TV Review: The Grimm Variations (2024)

The Grimm Variations (2024) based on the Grimm Fairy Tales

This anime retelling of various popular Grimm's Fairy Tales goes more for dramatic twists and reinterpretations of the characters. Each show opens with a water color-style segment with the Brothers Grimm talking to a younger sister about each tale and how the story might be different. This segues into the "Variations" which do provide a lot of variety of interpretation, especially the settings which are moved from medieval Europe to mostly Japan.

Cinderella--What if Cinderella was not the hero of her own story? Here, Kiyoko loves to play with dolls, including a special doll that she carries with her. She is very kind and defers to others, even when her father remarries a former geisha with two daughters who are a bit vulgar and a bit greedy. Kiyoko's kindness makes them look worse as she forgives them for any and every wrong they do or do not do to her. They suspect something is up. They claim Kiyoko doesn't tell the truth in some situations, though everybody from her father and step-mother to the household servants believe in Kiyoko. The episode builds a lot of suspense around whether Kiyoko is being manipulative or not--why would she kill them with kindness? It makes for an intriguing twist on the Cinderella story.

Little Red Riding Hood--In a VR dominated future, rich men have a "Wolf Club" where they hunt real women for the fun of the chase and the kill. Grey is an enthusiastic member who is especially sadistic and wants to have experiences of non-virtual reality. He sets up a hunt outside of the group in a rundown section of town, leading to bad consequences for him. The set-up of the episode has some gristly sexual violence that almost made me turn off the show. I stuck it out but it was not rewarding, just more wallowing in sadism. Skip this episode is my recommendation.

Hansel and Gretel--Hansel and Gretel are young students in a boarding school with a very set routine that they like to upset. They get in enough trouble to be sent outside the school grounds, into the woods. They discover a small cabin with fantastic decor inside and lots of sweet treats...and an old woman who gives mysterious advice. The story is quite different from the original in interesting ways while still holding to the theme of growing up and having to take care of yourself. It was a lot more interesting and restored my faith in watching the series.

The Elves and the Shoemaker--Writer N is having a rough time. He had a hit ten or twenty years ago but is struggling with a long bout of mediocrity. He drinks a bit and has a run-in with a young, red-headed girl who gives him some honest feedback about his latest work. She is interested in him doing well and wants him to improve the story. Recovering from his hangover the next morning, he finds a manuscript on his writing table in his handwriting. He doesn't remember writing it but sends it off to his publisher anyway. It turns into a big hit and revives his career. He has several more "morning surprises" that get published though he feels awkward about the situation. The story ends oddly, as if the filmmakers wanted the viewer to have that same disorientation that N has. I don't know quite what to think of it.

The Town Musicians of Bremen--Mad Dog is an ex-deputy who has a very strong sense of righteousness in a mildly-cyberpunk American Old West. She was fired because the sheriff is too complacent about criminal gangs, especially the Wade Brothers who are based in Bremen. Dog wanders the deserts, eventually picking up Donkey, a steel worker with a giant hammer, and Cat, a prostitute who wants more out of life. They wander around, winding up in Bremen where they stir up trouble with the Wades. This story made for an interesting blend of genres but Cat's excessively large breasts and a sudden surprising ability undercut an interesting, fanciful story. It's the epitome of anime's uncomfortable blend of female empowerment with female exploitation. 

Pied Piper of Hamelin--An isolated village is ruled over by Grand Code, a matriarch who keeps a tight control on everyone. Children go to school till at most 17, then they work in the fields or, in the case of Maria (Grand Code's granddaughter), married to the most eligible man in their town. Unfortunately, Code's idea of most eligible is a ruffian and bully. Maria is more of a dreamer and her school teacher is infatuated with her. A traveler bursts in on the teacher on a dark and stormy night, offering a glimpse of the outside world for some shelter. He reluctantly agrees, a decision that puts him on the path to declaring his desire for Maria, causing a lot of other mischief. 

Like any anthology series, some episodes are better than others. The Cinderella episode is my favorite, then Hansel and Gretel. The rest are just okay, except for the very unlikeable Little Red Riding Hood. The idea of varying the thematic content of fairy tales is interesting if overdone in contemporary entertainment media. If you are interested enough, start with Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel and you will know from there if you'd like more.

Mildly recommended.

As I write (May 2025), this is only available on Netflix.