 messages 19 likes

I think people should not expect a perfect adaptation. That almost never happens. What matters more is whether the show captures the feeling of the original. For Animorphs, that feeling includes tension, fear, and responsibility. If those are present, then even with some changes, it can still work. I am also thinking about how long the series should be. The books had many stories, so they need to plan carefully or it could become messy. I hope they take their time instead of trying to do too much at once.

Reply Like