PRIMAL: No words needed.

As a lover of animation, I don’t understand how Primal managed to slip by me for so long. With the release of the new season, a billboard for the show was recently put up along my daily route, and I decided to give it a go. 

Let me tell you, this show is a MARVEL.  It’s completely devoid of dialogue, telling the story instead through a gripping soundtrack. The production quality is simple, obviously handmade by a small team. But rather than being a detriment, it creates a unique style that harkens back to the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons of the 70’s. 

Primal tells the story of a caveman, nicknamed Spear in the credits, as he navigates a world of dinosaurs and ape-people. After the loss of his mate and two children, he teams up with a female dinosaur, Fang, whose children were also killed by the Red Tyrannosaur pack. Together they search for food, shelter, and a reason to survive in a world of hardship and tragedy. 

In a world where storytellers are now being asked to accommodate second-screen viewing, the lack of narration forces the audience to pay attention. It’s refreshing. Primal demands that the audience give it their full attention, and they are rewarded with a story that transcends language.

Primal is largely written and directed by Genndy Tartakovsky for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. 

You can watch on SlingTV, HBO Max, and Hulu.