The first serie was very cool and it set high expectations but ZeroCalcare has been able to exceed them. There is definitely a political aspect however, beyond that, there is much more. The stories of Zero and his friends are an excellent picture of the society and its contradictions which generate hate and social tensions. It is not an easy topic but he never slips into the essay, the stereotypes, the boredom, etc. This is remarkable. On top you have a lot of funny moments which burst laugh few seconds before an emotional moment. All together supported by an amazing soundtrack composed by original tunes, classic rock/pop songs and hidden gems.
14 Reviews
We should have more series like this
pachomar5 July 2023
After binge watching season 1, I just couldn't help to watch the new one. Honestly, the series is still a great mixture of comedy, social commentary, that goes deep into the complexity of humanity and at the same time can make you think on some of the actions we do and people we take for granted. This second season is more oriented on media manipulation and discrimination. Honestly, I didn't find it as good as season 1, but to be fair, season 1 put the bar really high. Plus, the ending is kind of inconclusive (they could have shown what happened to... let's say, the center of the plot for this season) Still wort watching and hopefully more seasons will come.
One of the few things where the message of hope can be taken seriously
GiraffeDoor26 July 2023
Signore Calcare does it again.
It's really just season 2 of his own mind but like "Stroppare" there is an overarching narrative though here it is more front and center with fewer asides (but there are a few asides).
The first season was a hard act to follow but this story of how the people who brush in and out of our lives and how we end up feeling guilt for all we never did for them is touching in a candid way that goes just about far enough without over-complicating itself.
Zerocalcare, not unlike Art Spiegelman, has perfected the art of putting himself at the center of his art. He hasn't based his main character on himself but it truly is himself and while I am totally willing to believe at the very least some license was taken for the sake of good story telling, it is easy to accept this as a true story for its candour and brutalism.
As he weaves a rich tapestry in visual metaphor and a plethora of cultural illusions both classical and popular (mostly popular), the unromantic sting of real life glooms through rather hauntingly.
Zero's friends are more central this time around and their relationship is fleshed out which was cool. The soundtrack is creatively picked out and it captures a lush zeitgeist of both the Urban Rome that the tourists don't notice and the retro '90s.
It is a self-portrait created from the collisions with other people but the final note is that he knows very well that there's a world out there that's not all about him.
If you haven't seen the original Italian, please enjoy Zero just doing his thing.
It's really just season 2 of his own mind but like "Stroppare" there is an overarching narrative though here it is more front and center with fewer asides (but there are a few asides).
The first season was a hard act to follow but this story of how the people who brush in and out of our lives and how we end up feeling guilt for all we never did for them is touching in a candid way that goes just about far enough without over-complicating itself.
Zerocalcare, not unlike Art Spiegelman, has perfected the art of putting himself at the center of his art. He hasn't based his main character on himself but it truly is himself and while I am totally willing to believe at the very least some license was taken for the sake of good story telling, it is easy to accept this as a true story for its candour and brutalism.
As he weaves a rich tapestry in visual metaphor and a plethora of cultural illusions both classical and popular (mostly popular), the unromantic sting of real life glooms through rather hauntingly.
Zero's friends are more central this time around and their relationship is fleshed out which was cool. The soundtrack is creatively picked out and it captures a lush zeitgeist of both the Urban Rome that the tourists don't notice and the retro '90s.
It is a self-portrait created from the collisions with other people but the final note is that he knows very well that there's a world out there that's not all about him.
If you haven't seen the original Italian, please enjoy Zero just doing his thing.
masterpiece
laszlomezofalvi9 June 2023
Can not tell you how good it is.... His previous netflix series was also perfect, at made it again. The characters are so reals you can feel it through the screen. All the visiual and the audio experience is beautiful. Yes its animation, but it tells story so much better than any movie or series nowdays.
Zerocalcare has something that you can not learn, it came from him, so naturally, you just sitt and watch, and most of the moments like it already happened with me before... I guess my english is far not good enough to let everyone know, that you must see this piecee of art, so much better than those usual streaming products, it hs got soul!!
Zerocalcare has something that you can not learn, it came from him, so naturally, you just sitt and watch, and most of the moments like it already happened with me before... I guess my english is far not good enough to let everyone know, that you must see this piecee of art, so much better than those usual streaming products, it hs got soul!!
A series that makes you cry and laugh.
boozevyl11 June 2023
"This World Can't Tear Me Down" is a brilliantly crafted series that seamlessly blends humor, existential crisis, and poignant moments that tug at your heartstrings. With a delightful balance of wit and introspection, it takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impact. An adult cartoon that not only entertains but also imparts valuable ethical lessons to its audience in a captivating and engaging manner.
Despite its comedic facade, the show also has its somber moments that hit you unexpectedly. The narrative skillfully transitions from light-hearted humor to moments of sadness and introspection, leaving you emotionally invested at all times, an emotional rollercoaster of a show that reaches levels of existential crisis and various life issues and hardships like no other.
His last series was equally intriguing, and left a wholeheartedly good impression of the artist and what he stands for.
It is no wonder why Italy takes great pride in the upbringing of this artist. A briliant, briliant storyteller and person. Would highly recommend regardless of age. Do not brush this gem off.
Despite its comedic facade, the show also has its somber moments that hit you unexpectedly. The narrative skillfully transitions from light-hearted humor to moments of sadness and introspection, leaving you emotionally invested at all times, an emotional rollercoaster of a show that reaches levels of existential crisis and various life issues and hardships like no other.
His last series was equally intriguing, and left a wholeheartedly good impression of the artist and what he stands for.
It is no wonder why Italy takes great pride in the upbringing of this artist. A briliant, briliant storyteller and person. Would highly recommend regardless of age. Do not brush this gem off.
We all have a story
ayalvarez-9376416 June 2023
I'm so sorry about my english, I have no the best writting but I didn't want to let it stop me from talking about an amazing series.
When I saw in my netflix feed that a new Zerocalcare serie was ready to release, I was so worried about it. Tear alone the dotted line was one of my favortie series of last year, and even today I watch the last episode and feel chills, and the main reason is the sesation of closure . But this new serie was something different, because it is able to make you understand the point of view of a lot of different kind of people, even characters was already introduced.
It is important to say that, eventhough it is a new story, it is usefull to watch Tear along the dotted line in order to understand the characters behavior.
This serie is a must watch, it have a perfect balance of comedy and drama. It have the power of make you laugh and cry in least than 20 minutes each episode. If this isn't a emotional serie, I don't know which one could be.
When I saw in my netflix feed that a new Zerocalcare serie was ready to release, I was so worried about it. Tear alone the dotted line was one of my favortie series of last year, and even today I watch the last episode and feel chills, and the main reason is the sesation of closure . But this new serie was something different, because it is able to make you understand the point of view of a lot of different kind of people, even characters was already introduced.
It is important to say that, eventhough it is a new story, it is usefull to watch Tear along the dotted line in order to understand the characters behavior.
This serie is a must watch, it have a perfect balance of comedy and drama. It have the power of make you laugh and cry in least than 20 minutes each episode. If this isn't a emotional serie, I don't know which one could be.
Excellent animation series
eleonoraantonacci19 June 2023
This gem represents deeply what's the reality in the suburbs of Rome. What lies in the lives of a generation of people born in the 80', their values, what is worth fighting for, and all the uncertainties and existential questions that life puts in front of you every single day.
His language ( by that i mean the appearance of the characters and the way they speak) represents 100% how people from Rome express themselves, their being so sincere and so warm but at the same so sadly realist and hard-hearted, being used to the injustice of a society so difficult to live in. I felt so close to the main character, and the questions he tries to answer to, his attempt to understand what is right and what is wrong, and i believe that everyone should asks himself the same kind of questions.
Overall, I loved this series, it was very emotional and over all fun and compelling.
His language ( by that i mean the appearance of the characters and the way they speak) represents 100% how people from Rome express themselves, their being so sincere and so warm but at the same so sadly realist and hard-hearted, being used to the injustice of a society so difficult to live in. I felt so close to the main character, and the questions he tries to answer to, his attempt to understand what is right and what is wrong, and i believe that everyone should asks himself the same kind of questions.
Overall, I loved this series, it was very emotional and over all fun and compelling.
As good as the first series
Kol8811 June 2023
Another amazing part, first series Tear Along the Dotted Line was brilliant, sad and so enjoyable that I wished it had more episodes now we are treated with well I wouldn't call it a sequel but rather a continuation with This World Can't Tear Me Down, again 6 episodes in total like a longer movie in short and it's amazing. The story, the characters their views on life and things they are going through with choices they make, with adorable armadillo as conscience perfect. Honestly first season left me speechless it was like gut punch, this one is not that much hard but is still worth the watch, honestly Zerocalcare did it again, he made an amazing show. This show with its first part and my favorite anime show Castlevania is the sole reason why it's worth it to pay for Netflix. If you watched first part watch this, if you haven't watched the first part watch that and then watch this. I promise it will be worth it.
Relevant, topical and very human
elektroskansen14 June 2023
I don't want to spoil too much, but saying absolutely nothing about the plot makes it hard to explain why this series hit so hard. So, please mind: I'm only speaking about the setting and not the details of the plot.
A shelter for refugees is established in downtown Rome. And the series portrays a group of friends that split because they either want the shelter stay or be gone.
What the series does brilliantly is portraying the people who want the shelter to be gone. They are not simply evil monsters who hate people from oher countries, but have deep socio-psychological reasons for their stance. And likewise,people who defend the shelter aren't portrayed as do-goody angels, but people who have some agenda in it, making the whole thing morally grey.
It's not as depressing as Tear Along The Dotted Line, but is equally deep and sadly humorous. This is adult animation at its best.
A shelter for refugees is established in downtown Rome. And the series portrays a group of friends that split because they either want the shelter stay or be gone.
What the series does brilliantly is portraying the people who want the shelter to be gone. They are not simply evil monsters who hate people from oher countries, but have deep socio-psychological reasons for their stance. And likewise,people who defend the shelter aren't portrayed as do-goody angels, but people who have some agenda in it, making the whole thing morally grey.
It's not as depressing as Tear Along The Dotted Line, but is equally deep and sadly humorous. This is adult animation at its best.
rawness and comedy between creativity and reality
SaaSDarling10 June 2023
Zerocalcare's new series, a quite realistic, crude and poetic animation in many aspects, enjoys high creativity, as in its previous animation (Strappate Lungo I Bordi), it has a similar format, the crudeness and realism are not limited to show but are exhibited in all splendor to express such a sensitive situation and issues as this series touches in a comical, realistic and dramatic way, the entertainment offered in its approximately 3 hours of duration is high and its replay value is booming, a work of art and a jewel of animation that joins this 2023 and history in general.
Questo Mondo Non Mi Renderá Cattivo.
Questo Mondo Non Mi Renderá Cattivo.
Boring and meaningless
poncinaleonardo28 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Imagine writing a full series about a municipal council, with typical cliches good left wing on the side of illegal immigrants and evil nazis against it, were it all ends in total meaningless epilogue, were one of the bad guys, who was a friend of the protagonist, mysteriously changes his idea in the middle of the fight and gets beaten by the nazis. Full of cliches, too political, not funny (unlike the previous show), overall boring. Good animations and audio, but you know, you don't watch a show for these things, you watch a show if it's capable of transmitting something, and trust me this isn't the case.
wow, netflix finally spent money on something other than fellating satan!
quinnwaters26 April 2024
I dont know this artists first work, but i am very impressed with this piece.
Thank you much for the excellent visual art direction and hilarious bits that tie in the dialog to the monologue of the main character that runs throughout.
There are some parts that seem a little too on the nose for me, but overall the series, so far, im on season one, has been quite a nice ride. The animation is excellent, smooth and seamless between 2d cell and from what i can tell sporadic 3d effects. Addition of things like lens flare and perhaps some volumetric lighting really puts the lotion in the basket for me.
Other than the docs, most if not all of the other netflix originals seem to be weak story lines with 'shocking' twists that are just poor rehashings of tired hollywood cliches that glorify fornication, violence, and narcissistic behavior/lifestyles beyond cable tv's now archaic periphery.
This almost makes me want to pay for netflix just to make make sure this guy gets a second season!!!
Thank you much for the excellent visual art direction and hilarious bits that tie in the dialog to the monologue of the main character that runs throughout.
There are some parts that seem a little too on the nose for me, but overall the series, so far, im on season one, has been quite a nice ride. The animation is excellent, smooth and seamless between 2d cell and from what i can tell sporadic 3d effects. Addition of things like lens flare and perhaps some volumetric lighting really puts the lotion in the basket for me.
Other than the docs, most if not all of the other netflix originals seem to be weak story lines with 'shocking' twists that are just poor rehashings of tired hollywood cliches that glorify fornication, violence, and narcissistic behavior/lifestyles beyond cable tv's now archaic periphery.
This almost makes me want to pay for netflix just to make make sure this guy gets a second season!!!
MASTERPIECE
georgiaasimoglou26 January 2024
I can t begin to describe how amazing ZEROCALCARE animation stories are , the story was right on spot , everyone and everything is taking from real life experiences . I loved that his friends grew up too thinking about how life is treating them ,and trying to do their best, but they dont give up , the world hasnt tear them apart , they dont change their belief just to get away with it. I also loved his thoughts regarding his friend Cezare , although he couldnt help him ,at the end they did save his life .... hopefully Netfix will give us more seasons of this amazing animation. ITS THE BEST THING ON NETFIX.
Disappointing
abeaS_oyR5 July 2023
Disclaimer: this review refers to the Italian dub.
"Appizzato, fa pippa, s'impiccia, sta a rota, fatto i buffi con gente, ti voleva crepà 3 piotte, s'engrugna, regge botta".
This is just a small list of terms continuously used in the series that nobody outside of Rome understands. This series, in the "Italian" dub, is intended way too much for a Roman audience. It's cute that in the first episode they make the effort to explain a single word that they believe non-Romans would not understand, but then there is all the rest that is taken for granted.
Honestly, as a non-Roman, I understood very little and I struggled to understand what was said and what was happening. (Secco, in particular, is completely unintelligible). They'd better dub and adapt the series into proper Italian, I'd lose the Romanity but I'd understand what's going on. Zerocalcare's dubbing was fine when he used to make the hilarious 5-minute self-produced videos, where he did everything, from animation to all the voices: he spoke very fast due to duration requirements, you had to commit yourself but it was for a short time and the videos were very funny. The previous Netflix series was also acceptable, all in all, it was a kind of evolution of his home-made videos. However, if Zerocalcare wants to continue with the series business, they strongly need a real dubbing and an adaptation in Italian. Otherwise it's only for Romans. How can they expect that outside of Rome you understand all those Roman terms, come on.
For the rest, apart from the fact that I understood little of what was being said, the problem with the series is that I laughed very little. "Tear Along the Dotted Line" had me laughing so hard, so I can't tell what went wrong here.
Furthermore, another aspect that didn't please me is the concept of neighborhood pride, incomprehensible to me, which permeates all the episodes and is the central reason that makes the story go on, when the real theme, the important one, is way too hidden, just a small space is dedicated to it in the last episode. I liked "Tear Along the Dotted Line" a lot, it was about universal themes. "This World" talks about events in a district of Rome that I struggle to understand.
"Appizzato, fa pippa, s'impiccia, sta a rota, fatto i buffi con gente, ti voleva crepà 3 piotte, s'engrugna, regge botta".
This is just a small list of terms continuously used in the series that nobody outside of Rome understands. This series, in the "Italian" dub, is intended way too much for a Roman audience. It's cute that in the first episode they make the effort to explain a single word that they believe non-Romans would not understand, but then there is all the rest that is taken for granted.
Honestly, as a non-Roman, I understood very little and I struggled to understand what was said and what was happening. (Secco, in particular, is completely unintelligible). They'd better dub and adapt the series into proper Italian, I'd lose the Romanity but I'd understand what's going on. Zerocalcare's dubbing was fine when he used to make the hilarious 5-minute self-produced videos, where he did everything, from animation to all the voices: he spoke very fast due to duration requirements, you had to commit yourself but it was for a short time and the videos were very funny. The previous Netflix series was also acceptable, all in all, it was a kind of evolution of his home-made videos. However, if Zerocalcare wants to continue with the series business, they strongly need a real dubbing and an adaptation in Italian. Otherwise it's only for Romans. How can they expect that outside of Rome you understand all those Roman terms, come on.
For the rest, apart from the fact that I understood little of what was being said, the problem with the series is that I laughed very little. "Tear Along the Dotted Line" had me laughing so hard, so I can't tell what went wrong here.
Furthermore, another aspect that didn't please me is the concept of neighborhood pride, incomprehensible to me, which permeates all the episodes and is the central reason that makes the story go on, when the real theme, the important one, is way too hidden, just a small space is dedicated to it in the last episode. I liked "Tear Along the Dotted Line" a lot, it was about universal themes. "This World" talks about events in a district of Rome that I struggle to understand.
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