Women Wearing Shoulder Pads Review: A Telenovela Perfect for Adult Swim

Adult Swim has long been a hospitable platform for stop-motion animation. Since its early days, the network has embraced experimental animations, and hit shows like “Robot Chicken,” “Morel Orel,” and “Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole” have demonstrated that stop-motion can hold its own alongside other popular animated series. However, “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” is poised to usher in a fresh era with Adult Swim as it offers not just stop-motion animation, but entirely Spanish content with English subtitles. This innovative approach could potentially shatter barriers on the network, and it presents a compelling argument for doing so.

Adult Swim has been venturing more into showcasing non-English language series, even with subtitles, through their anime releases on Toonami. However, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads marks one of the first non-anime shows to take this step. This new endeavor promises an exciting introduction to a whole new realm of animation possibilities for Adult Swim fans. The latest animated series by Gonzalo Córdova and Cinema Fantasma’s team combines the best elements from classic telenovela hits with a perfect blend of quirkiness and creativity, making it a great fit for Adult Swim viewers.

In my perspective as an observer, I’d rephrase it as:

“Arriving in Quito, Ecuador from Spain, the affluent Marioneta Negocios, portrayed by Pepa Pallarés, enters a unique town where guinea pigs are colossal, a spectacle that draws Matadors like Espada (Kerygma Flores) to hunt them for entertainment. Her ambition is to establish a vast empire by breeding these giants as pets. However, this plan encounters turbulence as the guinea pigs’ size and their use in blood sports stirs up a storm in her life.

The calm waters are further disturbed by Doña Quispe (Laura Torres), a masked admirer or adversary, whose intentions remain unclear. The situation becomes even more complex with revolutionary forces advocating for the guinea pigs’ freedom and a growing number of individuals who hold strong feelings, be it affection or animosity, towards Marioneta.

Upon first glance, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads stands out as stunningly beautiful and meticulously crafted. The creative minds at Cinema Fantasma (responsible for Frankelda’s Book of Spooks) have breathed vibrant life into Quito, with a captivating color scheme that is a visual delight. This attention to detail is evident in every character, each boasting a distinctive design that sets them apart from one another and looks extraordinary when in motion. Although stop-motion animation has been used by Adult Swim before, it has never looked as impressive as it does here. This series takes animation to new heights with its scene composition.

In the film “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads,” numerous rain-soaked scenes are visually stunning and engaging. One noteworthy instance stands out: Marioneta breaking up with someone before her subsequent abduction. This scene is artfully lit, creating an atmosphere that perfectly encapsulates the emotional turmoil of the characters. Throughout this sequence, rain beads flow continuously without pause, adding to the captivating allure of the scene. Regardless of what’s unfolding in each moment, viewers can’t help but become enthralled by watching it unfold before their eyes.

The significant aspect here is the unique narrative style presented by “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads.” For many animation enthusiasts, this will be their introduction to soap operas, particularly those originating from Latin America. While sharing similarities with American daytime soaps, these shows aren’t shy about a more gritty approach and portraying less likable characters. The protagonist Marioneta is ambitious, which unfortunately makes her a prime target for others. In this series, the world seems to revolve around her, and as a result, characters wear their emotions openly on their sleeves.

The television series is filled with an abundance of drama, mystery, and even hints of sensuality, which adds to its dynamic flow. The show, titled “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads,” brims with energy as the characters are strong-willed and have distinct goals. As the story unfolds, each character’s journey intertwines in a captivating finale that ties together their individual narratives. Watching this series is incredibly engaging, and it leaves you eagerly anticipating the next episode, much like the top-tier soap operas on television.

The show, “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads,” isn’t only about seriousness; instead, its unique charm originates here. Although it maintains a straight narrative and universe, it cleverly leverages being stop-motion animation to add a touch of whimsy. For instance, in this series, guinea pigs are as big as cars, and you’ll even witness a duck voluntarily jumping into a paper shredder. Yet, Marioneta casually overlooks such absurdities because they’re just part of her world. She’s a character who effortlessly accepts having multiple admirers due to her strong self-belief that she’s exceptional.

The eccentricities and significant scenes aren’t merely absurd for comic relief; rather, they arise from the development of a character such as Marioneta navigating through life, observing how others adapt around her. Her portrayal as a captivating protagonist makes the surrounding drama intriguing. Add to that other memorable characters like Espada, who grapples with unrequited love for Marioneta throughout the series, and it’s truly an engaging spectacle to behold.

Stepping into the world of ‘Women Wearing Shoulder Pads’ is like diving headfirst into a captivating soap opera, exclusively starring an all-female ensemble. This show doesn’t shy away from delivering uproarious visual humor and spontaneous jokes when the opportunity arises. But what truly sets it apart is its stunning artistic presentation, making each episode a visual treat to behold. By the season finale, you’ll find yourself yearning for more!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Women Wearing Shoulder Pads premieres with Adult Swim on Sunday, August 17th at midnight.

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2025-08-11 18:42