9 Years Later, Netflix’s Easy-to-Binge Fantasy Gem Still Lives Rent-Free in Fans’ Heads

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With so many streaming options available today, it’s great that there’s always something to watch, but it also means some shows get overlooked. One such show is Kulipari, an animated series that started in 2016 and hasn’t gotten much attention. It’s based on books by former NFL player Trevor Pryce and tells the story of frog warriors in a fantasy version of the Australian Outback.

I’m a huge fan of Kulipari, and it’s a bit complicated because it’s technically three separate shows! The first two, Kulipari: An Army of Frogs and Kulipari: Dream Walker, you can find on Netflix. Sadly, Netflix didn’t continue the series, but Hulu stepped in to finish the story with a shorter season called Kulipari: A King Rises. If you’re looking for something to really dive into, all three seasons together are about nine and a half hours long – perfect for a weekend binge!

Kulipari is Unique Among Fantasy Stories

Kulipari was a story about frogs living in a peaceful land called Amphibilands. Long ago, special frogs called Kulipari, who had magical powers, protected them. However, most of the Kulipari died creating a magical shield, called the Veil, to keep everyone safe. This brought peace for a while, but the frogs’ enemies, the scorpions, teamed up with the Spider Queen Jarrah to destroy the Veil and start a new war against Amphibilands.

After the initial conflict, Darel – the son of a Kulipari warrior who didn’t receive his father’s abilities – stepped up to protect their land from a combined attack by scorpions and spiders. The second season jumped ahead in time and followed a group of young poison frogs as they trained to become the next Kulipari defenders.

The show’s stories and background were heavily inspired by the myths and legends of Aboriginal Australians. Many of the names used, including ‘Kulipari’ – a word meaning poison – came from Aboriginal cultures. The series also featured the Rainbow Serpent, an important figure in Aboriginal beliefs.

What made Kulipari unique was its inspiration: Australian mythology, which isn’t often seen in fictional stories. Creator Travis Pryce specifically chose this as the foundation for his world because he wanted to highlight a culture that hadn’t been prominently featured in similar works, as he shared in an interview with Collider.

Kulipari Boasts a Star-Studded Voice Cast

One of the best parts of the Kulipari series was its voice cast, featuring actors many action cartoon fans will recognize. For example, Darel was voiced by the same actor who played in The Spectacular Spider-Man and other Spider-Man animated shows.

Keaton voiced Old Jir, the grumpy but wise mentor to the Kulipari. While audiences easily recognized Mark Hamill’s voice, Jir sounded distinct from his iconic roles as Luke Skywalker and the Joker. It was a particularly impressive performance, and Hamill even received an Emmy nomination for it in 2019. The show also featured a talented voice cast including Phil LaMarr, Keith David, Wendie Malick, Cree Summer, and Kevin Michael Richardson.

While Kulipari was made for younger children, fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and others can still appreciate it. Though rated for ages 7 and up, the show wasn’t afraid to deal with serious themes like death, and it became increasingly mature as the series went on.

Hulu revealed plans for a new Kulipari movie in 2023, switching from the original 2D animated series to a 3D film. Though initially expected in 2024, there haven’t been any updates about the project since the announcement.

Despite the original series facing challenges, fans are still eager for a reboot of Kulipari, hoping it will allow the franchise to finally achieve the success it deserves. The show struggled with limited funding, especially in its final season, which was shortened to just three 22-minute episodes. A fresh start could be the key to bringing Kulipari to a wider audience.

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2025-12-08 01:36