5 Reasons Fans of The 1980s ‘She-Ra’ Like The New Netflix Version, ‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’
Reboots are always going to be tough; they’re essentially reimagining something that could hold a lot of nostalgia and love for fans. The original show or movie will always be a staple for people, and it’s sometimes tricky to navigate that space for old fans when it comes to new content. However, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power received a lot of hate when it first came out in 2018 from some fans of the original. But there are reasons why other fans of the original like the new version as well.
1. It’s truly a great thing to watch with your kids
While the original, She-Ra: Princess of Power, was also meant for kids, the new She-Ra adds parents to the mix. Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is not only for kids but also for parents who are fans of the original.
While there are a lot of adults and teens that will find it on their own, fans of the original shared on Reddit in 2018, after the first season dropped, that it’s been a nice bonding experience.
“I am a huge fan of the original, grew up watching it, so I really was on the fence about the reboot,” one user wrote. “I been watching it with my seven-year-old daughter. It’s fun and original and my daughter loves it! I was pleasantly surprised.”
Another user talked about how it’s a bit more age-appropriate and aimed at the kids instead of including designs for adults.
“I like a good sex-charged power fantasy as much as the next guy, but this was a great show to sit and binge with my kids,” one user wrote. “Really want more She-Ra and some He-Man.”
2. She-Ra’s new look isn’t hypersexualized, which is good since she’s, you know, a teenager
Speaking of the former “sex-charged power fantasy” aspect of the original, it wasn’t inappropriate. But She-Ra’s look, and the look of the other characters, were pretty adult. And that’s where a lot of criticism came from when the new She-Ra’s costume was introduced.
Not only is it a different artwork style, but Adora’s transformed look is not sexualized at all, whereas the original definitely was. While the original had low-cut suits and were adult bodies, the new one is a bit more realistic, with tons of different body types all around. And an age-appropriate suit for the 16-year-old hero we meet in Season 1.
“Personally, I really love the new design,” Juho Choi, an art student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, told The Verge in 2018. “It’s simple and pleasing to the eye. There’s currently a lot of controversy over this new design, calling it masculine, but I think it’s still a very feminine design that is not hyper-sexualized. It’s really nice to see a female hero character redesigned and freed from the traditional comic book idea of functional attire for women.”
3. The stories are better developed
Even just in the first season, Adora’s growth from Horde soldier to She-Ra, warrior of the Rebellion, is deep and fascinating to watch. And all of the side characters are very well-written as well, which only adds to the engrossing viewing experience.
“The animation and writing is far superior in the new show,” another user wrote in the thread. “Please be aware when I was a child I had every single He-man toy. I had the castles, Scareglow, the Eternia towers, the works. I watched the show every single day after school.”
With around 30 years difference between the old series and the new one, there’s been a lot of progress in cartoons and animated series. The character arcs, the drama, and the action are able to be so much deeper now. The original was loved for a reason, but the new one takes Etheria and its characters and elevates them.
4. Some characters received a much-needed update
Going off of arcs and stories being better written, fans also love the updates to old favorites too.
“Hordak, from what little we saw of him, is much cleverer than the original,” the original poster noted. Hordak in the reboot is sinister and has so many layers to his scheming, as you find out through the series.
Catra, another nemesis for Adora/She-Ra, got a new purpose too. One that’s intertwined with Adora in the new version and adds so much dimension to the roles.
“I’m really liking the new take on Catra, Madame Raz, and Hordak in particular,” another user said. “I have been watching the original series on Netflix too, and I think people forget how awful the voice acting and general plots were. This new series is definitely more polished in that regard.”
5. The LGBTQ aspect of the new show is a win for many
Speaking of Catra, she, along with many characters on She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, are a part of the LGBTQ community. While that, of course, wasn’t in the original because of the time, the new reboot is a trailblazer in queer animation.
Everything about the new She-Ra is inherently gay. From characters’ sexualities to gayness just being a normal part of people’s lives in the show, it sets new highs for LGBTQ representation.
“Voltron… killed off its gay characters. Meanwhile, She-Ra plenty of gay characters,” one user wrote. “Also, Voltron failed to live up to Klance while Catra and Adora is the slow burn queer romance we deserve.”
From even Season 1, fans could grasp the tortured romantic chemistry between Adora and Catra. It is a slow burn, something that doesn’t see pay off until Season 5. But it’s so worth it. For fans, and for the characters’ overall development. While a show being “super gay” (in a good way) isn’t something everyone might root for, fans of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power adore.
So whether you’re a die-hard fan of the 1980’s She-Ra or not, the new one is definitely worth a try.
