The Idhun Chronicles

The Idhun Chronicles
Spanish promotional poster
SpanishMemorias de Idhún
Genre
Based onThe Idhún's Memories
by Laura Gallego
Developed by
  • Laura Gallego
  • Andrés Carrión
Screenplay by
  • Laura Gallego
  • Andrés Carrión
Directed byMaite Ruiz de Austri
Voices of
ComposerKaelo Del Río
Country of originSpain
Original languageSpanish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
  • Alexis Barroso
  • Pilar Blasco
EditorJavier Cuesta
Running time25-27 minutes
Production companyZeppelin TV
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseSeptember 10, 2020 (2020-09-10) –
January 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)

The Idhun Chronicles[1] (Spanish: Memorias de Idhún) is a Spanish anime-style (also known as “Spanime”) fantasy television series produced by Zeppelin TV for Netflix. It is based on The Idhún's Memories book saga by Laura Gallego.

The series was released globally on September 10, 2020.[2] A second season was released on January 8, 2021, but on the same day, Gallego announced that no agreement had been reached to adapt the second and third books of the trilogy, making Season 2 the final season.[3]

Synopsis

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After necromancer Ashran seizes power in Idhún, enforcing his reign of terror through an army of flying snakes, the first battle for the land's freedom will take place on the Earth, where impulsive teenager Jack and aspiring wizard Victoria will face dangerous assassin Kirtash, sent by Ashran to Earth to destroy the Idhunites who fled his tyranny.

Voice cast

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Spanish

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English

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Production

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The series was first announced back in February 2019 by Netflix[5] and was originally set to have 10 episodes in its first season.[6] Author Laura Gallego stated that it would cover the entire first volume La Resistencia (The Resistance).[6]

Episodes

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Series overview
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
Part 15September 10, 2020 (2020-09-10)
Part 25January 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [7]
Part 1
11"Limbhad"
(Limbhad)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónSeptember 10, 2020 (2020-09-10)
Jack is unaware of his connection to Idhun until powerful beings attack his family and kill his parents.
22"You're Not Yet Ready"
(No estás preparado)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónSeptember 10, 2020 (2020-09-10)
After Kirtash tries to attack Victoria on Earth, Jack decides to make himself useful for the Resistance, but Alsan worries he could endanger the mission.
33"The Staff of Ayshel"
(El báculo de Ayshel)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónSeptember 10, 2020 (2020-09-10)
Kirtash lures the Resistance into a trap, forcing them to make a tough choice in order to save Alsan's life.
44"Rescue Plans"
(Planes de rescate)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónSeptember 10, 2020 (2020-09-10)
Shail oversees Jack and Victoria's progress as they master their powers.
55"Come With Me"
(Ven conmigo)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónSeptember 10, 2020 (2020-09-10)
With the Resistance in disarray, Jack searches for Alsan and Victoria vows revenge. But Kirtash has other ideas.
Part 2
61"Re-encounter"
(Reencuentros)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónJanuary 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)
The Resistance revives when Jack manages to track down Alexander (formerly known as Alsan). But Victoria and Kirtash have unfinished business with each other.
72"Secrets"
(Secretos)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónJanuary 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)
Kirtash struggles to find a balance between love and duty and decides to reveal his true nature to Victoria... while setting his sights on killing Jack.
83"Their True Nature"
(Su verdadera naturaleza)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónJanuary 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)
Jack and Kirtash wage war for the future of Idhun, both on the battlefield and in Victoria's heart.
94"The Eye of The Serpent"
(El ojo de la serpiente)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónJanuary 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)
Ashran unleashes Gerde, forcing Victoria, Jack and Alexander to fight for their lives. Victoria's grandmother reveals a secret.
105"Victoria's Light"
(La luz de Victoria)		Maite Ruiz de AustriLaura Gallego and Andrés CarriónJanuary 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)
An unexpected return helps Jack understand his true self, and his and Victoria's shared fate.

Controversy

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Laura Gallego, the writer of the books the series is based on, who also contributed in the show's development, wrote a short statement on her personal website objecting to the substitution of previously cast professional (spanish) voice actors by more popular actors who, save for Michelle Jenner, generally lacked experience in dubbing.[8]

Critical reception

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Upon its debut, The Idhun Chronicles was met with mixed to negative reception among critics.

Mikel Zorrilla of Espinof criticized the voice acting, advising readers to switch to the "much more consistent" English dub: "What really makes it difficult to take the story seriously is the disconnect among the voices. It's as if each of [the voice actors] gave it a different approach, without any kind of harmony among them, which makes even the very competent Michelle Jenner seem out of place because none of the other voices fit in, individually or as a whole." He also stated: "Its possible grand spectacle nature is presented in a somewhat restrained way. At half throttle."[9]

John Serba of Decider advised viewers to "skip it", claiming that the show doesn't stand out among Netflix's other anime offerings: "There are hundreds of anime series out there, many on Netflix, and The Idhun Chronicles seems destined to be no more than yet another one among the many". He also criticized the characters' lack of charisma and the excessive amount of exposition in the pilot.[10]

Pere Solà Gimferrer of La Vanguardia stated that the first episode was "a disaster on every level, especially narrative", and cited as an example how the murder of Jack's parents at the beginning is recounted later on "with the same drama as if Jack had forgotten his keys or cut himself with a piece of paper while doing his homework."[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Netflix: The Idhun Chronicles Launches On Sept 10". Netflix Media Center (Press release). 13 August 2020.
  2. ^ Zorrilla, Mikel (13 August 2020). "'Memorias de Idhún': tráiler y fecha de estreno del esperado anime de Netflix basado en las novelas de Laura Gallego". Espinof (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  3. ^ Gallego, Cèlia (12 January 2021). "Netflix cancela 'Memorias de Idhún' tras dos temporadas". FormulaTV (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  4. ^ Rodera, Alejandro (13 August 2020). "'Memorias de Idhún': Itzan Escamilla, Michelle Jenner y Carlos Cuevas fichan por la serie de Netflix". FormulaTV (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Netflix Announces Five New Spanish Original Series". Netflix Media Center. 6 February 2019.
  6. ^ a b Gallego, Laura (6 February 2019). "Memorias de Idhún, nueva serie de animación en Netflix". lauragallego.com. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  7. ^ "The Idhun Chronicles – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  8. ^ Gallego, Laura. "Sobre el doblaje en castellano de la serie Memorias de Idhún". lauragallego.com. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  9. ^ Zorrilla, Mikel (10 September 2020). "'Memorias de Idhún': una aventura a medio gas para Netflix que mejora con el doblaje en inglés". Espinof (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  10. ^ Serba, John (10 September 2020). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'The Idhun Chronicles' on Netflix, a Dragons-and-Unicorns Fantasy Anime Among Many". Decider. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  11. ^ Solà Gimferrer, Pere (17 September 2020). "El bochorno de 'Memorias de Idhún' de Netflix". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 October 2020.
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