Everyone Is In Love With The New ‘She-Ra’ And Its Incredible And Powerful Representation
"She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is so openly queer I feel like I'm going to burst into tears after each episode".
Netflix and Dreamworks has rebooted the classic eighties cartoon She-Ra: Princess of Power and given it a much needed modern makeover. She-Ra and The Princesses Of PowerΒ is getting a lot of love because it’s put a huge amount of effort into providing good and positive representation into the cartoon.
The original She-Ra was already doing pretty progressive stuff back in the eighties, by virtue of having a sword-wielding female lead that was aimed at an audience of young girls, in a market saturated by muscled men.
Sure, it was purely because they were trying to market toys at girls, but that didn’t stop She-Ra being kind of unique.
Which is why it makes perfect sense for the 2018 version to lean in on that concept, with an entirely female writing team and a push for various types of representation that we’re still not used to seeing, especially in cartoons aimed at children and young people.
And people love the show because of it, except for a select group of adult virgins who we shall henceforth ignore.
Immediately noticeable is how gently and persistently queer this show is, a relentless rainbow of glitter and gayness. It’s truly beautiful.
Korra: two girls holding hands for two seconds is queer representation
Steven Universe: a gay wedding is queer representation
She-Ra: hold my power sword— Supership β79 π³οΈβπ (@supership79) November 16, 2018
From a femme lesbian who can magically grow flowers, to an evil gay dad trying to raise his goblin child by himself, #SheRa is a world of queer messes
— Rowan Ellis π (@HeyRowanEllis) November 16, 2018
i still haven't wrapped my head around how much representation there really is in she-ra.. like so much of it is just the smallest things but the creators know we notice that and they put it in for us, they must've fought so hard for them…… im soft stan she-ra pic.twitter.com/UGkjs6224Q
— ππ‘π’π²π β¦ (@lovelyjirou) November 14, 2018
The She-Ra reboot is next level amazing. Complex and queer characters, heartfelt, warm, action-packed and laugh-out-loud funny. The 10 year old girl child and I agree: 400 million out of ten. When is the new season coming please?
— Lauren Beukes (@laurenbeukes) November 20, 2018
I know I'm late to this, but She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is so openly queer I feel like I'm going to burst into tears after each episode.
— Kara Schlegl (@karaschlegl) November 21, 2018
Cartoons, 1980s: Hey, rainbows! Cool!
Cartoons, 2018: We are the last bastion of defense against the oppressive forces of homophobia ravaging America, and OH YEAH, that rainbow means EXACTLY what you think it means.
β Alex Zalben (@azalben)Β November 18, 2018
I mean honestly — the original show was so unconsciously queer that it would be insane not to make it expressly so. As a kid, I loved the original Bow, and to this day, I still think he might be the gayest character ever on television. I mean, look at him.
Sad nerds: "The new She-Ra is too GAY! It's a complete abomination compared to the original.
Original She-Ra: pic.twitter.com/gWUffMfdGC
— MayaScientist (@MadScientist212) November 18, 2018
In a girl show who is a boy that casually enjoys feminine things is really important for kids like that
I've said this a lot but she-ra is really good
— βοΈpegβοΈ (@pearlhouzuki) November 17, 2018
As well as furthering the queer agenda, the show is also being praised for its depictions of body positivity, showcasing a realistic and broad range of body types, rather than incongruous 90s catwalk models fighting with swords.
Honestly, kids these days are so lucky to get these kinds of excellent shows to watch.
Omg She-Ra and the Princesses of Power on @NetflixUK is SO AMAZING. Itβs like a queer, body positive, girl power, aesthetically pleasing riot and I LOVE IT SO MUCH πππ
— Lottie βοΈ (@Lottie_Lamour) November 25, 2018
I was watching she ra with my sister and she said βglimmer is exactly my body size, itβs so weirdβ and I said βwhy?β And she said βIβve just never seen a character look like me beforeβ dude!! DUDE!! Representation matters
— πππͺπ ππ―π½ππ πΉπΎπΉ πππππ- (@oceanperfumas) November 16, 2018
But, it’s also worth pointing out that while the show is getting a lot of love for the representation, it’s also just really fun and funny and exciting.
Just dropping by to say that the new She-Ra isn't just good because it has good representation and shit. It's actually GOOD good. And I say that as someone who's had to sit through so much garbage with my kids.
— Mark Serrels (@Serrels) November 18, 2018
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is currently streaming on Netflix.