This series reminds me of one Adventure Time episode, honestly. I finally got around to watching it after Warner Bros. Discovery removed it and it's become quite the topic of discussion again. Since it’s an anthology, I thought it made sense to review each book separately as I watched them. It seems like everyone has already said everything there is to say about this show, so I wasn’t sure what I could add. 8/23/22 Book 1 7/10 This is where the story begins! While I didn't enjoy it quite as much as some others did, I still think it's pretty good. Tulip seemed like a decent lead for the series and I liked One-One and Atticus, but I didn’t get emotionally invested when they were in danger. For example, when Atticus turned into a cockroach that sucks souls, I just shrugged it off. It also felt odd that we never see Atticus arranging for someone to watch over his kingdom while he helps Tulip; it seems like he just abandons it without worrying about attacks from the FNAF octopus lady. I didn’t really connect with Amelia either—it's sad her husband died, but we barely get any insight into how or why she goes up to her old school rooftop. The origin story happens so quickly that it's hard to care. It also feels like Tulip’s passion for game design was overlooked; a gaming cart and some puzzles could have really showcased her skills. I think Space Jam 2 even does a better job of incorporating a character’s love for video games into the plot, though that’s the only thing Space Jam 2 manages to do well. One more small complaint: why would someone so casually ask, “Is it weird that your parents are divorced now?” It feels insensitive to bring up something they probably don't want to discuss. And why did One-One lose his memory at the end of the turtle episode—it doesn’t seem to matter for the story? I think I’ve said enough about what didn’t work, so let’s move on to the positives. I thought the scene where Tulip revisits her memories and tries to paint them as happy when they weren’t was great; the concept was well done, along with the animation and creativity. Everyone else has already praised Book 1's strengths, so I should probably watch Book 2 now. 8/29/22 Book 2 10/10 I knew this book was highly regarded and considered the best by some, but you really have to see it to understand how incredible it is. “MT” was absolutely phenomenal, and her bond with Jesse and Alan Dracula was wonderful. It truly seemed like she could never leave the train, and the show did an amazing job of conveying that through Mace’s taunts—even missing half his body, he reminds her she's just another cog helping passengers. But Mace wasn’t wrong; One-One admits his only purpose was to assist the passenger. Still, she doesn’t care because she knows there’s more to life than being a part of a machine. I’m also surprised by how much they were allowed to get away with—there are some brutal deaths in this book and it's fantastic. Jesse was also great; he seems like a genuinely good kid who wants to make up for his actions toward his brother, and I cared about his connection with “MT.” Alan Dracula was really fun to watch, and the final scene with him was very satisfying if you know what I’m talking about. There's not much more I can say; it's a phenomenal piece of television, and everyone has already said everything there is to say about it. It’s also a little disappointing that Tulip’s reflection seems like a more compelling character than Tulip herself. 8/31/22 Book 3 8/10 I stumbled upon some Book 2 reviews on YouTube and accidentally got spoiled regarding Simon's fate, which I wasn’t looking for. However, it was incredibly satisfying to finally see Simon meet a horrible end because he truly deserves it. He’s the most hated character in the show so far, rivaling Omni-Man. It was an interesting choice to focus on The Apex, considering their antagonistic role in Book 2. Book 3 continues the show's trend of having great animal side characters who are crucial to the emotional beats. Simon’s betrayal was shocking—he openly admits it without a second thought and it’s just cruel. And Hazel’s lullaby really got to me and made me hate Simon even more. Grace’s journey was also quite something; seeing her grow as a person and start caring for “nulls” instead of hating them was great. Her backstory wasn't as well-developed as those in Book 2 or even Book 1, but it was still decent. Everyone else loves this book, and I do too. Now on to Book 4. 9/2/22 Book 4 6/10 I know this might be a controversial opinion, but I don’t think Book 4 is all that special. The entire first episode just retreads the plot of the Gravity Falls episode “A Tale of Two Stans,” or even the Regular Show movie, and doesn't do much new or interesting with it. It makes me question why there’s a train within a train before I irresponsibly throw my friend’s keys in it. I have to say that Min-Gi and Ryan are probably the weakest pairing in the entire show. The first three books tackled divorce, self-worth, and discrimination. Now Infinity

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