Be Kind to 'Aminals' Is Exactly the Cartoon You Need Today

Is it worth your time?

If you have seven minutes and a soft spot for vintage animation, sure, watch it. It’s perfect for anyone who hates seeing a bully get their way. If you’re looking for high-concept storytelling or complex character arcs, though, maybe skip it. This is just Popeye doing what he does best.

The whole thing kicks off with Bluto acting like a total jerk. He’s whipping this horse like it’s made of rubber, and the cart is just absurdly overloaded. Honestly, the poor horse looks like it’s seen better days, and Bluto is just shouting nonsense. It makes your blood boil, which I guess is the point.

Olive Oyl’s reaction is pretty standard—she’s horrified, obviously. Popeye just kind of watches for a second before his forearm starts twitching. You know exactly what’s coming next.

The animation here has that classic, jittery energy. There’s a moment where Bluto is swinging that whip, and the timing is just wildly aggressive. It’s not smooth, but it feels alive in a way that modern, polished stuff rarely does.

Wait, it’s just a fight?

Pretty much. Bluto isn't exactly a mastermind villain. He’s just a big guy who doesn't like being told he’s wrong. The fight scene feels like a rhythmic, chaotic dance. Popeye takes a few hits, gets shoved around, and the pacing accelerates until the inevitable spinach moment.

It’s nowhere near the technical wonder of something like Les mystères du ciel, but it isn't trying to be. It’s a scrappy little cartoon. The background art is simple, almost empty, which keeps all your focus on the brawl.

• The sound of the whip is oddly piercing.
• Popeye’s laugh when he gets the upper hand is pure gold.
• Bluto’s face when he realizes he’s done for? Priceless.

I found myself wondering if this is the most morally straightforward Popeye short ever. There’s no ambiguity. The horse is the victim, Bluto is the villain, and Popeye is the judge and jury. It’s refreshing, in a weird, cartoonish way. 🥕

It definitely lacks the strange, haunting atmosphere you might find in Europa postlagernd, but that’s fine. Sometimes you just want to see a sailor punch a guy for being mean to a horse. It’s not high art. It’s just incredibly satisfying.

One weird detail: the horse barely reacts. It’s just standing there like it’s resigned to its fate. It made me laugh for some reason. The whole short feels like a fever dream of a Sunday morning cartoon block. I’m into it.