Over the Garden Wall (OTGW) is an animated Halloween-themed series that aired on Cartoon Network in 2014. Comprising only 10 episodes, each with a runtime of about 10 minutes, it tells a story that is both short and sweet.
We follow brothers Wirt and Greg (and a bird named Beatrice) as they traverse a forest known only as The Unknown. The brothers are trying to find their way home. Along their journey, they encounter the inhabitants of the forest, and learn of a dangerous creature called The Beast who wants to stop them from leaving. OTGW was one of the network’s most critically acclaimed shows, and it’s also a personal childhood favourite of mine. I’d like to unpack what exactly makes this show so amazing.
OTGW builds an ambience that I can only describe as “spooky” — it’s not too scary, and it’s not too silly. It gracefully dances between the frightening and the whimsical, building a liminal atmosphere that so perfectly captures the feeling of autumn — the season between spring and winter, when nature is transitioning from life to death.
Looking at the colour palette of the show, some scenes use a mix of warm colours — oranges, yellows, browns — to evoke a sense of comfort, but they’re desaturated, reminding you that maybe something more sinister lurks within The Unknown. On the other hand, some environments are unforgivingly ghastly, using mostly light and shadow to make the scene come together. The balance between the two styles is what makes the show such a perfect Halloween special.
The character designs follow a similar “spooky” design principle. The Unknown is in fact inhabited by humans and animals. These are characters that are very familiar to us, and so they put you at ease. Then suddenly, strange creatures like the pumpkin people start to pop up, and you’re kind of creeped out, but when you stare at them long enough, they start to seem almost cute.
At the far end of the spectrum, there are some characters that are downright terrifying — characters that make you wonder how much faith Cartoon Network has in their legal team that they’d greenlight it for their children’s show. I mean, I’m not complaining, because it was moments like these that made OTGW such a memorable watch, especially if you enjoy a bit of horror.
GIFs: Over the Garden Wall/Cartoon Network
Some might say that OTGW is a timeless classic, and that’s true in more ways than one. Creator Patrick McHale stated that he drew inspiration from vintage Halloween postcards while designing the show. That inspiration definitely came through in the artwork, giving OTGW this very antique feel, reminiscent of 19-20th Century Americana. Yet, the dialogue between Greg and Wirt is modern and quippy. All this makes you wonder when, and where, the show is taking place.
Yet, my favourite part of the show was its story. Despite being a serialised show with an overarching narrative, OTGW had elements of an anthology. Each episode fleshed out different places in The Unknown, and the people that lived in it. However, when we move to the next episode, it never feels like we’re leaving those people and places behind. It very much feels like the inhabitants of The Unknown are still going on with their daily lives, even when the protagonists aren’t there to witness it. The Unknown feels alive.
I hope you enjoyed reading my love letter to OTGW. As someone who’s only ever experienced the eternal summer that is the Singapore climate, autumn is my favourite season — it’s mysterious, it’s cosy, a little creepy, a little whimsical. OTGW perfectly captures this aesthetic with its masterful art and story design, and that’s why I love it so much. Every spooky season, it’s something of a tradition for me to rewatch OTGW, and I hope this article convinces you to join me.