Synopsis

Beneath the fictional town of Arcadia, a humans are oblivious to. The trolls ‘common enemy are the Gumm-Gumms, evil trolls from the Darklands, which is the trolls’ chosen warrior, known as the “Trollhunter”, is supposed to protect them from, among other dark miscreants.

Fifteen year-old James “Jim” Lake Jr and his friend Toby finds a mystical amulet which grants him the Trollhunter mantle. He is shortly approached by his new troll mentors, Blinky and AAARRRGGHH !!!. Despite his initial reluctance of leading two difficult lives, he eventually accepted his role after discovering that the amulet would nevertheless lead to its return. Trollhunter stirs resentment, but he quickly gains their honor. (Toby dubs “Gnome Chomsky”) and discovers that goblins and changelings are gathering for the completion of Killahead Bridge,

While discovering more mysteries, he is forced to reveal the truth about his life to Claire Nuñez when she becomes a target of the goblins. After he, Toby, Blinky, AAARRRGGHH !!! And Draal infiltrate the gathering and destroy the bridge, Jim is forced to battle Bular and eventually kills him. He returns to Trollmarket, where the citizens celebrate Bular’s defeat.

Shortly afterwards, Claire proposes a quest into the Darklands to rescue her baby brother Enrique, who has been replaced with a changeling who they dub NotEnrique. Darklands is to kill Gunmar – the only way to destroy him with the three Triumbic Stones. After finding the first two, their enemy Strickler frees ancient troll assassin Angor Rot from his bonds – using Angor’s ring, he forces him under his control. After Jim indirectly causes her to break, Angor goes on rampage, attempting to kill Strickler and Jim – in the process, Strickler and Jim’s mother are injured. Trollmarket’s leader, Vendel, informs Jim that the only way to cure it is to break the bond spell that ties his mother’s and Strickler’s fates together – S memories of the troll world are erased. Strickler hands Jim the last Triumbic Stone.

Angor Rot begins to invade Trollmarket after stealing the key from Toby and Claire. They defeat him. During his rampage, however, AAARRRGGHH !!! Is killed, much to the grievance of the group, especially Toby. Thinking that he was responsible for the death and the endangerment of his friends, Jim sets off to the Darklands alone, not wanting to lose any more of them.

Cast

• Anton Yelchin as James “Jim” Lake Jr./Trollhunter, ^[1] [2] the first human Trollhunter and a reluctant hero under pressure of two difficult lives. He has a talent for cookingand sword-fighting , and cares deeply for his mother and friends.
• Charlie Saxton as Tobias “Toby” Domzalski, ^[7] Jim’s best friend and brother figure who aids him in his quests. He obtains a magical warhammer.
• Jonathan Hyde as Walt Strickler, ^[7] Jim’s teacher (truly a Changeling), who works alongside the Gumm-Gumms.
• Kelsey Grammer as Blinky, ^[2] Jim’s troll mentor whose head holds six eyes. Jim sees him as his surrogate father. A wise and scholarly troll with a heart of gold, Blinky is fascinated by the human world and takes full advantage of a period in which he is cursed into the form of a human to satisfy his curiosity. His secret desire has always been to drive a car.
• Fred Tatasciore as AAARRRGGHH !!!, ^[7] Jim’s ally who has a deep bond with Toby. He was born a Krubera troll but joined the Gumm-Gumm army – after his traumatizing experience there, he became a self-proclaimed pacifist and remains guilty about his past. Despite his peaceful demeanor, he will fight with all his strength to protect those he cares about.
• Lexi Medrano as Claire Nuñez, ^[7] Jim’s friend and love interest. She is a feisty, kind, jolly, sarcastic, curious, and intelligent tomboy who enjoys books and is a talented martial artist and gymnast . She obtains the Shadowstaff, a staff capable of creating portals through the user’s emotions.
• Victor Raider-Wexler as Vendel, leader of Trollmarket. An an old and wizened troll, Vendel is at first suspicious of Jim and seems a forever pessimist.
• Ron Perlman as Bular, ^[2] the sound of Gunmar. A hulking, powerful troll warrior, Bular was obsessed with freeing his father from the Darklands, so that they might have a family again.
• Amy Landecker as Barbara Lake, ^[7] Jim’s overprotective and suspicious mother. Her husband left her when Jim was five years old.
• Steven Yeun as Steve Palchuk, ^[1] Jim’s narcissistic bully.
• Matthew Waterson as Draal, the sound of previous Trollhunter Kanjigar. He is originally jealous and suspicious of Jim but later Jim is fighting tutor. During the final battle with Bular, Trollhunter amulet, and later attained a mechanical prosthetic . Draal explains that his father kept his distance from him as he grew up, and he had hoped to become the next Trollhunter that could earn his father’s approval.
• Lauren Tom as Ms. Nomura, the changeling museum curator.
• Jimmie Wood as NotEnrique, the Changeling replacing Enrique. He has a rocky but brotherly relationship with Claire.
• Clancy Brown as Gunmar, the iron-fisted leader of the Gumm-Gumms who resides in the Darklands.
• Tom Hiddleston & James Purefoy as Kanjigar the Courageous, the noble Trollhunter before Jim. His ghost tutors Jim and often worries of his team fighting, believing that to endanger his friends – this leads to Jim’s guilt and venturing into the Darklands alone.
• Ike Amadi as Angor Rot, a mysterious ancient troll assassin with an unknown past who hunts down Trollhunters’ souls. In ancient times, Angor made a deal with the witch Baba Yaga, surrendering his own soul in return for his mystic powers.
• Rodrigo Blaas as Gnome Chomsky, a Gnome with sharp teeth adopted by Toby.

Production

Initially, del Toro envisioned the idea as a live action television series; However this was deemed impractical due to budgetary concerns, and as a result he would turn the idea into a book. DreamWorks then planned to turn the book into an animated feature film, but eventually decided to instead turn it into a series. ^[8]

Del Toro modeled the show’s sensibilities after-shows he Grew up with Such As Jonny Quest , Identifying Them as “really earnest and emotionally beautiful”. ^[9] To this end, he sought to make the main character of Jim “in that 70s mold,” and “really a very good boy” with del Toro noting that this was a constant struggle for him to express both writers and actors. ^[10] Eventually he cam across Anton Yelchin , Who embodied Those qualities ALTHOUGH by del Toro’s estimate it still _him_ Took A Few sessions to fully Understand the character. ^[10]

When creating the show’s narrative, del Toro noted that he wanted a “bittersweet journey” for the main character dealing with issues that most “powered fantasies” failed to address, telling indiewire. high school and you can-have your problems. Then you get all powers thesis and Then You-have a different set of problems. There is not Such a thing as a final, great outcome. ‘ ” ^[9]

Yelchin’s final projects as he died shortly after recording his most character’s dialogue. ^[11] Producer del Toro refused to replace his recordings, ^[12] which del Toro noted was a challenge for the show’s recording engineers. ^[10] Of his decision of the Toro stated that the actor “was proud of what he did, and we were so proud of how he did it.” I have been working for a long time and I have been working for a long time. ^[8]

Episodes

No.	title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
1	“Becoming: Part 1”	Guillermo del Toro & Rodrigo Blaas	Story by  : Guillermo del Toro & Rodrigo Blaas Teleplay by  : Marc Guggenheim	December 23, 2016
Two trolls in an epic battle lead to consequences in the human world, especially for one boy.
2	“Becoming: Part 2”	Guillermo del Toro & Rodrigo Blaas	Story by  : Guillermo del Toro Teleplay by  : Marc Guggenheim	December 23, 2016
Still reeling from discovering the amulet’s power, Jim meets with his new mentors, and learns about the sacred responsibility he has been tasked with.
3	“Wherefore Art Thou, Trollhunter?”	Rodrigo Blaas & Johane Matte	Marc Guggenheim	December 23, 2016
Toby and Jim Heartstone Trollmarket, where Jim starts his training; Trollhunter creates resentment.
4	“Gnome Your Enemy”	Elaine Bogan	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley, Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
Jim gets a crash course in troll history, and is faced with problems, his first mission and a bully.
5	“Waka Chaka!”	Elaine Bogan	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
During a trip to a museum, Jim tries to get closer to Claire; Jim discovers that the museum curator has a surprising secret.
6	“Win Lose or Draal”	Rodrigo Blaas & Johane Matte	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley	December 23, 2016
Jim gets ready for a high-stakes rematch against Draal, which seems to be the amulet’s rightful heir; A surprising partnership emerges.
7	“To Catch a Changeling”	Simon Otto	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : Marc Guggenheim	December 23, 2016
With the help of an old troll-hunting tool, Jim and Toby try to unmask the changelings living among them; Claire presents Jim with a tempting offer.
8	“Adventures in Trollsitting”	Rodrigo Blaas & Johane Matte	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley, Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
Drake gets accustomed to his new digs; Claire’s little brother is a changeling.
9	“Bittersweet Sixteen”	Elaine Bogan	AC Bradley, Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
Jim’s birthday is full of surprises, including the arrival of a new species of troll that is immune to the effects of sunlight.
10	“Young Atlas”	Andrew L. Schmidt	Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
Draal gives Jim a totem to help lessen his anxiety about Claire; Jim’s resulting overconfidence leads to a realization.
11	“Recipe for Disaster”	Elaine Bogan	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley	December 23, 2016
Claire’s suspicions grow; Jim’s mother invites Strickler over for a tension-filled dinner.
12	“Claire and Present Danger”	Andrew L. Schmidt	AC Bradley, Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
The door to the Darklands Killahead bridge is complete; When Claire becomes a target, Jim must tell her the truth.
13	“The Battle of Two Bridges”	Rodrigo Blaas & Johane Matte	Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman	December 23, 2016
Two battles unfold when Strickler and Bular make Jim unlock the portal and free Gunmar and his army from the Darklands.
14	“Return of the Trollhunter”	Elaine Bogan	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley, Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
Claire sees the Heartstone Trollmarket for the first time; Jim receives a summons; Strickler rouses an ancient assassin.
15	“Mudslinging”	Rodrigo Blaas	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : Marc Guggenheim	December 23, 2016
Jim looks for a way to destroy Gunmar so Claire can bring her brother home; A power-hungry Strickler comes back to Arcadia.
16	“Roaming Fees May Apply”	Andrew L. Schmidt	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley, Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
The heroes go on a dangerous quest in the first Triumbric Stone; Barbara and Strickler’s fates.
17	“Blinky’s Day Out”	Elaine Bogan	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley, Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
An unrecognizable Blinky experiences the highs and lows of being a human; Angor Rot marks Jim for a fate that is worse than death.
18	“The Shattered King”	Rodrigo Blaas & Johane Matte	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley	December 23, 2016
As the heroes look for the second Triumbric Stone, they wind up in unfamiliar marshlands. Claire wants Jim to be her dance partner.
19	“Airheads”	Andrew L. Schmidt	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
Toby and Claire are constantly fighting because Claire got the Shadow Staff and Toby feels slighted. Toby and Claire tackle a Trollhunter task so Jim can win a Spring King challenge. In the process, they master new weapons.
20	“Where Is My Mind?”	Elaine Bogan	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley	December 23, 2016
When a horde of pixies descends on Arcadia Oaks High, the students are sent into a tailspin; Angor Rot has a surprising proposal for Jim.
21	“Party Monster”	Rodrigo Blaas	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
The changeling posing as Claire’s brother throws a party for the trolls of Arcadia; Jim and Toby want to take Strickler’s ring.
22	“It’s About Time”	Andrew L. Schmidt	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : Chad Quandt, Aaron Waltke & Marc Guggenheim	December 23, 2016
Every second counts when Jim uses a time-stopping Kairosect to take Strickler’s ring and find the second Triumbric Stone.
23	“Wingmen”	Elaine Bogan	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley	December 23, 2016
A troll queen arrives and a devastating secret is revealed; Strickler asks for Jim’s protection.
24	“Angor Management”	Rodrigo Blaas	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : Chad Quandt & Aaron Waltke	December 23, 2016
Jim reluctantly joins forces with Strickler to keep Barbara alive; Gnome Chompksy returns with important news regarding Enrique.
25	“A Night to Remember”	Andrew L. Schmidt	Story by  : AC Bradley, Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : Marc Guggenheim	December 23, 2016
Jim races to break a spell that bonds Barbara and Strickler; Angor Rot attacks Claire and Toby.
26	“Something Rotten This Way Comes”	Elaine Bogan	Story by  : Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman Teleplay by  : AC Bradley	December 23, 2016
The heroes brace for Angor Rot invade and get ready for the fight of their lives; Jim finds the last Triumbric Stone.

Reception

Critical reception

Trollhunters has received acclaim from critics. The review aggregator web site Rotten Tomatoes has a 93% approval rating of 7.81 / 10 based on 15 reviews for the first season. The website’s consensus reads, ” Trollhunters manages to capture Toro’s enthusiasm for telling monster stories, in a youthful and more colorful fashion that may well earn him a new generation of fans.” ^[13] On Metacritic , the season has a standardized score of 69 out of 100 based on 7 reviews, indicating “favorable reviews”. ^[14]

In 2017, it received six Daytime Emmys , more than any other television program, animated or live action, that year. ^[15]

On January 30, 2017, Trollhunters writers Kevin & Dan Hageman stated that it is the most successful Netflix to show that is targeted at a younger audience. ^[16]

Accolades

year	Award	Category	Nominee (s)	result	Ref.
2017	Annie Awards	Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in Animated Television / Broadcast Production	Mike Chaffe for character Blinky in “Becoming, Part 1”	Won	[17]
		Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV / Broadcast Production	Victor Maldonado, Alfredo Torres and Jules Rigolle for “Win, Lose or Draal”	Won
		Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV / Broadcast Production	Alexandre Desplat and Tim Davies for “Becoming, Part 1”	Nominated
		Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated TV / Broadcast Production	Hyunjoo Song for “Win, Lose or Draal”	Won
	Saturn Awards	Best Animated Series on Film	Trollhunters	Pending	[18]
	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Individual Achievement in Character Animation	Mike Chaffe, “Becoming, Part 1”	Won	[19] [20]
		Outstanding Individual Achievement in Character Design	Victor Maldonado, “Win, Lose Or Draal”	Won
		Outstanding Special Class Animated Program	Guillermo del Toro, Rodrigo Blaas, Marc Guggenheim, Chad Hammes, Christina Steinberg, Dan Hageman, Kevin Hageman, Lawrence Jonas	Nominated
		Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program	Kelsey Grammer , for Blinky	Won
		Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special	Mary Hidalgo, Ania O’Hare, CSA	Won
		Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program	Marc Guggenheim	Won
		Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program	Rodrigo Blaas, Guillermo del Toro	Won
		Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design	Rodrigo Blaas, Andy Erekson, Jonathan Catalan, Dai Weier, John Laus, David MV Jones	Nominated
		Outstanding Sound Mixing – Animation	Matthew Thomas Hall and Carlos Sanches, CAS	Nominated

References