Dreamworks Animation and Netflix have announced a reboot of ’80s cartoon She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. And with official images being released earlier this week, comes a major departure for She-Ra.
Gone is the halter top and supermodel proportions of the original, replaced by a more accurate battle suit with toned arms on show. The design is also reminiscent of Netflix’s successful Voltron series, itself another reboot of a cult 80’s cartoon, and the earlier works of She-Ra’s new showrunner Noelle Stevenson, an Eisner-winning comic book writer and artist.
— Noelle Stevenson (@Gingerhazing) July 16, 2018
She-ra is giving me this big cosmic vibe like voltron did and I'm super hype about it. pic.twitter.com/9YtHJbibQx
— ⚡『ElectricSheepDrum』⚡ (@ElectricRobo) July 16, 2018
Of course, because this is a nerd thing on the internet, certain segments of the internet are mad that She-Ra looks far more appropriate for a cartoon aimed at young girls. And by “certain segments of the internet”, I mean men, who are angry that she is no longer conventionally sexy.
The new She-Ra looks like Tom Holland. ? #SheRa pic.twitter.com/DTN4phQJHN
— Liam (@TribalSpaceman) July 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/DiversityAndCmx/status/1018367555248033792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1018367555248033792&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vox.com%2F2018%2F7%2F18%2F17585950%2Fshe-ra-redesign-controversy-netflix
It goes without saying that equating physical attractiveness and a character’s agency is a treacherous path; the controversy around making Wonder Woman a UN ambassador is testament to this.
But when a redesign that has been spearheaded by a woman faces backlash and criticism almost exclusively from men, this speaks less about that character’s agency and more about what those men deem acceptable within nerd culture.
It should also be noted that the original She-Ra was cancelled after two seasons and didn’t achieve anywhere near the success of her twin brother, He-Man, especially in the lucrative merchandise market. Even today, the market for Masters Of The Universe based nostalgia is way bigger than She-Ra’s, with a big budget movie reboot in development for the former.
That’s to say: All these fans should have been more proactive about keeping their beloved show alive. Or, maybe, they are actually just angry that media isn’t catering to their boners anymore.
1985 – "She-ra sucks"
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2018 – "THEY FUCKIN' RUINED SHE-RA!!— Jamesotron @TFNation (@Jamesotron) July 18, 2018
However, fans of the new design, to their credit, have been more than enthusiastic about the reboot, already creating fan art and showering Stevenson with support.
She-Ra is beautiful pic.twitter.com/DBbL41ImDG
— a sheep (@vixieblues) July 17, 2018
Everyone's She-Ra artworks are all so inspiring! Loving the new look. Can't wait for the show to come out! #SheRa pic.twitter.com/fpD2b2wyFZ
— Miguel Mercado (@merkymerx) July 18, 2018
So overwhelmed by the outpouring of love today for She-Ra! Thank you so much for the fanart and kind words. I hope you love the show when it comes out!
— Noelle Stevenson (@Gingerhazing) July 17, 2018
Some artists even made their message to those angry fanboys quite explicit
Am I doing the She-Ra fanart thing right? ?#SheRa pic.twitter.com/0KZjkchZiJ
— renata nolasco ? (@atxnolasco) July 17, 2018
She-Ra and the Princesses Of Power premieres on Netflix this November.