"Hilda's Theme" composedby Dan Mangan (most episodes) "Tjörn"(season 1,episode 13)"Annika"(season 1,episode 12) composedby Björn Olsson "The Life of Hilda" performedby Bella Ramsey (season 2, episode 7) "The End" performedby Greta Kline (season 2, episode 13) "Another Road" performedby Ray Aggs ("Hilda and the Mountain King")
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21) – December 7, 2023 (2023-12-07)
Hilda is an animated streaming television series based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Luke Pearson. Produced by Silvergate Media and Mercury Filmworks, the series follows the adventures of fearless Hilda, an 11-year-old[a] blue-haired girl who, along with her mother Johanna and her deerfox[b] Twig, moves to the fictional city of Trolberg after their old residency in the outskirts of a forest is destroyed by a giant. Though moving away from the wild and into a bustling city, Hilda still manages to befriend even the most dangerous of monsters.[3][4]
The series debuted on Netflix on September 21, 2018. The first two episodes premiered earlier at the New York International Children's Film Festival on February 25, 2018.[5] A second season premiered on December 14, 2020.[6][7][8] A film titled Hilda and the Mountain King, which takes place between the second and third seasons, premiered on Netflix on December 30, 2021.[9] A third and final season premiered on December 7, 2023.[10][11][12]
The series received critical acclaim throughout its run. It won several Annie Awards, including for "Best Children's Series" twice in two years, as well as Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Main Title Sequence", "Outstanding Children's TV Series" and "Outstanding Editing in a Daytime Program", tying the latter award with Animaniacs.
Premise
Hilda is a young girl who grew up with her mother Johanna in a small cabin on the edge of the woods near the walled-in city of Trolberg. Hilda and Johanna soon move permanently to the city for a better life and to give Hilda a proper upbringing. Over the course of the series, she and her deerfox[b] Twig, later accompanied by an elf named Alfur, and best friends Frida and David, go on a number of adventures interacting with and befriending the mysterious animals, people, and spirits that live in and around the city of Trolberg.[13]
Characters
Main
Hilda (voiced by Bella Ramsey) – An adventurous 11-year-old[a] Sparrow Scout who loves to explore the unknown lands with her pet deerfox[b] Twig. Born in the woods, she soon moves to the city of Trolberg with great reluctance. However, Hilda is quick to adapt to her new home and environment, eventually becoming street smart, enrolling in school, learning to bike ride, and making friends.[14] She later temporarily turns into a troll and learns what life is like in their nighttime world, all while trying to find a way home.
Frida (voiced by Ameerah Falzon-Ojo) – Hilda's best friend, who is Black-British, fellow Sparrow Scout, a witch in-training, and one of the top students in their school. She has earned many badges as a Sparrow Scout due to her organization skills. She later begins magic training under Matilda Pilqvist to become a witch with Hilda as her familiar, eventually becoming well skilled at performing various powerful spells.
David (voiced by Oliver Nelson) – Hilda and Frida's other best friend and fellow Sparrow Scout. He is insecure, easily frightened, loves collecting rocks, and has a knack for attracting insects. Despite his fearful nature, David is loyal, kind, and always there for his friends. David is normally reluctant to accompany Hilda and Frida on potentially dangerous adventures.
Johanna "Mum" (voiced by Daisy Haggard) – Hilda's mother who works as a graphic designer as well as a general store employee. While tolerant of her daughter's adventures, Johanna still frequently fears for Hilda's safety, often becoming upset when Hilda lies about her whereabouts. After her home is smashed by a giant's foot, Johanna moved her and Hilda from their solitary life in the wilderness to an apartment in the bustling city of Trolberg.
Alfur Aldric[15] (voiced by Rasmus Hardiker). – A paperwork-enthusiast elf who journeys with Hilda to Trolberg to learn about life in the city.
Tontu (voiced by Rasmus Hardiker) – A nisse who is kicked out of his original home near the end of season 1, later coming to live in Hilda's apartment.
Erik Ahlberg (voiced by John Hopkins) – The glory-seeking head of Trolberg's safety patrol. Later, he resigns from the role following the events of Hilda and the Mountain King. (added in season 2)
Gerda Gustav (voiced by Lucy Montgomery) – Ahlberg's deputy. In contrast to her boss, Deputy Gustav is extremely competent and wants to keep the people of Trolberg safe. She is later promoted to Chief Deputy following Ahlberg's resignation. (added in season 2)
Recurring
All actors listed here are credited only as "Additional Voices" in the end credits. Information on specific characters comes from other sources, and they may play more characters than are mentioned here.
Kaisa[c] (voiced by Kaisa Hammarlund) – A librarian who helps Hilda research her adventures. Kaisa takes a more active role in season 2 after she is revealed to be a witch.[14]
Trevor (voiced by Reece Pockney) – A local bully.[14]
Wood Man (voiced by Ako Mitchell) – A brown-coloured, tree-like being who frequently visits Hilda's former home in the forest. He habitually enters uninvited without bothering to knock on the door.[16][17]
Astrid (voiced by Miriam Margoyles) – Hilda's great-aunt and Johanna's aunt who lives in Tofoten.[18]
Hilda, her mother Johanna, and their deerfox Twig, have lived in the wilderness ever since Hilda was born. During one of her adventures, she encounters a troll and removes the bell she had tied onto its nose earlier. Later that day, their house is threatened by small, invisible creatures. Johanna insists they move to Trolberg, but Hilda is determined to fix things so they can stay. She learns that the invisible beings are elves, and she befriends one named Alfur, who arranges a meeting with the prime minister. Despite Hilda's efforts, she learns that only the king can turn things around. Hilda feels dejected, but soon feels better when Alfur decides to take her to the king, even if it violates protocols.
Adapted from Hilda and the Troll and Hilda and the Midnight Giant
2
2
"Chapter 2: The Midnight Giant"
Andy Coyle
Stephanie Simpson
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
That night, Hilda meets the giant from the previous episode, who explains to her that he is waiting for a friend. The next day, Hilda and Johanna visit Trolberg. Hilda is still reluctant about moving, but Johanna tells her to keep an open mind. The Wood Man visits their house and lends her a book about giants, leading Hilda to realize that the giant she encountered was Jorgen, who resides from the highest mountain in the north. The next day, Hilda and Alfur set out to find the Elf King. Unfortunately, to Hilda's anger, he retreats in panic when he sees her. Hilda lashes out, only to be interrupted by the wakening of the mountain, which appeared to be another giant sleeping under layers of snow and soil. Hilda catches the royal palace in time and realizes that this giant is who Jorgen is waiting for. The two giants reunite and just as Hilda and Johanna are free to live in the wilderness once more, Jorgen crushes the house as they walk off to space. A horrified Johanna and Hilda realize they must move to Trolberg now that they know how hard it is for elves to live by other bigger creatures. Johanna, Hilda, Twig, and Alfur head off to Trolberg and settle into their new home.
Adapted from Hilda and the Midnight Giant
3
3
"Chapter 3: The Bird Parade"
Andy Coyle
Kenny Byerly
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
As the city prepares for The Bird Parade, an annual festival to honor The Great Raven, Hilda goes out and attempts to make friends. She spends the day with a group of bullies and is appalled when they begin throwing rocks at birds. One bird gets injured and Hilda brings it back to her apartment. She and Alfur try to speak with the bird, but he has amnesia. The only thing he remembers is needing to find a statue. Before heading out to watch the parade, Johanna discovers the bird and forces him outside. It is revealed that he is The Great Raven, whose job is to bring good fortune to the city. As Alfur and Raven try to find the statue, Trevor finds and captures him, tries to get him to talk and accidentally pushes him into the river. Hilda arrives in time to see the birdcage going underwater, but she manages to remind him that he is the Great Raven. Hilda jumps to the river to save the bird, but with his memory restored he transforms into his larger form and carries Hilda into the sky above the city. He reveals to Hilda that years ago, he landed on the statue, and the people thought he was the messenger of their god. The harvest was bountiful that year and the people believed it was his doing, so they started the festival in his honor. The year he missed the festival was bad, but it has nothing to do with bad luck. He wanted to give the city hope, so he continues coming to the town every year, even though he is not the Great Raven, he is a thunderbird. With everything settled and the parade started back up, Johanna takes Hilda to a special place so they can watch the parade together. Hilda confesses that she might like the city after all.
Adapted from Hilda and the Bird Parade
4
4
"Chapter 4: The Sparrow Scouts"
Andy Coyle
Stephanie Simpson
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Following Hilda's initiation to the Sparrow Scouts, the scouts receive their first challenge: a beautification of the Trolberg city park. With her new friends, David and Frida, they get to work removing weeds and clearing the land. However, overnight, plantlike creatures called vittra ruin their work and call Hilda, Frida and David out for removing them. The vittra steals Frida's badge sash and Hilda and Frida give chase into underground tunnels where all the vittra live. Hilda manages to stop the vittra that stole it and agrees to save the vittra's friends. Together, the kids and the vittra head off to the mulching machine and manage to save the vittra before they are crushed. Even though they didn't get a badge, they still had fun. As David goes to sleep that night, a rock that he found earlier began to move.
5
5
"Chapter 5: The Troll Rock"
Andy Coyle
Kenny Byerly
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
On their way to parents' night, Hilda and Johanna meet Principal Magnusson, who is very excited about the grand finale, a dedication ceremony for the school's new statue of one of Trolberg’s great founders, Edmund “the Troll Slayer” Ahlberg. During the event, Hilda presents her nittens collection and David presents his collection of rocks. Hilda’s teacher, Ms. Hallgrim, asks the students to close the curtains and play a video about the history of the school, but soon after the video starts playing, the projector falls to the floor. David’s collection of rocks also appears to be on the floor and Ms. Hallgrim locks up the rocks, assuming that it was Hilda who threw the rocks into the projector. Frida and David tell Hilda that Ms. Hallgrim thinks Hilda is a problem student and wants to transfer her to a class for students with behavioural difficulties.
Hilda realizes that one of the stones is a baby troll, and Hilda, Frida and David decide to move it outside the city walls. Frida directs her parents to talk to Ms. Hallgrim in order to distract her, this allows Alfur to open the lock. But just after David takes the baby troll rock, the sun sets, the rock transforms into a baby troll and breaks free, creating chaos and ruining the parents' night. Hilda, Frida and David chase the baby troll all over the school, but to no avail. Ms. Hallgrim and Johanna finally find Hilda and Ms. Hallgrim offers to transfer Hilda to a small transition class. Hilda discovers the baby troll in the ventilation system and catches it. An adult troll then breaks into the school, and Hilda discovers that this troll is the baby troll's mother. She gives it back to its mother, thus saving the day. As the troll mother makes its way back to the wilderness, it destroys the school statue, much to the dismay of the school principal. Ms. Hallgrim and Hilda come to understanding and Hilda stays in her class.
6
6
"Chapter 6: The Nightmare Spirit"
Andy Coyle
Kenny Byerly
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Hilda is intrigued by the mystery of a girl who doesn't seem to communicate with anyone in Trolberg. Hilda, Frida and David chase after the girl, but she mysteriously disappears. David admits that he's a little jumpy because he's been having nightmares lately. He believes that Hilda's stories are the cause of his nightmares, particularly the story of how Trolberg's rats tangled their tails and turned into fearsome the Rat King. Hilda suggests finding the Rat King so that David can face his fears an overcome the nightmares. They learn from the Rat King that the girl is causing David's nightmares. Hilda and Frida manage to track the girl down to Huldrawood forest. During the chase, they find out that she can move through obstacles, turning into a green mist. Hilda and Frida see the girl in the other girls' camp by the campfire and hear her laughing as she talks about David's nightmares. Hilda tries to confront her, but all the girls instantly disappear, turning into a green mist. The next day, Hilda, Frida and David, with the help of a librarian, find a book from which they learn that this girl is actually Marra, a nightmare spirit. Late at night, Hilda, Alfur, and Frida set a trap for the Marra, and Hilda challenges the Marra to scare her in exchange for leaving David alone. She lets the Marra give her nightmares and the Marra creates a nightmare focused on Hilda's fear of riding a bike, but she is interrupted by David waking Hilda up. David says that if Hilda can handle nightmares, so can he. The Marra leaves David alone saying that he is "not fun to haunt" anymore now that he is brave enough to ask for nightmares. Hilda asks Frida and David if they can teach her to ride a bicycle.
7
7
"Chapter 7: The Lost Clan"
Andy Coyle
Ben Joseph
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
While attempting to gather a sample of a rare plant for the Sparrow Scouts, Hilda and her friends discover that elves inhabit the area around it, and they kidnap David to punish him for repeatedly walking over them. To get him back, Hilda and Frida help Alfur with a contract from a being called the Lindworm, which must burn the contract to save David.
8
8
"Chapter 8: The Tide Mice"
Andy Coyle
Stephanie Simpson
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Hilda tries her hand at witchcraft to help David with his auditions and Johanna with her job. To do this, she creates a magical Tide Mouse by using a tuft of David's hair. Unfortunately it goes awry after a couple days when it starts to possess its hosts and steal their souls, which she and Alfur must find a way to undo.
9
9
"Chapter 9: The Ghost"
Andy Coyle
Kenny Byerly
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Hilda, David, and Frida investigate why Frida's room isn't staying tidy, and soon find out that a spirit had previously organizing her room in her sleep, and was now neglecting to do so. The friends head to a graveyard to try to talk to the ghosts that had been cleaning up her room, but they find out that the reason that the ghost had been returning to Frida's house, an antique book that the ghost had previously owned, had disappeared. Frida's sense of identity, which had previously revolved around her supposed organization skills, is challenged, and she lashes out at David and Hilda, straining their friendship.
Hilda is stuck at home during a major storm while struggling to cope after her fallout with Frida. To try to get the storm to stop, Hilda, David, and Raven visit the local weather woman and discover that Hilda's favorite weatherwoman has stolen a weather spirit's baby for the purposes of manipulating the weather. Hilda is luckily able to bring it back to its parents, but ends up getting lost in the wilderness soon afterwards on her way back home.
11
11
"Chapter 11: The House in the Woods"
Andy Coyle
Ben Joseph
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Hilda wanders the wilderness trying to find help. Meanwhile, Johanna worries about her at home. While she is in the forest, Hilda meets up with the Wood Man again and they both hide in a log cabin after almost getting eaten by a giant. They soon discover that this log cabin can grant any wish they want, but they are not able to leave it. Eventually Hilda wishes to go home, and ends up going back to her house through a door in the cabin.
12
12
"Chapter 12: The Nisse"
Andy Coyle
Luke Pearson
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Hilda tries to help a nisse named Tontu, who has been kicked out of his house because the owner of it claims that he destroyed it. She invites him back to her house, only for Tontu to be attacked by a nisse who is already living there and be forced to run away. Later, Hilda goes on a camping trip with the rest of the Sparrow Scouts, and finds Tontu in the forest. However, a monster called the Black Hound is spotted in the forest, which causes the trip to be cut short. Hilda, worried about Tontu, decides to travel back into the woods. She finds out that Frida's new friends are Marras, trying to turn Frida into a Marra too. David stands up to them, only to be interrupted by the Black Hound.
13
13
"Chapter 13: The Black Hound"
Andy Coyle
Stephanie Simpson
September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
Hilda and her friends manage to escape from the Black Hound, but Hilda is still worried about Tontu. She asks around the city, only to find that many other nisse have been mysteriously expelled from their home. On the way to the Sparrow Scouts badge ceremony, she finally finds Tontu safe and sound, who decides to explore the Nowhere Space inside the scout hall. During the ceremony, the Black Hound comes out of Nowhere Space and Hilda and Tontu flee, ending up in Hilda's home. Her house's nisse appears to defend its territory, only to realize that the hound was actually its pet, Jellybean. Hilda also figures out that it was actually Jellybean that had been messing up everyone's houses by travelling through Nowhere Space. After finding out that Jelly Bean is innocent, Hilda, her mum, and the two nisses must run from Trolberg's safety patrol. While driving, the group is separated while using Nowhere Space to warp out of the city, sending Jellybean and his owner into the wilderness. Hilda and her mum return home, with Tontu taking up residence there as well.
Hilda wins an essay contest by writing about her first-hand encounter with a Troll (101 'Hidden People'). The prize: a day out of school for a 'ride along' inspection of Trolberg's defenses with the head of the Safety Patrol, Erik Ahlberg. He's a direct descendent of historic "Trollslayer" Edmund Ahlberg, but has never encountered a Troll himself. The tour takes them outside the wall... and right into the middle of a 'Mexican-standoff' with a whole group of Trolls, including a monsterous Two-Headed Troll. Hilda gets them out unscathed, but not before this chip off the Alhberg family block reveals his true intentions – he is preparing Trolberg for a full-on conflict with the Trolls.
15
2
"Chapter 2: The Draugen"
Andy Coyle
Ben Joseph
December 14, 2020 (2020-12-14)
Hilda seeks out the Rat King, keeper of all secrets, for dirt on Edmund Ahlberg. On the way, she stumbles into the Wood Man and joins him on a nautical journey to find a fabled Ghost Ship crewed by the spirits of lost sailors – the 'Draugen'. They find the Draugen very welcoming... too welcoming in fact – they want to recruit Hilda and the Wood Man into their ghostly ranks! To escape that fate, Hilda and the Wood Man agree to a gamble with the ghosts – beat them in a boat race to the shore, or lose and become Draugen themselves. They race the Ghost Ship to shore... but the Ghost Ship doesn't stop there. The race continues on land to a ghostly show-down at the Trolberg cemetery, and another run-in with Edmund Ahlberg.
16
3
"Chapter 3: The Witch"
Andy Coyle
Stephanie Simpson & Luke Pearson
December 14, 2020 (2020-12-14)
At the library, Hilda and Frida 'accidentally' trail the Librarian through a secret passage and are transported to the Witches' Tower – an age-old sanctuary where regional witches practice the art of magic. The Librarian enlists them to help with a long-neglected project: tracking down the missing volume of an important magical reference anthology. In a climactic encounter with the ancient and powerful (and familiar!) witch who is in possession of the missing volume, Frida's witch-like talents (organization, research) shine. By the end of this adventure, Frida has become a true witches' apprentice.
17
4
"Chapter 4: The Eternal Warriors"
Andy Coyle
Kenny Byerly
December 14, 2020 (2020-12-14)
David stumbles into an enchanted Viking battle, where immortal warriors are locked in combat night after night. He gets conscripted as a battlefield messenger and returns to camp by morning possessed by the spirit of a Viking warrior. (This is based on elements from the Scandinavian folktale "The Boy Who Knew No Fear".) Hilda and Frida discover that David must return to the battlefield and engage in ferocious and funny Viking combat in order to reverse his transformation and become himself again. With the help of his friends, David fearlessly reclaims his fearfulness.
18
5
"Chapter 5: The Windmill"
Andy Coyle
Luke Pearson
December 14, 2020 (2020-12-14)
Victoria Van Gale has turned over a new leaf after the destruction of her Weather Station (110 'Storm') – she's moved to Trolberg and has set up a sanctuary for displaced wildlife in an abandoned windmill. Hilda and Frida pitch in to help but David remains deeply suspicious, a rift that tests their friendship. David is right – the windmill is a front for a dangerous experiment that will allow Van Gale to exploit Nowhere Space. Hilda, David, and Frida must band together to keep her from causing a catastrophic rip in Nowhere Space.
The Safety Patrol has rigged Trolberg's bell system to ring automatically, and the constant ringing is throwing Trolberg's natural (and supernatural) world into chaos. Hilda recruits a motley team of friends – human and creature – and leads an "Ocean's Eleven"-style sabotage operation against the system of bells. Against the backdrop of the festive activation ceremony, Hilda and co. disable the system with the help of an unlikely ally – the 'Bellkeeper' who mans the bell towers.
Boats are being sunk in the Trolberg Harbor, including the Wood Man's. Safety Patrol head Ahlberg blames the fire-breathing Lindworm (Season 1), and leads a strike force to Cauldron Island to defeat her. Hilda and Frida dive down into the Harbor to discover the real sea monster: an island-sized 'Kraken' with a taste for wooden ships. They work together, with Frida using her witch-in-training powers, to divert the Kraken, save the harbor, and clear the Lindworm.
21
8
"Chapter 8: The Fifty Year Night"
Andy Coyle
Kenny Byerly
December 14, 2020 (2020-12-14)
Hilda's curfew-breaking and deceit have caught up to her, and she's stuck home grounded. Snooping on a mysterious neighbor, she discovers a portal to Trolberg past, circa 50-years ago, where the Neighbor has been obsessively revisiting a romantic 'missed connection'. Hilda meddles with the past to change the future, triggering a disruption in time and the appearance of a paradox-hungry Time Worm. It's a wild journey through time and space!
22
9
"Chapter 9: The Deerfox"
Andy Coyle
Luke Pearson
December 14, 2020 (2020-12-14)
Twig feels left out by Hilda. One night he sees lights in the sky and runs away through the gates of Trolberg. On his way to the lights he is chased by a wolf-like creature. Hilda and mum track Twig down through the wilderness, flashing back to memories of Hilda and Twig's first encounter, when Twig was trapped under a pile of stones and Hilda helped him to get out. Hilda and mum reach a cliff and another flashback shows Twig saving Hilda from falling off the cliff. When Hilda and mum start ascent, Hilda is attacked by the wolf-like creature. The situation seems hopeless, but Twig comes to save Hilda; the creature falls off the cliff.
The lights in the sky appear to be formed by light trails used by deerfoxes. Twig meets his parents who prompt him to join them. Hilda tells Twig that she understands his decision to join other deerfoxes. When Twig starts his journey on a light trail to the sky he experiences a flashback that in the past he chose to save Hilda from falling off the cliff but he had to part with other deerfoxes. A heartbroken Hilda tells her mum that she has lost her way of life, her home, and now Twig. But at this moment she sees Twig who decided to stay with Hilda. Hilda promises that she will never leave Twig out again.
23
10
"Chapter 10: The Yule Lads"
Andy Coyle
Todd Casey
December 14, 2020 (2020-12-14)
At Trolberg's 'Winter Festival', Hilda encounters a group of strange little men called 'Yule Lads' who are looking for naughty children. They're funny and fun to have around, but Hilda realizes too late that they are servants of the Gryla; a legendary monster that eats misbehaving children. With the hungry Gryla fast approaching, Hilda and the Yule Lads must work together to cook up an alternative (vegetarian) holiday feast for it to eat.
The magical Tide Mice (106 'Tide Mice') enchant a local snack machine stocker, Gil, with supernatural luck, propelling a meteoric rise from stock-boy to CEO of the 'Jorts' snackfood empire. With all of Trolberg gone magically jorts-crazy, Hilda and team must undo the Tide Mice enchantment once again by infiltrating Jorts HQ and capturing the quickly multiplying Tide Mice. It's a magical, Ghostbusters-style chase through the office tower to the top floor for the final disenchantment.
25
12
"Chapter 12: The Replacement"
Andy Coyle
Todd Casey
December 14, 2020 (2020-12-14)
Alfur has been ignoring requests for him to return to the Elf Kingdom – his reports of his Trolberg adventures are so spectacular that the powers that be refuse to believe they are true, and he's been called to answer for his crimes against paperwork. When his replacement, a joyless elf named Alvin, shows up suddenly to take his place with Hilda, along with a delegation of elves, Alfur enlists the Lost Clan to try and orchestrate a switcheroo by sending a disguised elven warrior back in his stead. The plan fails and Alfur becomes an Elf on the run.
26
13
"Chapter 13: The Stone Forest"
Andy Coyle
Stephanie Simpson
December 14, 2020 (2020-12-14)
Johanna catches Hilda trying to skip out on her curfew using Nowhere Space, and their struggle causes a 'tear' that transports them to the mysterious 'Stone Forest'. They search for a way out, avoiding trolls along the way. Meanwhile, David and Frida leave Trolberg to search for Hilda. Their paths cross with Ahlberg and Gerda after a spectacular dirigible crash, and the group sets up camp on the base of a mountain. Hilda and Johanna are stranded in the 'Stone Forest', David and Frida are stranded on the mountain, but they are closer than they realize...
Hilda and Johanna have escaped the 'Stone Forest' only to discover that Twig has been taken captive by the Two-Headed Troll. They stage a daring rescue that triggers an all-out brawl between the trolls. Escaping the chaos, they are given shelter by a friendly Mom and Child troll, who use Troll Magic to lead them on a path out of the forest. Meanwhile Frida, David, and Gerda survive a night on Troll Mountain, and construct their 'floating life raft'. Hilda and Mum's escape takes a terrifying turn when they are cornered by the angry Two-Headed Troll. But Alfur shows up on pigeon-back just in time to rescue them and lead an aerial escape from the mountain.
Finally, back at home, Johanna tucks Hilda into bed safe and sound for some much-needed rest. But the next morning, as Johanna brings Hilda breakfast in bed, she discovers that Hilda is gone. In her place, the Troll child peeks out from the covers...
Hilda has found herself stranded in troll country with the body of a troll. She goes on a quest to change back into her human form and reunite with her mum. Other trolls bring her deeper into their world: their customs, their cuisine, and their legends; namely the infamous Mountain King. Meanwhile, as tensions rise between the gathering trolls and the city of Trolberg, Hilda's mum scours the mountainside desperate to find her daughter before the conflict erupts into a full blown war.
Continuing from the last episode, it's revealed that Anders is alive and stuck in the fairy mound in Tofoten. Hilda, Frida, and David head to the mound to rescue him, with Johanna not far behind. Hilda goes inside the mound and comes across a boat that ends up leading her to where her father is, alongside Victoria Van Gale. Both of them escape, but when it's revealed that Johanna went in to find her, Hilda goes back in to rescue her.
Back in the mound, the world around Hilda has changed. She ends up unknowingly coming across a young Johanna, and tries to help her find her parents. When they manage to find them, Hilda realizes she's part fairy. Johanna's parents tell the story of what happened to them. When Johanna became sick with an unknown disease, her parents made a bargain, saying that in order for Johanna to remain healthy, she must be sent to the fairy world in 10 years. Not wanting this, her parents went in her place instead, with Astrid taking care of her. Seeing as how mother and parents are reunited, Hilda and Johanna are no longer allowed to leave, which devastates the former.
Back in Tofoten, Frida and David ask Twig to help them find Hilda. Twig, with help from the former, howls for his pack. Meanwhile, Hilda, realizing that while humans can't teleport between worlds, creatures can, as they were booted off. Noticing that Twig is coming to rescue them, Hilda and an initially reluctant Johanna decide to try and escape the fairy world. Astrid heads to the person that her brother bargained with, asking them to let Hilda and Johanna leave in exchange for her life. Just when it seems like they won't make it, Johanna starts to fly, and they manage to make it back to the human world with the help of Twig's parents.
On Earth, Johanna initially feels very sick, but soon recovers, as she and Hilda believe that Astrid gave her life to save Johanna's. At Astrid's home, it's revealed that she's alive, but has been banished from the fairy world for talking back to the bargainer. As it turns out, Van Gale discovered how to travel through portals and wanted to make a bargain. They head inside, with Hilda happy that everything is okay.
An epilogue occurs during the Bird Parade, with Anders finding an apartment and the Great Raven returning.
Luke Pearson had previously worked in the animation industry beforehand, serving as a storyboarder on several Adventure Time episodes.[21] Early on in the Hilda series, he never seriously considered an animated adaptation of the books, though he did have a few thoughts about how the character could work in animation even before he worked on the first comic.
Before being approached by Silvergate, there had been some interest from a few production companies about making a Hilda adaptation, though nothing had ever been agreed to. Pearson felt as if those other proposals skewed the idea of what the Hilda series is supposed to be, and that they felt off, only leaving the outer shell of the idea and changing other fundamental things.
In 2014, Silvergate producer Kurt Mueller found Hildafolk, the first book in the Hilda series, at a US indie bookstore in Brooklyn, NY. Producers at Silvergate loved the book, and were interested in bringing it to television.
Later that year, Luke Pearson received a proposal for a Hilda animated series from Silvergate through his mail. The proposal pitch was styled as a book from Hilda's satchel in Hilda and the Bird Parade, even coming with a Trollberg library card and a small elf letter inside, as well as a wooden USB stick that contained the actual pitch. At that point, three books in the Hilda series had been published, with the 4th one, Hilda and the Black Hound, being worked on at the time. Pearson enjoyed the proposal, and soon discussions began with Silvergate.
When Pearson and Silvergate started working together on a pitch, they wanted to build upon the original books while simultaneously keeping the general feel that the series had. Luke was specifically concerned in making sure the show didn't feel "too TV and formulaic."[22]
Pitch
With help from head writer Stephanie Simpson, Luke and Silvergate created a pitch bible that would be used to pitch the show to various broadcasters. Some elements from the books were expanded upon to help fill out the show. For example, the characters of David and Frida were originally minor characters that appeared in The Black Hound. Simpson specifically picked those characters out and expanded on them so they could fill out roles as Hilda's friends. Netflix eventually picked up and greenlit the series in 2016.[22]
Announcement
Development of the series was first briefly mentioned on June 15, 2016, in The New Yorker, stating that Netflix was planning a "twelve-episode animated series, based on the first four books, for early 2018."[23] On June 21, 2016, Luke Pearson and Sam Arthur (co-founder of Nobrow Press) announced on Nobrow Press' official blog that Silvergate Media would also partake in the series' production, with Pearson saying:
I'm obviously very excited to be able to finally say this is happening. Alongside drawing a new book I've been working with Silvergate on this for a while now and can confirm that it's in unbelievably good hands. An inordinate amount of love and attention to detail is going into this thing and I'm looking forward to sharing the result in a couple of years' time.[24]
Animation
Mercury Filmworks, a Canadian animation studio known for working on various animated Disney television shows, came on board early in development. A minute-and a half animation test was created to figure out how the show would move and look. There were various experiments with the show's design and art style to see what would work best for the adaptation. Additional animation was provided by Atomic Cartoons, who helped animate 8 episodes from the first season.[22][25]
Design
When it came to designing background characters for the show, Luke would usually create preliminary sketches for a character, and it would then be translated into a finished design by Mercury. Some characters were given dot eyes as to help make characters like David better blend in to the style of the show.
The creatures in the show, as well as the book series, are heavily based on Scandinavian folklore. One of the biggest inspirations used for the show was Scandinavian Folk-Lore: Illustrations of the Traditional Beliefs of the Northern Peoples, written by William Alexander Craigie. Many creatures in the show were taken directly from these tales.[22]
The first season was released on Netflix on September 21, 2018.[13][6] The second season was released on December 14, 2020.[7] The third and final season premiered on December 7, 2023.[12]
Reception
Critical response
Hilda has received critical acclaim from critics and fans of the Hilda books, praising its writing, characters, animation, and vocal performances. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 has received a 100% fresh rating based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 9.00/10. The website's critic consensus reads, "Animated magic of the highest order, Hilda successfully captures complex feelings and charming characters into an enchanting adventure that is suited for children and adults alike". There is no critic consensus for season 2. Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave the series four out of five stars, stating that Hilda, herself, "is the show's best quality, but it also benefits from curious characters, exceptionally matched storytelling and Toonboom animation, and an endearing world of fantasy".[4]
Allison Keene of Collider gave the series a four out of five stars, saying: "Regardless of age, Hilda invites viewers to join in the mystery and thrill of adventure and to find the magic in the introduction of these many creatures, and some of their curious habits, in an upbeat and wonderful world. Though Hilda must grow up and accept city life, she need not put aside her childlike wonder. Neither should we."[28] Others focused on the character known as "The Librarian," (later named Kaisa) arguing that her character is "among the most positive pop culture depictions of librarians, along with fellow animated shows Cleopatra in Space and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power."[29] The same reviewer states that the nine minutes in the first season within a library setting makes a "strong impression," including an episode featuring a special collections room, and arguing that the series makes clear the "importance of librarians and libraries for years to come."
An 82-minute movie based on Hilda and the Mountain King entered production in 2019, and was released on December 30, 2021.[43][44][45]
Mobile game
A mobile game based on the series titled Hilda Creatures was released on the App Store on October 18, 2018. The game was developed by British developer BIGUMAKU.[46] An Android version was released on December 6, 2018.[47]
Novelizations
Hilda and the Hidden People, a novel based on the first two episodes of the series, was released on September 4, 2018. The book was authored by Stephen Davies and illustrated by Seaerra Miller.[48] Two more books based on the first season were released, titled Hilda and the Great Parade and Hilda and the Nowhere Space. They were respectively released on January 22 and May 21, 2019. Both were also penned by Davies and Miller.[49][50]
Three more novels based on the series, specifically the second season, titled Hilda and the Time Worm, Hilda and the Ghost Ship, and Hilda and the White Woff were all released on November 17, 2020. The books were once again written by Davies, and all three were illustrated by Victoria Evans.[51][52][53]
Soundtrack albums
Two soundtrack albums compiling music from the first two seasons were released through digital platforms by Madison Gate Records on July 28, 2023.[54] A soundtrack album for the third season was later released on December 15, 2023.[55]
