An In-Depth Look at ‘Wolfboy and the Everything Factory’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​There is a prevailing belief when it comes to children’s (or family) entertainment. In that, stories in this vein don’t have to be hyper intelligent or feature depth in the slightest and that particular belief exists, simply because there is a grand perception that children, won’t pick up on heavier and more intelligent concepts. They simply want to be entertained through and through and well, that’s a belief that quite frankly is incorrect. For every parent out there can attest to the fact that their child or children are far smarter than others give them credit, to the point where they clearly absorb and comprehend deeper concepts and notions surrounding them in the world. 
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Which is why it is a shame that more children’s themed entertainment isn’t chock full of deeper concepts, since that could help children understand a great deal about the world at an early age if done right. But thankfully, there are creative minds that are starting to recognize this truth about children and are starting to put together smarter shows and stories for kids, the kind that are indeed designed to teach them a great deal about life and the world in a manner that is both entertaining and comprehendible and it just so happens, that AppleTV+ is host to a show that features that kind of depth. For Wolfboy and the Everything Factory is a children’s series that is unlike any other, largely because it offers up the perfect balance of fantasy and reality. 

A feat that this series accomplishes, by introducing the audience to a supremely relatable character named William Wolfe. For William is by all counts, an outsider of sorts, that quirky kid that likes to keep to himself and his own world and let’s be honest… that’s someone we’ve known or were as a child and that immediately adds credibility to this story, and it serves as a supremely important foundation to the story that lies ahead. For one day, William comes to discover that beneath our feet is a magical realm where beings known as Sprytes live, and these unique creatures can create just about anything in a place known as the Everything Factory and once William joins them below… is when the real gravity of this story gets underway.

For there are episodes that celebrate the outcast by celebrating our differences and how we should embrace them at every turn. Plus, there are also stories that subtly teach kids what it means to embrace imagination and creativity and what it means to believe in oneself and that makes this series, the most intelligent children’s show out there. Because this one really does dig into concepts and ideas that no other series will touch in the slightest and it does it in such a unique and creative manner that children simply won’t notice. They’ll be immersed in this world and absorb all the beautiful messages it sends their way. Granted, the adults will catch on, but that will provide them with nothing but comfort, since they’re secure in the knowledge that wholesome entertainment is taking place, the kind that hopefully engenders conversation about the wondrous things the young viewer has just seen.

But rather than just ask us to take our word for it today in regard to everything we’ve just discussed, we here at NTG thought it might be helpful if you read first hand, what the folks behind the scenes wanted to accomplish in regard to this series and how proud they are of their creation, by way of an interview we conducted with series creator Toff Mazery, Executive Producer Joseph Gordon-Levitt and star Kassian Ahktar. And its best we highlight that aforementioned pride since that is paramount to the creation of a story of this caliber and here is what Kassian and Toff had to say about that topic.
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Kassian Ahktar: The thing that I'm most happy about watching Wolfboy… is just it all coming together. So, when I was in the studio recording it. It was just amazing reading the scripts and getting to know the story. But when you see it on TV, you say, “oh, this hard work made this just amazing.” And it's a really good story in my opinion. And yeah, it's just… it's just amazing.

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Toff Mazery: I would also jump in and say that the honesty of the voice acting is one of the things I'm most proud of. We made the decision to use kids from the beginning and it wasn't an easy decision because… it just wasn't. Wolfboy, especially. We heard hundreds of voices. Kassian’s voice was immediately, the one that felt the most authentic, like I believed him, and I felt it just stood out. There was something different about him. And I think that's for me, that's a huge part of why our story works. He was such a good worker, he's amazing. Kassian. You are so great, I’m so proud of how it turned out with your voice. So that's one of the things I'm most proud of.

But while the passion for this project comes through in those answers, we’ve talked at length about messaging and takeaways and meaning from this series and here is what Toff and Joseph and Kassian had to say about what they hope the audiences will walk away with when it comes to this dynamic series.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Toff and I were always talking about; wouldn't it be cool if this show felt like something that Wolfboy could have made? So, if someone watches this show, and then sits down and starts drawing, or writing their own story, or you know, acting out an adventure in their room. That to me is the pinnacle of what I would hope for.

Toff Mazery: That's exactly the kind of thing I was gonna say. I want people to watch the show and go outside, and like talk to trees and imagine the world a little bit differently because that's what I always wanted from the show. That's the lens through which I saw the world as a kid, and that kid inspires me the most today. I think that's the world we tried to build, where Wolfboy discovers, “I was right. The world is magical, and everything is alive, and everything has a heart,” and all the trees and pebbles and dreams and everything that they make in the show is alive and it has a character of its own. I think that would be my big thing.

Kassian Ahktar: I would say probably rather than like an active thing I would say more of like, meaningful things. So, it’s more like the takeaway is always to never, never give up basically, like Wolfboy. And being different is good. That's what I would hope that kids take away from the show.

So, as you can see. Not only did a lot of love and thought and depth go into the creation of this particular series but there’s a lot of hope in this series as well. Hope that the learning that takes place in this series, turns to inspiration and that really does make this quite the special and unique series for certain. One that genuinely captures the zeitgeist of being a child and what it means it dream and well, hopefully you take the time to check this series out on AppleTV+ whenever you get a chance, regardless of whether you are a parent or a casual fan of animation. Because this is a story for everyone since it reminds all of us to dream big and embrace the beauty of the world. Which are timeless messages that resonate with all of us.

Season one of ‘Wolfboy and the Everything Factory’ is available to stream right now on AppleTV+. The interview segments of this article were lightly edited for clarity.

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