‘Gumball’ infinitely cute, weird

(Published Dec. 2, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

Cartoon Network’s “The Amazing World of Gumball” can be counted among the few shows that successfully utilize bizarre concepts while connecting with its more familiar and universal qualities.

Meshing together 2D, 3D animation and live-action parts, “Gumball” immediately stands out as its own world. Disparate designs coexist; the traditional-looking or “flat” animal characters can be seen mingling with digitally rendered and textured beings on “real” suburban streets.

Its titular character Gumball Watterson is a blue cat-boy figuring in nonsensical but entertaining exploits. He and his best friend Darwin, a bipedal fish boy who used to be the family pet, have some of the oddest adventures at school and at home. Every story unceasingly focuses on the young characters’ naivete and their world’s more unusual aspects.

Gumball has to save the surly, puppet-like neighbor Mr. Robinson from unknown “assassins” in one story. In another inane tale, the boys’ friendship is tested, reiterating their incompatibility with schoolmates such as the rich athlete Tobias and the limbless balloon-boy Alan.

In one of their funniest misadventures, Darwin becomes the cloud-girl Masami’s unwilling boyfriend, while Gumball finds himself attracted to Penny, a peanut girl with antlers.

The attraction theme is again explored hilariously in another story. Gumball runs out of fresh clothes so he’s forced to wear his mother’s wedding gown to school! His classmates don’t recognize him and think he’s a cool girl, and Darwin falls in love with “her.”

Fans of “strange” comedy cartoons such as “Adventure Time” will appreciate the concise but self-contained episodes. Thriving on unrelenting nonsense and unconventional visuals, “Gumball” is consistently and satisfyingly silly and surreal.

The animated series airs Saturdays at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network.