Seal Team

Seal Team has built a real following in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix among viewers who do not usually seek out animation. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 239 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it in order — the character development is cumulative. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Netflix.

Seal Team arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Seal Team has the visual identity that makes it immediately recognisable, and the writing to back it up. After his best friend is killed in a shark attack, Quinn, a lovable yet tenacious seal assembles a SEAL TEAM to fight back against a gang of sharks overtaking the neighborhood. But this merry band of international seals are not at all trained for such a mission. They seek the help of a much more skillful combatant, Claggart, but even his tricks and flips can’t whip these guys into shape. Jessie T. Usher and J.K. Simmons lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2021. Seal Team uses the freedom of animation to tell stories live-action could not attempt. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Animation fans will appreciate the craft, but Seal Team works for viewers who do not typically seek out animation too. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Jessie T. Usher's voice work is a big part of what makes it distinctive. If you have been sleeping on it because of the format, the format is not the thing here.