Is Disenchantment woke?
Disenchantment (2018)
TV Show
Released: January 1, 2018
Wokeness Score
7/10
Strongly Ideological
Woke messaging is very prominent and often feels forced or shoehorned in. Characters and plot are primarily shaped to serve the ideology. Many viewers feel the agenda overshadows the entertainment.
Key Summary Points
- Feminist lead subverts princess tropes and patriarchal systems through rebellion against arranged marriages and gender restrictions.
- Explicit bisexual representation with Bean’s central romance and marriage to female mermaid Mora, including queer storylines.
- Direct commentary on gender constructs and diverse relationships integrated into plot and character development.
Wokeness Analysis
Disenchantment features prominent feminist messaging centered on its lead character, Princess Bean, a rebellious alcoholic princess who repeatedly challenges patriarchal traditions like arranged marriages and gender-based exclusions from leadership roles. Creator Matt Groening has explicitly described the series as having a 'definite feminist point of view,' with voice actress Abbi Jacobson credited for amplifying pro-woman elements during production. The show includes intentional queer representation, with Bean confirmed as bisexual through her romantic relationship with mermaid Mora, culminating in a same-sex marriage and 'queer happy ending' in the finale. Episodes feature direct social commentary, such as Bean declaring 'gender is a construct' to gain entry to a council meeting and storylines involving lesbian encounters and acceptance of diverse relationships. While wrapped in fantasy adventure and Groening-style humor, these elements are prominent and intentional, often prioritizing ideological subversion of traditional gender norms and fairy-tale tropes over pure escapism. Later seasons deepen character arcs around identity, power, and relationships in ways that align with progressive inclusivity themes, making the messaging a consistent throughline rather than incidental.
Plot
Set in the medieval fantasy kingdom of Dreamland, Disenchantment follows rebellious Princess Tiabeanie 'Bean,' her naive elf companion Elfo, and her personal demon Luci. Bean, voiced by Abbi Jacobson, rejects traditional royal duties, prefers drinking and mischief, and embarks on adventures uncovering family secrets, magical conspiracies, and conflicts with her father King Zøg. The series blends adult animated comedy with fantasy elements, parodying fairy tales while exploring coming-of-age themes amid ogres, mermaids, and steampunk realms. Spanning five parts from 2018 to 2023, it evolves from episodic antics to serialized storytelling involving prophecies, battles, and personal growth.