Whether you’re an official “Disney Adult” who considers Disney to be a huge part of your life or you’re just someone who thoroughly enjoys Disney animation, you need to know about Zenimation!
Zenimation is a lesser-known series on Disney+ that is perfect for fans of both classic and new animation. The episodes don’t have any plot at all — instead, they just introduce a theme and then provide a 10-minute montage of seamlessly edited animation moments.
Here is the trailer for the first season of Zenimation.
No Plot? What’s the Point?
If there is a point to Zenimation, it is mindfulness and meditation. The episodes are short, quiet, and beautiful. According to the intro of each episode, watching this show gives you a chance to “Refresh your senses with a moment of mindfulness.”
Zenimation is soothing and comforting. For anyone who enjoys Disney movies, it can also remind you of some of your favorite moments. I really appreciate that it spans nearly 100 years of Disney animation, which means that no matter your age, you will see clips from your childhood and beyond.
The show is great as background noise, too. That may not be what every showrunner would want to hear about their series, but in the case of Zenimation, I think the creators would be thrilled to know that people are soothed by playing the series while they are working on something else.
For people who like to fall asleep with the TV on, this plot-less series is a great option!
I don’t have babies anymore as my kids are well into adolescence, but I think my kids would have been mesmerized by this series as toddlers.
There is no dialogue in Zenimation, and all of the original audio has been replaced by new, seamless audio editing that matches the world that is being depicted.
Where to Start Watching Zenimation
Most shows have to be watched in chronological order, of course. That’s not the case with Zenimation.
You can watch the series straight through, all 18 episodes of the series’ 2 seasons. Or you can just pick and choose, based on the theme you’re interested in or the mood that strikes you.
These are the themes of the episodes, as described by Disney+.
Season 1
- Water: Explore the sea with Moana, Ariel, and Elsa.
- Cityscapes: Visit New Orleans, Mt. Olympus, San Fransokyo, and Atlantis.
- Discovery: Discover the world around you with Elsa, Tarzan, and Rapunzel.
- Flight: Fly with Aladdin and Jasmine, Baymax and Hiro, and Cody and Marahuté.
- Explore: Explore new places with Judy Hopps, baby Moana, and Aurora.
- Night: Gaze at the night sky with Tiana, Rapunzel, and Jim Hawkins.
- Nature: Take in the beauty of nature with Simba, Pocahontas, and Tarzan.
- Serenity: Have a moment of calm with Belle, Mulan, and Gramma Tala.
- Water Realms: Surf with Lilo, cross the Dark Sea with Elsa, and restore the heart of Te Fiti with Moana.
- Levity: Have a laugh with Flash the Sloth, Stitch, and Baymax.
Season 2
- Rain: Step into the rain with Simba, Bambi, and never-before seen footage from Raya and the Last Dragon.
- Everyday Comforts: Experience the comforts of everyday, morning to night, with Tiana, Anna, and Dumbo.
- Natural Wonders: The wonders of nature as seen through the eyes of Pocahontas, Mufasa, Alice, and others.
- Transformation: Witness the power of transformation with Pinocchio, Kida, the Beast, and Te Fiti.
- Waterways: Enjoy the scenic waterways of Kumandra, Mt. Olympus, Motunui, and Atlantis.
- Kindness: There is so much great kindness, as we can learn from Moana, Baymax, Aladdin, and Vanellope.
- Snowscapes: Enjoy the peace and stillness of snowy days with Bambi, Thumper, Tigger, and Rabbit.
- Locales: Arendelle, Paris, Kumandra, New Orleans, from forests deep to castles far away.
- Full Journey – All Episodes: Enjoy the longform edition of Zenimation Season 2.
I recommend choosing an episode theme that speaks to you and giving that a try first! You can always watch them all the way through when you have more time.
Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy some of Disney’s most impressive animation in a series designed to put your mind at ease.
