Bitter Lands Season 1

If you want animation that is not just for kids, Bitter Lands Season 1 is available on streaming right now. The 1-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. With 227 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. The visual style is immediately recognisable, but the writing is what keeps you watching. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Bitter Lands Season 1 is worth clearing space for. Bitter Lands Season 1 treats animation as a medium, not a limitation. The story begins with Yilmaz and Zuleyha lovers who find each other after being separated, on a train leaving Istanbul. Zuleyha had survived a vicious attack and Yilmaz has become a fugitive whilst trying to save her. They finally make their way to the Yaman Ranch where Gaffur (the head butler and old army friend of Yilmaz) works. Vahide Perçin and Murat Ünalmış lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was aired in 2018. The visual gags in Bitter Lands Season 1 reward close attention without ever depending on it. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

Animation fans will appreciate the craft, but Bitter Lands Season 1 works for viewers who do not typically seek out animation too. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Vahide Perçin'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.