Don't Feed the Humans

Don't Feed the Humans, created in 2020 and available on YouTube, is an intriguing online animated series that easily captures viewers' attention with its unique storyline and character-rich plot. The show's premise thinkingly borrows from popular sci-fi themes, seamlessly blending them with comedy elements to offer a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

This entertaining animated series explores the bizarre lives of a group of humans who have been captured and exhibited in an extraterrestrial zoo on an alien planet. The show's curiosity-piquing title is derived from one of the zoo's rules—'Don’t Feed The Humans'.

The story begins when four seemingly random human beings are abducted from Earth and placed in a specially designed enclosure that is a mirror image of an earthly neighborhood. Complete with typical suburban houses, these surroundings are surreally apt for the quick wit and humor that punctuates the series.

The main characters are Jack, a quick-witted and rebellious alpha male; Peg, the clever and resourceful survivor; Deb, a family woman who sometimes frays under the stress of alien imprisonment, and Duane, a book-smart man who uses his intellect to cope with their predicament. While these four individuals have their distinguishing traits, they universally share one fundamental attribute – resiliency.

As they grapple with their new reality, the humans continuously plan daring escapes from their captors, testing the limits of their alien overlords and making the best of their predicament with ingenuity, courage and, an ample amount of humor. Brewed right into the narrative is a delightful clash of cultures – the extraterrestrial and the human – and it brings to the fore funny misunderstandings and unexpected connections.

The alien captors are not just monolithic villains but are detailed characters with their story arcs. The zookeeper Jibber, paired with his assistant Jabber, often fumble their way through their responsibilities to maintain control over their human exhibits. Komodo, the menacing security chief, takes his job very seriously and is the biggest obstacle for the humans’ daring escape plans. In a subtle touch of irony, our captors aren't so different from us – they experience daily grind, deal with space bureaucracy, and have personal issues to contend with.

Don't Feed the Humans has a deft approach to its storytelling and wins over its audience not merely with comic relief but by employing a broader palette of emotions. Dissecting themes of freedom, captivity, resilience, and cultures through its characters, the show invites viewers to explore these complex subjects in a refreshingly humorously manner.

The clever dialogues and the sharp-witted humor keeps the audience engaged. The show also enjoys making meta-references, and its self-awareness adds an extra layer of enjoyment for the viewers. The animation is vibrant, well-executed, careful attention is given to details and the character designs are varied, adding depth to the narrative. The voice acting is on-point, enhancing the connection between the characters and viewers.

The series structure is episodic, with each episode generally encapsulating a self-contained story. This allows viewers to jump in at any point, though a broader narrative underpins the entire series. This narrative structure also means that individual episodes can be dedicated to exploring a specific character in greater depth and gives space to introduce new characters or situations.

In 2020, YouTube presented a platform where this web series thrived, combining clever storytelling with sharply drawn characters, wacky ideas and scenarios, punctuated by philosophical thoughts and topical wit. Through its endearing characters, captivating storylines and rich humor, Don't Feed the Humans offers a refreshing change of pace from traditional animated series, stretching the boundaries of creativity on the online platform.

To wrap up, Don't Feed the Humans is an attention-grabbing, engaging, and humorous animated series that masterfully melds the best of science-fiction with the relatability of real-life situations and addresses more profound themes through its captivating storylines. The series' success lies in its fresh concept and the creative liberty it takes, which allows it to be playful, thought-provoking, and immensely entertaining. Whether you're a fan of animation, sci-fi, or comedy, you're likely to be hooked by Don't Feed the Humans.