Disclaimer: This post is a commentary for inspirational purposes. No part of it is monetized, nor do I profit in any way from the fictional work mentioned.
Trolls, elves, deer foxes, and mythical creatures galore! All lie at the heart of the animated Hilda Netflix show based on comics of the same name by Luke Pearson.
Each episode is roughly a 20-minute mini-adventure story of its own. At the same time, the character growth and traits of the 11-year-old female protagonist tug at my heartstrings.
Hilda stands out with her blue hair and remarkable sense of adventure, bravery, and curiosity. In a world of magical realism, she is open to new experiences that others around her seem to take for granted.
The show shines with self-transformation lessons for everyone. Chances are you’ve already watched the Hilda Netflix series, and you might know where this is going. If not, reading this article will make you give the series a shot.
A bit about the Hilda Netflix show
Hilda grows up in the woods with her supportive mother in a cozy house. She has the likes of the woodman as a neighbor, who whistles his way in and out as he pleases.
But it’s this joy of freedom and random events that make living in the wilderness so special for this adventurous girl.
She opens her heart and mind to various surroundings and creatures alike. Be it the flying woffs or the tiny threatening elves demanding evacuation, the kid is an explorer for sure. But as it goes in fiction…
Perfect characters can be boring.
Hilda can be at odds with her mom and friends at times over her (more often than not) rebellious adventures. She has her fair share of frustration throughout the show, which makes her all the more real.
Yet, all of it adds up as life lessons because our little girl learns from her shortcomings and inspires the people around her (including me as well).
My list of personal development lessons from Hilda
1. Be spontaneous and go with the flow.
When was the last time you looked for something special?
Actually, let me rephrase that.
When was the last time you found the extraordinary in the ordinary?
Hilda will make you question the meaning of life. She sits with the trolls (who turn to rock) during the day, but she is aware of the danger once they come back to life. She leaves no stone unturned to learn about the world around her.
When a troll gives her sketchbook back, she’s shocked. The troll also seems to be in distress from the bell tied to his nose, so she removes it before he leaves. Hmmm, maybe trolls aren’t so bad after all.
Question, learn, repeat.
Another instance is when she meets Tontu in the streets of Trolberg. Her mother warns her that it’s a ‘nisse’, an outcast creature that’s probably been kicked out from its owner’s home for stealing.
But Hilda believes there is more to the story and tries talking to him. She learns from new experiences and updates her knowledge at every step.
Never lose the wonder and spontaneity of your inner child.
2. Be honest but kind.
It’s a big wide world, there’s enough room for everyone.
What happens when Hilda meets new fantastical creatures? Instead of shooting her opinions, she takes a genuine interest in them. And I think that’s one of her most heartwarming traits.
One night, she witnesses a long-neck giant peeking from the mountains. It frightens her at first, but she doesn’t hold back when he comes around again. Without a second thought, she leaps onto a flying woff and jumps onto the giant’s shoulder to ask what’s bothering him.
She tells the giant how creepy it feels to watch him stare at her house at midnight. He says he’s been looking for a friend whom he hasn’t seen for a long time. Hilda then asks the woodman about the giants, and he gives her a book that explains their origins and other events.
Fast forward – Hilda’s house is in pieces, but she barely has an outburst. Instead, she delightfully watches the giant embrace his lover. She then visualizes herself accidentally stomping over the elves’ homes and empathizes with them through her imaginative power.
Be kind to everyone, regardless of their size and appearance.
3. Be willing to take risks in the wake of challenges.
Change is the only constant, so accept what’s coming.
The threats in her home take Hilda aback. She discovers a secret world of elves living and hiding in plain sight after signing the paperwork to see and meet them.
Without a second thought, she sets out to meet the elf king, who resides on top of a mountain. I really appreciate her ability to take on the unknown to save her house and speak for settlement with the elf community.
Hilda does the same for David when he’s having nightmares. She comes up with a plan to take on Mara, the witch responsible for scaring him. She confronts her fears in a nightmare when she goes to sleep because if she’s successful, Mara will leave David alone.
The brave girl shivers from time to time but doesn’t let anything stop her. Her risk-taking inspires me to be fearless for the sake of others.
Something new can be daunting, but who says we can’t buckle up for the ride?
4. We’re all in it together.
Personal growth also means learning from shared experiences.
Hilda encounters supernatural phenomena in Trolberg as much as she did in the wild. The world of concrete and modernity does little to change her outlook and awareness.
She finds school life strange at first, but the school scout gives her a chance to connect with others. That’s her first experience of having human friends and teamwork for the sake of a better world.
The independent Hilda learns to collaborate when they accidentally remove some sleeping turnip babies from the ground.
Another instance is when she messes up a spell from a book because she doesn’t read the appendix. Her intent is good, but the magic starts taking a toll on the way David and her mum function. She needs to reverse the spell before the tide mice unleash their potential and multiply the chaos.
She is able to turn around the situation with her friends’ help. In turn, her friends discover there’s more magic to the world in the shape of tide mice. It’s a beautiful story of mutual growth and personal development for the trio.
Let’s learn from each other.
5. Nobody’s perfect. Embrace yourself and learn from your mistakes.
It’s okay to spread your wings and fly!
You can’t be everybody’s cup of tea, and that’s alright. Hilda learns it the hard way when she’s new to Trolberg and the new kids don’t get her ideas of empathy. She tries to save a raven from one of the bullies in a group of children – and it makes her the odd one out.
Other people find her investigative nature rude. For example, Hilda’s teacher says she needs to attend classes for students with behavioral issues. The 11-year-old is unable to understand the social construct at school because it’s her first-time experience.
Yet Hilda raises her voice against authority. Being able to ask important questions in class matters to her. Her fresh perspectives stand out because she challenges preset answers and theories.
With time, she gradually picks up rules while tackling toxic opinions and behaviors. For instance, she goes against her favorite radio jockey ‘weather’ lady, when she learns about her imprisoning a cloud baby. And she also doesn’t subscribe to Erik Ahlberg’s stereotypes of trolls as terrifying creatures.
Following your heart and raising questions from time to time matters.
Takeaway: Hilda Netflix series is a meaningful show
Hilda’s mind is in self-awareness mode more often than not. I can’t help but learn from her kindness, curiosity, and bravery. While she has her stubborn moments in the show, she goes around them to see the bigger picture.
It takes a lot of courage to accept weaknesses in the first place. Hilda inspires me to look every new experience in the eye and embrace it all. But there’s so much more that I learned from this Netflix original production.
That said, I can’t wait for Hilda Netflix season 3! Don’t forget to tell me how she inspires you in the comment section – and what you think is in store for us in the next season. Also, watch this space for more interesting Hilda posts to come.
More about Hilda
Hilda is eleven years old as of the first season of the Hilda Netflix series.
Although a kids’ show, Hilda has relatable themes of transformation for adults.
Yes, Hilda has a deer fox named Twig.
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