This 2023 Netflix Animated Fantasy Movie Deserved To Be a Kpop Demon Hunters-Sized Hit (& Fans Should Watch It)

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The Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunters quickly became a massive hit, exceeding all predictions. It centers on the K-pop group HUNTR/X—Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho), Mira (voiced by May Hong), and Zoey (voiced by Ji-young Yoo)—who balance the demands of global stardom with their secret lives as supernatural fighters. Within just a few months, it became Netflix’s most popular title, attracting more viewers than both the film Red Notice and the series Squid Game. Its success was boosted by an innovative soundtrack, including the hugely popular single “Golden,” which topped the Billboard charts for weeks. The movie’s unique animation style, blending music video visuals with modern anime, created a truly unforgettable experience. While KPop Demon Hunters is rightfully receiving a lot of attention, there’s another deserving animated film on Netflix that deserves to be seen.

Released in 2023, Nimona is a big, imaginative science-fantasy adventure that had a surprisingly tough journey to the big screen. It’s based on the popular graphic novel by ND Stevenson and originally started at Blue Sky Studios, but the project was canceled when Disney bought 20th Century Fox. Luckily, Annapurna Pictures and Netflix stepped in to help directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane finish their vision of a world that blends technology and medieval times. The story centers on Nimona (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz), a shapeshifting teenager who teams up with Ballister Boldheart (voiced by Riz Ahmed), a knight wrongly accused of a crime. Despite earning strong reviews and an Academy Award nomination, Nimona didn’t achieve the same level of commercial success as KPop Demon Hunters, even though the two films share many similarities.

Nimoma Is About Accepting the Differences

The movie Nimona explores the clash between established rules and being true to yourself. It takes place in a kingdom that has spent centuries protecting itself from supposed monsters, and uses Nimona’s ability to change shape to represent those who don’t fit in and the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. The kingdom’s law enforcement, led by the Director, teaches knights to fear anything different. However, the film challenges this idea, showing that what’s considered monstrous can actually be a powerful form of self-expression. Nimona’s determination to stay true to herself, rather than trying to change, makes her a force that reveals how easily a society built on fear can crumble.

Both Nimona and KPop Demon Hunters powerfully explore the emotional damage caused by feeling like an outsider. While the members of HUNTR/X are seen as flawless, the story focuses on the immense pressure Rumi faces due to public expectations, especially as she hides her half-demon nature. Rumi struggles with being her true self versus the perfect image her mentor, Celine, demands. Like Nimona, she lives in a world that sees being different as something to be eliminated, rather than embraced as part of who she is.

Both films explore how people in power use propaganda to control those who are different. In Nimona, the Director uses the story of Gloreth to justify getting rid of anything she doesn’t understand. Likewise, in KPop Demon Hunters, Celine’s biases cause Rumi to feel ashamed of who she is. In the end, both stories show the importance of rejecting the pressure to conform. Nimona and the HUNTR/X team can only succeed by embracing their true selves and finding their place in the world.

Nimona‘s Top-Notch Animation Is Amazing

Beyond its compelling story, Nimona is a remarkable feat of digital animation. Created by DNEG Animation, the film stands out visually from other major studios with a unique style. It uses a special rendering process that makes everything look hand-painted, combining illustrated backgrounds with 3D characters that feel drawn. This approach keeps the film true to the look and feel of the original graphic novel, avoiding the typical polished CGI appearance. The animators also prioritized showing characters’ personalities through their movements, rather than focusing on realistic anatomy – this is especially noticeable during Nimona’s quick transformations.

Both Nimona and KPop Demon Hunters share a bold, artistic style. Sony Pictures Animation used techniques developed for the Spider-Verse films to create a visually striking world for KPop Demon Hunters that feels like a vibrant K-pop concert. Both films intentionally avoid overly realistic details, instead using color and light to emphasize feelings and create a unique look. Nimona demonstrates that animation can be cutting-edge while still honoring artistic traditions, and the similar approach in KPop Demon Hunters suggests both films have the potential to be hugely popular.

Nimona is currently available to stream on Netflix.

What do you think – is Nimona as enjoyable as KPop Demon Hunters? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-13 00:12