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Victor and Valentino

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Victor and Valentino
Genre
Created byDiego Molano
Voices of
  • Diego Molano
  • Sean-Ryan Petersen
  • Laura Patalano
ComposerArturo Rodriguez
Country of originUnited States
Original languages
  • English
  • Spanish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes119 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Running time11 minutes
Production companyCartoon Network Studios
Original release
NetworkCartoon Network
ReleaseMarch 30, 2019 (2019-03-30) –
August 26, 2022 (2022-08-26)

Victor and Valentino is an American animated television series created by Diego Molano for Cartoon Network. It is produced by Cartoon Network Studios. The series follows the titular duo, two half-brothers staying with their grandmother in the Mexican town of Monte Macabre, where they interact with supernatural beings that plague the town, many of whom are derived from Aztec, Olmec, and Mayan mythologies.

Molano later stated his excitement in "putting the "spotlight" on these cultures and in having more representation, calling the show "a baby step" in letting Latinos feel they are "part of this tapestry that’s America."[4] Molano also called the series "a supernatural adventure comedy with some action elements," and stated that he loves how he can explore his "favorite subject" (mythology) by focusing on "Mesoamerican mythologies of pre-Hispanic indigenous people of the Americas."[5]

On March 30, 2019, the show was greenlit for a full TV series, premiering simultaneously in the United States and Latin America.[6][7] On July 15, the show was renewed for a second season which premiered on April 18, 2020.[8] In February 2021, the show was renewed for a third season which premiered on September 4, 2021.[9] In August 2022, the series was removed from HBO Max in the U.S.. Later, it was announced that the third season would be the final season of the show, with the series finale airing on August 26, 2022.[10][11]

Synopsis

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In the small quiet town of Monte Macabre, two total opposite half-brothers search about the town for adventure and find strange and supernatural happenings with the help of their supernatural grandmother.[12][5][13]

Promotion, production, and release

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The idea for the show originally started as a thesis project titled High Noon in Mexico in 2002 by Molano when he was a Maryland Institute College of Art student, where Victor and Valentino were part of a video game, along with a third brother named Vicente.[4][14] In 2004, the idea took the name of "Victor, Valentino and Vicente."[15] Years later, he revisited the project when interning for Titmouse, where he worked after graduating from MICA, and worked as a "clean-up artist" on Superjail!.[5]

Being a Latin American folk-themed show,[16][17] its pilot episode premiered directly on the channel on October 29, 2016[18] (two days before their local Day of the Dead). In this pilot, Molano voiced Victor, and planned on finding someone else.[4] However, he decided to, ultimately, voice Victor in the main show. He later stated that he was, as a kid, just like Victor, thinking he could "do no wrong," and hoped the show would give a "good lesson for kids."[15]

The main show itself, is produced at Cartoon Network's studio in Burbank, California. Molano noted that this is where all the writing, storyboarding, pre- and post-production is done, with 36 people working on pre-production, while the main production of the animation is done by two studios based in Seoul: SMIP Co., LTD. and Digital eMation, Inc.[5] He further noted that the visual inspiration from the show comes from "Mesoamerica’s beautiful, ancient art styles." In 2019, Molano expressed some of the challenges with producing the show. This included condensing "large, epic scale, sometimes adult-themed myths/stories" into 11-minute episodes and making them "digestible content rated for kids."[5] He was inspired to borrow from "storylines from indigenous cultures all around Mesoamerica" in an attempt to bring them into the "US cultural imaginary."[15] The art directors of the show, two brothers, Josh Parpan and Justin Parpan, who had worked on Gravity Falls and DuckTales respectively, added their perspective. Their work allowed the "culturally-specific world for the series" to be constructed, which they showcased on a Tumblr blog titled "Folk Art Friends – The Art of Victor and Valentino."[19] In an interview with Cartoon Brew, they expressed the need to "do something new and different artistically," and immersed themselves in "a variety of Latin American art," with many forms of inspiration.

Following the announcement that the series would end after season three, Molano pitched the idea of a spin-off about Charlene titled The Lonely Haunts Club, but Cartoon Network turned it down. Concept art was drawn for the potential show.[20] Molano has stated he is unsatisfied with the show's cliffhanger ending, and hopes to conclude the story in other media.

Characters

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Main article: List of Victor and Valentino characters

Episodes

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Main article: List of Victor and Valentino episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
PilotOctober 29, 2016 (2016-10-29)
139March 30, 2019 (2019-03-30)October 26, 2019 (2019-10-26)
239April 18, 2020 (2020-04-18)May 29, 2021 (2021-05-29)
341September 4, 2021 (2021-09-04)August 26, 2022 (2022-08-26)

Broadcast

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The show first broadcast on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and Latin America on March 30, 2019, part of the channel's 2018–2019 programming lineup.[21][22][12] The show premiered on Cartoon Network UK on 26 August 2019.[23] It then premiered on September 23 in Italy with episodes 1x7 and 1x12 and then officially premiered in October 7 with regular episodes. It also aired on Cartoon Network India on 1 November 2019.

In October 2020, Cartoon Network commemorated Hispanic Heritage Month with an "ongoing content series that celebrates equality and individuality," which was narrated by Sean-Ryan Petersen, who voices Valentino, and features a "variety of powerful youth activists."[24] In addition to this, fans were encouraged to stream Victor and Valentino episodes, and those of other series,[nb 1] in Spanish on the Cartoon Network App.

On August 17, 2022, it was announced that HBO Max would be removing several series, including Victor and Valentino, in the United States.[25] The series was also removed from Cartoon Network and HBO Max in other regions the following month. Despite this, Victor and Valentino remained airing in Poland through the channel HBO 2 on Sunday mornings until the end of February 2023.

Home media

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The first 18 episodes of the series was released as a DVD titled "Victor and Valentino: Folk Art Foes," on March 2, 2021 with a total running time of about 143 minutes and language options in Spanish and English.[26]

Reception

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The series has been reviewed positively. Remezcla described it as show with Gravity Falls vibes and something that aims to give Latino kids an "entertaining look at the folktales and myths that populate the American continent."[1] Common Sense Media called the show a "comedy adventure series" based in a town which is a "setting for all kinds of supernatural oddities inspired by Latin American folklore."[3] Other reviewers concurred. The L.A. Times called the show a "supernatural action comedy," and praised its "mix of Mexican visual motifs and Japanese anime conventions," saying it makes for "something new, yet familiar."[2] Gizmodo described the show as the first series on Cartoon Network "starring a predominantly Hispanic cast" and praised the matter-of-fact, casual approach to "indigenous, Mesoamerican culture." The reviewer further stated that the show has the space to do worldbuilding while "letting its supernatural elements sometimes take the backseat" and called it a "clever, good-hearted show."[27] In the same fashion, Collider stated that the animation is "a rare title that offers up something new," that it welcomes "viewers of Mesoamerican backgrounds," shares a lot with OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, and is a series that is "fun and funny enough for kids" while offering stories "worth watching for audiences of any age."[28] Similarly, Deadline argued that the show gave off "some fun-filled" Steven Universe and Rick and Morty vibes.[13]

Notes

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  1. ^ DC Super Hero Girls and Teen Titans Go!

References

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  1. ^ a b Betancourt, Manuel (February 26, 2019). "TRAILER: Cartoon Network's 'Victor and Valentino' Is an Adventure Series About Mesoamerican Myths". Remezcla. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Lloyd, Robert (April 7, 2019). "Reviews: 'Costume Quest,' 'Victor and Valentino,' 'Lazor Wulf,' smart cartoons for young and/or old". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Victor & Valentino [review]". Common Sense Media. 2020. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Molano, Diego (March 30, 2019). "Spooky new cartoon 'Victor and Valentino' channels Mesoamerican folklore" (Interview). Interviewed by Tracy Brown. Los Angeles: L.A. Times. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e Molano, Diego (April 25, 2019). "Animated People: Diego Molano, Creator of Cartoon Network's 'Victor and Valentino'". Animation Magazine (Interview). Interviewed by Animation Magazine staff. Calabasas, California. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  6. ^ Brian Steinberg (March 8, 2018). "Cartoon Network Looks at Multiple Screens to Woo Kids". Variety. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  7. ^ Brown, Tracy (February 21, 2019). "Cartoon Network's 'Victor and Valentino' gets a premiere date". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  8. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (15 July 2019). "Cartoon Network Greenlights 'The Fungies!', 'Craig' S3 & 'Victor and Valentino' S2". Archived from the original on October 3, 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  9. ^ "WarnerMedia Expands Kids & Family Offerings on Cartoon Network and HBO Max Under New Tagline Redraw Your World" (Press release). WarnerMedia. February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  10. ^ ianjq [@ianjq] (August 22, 2022). "Dust off those TVs!..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Lang, Jamie (September 3, 2022). "Diego Molano On 'Victor & Valentino' Cliffhanger Finale And HBO Max Removing Show". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Milligan, Mercedes (February 21, 2019). "Trailer: Cartoon Network US & LatAm Launches 'Victor and Valentino' March 30". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (February 21, 2019). "'Victor And Valentino' Sets Supernatural Premiere On Cartoon Network". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  14. ^ Morán, Christian A. (February 22, 2019). "Diego Molano's 'Victor and Valentino' welcomes Cartoon Network to Monte Macabre". Latin Horror. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  15. ^ a b c Molano, Diego (March 30, 2019). "Diego Molano Aims to Teach Mesoamerican Mythology to Latino Kids With Animated Adventure Series 'Victor and Valentino'". Remezcla (Interview). Interviewed by Manuel Betancourt. United States. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  16. ^ Del Busto, Carolina (March 29, 2019). "Jenny Lorenzo, AKA Abuela, Lends Her Voice to Latino Series Victor & Valentino". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  17. ^ "Cómica y sobrenatural: habla el director de la nueva serie de Cartoon Network" [Comic and supernatural: the director of the new Cartoon Network series speaks]. Culto (in Spanish). April 20, 2019. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  18. ^ Dylan Hysen (October 29, 2016). ""Victor and Valentino" is off to a Fun, Adventurous Start". Overly Animated Podcast. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  19. ^ Parpan, Josh; Justin, Parpan (April 25, 2019). "'Victor & Valentino' Art Directors On Designing Cartoon Network's Mesoamerica-Set Show". Cartoon Brew (Interview). Interviewed by Carlos Aguilar. United States. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  20. ^ Molan, Diego (October 12, 2022). "The Creator of 'Victor and Valentino' Reflects on the Evolution of Monte Macabre (Exclusive Art)". Animation Magazine. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  21. ^ Flook, Ray (March 8, 2018). "Cartoon Network's 2018-2019 Programming Lineup Largest Yet". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  22. ^ Flores, Terry (March 29, 2019). "Cartoon Network's 'Victor and Valentino' to Debut in U.S., Latin America on Saturday". Variety. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  23. ^ RegularCapital [@RegularTweetsUK] (2019-06-27). "Cartoon Network UK August 2019 Highlights: Victor and Valentino premieres on Monday 26th August airs Weekdays at 10am and 5:30pm. Also the Teen Titans "How's this for a Special? Spaaaace" special also airs on Monday 26th August at 9am. New episodes of OK K.O! Let's Be Heroes" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved 2019-06-29 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (September 14, 2020). "CN's New 'Drawn to' Installment Honors Hispanic Heritage Month". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  25. ^ White, Peter (2022-08-17). "'Ellen's Next Great Designer', 'The Not-Too-Late Show With Elmo' & 'My Mom, Your Dad' Among Unscripted & Animated Titles Pulled From HBO Max". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  26. ^ ul-Haq, Farid (December 11, 2020). ""Victor and Valentino: Folk Art Foes" Gets DVD Release March 2021!". Geekiary. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  27. ^ Lloyd, Robert (June 19, 2019). "If You Aren't Watching Victor and Valentino Yet, Now's the Time to Start". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  28. ^ Trumbore, Dave (March 30, 2019). "'Victor and Valentino' Review: Mischievous Brothers Lead Cartoon Network's Mythological Adventure". Collider. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
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