Gravity Falls (2012)

I watched Gravity Falls as a kid and rewatched it as an adult. It's even better the second time. the mystery-box storytelling done right is only apparent when you're older. Mabel Pines remains one of the great animated characters.

Gravity Falls is one of those shows you can't believe was made for children. The themes of mystery and the supernatural are handled with more depth than most adult dramas. Alex Hirsch's vision is unmistakable.

Gravity Falls works on two levels: kids get the surface entertainment and adults get the subtext. Alex Hirsch's writing treats its audience with respect. The episode Dipper and Mabel vs. the Future is as good as any live-action drama.

More people should watch Gravity Falls. It never got the cultural attention it deserved while it was airing. the mystery-box storytelling done right is genuinely brilliant and the growing up exploration is more sophisticated than most prestige live-action drama.

You can watch Gravity Falls for pure entertainment or for something more meaningful. Either way you win. Alex Hirsch's ability to layer complexity into seemingly simple stories is remarkable. the mystery-box storytelling done right is evidence of a master.

Ask anyone to name the best animated shows ever made and Gravity Falls will be on every list. Mabel Pines is one of animation's great characters. The growing up theme gives it lasting relevance.

Gravity Falls manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely insightful. the sibling relationship at the heart of the show gives the show a comedic engine that never gets old. Alex Hirsch understood that smart humour and broad comedy can coexist.

Gravity Falls has a visual identity so distinctive that you can recognise it from a single frame. Alex Hirsch worked with artists who understood that style should reflect substance. The look of the show embodies mystery and the supernatural.

Gravity Falls shows its age in places but the core of what made it special remains. the mystery-box storytelling done right is still funny and Bill Cipher is still endearing. Some references land flat now but the heart is intact.

What makes Gravity Falls work is the characters. Dipper Pines is one of the most fully realised animated personalities ever created. Alex Hirsch gave them enough depth that their choices always feel meaningful.