Today’s Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) prompt was is Ten Reasons I Love X — which I’m turning into Ten Reasons Why Ren the Series (a.k.a. Ren: The Girl with the Mark) is Awesome and Why You Should Watch It.
I’ve mentioned it before, but it deserves its own post.
Let’s get to it!
(Warning: If you’re allergic to fangirling, this post is not for you. There will be a lot…)
Ten Reasons Ren the Series is Awesome
1. It’s an original, indie-made fantasy adventure webseries available to watch online.
Okay, so if that’s not reason enough…? Well read on. But really! It’s basically the best indie-made film-ish thing I’ve seen, tying with Beyond the Mask, I’d say (even though they’re both quite different). And it’s fantasy and online and indie authors and film-makers are awesome, don’t you agree?? Speaking of which…
2. It’s made by the talented Kate Madison (and Christopher Dane) and their crew, who made Born of Hope.
These people are AWESOME I tell you. In case anyone doesn’t know (where have you been? Goodness. XD) Born of Hope is a fabulous fan-film that’s a sort of prequel to The Lord of the Rings, about Aragorn’s parents and the Dunedain. (It also features the sons of Elrond, who are EPIC, by the way, but I’m getting sidetracked.) I loved Born of Hope back in the day, so I’m so incredibly excited about the Ren series, which is even better than BoH (if possible) and is an entirely NEW story. It would be like if a favorite author of mine wrote wonderful fanfiction I loved… and then came out with an original novel so that even the people I know who don’t know the fandom can enjoy it because it’s ORIGINAL. EXCITEMENT.
3. The CHARACTERS
So… characters tend to be one of my favorite things about books/film. This show has so many fascinating and cool characters!
Ren, Hunter, and Karn are my favorites so far… Ren herself is a really likeable heroine. Hunter, the rogue-for-hire, is awesome. And my favorite of all, the mysterious Karn… YES. π But I love all of the characters (except creepy villains. EEK). They’re all fantastic and real and loveable. β€
4. The Visuals/Scenery/Sets/Costumes
The awesome forest (can I live there please and thank you) and real-feeling medieval-esque village are just so amazing. And don’t get me started on the costumes because I could be there all day. XD This thing just looks so REAL. I’m so impressed at what this small group of filmmakers was able to accomplish. It feels like a large-budget movie/show and it’s just fantabulous, I tell you.
5. The Music
THE MUSIC. I love love love the music so much. Here, give it a listen in the credits. It has a sort of Celtic-esque, thoroughly fantasy feel that I love. It’s so wild and beautiful and free and it just makes my heart soar and my feet want to leap in a dance and go off on an adventure through the forests and mountains with Ren and her friends. β€ I need a soundtrack for this thing, SO MUCH. β€
(I was in fact assured that there will be one forthcoming, since I managed to get in on a live-stream chat thing Kate Madison and company held after the final episode aired. You know, one of those things where fans type questions and they answer them. They answered my question about a soundtrack and mentioned my name when they did, and later moved the camera over to show off Ren’s costume since I asked to see it up closer. Excuse me while I fangirl, but THAT WAS KIND OF AMAZING OKAY SORRY BUT NOT SORRY.)
6. The Accents
Okay, so call me shallow. But I adore accents. And all of these characters have absolutely fabulous British accents (some Scottish perhaps thrown in there) and I’m assuming they’re real too because the actors are British and it was I believe filmed in England… Like how cool is that? (I particularly love Ren’s father’s voice… the accent and growly quality. He just has a really cool voice. *thumbs up*) (Aaand you all probably think I’m crazy. Oh well. :P)
7. The Story
It’s exciting, action-y, mysterious and thrilling. You’ve got the scary uptight “officials” who are basically out to terrorize everyone (apparently. I mean, what else would scary guys in ninja-esque outfits who march grimly around be doing). You’ve got the secret fugitives on a mission… Mysterious backstory that’s only hinted at… Family troubles… Mixed in is some humor… (particularly from Baynan. XD) And I don’t want to give all the story away but I’ve really enjoyed it so far and I have so many questions and just yes.
8. The Worldbuilding
I should have put this one up front because IT’S ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THIS SHOW. Don’t you love that feeling when you read a really good fantasy book and are swept away in the world? This is like that. You can tell this one’s really well put together and that we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. It makes me really really excited for more! (And also it’s fun to rewatch and discover stuff I missed and make theories…)
9. Because it’s awesome and I love it and I need another season, so it needs to go viral so that we’ll get one soon!
I… don’t really think this point needs further elaboration. XD
10. It’s free on YouTube and short enough it won’t become a black hole that eats your time.
So you don’t have to worry things like: “Oh, well, it sounds kinda cool, but I don’t have TIME because I’m in the middle of 10904930 shows already and I need a time machine to keep up with them all already,” and/or “Oh noooo not another show — it will suck away all my time faster than pinterest!” (Or am I the only one who thinks that last thing? *cough*) The point is (much as I would love to watch hours of this thing) the first season consists of 5 ten-minute episodes, so it’s less than an hour to watch, and we all probably spend at least that much time obsessively reloading our inboxes waiting for a particular email (oh, just me again? >.>) — so why not go watch an awesome thing instead?? π (And did I mention FREE?)
So shoo, why are you still here, you lovely blog-readers? Go watch it! (And if you have already, well then you obviously know what’s up. ;)) Did you enjoy Ren? Do you need the second season as badly as I do? BECAUSE I NEED IT LIKE I NEED AIR. *flails*
This has been an almost-belated (but not quite! It’s still Tuesday, I promise!) Top Ten Tuesday post from a vaguely sleep-deprived writer who should be asleep (which may or may not account for the flailyness of this post).
Thank you and good night. *exits stage left*
(*whatever on earth that means because I fail at theatre references*)
(*Ahem*)
Ooh, I didn’t realize it was so short! I shall have to go watch it sometime today. I know you’ve mentioned it before, but it sounds super fun. Thanks for doing a whole post about it!
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Yep, it’s quite bite-sized! ^_^ (I mean, *I* wish it was longer because I need more. π But it’s definitely handy.) Let me know what you think of it if you do! And I’m glad you liked the post, thanks! π
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I’m super intrigued! I really need to watch this now!
Oh, and don’t feel guilty about the accents, I’m in love with them too. π
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YESSS. π
Hurray for accents! β€
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THIS SOUNDS AMAZING I NEED TO WATCH IT AHHHHH. Oh. my. goodness. *drools*
I think there needs to be more epic fantasy TV shows. This one sounds awesome, and I love the name Ren. π Though… the episodes are only ten minutes long? Hm. How do they fit the story into ten minute bits?
THE MUSIC IS AWESOME I NEED A SOUNDTRACK. Oh me. Oh my.
Basically just THANK YOU FOR THIS POST DEBORAH. π π
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YES YOU DO!
It’s more like mini-bits of an episode I guess… *shrug* And lots of cliffhangers. XD It’s kind of like having a regular episode of a TV show just chopped into small pieces. π
ISN’T THE MUSIC AWESOME?? Yes, there definitely need to be more epic fantasy things. π
You’re welcome thanks for commenting! ^_^
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OH MY GOODNESS I WATCHED IT IT WAS SO GOOOOOD. Ahem. Well, now I know why you loved it so much. Do you know where I can find season 2? Or is it not out yet?
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AAHH YAY! π I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED IIIIT! ^_^ And yeah, there’s no season 2 yet. >.> I’m so hoping they’ll make one soon so I’m trying to spread the word. I think they are definitely hoping to, I just don’t know when. I hope it’s soon!
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OH MY GOODNESS I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT THIS SERIES. O_O I’m so glad you posted about it, because I just COMPLETELY forgot. I had every intention of watching it, too! I can’t believe it slipped my mind! *FLAILS*
If you’re shallow and silly for loving accents, then I am too. Accents are EVERYTHING! And also visuals and costumes and all that lovely stuff. We like to look at and hear pretty things, okay? We can’t help it!
You got into a live chat and they mentioned you AND zoomed in for you? THAT IS AWESOME. AAAHHHH! π
That’s a relief to hear it’s not overly time-consuming. I DO have a thousand million shows waiting on my to be watched but I just don’t have TIME. D: But it sounds like I can easily watch this one. I MUST DO THIS. I CANNOT FORGET AGAIN. (And you are not the only one that thinks of Pinterest like that. My sister and I call it the “ultimate time sucker” and are constantly making jokes about it. xD)
Thank you for this post. This was perfect!
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OH. I forgot to mention. Did you change your blog background? It’s just black on my end. I’m only asking to see if my computer is being wonky or if you changed it.
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I figured people might forget, HENCE THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE I MUST REMIND PEOPLE! π
Accents/visuals/costumes THEY ARE JUST THE BEST!! π
And thank youuuu! It was kinda amazing. o.o I mean, there were dozens of other people watching the livechat and got talked at too, but it was just special for me. ^_^
Eheh, you and I both know what’s up with Time. XD So yeah, I totally understand. I hope you’ll get to watch it though! (Pinterest is my bane. And Goodreads. But they’re so funnnn…)
AAH THANKS SO MUCH I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT.
And, er, yes, I did in fact change my background. >.> I don’t even know why, I was just fiddling with settings and changed one of the fonts and for some reason I made the background black? Sometimes I’m just weird. *shrugs* But yes, it’s intentional and not just a wonky thing. Thanks for asking!! π
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Oh, this sounds intriguing! And at only 10 minutes per episode… (although, I probably don’t have the self-control to not watch the whole season in one sitting…)
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Yes! (Haha, yeah, I wouldn’t either. XD But it’s only 50 minutes for the whole season so that wouldn’t be TOO bad if you couldn’t do the self-control thing. ;))
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I watched the first episode a month or two ago because I remembered you mentioning it, but I haven’t watched any more yet. CLEARLY I NEED TO. π
And gosh, I obviously haven’t been on here in forever because your header looks new (pets the prettiness) and the background is black! I need to do more of my blog reading on the computer instead of on my phone so that I see this sort of thing sooner…
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Oh cool! And yes, you need to! π
Aww, thank you! ^_^ And… yeah the header’s been different for a bit now, buuut the black background was like a couple days ago, so it hasn’t been all THAT long. XD But as long as blog-reading on phones is convenient, then that’s cool. π
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Eh, I mean, I would check it out, but you seem SO UNSURE ABOUT WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT DEBORAH. XDXD Just kidding. BAHHAAHAH Ahem. I couldn’t resist. XD
It sounds amazing!!! And I snooped at that link to the music, which I see you clever thing, made me start watching the episode. I WILL DEFINITELY GO BACK aNd CONTINUE IT AT SOME POINT! I do love me some fantasy, absolutely, especially if people are shooting or stabbing. β€ Ahem. I…I'm mostly normal. I'm sure of it. But it just does look so good and YAY FOR THIS ENTHUSIASTICALLY FANGIRLY POST. π π
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BWAHAHA, Cait you sly thing. XDDD *giggles* Nope, totally sure I’m sure about it BEING AWESOME. π
Heehee, I suppose the music could have that effect. π There’s actually a little bit before those credits though. π AND YES THERE IS SOME SHOOTING AND STABBING IN THE SHOW. Hurray for Fantasy! AND THANKS. *enthusiastically fangirls because it’s the best*
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I never now quite what to expect when I visit your site, Deborah. Had never even heard of this. But now that I have I will use my massive online clout to make it go viral (teehee)
Well, I will at least watch it!
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Haha, yeah, I’m a bit all over the place these days. π Yay, hope you at least enjoy it! ^_^
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This sounds really cool. And that music was amazing! Don’t tempt me with the shortness of the episodes. I have basically no self control. π
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It is! The music, just… yes. :D)
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This sounds awesome!
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That’s because it iiiiis! π
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…so I’ve seen you talking about this show for a while so I finally read this post and shoot it’s only 10 minute episodes why the storms not. *will watch at some point to aid me in my quest to perfect procrastination*
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“perfect” as in the verb. btw. =D
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Yay! I hope you’ll enjoy it and let me know what you thought! …I’m such a good influence. XD
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