Simsala Grimm - Die Märchen der Brüder Grimm Die kleine Meerjungfrau (1999–2010) Online

Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Mermaid' is one of the world's most famous stories, with most people in terms of adaptations mostly likely being most familiar with the Disney film (a wonderful film though not definitive in terms of faithfulness). 'Simsala Grimm' is not a series to expect straight up faithful adaptations from, but actually this one is generally in detail and spirit one of the episodes that sticks closer to the original source material than most 'Simsala Grimm' episodes, obvious differences being the inclusion of Doc Croc and Yoyo. On its own terms, there is enough to make one intrigued into checking out and it was a good episode.

Uneven 'Simsala Grimm' is as a series (though as far as previous episodes go the only underwhelming episodes were 'Beauty and the Beast' and especially 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp', with also some issues with 'King Thrushbeard' and 'Rumplestiltskin') , but it still deserves more credit as a standalone as it does fare well on that front, a good way to introduce youngsters to the stories if not done already. Children are more likely to enjoy the series more than adults (although adults are far more likely to be more familiar with the stories), but it will be hardly a chore for older audiences who should find the different spins on the stories interesting. It was great to see a nice mix of the famous and oft-adapted tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones. On its own merits (again best forget about expecting something faithful), 'Simsala Grimm' is pleasant, though not one of my favourites, and those not familiar with the original stories may find themselves intrigued into checking them out.

Like other episodes of 'Simsala Grimm', some of the character designs are in 'The Little Mermaid' somewhat derivative and dare it be said recycled, anybody who has seen many of the previous episodes will see a lot of similarities in the character designs between those and this.

Some occasional corniness here and there in the dialogue, though other episodes did it much worse.

Having said that, 'The Little Mermaid' generally is another one of the better faring Season 3 (which expanded the Simsala universe somewhat with having other authors stories as well) episodes, one of the series' better later epiosodes and actually one of the best of the whole series. This is another episode where Doc Croc and Yoyo do serve a point here and they play helpful roles, not feeling like wasted filler generally, though one can question whether they are entirely needed within the context of the story. Both are also likeable characters. Hard to tell who's my favourite between resourceful Doc Croc and adorable Yoyo. The original characters are handled very well, with a very rootable titular character without being one-dimensional or too perfect.

Again, enough of the (traditional hand-drawn) animation is pleasing, the finesse is not always there or the imagination, but there are some lovely and never flat colours and it's nicely detailed. The music fits well (likewise with the never hammy or bland voice acting) and the main theme is catchy. Have always really liked the once upon a time approach to the intro.

'The Little Mermaid's' story really does charm and involve, 'The Little Mermaid' is a sad story and that emotion is surprisingly not dumbed down in 'Simsala Grimm's' version, in what is by far the series' most emotional episode. Showing an ending that is both poignant and hopeful, and that actions have consequences without beating one around the head with it. Plus there is less corny writing than other episodes in the series (certainly not to the extent of 'Beauty and the Beast' and especially 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp') and there are no characters that feel extraneous or annoying. There is not an issue with pacing with it not feeling too hasty or dull, there is no trouble understanding what is going on yet it doesn't feel like it was dumbed down too much.

In conclusion, solid. 8/10 Bethany Cox