Maya and the Three is a visually stunning series that is all about inclusion, family, friendship, and forgiveness.
Maya and the Three is one of the most inspirational stories that I have ever witnessed told through an aminated series. Get ready to totally fall in love with Maya — and the Three — and even some characters you would never expect to! This story is about love, friendship, forgiveness, and above all else, finding your truth, and it is something the whole family will enjoy. From the stunning animation style, to the incredible voice acting, to the heart and humor — Maya and the Three is an absolute must watch.
In this story, a young girl named Maya discovers that the woman she thought was her mother for 15 years is not actually her mother, and that she is half-human-half-God. There is a prophecy that talks about warriors taking on the God of War, and she knows that she must be the one to find these warriors and do just that. These nine episodes fly by in a flurry of action and adventure, as she searches for the rest of her destiny.
What Works With Maya and the Three
It is surely clear just by looking at the stills from this series that the animation style is stunning. But trust me when I say that they do not even do it justice. Each time a new God is introduced they are given a title screen and description, which makes it not only fun but easy to remember who is who.
The colors are vibrant and beautiful, but change from kingdom to kingdom, allowing for a different feel as we visit each of them. This is important when telling the story and adds a whole lot of depth to it all.
There are a lot of Mayan legends, myths, and mythical creatures that are introduced and told through Maya and the Three which makes the story extremely interesting and captivating. The cultural inclusion is there, not only in these stories but also with the use of the Spanish language sprinkled throughout the episodes. A lot of kids will be thrilled to see themselves in this story, and that is something that is very important.
The lead character, Maya, is voices by Zoe Saldana and she is sassy, strong, brave, and emotional. She is at the center of the story but it is her friendship with the others that really makes this series what it is. She is also humble, and willing to accept when she is wrong, something that Saldana said in our interview she loves and appreciates about Maya.
Her relationship with her family, and her friends who might as well be family, steals the show and is something that nearly everyone can relate to. Maya is feisty, but so are her friends. Together, they can do anything. At least they believe that. They are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that which needs to be done.
Stephanie Beatriz voices Chimi and she brings a lot of that same humor from Brooklyn Nine-Nine to the role. She is subtle, strong, and unafraid. She is a little bit broken though, and it is easy to feel from her from the moment you meet her. Gabriel Iglesias is Picchu and he is the heart of the show. He wants nothing more than to fight for what is right, and that rubs off on everyone he meets.
Rico, the wizard, is voiced by Allen Maldonado and he perfectly rounds out the group of friends. When we first meet him he is struggling with confidence, but that is something he overcomes with time, quickly proving just how powerful and loyal he is.
The rest of the voice cast is amazing as well — even just the minor characters. Everyone plays their parts perfectly and each and every character brings something to this incredible story.
But the best part about Maya and the Three is all of the important lessons that it teaches children. It shows not only bravery but humility. When Maya is wrong, she listens to her friends and learns from it. There are also moments of nobility and honor. The character Picchu often talks about how he will always fight for a cause, and perhaps one die die for a cause. He says that fighting is always the right thing, if it for a noble cause.
There is also some deceit in this show however the true lesson here is the forgiveness that is always offered. From friends, family, and strangers. The friends love each other like family, and will always be there for each other, no matter what. The Luna Island Kingdom, the Jungle Kingdom, the Golden Mountain Kingdom, and Teca all have differences, but they do not judge each other. They embrace the strengths and what the others have to offer and that is a beautiful lesson.
The God of War is power hungry and it drives him to forget what he valued most in life. Everyone who is willing to stand up to him, even against all odds, is what makes this series such an important watch. It teaches children to always stand up for what is right, no matter what. There are undertones of trust, love, family, friendship, sacrifice, and forgiveness. They all come together during some pretty epic fights, making Maya and the Three one of the most fun and inspiring watches of the year.
What Doesn’t Work With Maya and the Three
It is so hard to pick out anything wrong with this series because of how beautiful and necessary it is. The only thing I would point out is that Maya and the Three can be a little bit scary for kids. there are some massive battles with Gods that, while fun to watch, are a bit intense and dark at times. There is also death so that is certainly something to take into consideration when deciding if your child will be able to handle it.
All this being said, Maya and the Three is a show that is important for kids to watch for many reasons.
Overall Thoughts
Maya and the Three is an action packed adventure of a series. With just 9 episodes this series can be finished quickly but I encourage you take your time with it. Go on this journey with Maya as she recruits warriors that will become friends and then like family — and enjoy the incredibly stunning visuals along the way.
The battles are huge, as is the heart and important lessons. Of course there is some humor sprinkled in here too. So get ready to laugh and cry as you explore the world of Teca and the surrounding kingdoms — and the world of the Gods. There are many Gods to watch use their powers, and it is a sight to see! While it might be a tad predictable at times, the ending is sure to leave you shocked.
Maya and the Three is sure to be the next big family hit from Netflix, so make sure you don’t miss out.
About Maya and the Three
In a fantastical world, where magic turns the world and four kingdoms rule the lands, a brave and rebellious warrior princess named Maya is about to celebrate her fifteenth birthday and coronation. But everything changes when the gods of the underworld arrive and announce that Maya’s life is forfeit to the God of War — a price she must pay for her family’s secret past.
If Maya refuses, the whole world will suffer the gods’ vengeance. To save her beloved family, her friends, and her own life, Maya embarks on a thrilling quest to fulfill an ancient prophecy that foretells the coming of three great warriors who will help her defeat the gods and save humankind.
Maya and the Three premieres globally on Netflix October 22, 2021.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.