Eating Stars Studios, a small team based in Dubai, has recreated the superhero cartoon for the modern age. Emara follows a girl who struggles, as most heroes do, to balance both halves of her life. By day, she’s Moza, the diligent daughter of a baker, Maitha. Together they work to make their family business successful. By night, she’s Emara, faithful hero of Emiratis, whose arms can transform into laser cannons, grappling hooks, and other useful tools. She might get some help from a fellow hero, Dhabian, but she makes it clear that she works solo.
Of course, not everyone is happy to be under Emara’s careful watch. In her line of work, she’s made several enemies, all of whom are hot on her trail. She has to make some difficult decisions and try to figure out who she can trust.
It’s easy to see why this show charms its viewers. Eating Stars Studio has found a beautiful blend of eastern and western animation styles. Their intro sequence pays homage to several well-beloved animes, and their 10-11 minute episodes pack action and comedy into every second.
Each character they produce has a unique identity, both in their appearance and personality, and it shows in every scene. Moza, for instance, is clumsy but sweet. It’s clear that the reason she puts her heart and soul into her work as a server is that she loves her mom. Sultan, the civilian identity of Dhabian, is cool and confident in a crisis. Yet, when it comes down to the wire, he’s just as human as Moza, and he’s trying to do what he thinks is right. These characters are accessible to an audience of teens and young adults, at a time when the previous generation’s superheroes are growing up with them.
If you’re interested in checking out Emara for yourself, you can see the first two episodes in English, formal Arabic and informal Arabic on the studio’s Youtube channel, here.
