Cult classic Bee and PuppyCat made its wayto Netflix last year following years of stalled production and multiple delays in the release of its highly anticipated second season. The show tells the story of a Bee, a young woman with a string of failed jobs behind her and an uncertain future. Bee’s world turns upside down the day a mysterious alien nicknamed PuppyCat lands on top of her umbrella. Together, the unlikely duo works various temp jobs around space and discovers what it means to grow up, change, and connect with others. The surrealist comedy has garnered a dedicated following which gravitated toward the show’s soothing yet somehow unsettling atmosphere. In an increasingly expanding world of adult animation, Bee and PuppyCat stands out due to its unique artistic style and off-beat storytelling. 

The show’s creator, Natasha Allegri, first came up with the idea for Bee and PuppyCat over 13 years ago. As an animator creating surrealist content, her options were limitless, and without any commercial support, she set out to create an adult comedy about being thrown into the world of space travel and alien beings. The result, at the time, was a less-polished version of the modern-day series, although the color palette and character design have not changed much since. Bee and PuppyCat’s appeal as a surrealist, floaty comedy amidst countless melodramatic or otherwise realistic shows was evident from the start. The newest season, released exclusively on Netflix, veered drastically from the streaming giant’s catalogue to critical acclaim.

Humble Beginnings

Bee and PuppyCat first began as an animated pilot episode uploaded onto YouTube. Following its success on the platform, the animation studio p ro d u c i n g t h e s h ow o p e n e d a crowdfunding campaign via Kickstarter to raise funds to make a full series based on the beloved pilot episode. The campaign began with the goal of raising 600,000 United States dollars (USD) in funds meant to develop six short episodes. By the deadline, the crowdfunding attempt proved massively successful, surpassing the initial goal by an additional 200,000 USD pledged by over 18,000 backers. The particularly sentimental feelings fans had towards the series due to their involvement in its eventual development could just be what helped boost it into cult-classic fame within the world of adult animation.

Undoubtedly, Bee and PuppyCat was heavily influenced by Japanese animations and similar aesthetics. The artistic style of the show developed into a more rounded and almost “cute” aesthetic (or some other noun is needed here) along the years, a great departure from the look of the original pilot episode, which more closely resembled Rick and Morty or other, grittier television series. Despite similarities to other animations targeted at adults, the core of Bee and PuppyCat had a unique feeling from the start. From the very first scene in the pilot episode, the ambience created by slow synth music and the absurd dialogue feels completely original and heartfelt. This appeal, perhaps, is what continues to draw people into the world of Bee and her alien friend. 

Surrealism... in Space!

The genre of surrealism is, by nature, broader than most other genres of media. Since it is not confined by any rules, artists creating surrealist art often push boundaries and attempt to create something fresh yet enjoyable. Allegri uses her own signature blend of realism and absurdity to create her own brand of humor, in which everyday awkward social interactions are amplified tenfold by bizarre circumstances, such as working a temp job on a cube-shaped planet made of jelly. Viewers can be delighted both by the very human situations Bee gets thrown into, as well as the sheer creativity behind the absurdist part of the series. Each time PuppyCat opens his mouth and his signature, gibberish synthesizer-like voice emerges, audiences can choose to either laugh at the words coming out of his mouth or marvel at the ludicrous situation he is describing.

Rather than leaning entirely into slapstick comedy or high-art surrealism, Bee and PuppyCat instead merges the two masterfully, creating comedy out of the absurd and providing grounded reactions to the most outlandish situations. The show is also presented in an almost hypnotizing fashion, with music and colors meant to soothe the viewer. The leisurely pace of most episodes allows watchers to fully relax, and the cool tones of the show add an element of serenity even in the show’s more dramatic or action-filled moments. Appealing to audiences of all ages, but particularly to Millennials and Gen Z, the series manages to do what so few animations can – bridge the gap between generational humor.

Through The Telescope

Most of the show’s comedy and surrealism come from its depiction of interpersonal relationships of the bizarre cast of characters. While Bee is the protagonist, Bee and PuppyCat is about so much more than her. A child landlord navigates his way through the world without his mother, his siblings live and work together, and friendsslash-enemies figure out how to get along. While the situations they find themselves in are framed as ludicrous and humorous, the characters’ problems and conflicts are still very human and grounded in reality. Put against the backdrop of an endless galaxy with far m o re p re s s i n g m a tte rs, t h e s e relationship problems should appear less urgent, yet they do not. The plot is driven mostly by very human mistakes and issues, and the galactic setting is used more to contrast the humanity of the problems than to undermine them. The characters learn to understand each other and grow together. Even Bee, who should have nothing in common with a gibberish-speaking cat-dog hybridlooking alien, finds common ground with PuppyCat. Despite the wide range of personalities in the show, these people and creatures from all across the galaxy still manage to bond and reach a mutual understanding. They are not perfect in any way, but their genuine connections and love is what gets them through their struggles. Beyond the calming music and unique visuals, Bee and PuppyCat is so loved because, at its center, it is a familiar and warm story of a young woman making her way through the world. 

Television Series Information

Genre: Comedy Drama, Fantasy, Surrealism 

Creator: Natasha Allegri 

Starring: Allyn Rachel, Kent Osborne, Alexander James Rodriguez 

Running Time: 25 to 30 minutes per episode 

Streaming Platform: Netflix