Kid Cudi’s animated love story was designed as a series but released as a film
In short: Entergalactic began as an ambitious plan for an animated television series, but evolved into a feature-length special. Created by Kid Cudi, the project serves as a visual companion to his eighth studio album, blending a modern romance with a distinct, stylized aesthetic that draws inspiration from both animation and classic cinema.
The project originated from a desire to pair music with narrative. Kid Cudi recorded a suite of songs focused on the freedom of love before storyboarding the story, eventually collaborating with producer Kenya Barris to shape the concept. Although initially conceived as a series, the project was redeveloped into a 90-minute television special that premiered on Netflix in September 2022. Cudi later clarified that he viewed the special as a series broken into chapters, with hopes of producing future seasons, though he eventually revealed in 2025 that Netflix declined further installments due to streaming performance expectations.
Visually, the special is noted for its unique aesthetic, which was handled by DNEG Animation in London. The production team utilized a 3D map of New York City as a foundation, layering in artistic influences ranging from the 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. This stylistic approach earned critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its vibrant, ethereal quality. The project also holds personal significance for Cudi, as it is dedicated to his late friend, the fashion designer Virgil Abloh, who contributed to the costume design.
The narrative follows Jabari, a streetwear-clad artist navigating the complexities of success and a new relationship with his neighbor, Meadow. The special functions as a dual-purpose work: it is both a standalone romantic comedy and a musical odyssey. Beyond the original songs performed by Cudi, the project features a dedicated film score by producers Dot da Genius and Plain Pat. While critics lauded the animation and the musical integration, some noted that the transition from a planned series to a single special created occasional pacing shifts between the story's grounded moments and its more abstract, space-themed elements.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Entergalactic (TV special)
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