As “Star vs. the Forces Of Evil” heads into its final season on Disney Channel, it’s time to take a look back on how the show has evolved, and why YOU, the reader, should tune in.
“Star vs. the Forces Of Evil” first premiered on January 18, 2015 on Disney’s secondary channel, Disney XD. It follows the adventures of the titular character Star Butterfly, a 14-year-old princess from a magical dimension, and her best friend/sidekick, Marco Diaz, an ordinary 14-year-old high schooler.
The two are first introduced due to Butterfly receiving her wand, which holds her magical powers, on her 14th birthday and subsequently causing chaos in her home kingdom of Mewni. This prompts her parents to send her to Earth to discipline her magic under the care of Diaz and his parents.
While on Earth, Star becomes an easy target for monsters led by the villain Ludo, a small bird-like creature, from her home dimension to ambush her and steal her wand, so she and Diaz team up to take them down.
At first, the show started off as a really wacky, zany adventure-type show, with no plot significance. That’s not to say it was bad, but nothing made the show stand out. Every episode followed a similar formula: a problem was introduced, Butterfly used her magic to try and fix said problem only for it to backfire.
Then, while trying to repair the damages, Ludo and his monster army would ambush Butterfly and Diaz. They would fend them of, fix the first problem, and then repeat. I remember watching the show for the first time and not being able to see the appeal of it, but I powered through.
And I’m glad I did.
The Turning Point
Episode eight of season one was when I started to become very invested in the show. Every episode in the series is split into two sub-episodes (for example, 8a and 8b), and both of them knocked it out of the park. Episode 8a introduces an important character and plot point that changes the feel of the show.
Where other episodes are weird and wild, this one isn’t as much and is reflected in the tone throughout the episode. It is, in my opinion, one of the best episodes in the entire series because it was the first turning point for the show becoming a top-tier cartoon. Episode 8b was no different.
After Ludo’s countless attempts at stealing Butterfly’s wand, he hires a new monster to help him. The introduction of this new monster into Ludo’s army had me intrigued, for he was the exact opposite of Ludo – cool, calm, and intelligent. From his very first line, you could tell that this guy was the real deal and that now, there was a real threat for Butterfly and Diaz.
The finale of season one was an episode so radically different in tone to the episodes that preceded it that it had you questioning whether or not you were watching the same show. It was incredible, and it left me excited for what season two had in store.
Season two, while having a couple of the basic, classic, random adventures from season one, was VERY plot-heavy, and began diving into even more lore than before. It had amazing episodes for character development, the writing for the episodes became incredible, and the end of the season had you wanting more.
Season three kicked off with a brand new intro sequence, new ending credits, and a great TV movie, and carried its momentum from season two and rolled with it. Again, the writing and character development only got better as the season went on.
The Evolution and Current State of the Show
“Star vs. the Forces Of Evil” is a show that you can’t really judge on first glance, or the first couple of episodes, for that matter. It’s fun, it’s emotional and exciting. Season four is currently underway, so be sure to catch the new episodes!
Oh, and if you love shipping characters, this show is for you. Doesn’t matter who, but you WILL end up shipping someone. It’s inevitable.
Final Thoughts
As we bid farewell to “Star vs. the Forces Of Evil,” it’s clear that this show has left an indelible mark on the landscape of animated television. It has evolved from a quirky, adventure-filled series into a deeply engaging narrative with rich character development and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
It’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of animation. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or new to it, this show is a must-watch. So, as the final season unfolds, let’s celebrate the journey of Star Butterfly and Marco Diaz, and the extraordinary world they’ve shared with us.
And remember, no matter who your favorite character is, you’re bound to end up shipping someone. It’s just part of the magic that is “Star vs. the Forces Of Evil.”