Following last week’s premiere on Disney Channel, tonight Gravity Falls premieres on its new home; Disney XD. Since the show premiered two years ago, Gravity Falls has emerged as the heir aparent to Phineas and Ferb as Disney Channel’s preeminent animated series. It doesn’t take a trip to may Comic-Cons to realize that Gravity Falls has a fanbase that extends beyond Disney Channel’s typical audience. Fans with home-made journals and Dipper hats roam the halls and there is even a fair bit of Gravity Falls cosplaying going on. With Gravity Falls merchandise hiting the shleves the franchise is on the rise. There are even elements from the series in Disney Infinity 2.0.
Gravity Falls started life as an 11-minute student film crafted by series creator Alex Hirsch while he was at CalArts. Disney brought him in to do a pitch based on the short, and the series premiered in 2012. Hirsch’s idea stemmed from the adventures he would have with his own twin sister (the inspiration for Mabel) during the summer. He also was able to make his sister’s wish come true when he gave Mabel the pet pig Waddles as his sister always dreamed of having a pig. Since that time Waddles has become a fan favorite. (Waddles is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker who also voiced Perry the Platypus on Phineas and Ferb)
Folowing last season’s confrontation with Lil’ Gideon and the introduction of the long-teased mischievous Bill Cipher, the town of Gravity Falls has changed. Grunkle Stan’s knowledge of the town’s bizare going’s on are revealed, more information about Dipper’s journal come to light, and the long-gestating Dipper/Wendy relationship storyline. Unlike Phineas and Ferb whose season’s run together, Gravity Fall’s second season definatly begins a new chapter in the storyline. Even if both series take place during one summer. (There are 104 days of summer, after all)
As Disney Channel describes the new season: The new season finds Dipper and Mabel digging deeper than ever to learn the secret history of Journal #3’s unknown author, while Stan (voiced by Hirsch) works on a secret project that could change everything in the basement of the Mystery Shack. Scarier creatures, weirder magic and new hilarious characters, including vengeful villains and love interests, will be introduced. Upcoming guest stars include Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker in Star Wars Saga) and Patton Oswalt (ABC’s “The Goldbergs”). Throughout the season, unique puzzle pieces with secret decodable messages will be revealed at the end of each episode’s credits.
It has become apparent that Phineas and Ferb’s star is sadly beginning to wane. It shall be interesting to see how Gravity Falls takes it’s place. Will there be a Dipper and Mabel meet and greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? A Gravity Falls Disney Channel Original Movie? Gravity Falls: Live on Tour? Who knows what the future holds for Alex Hirsch’s little show that could.
Gravity Falls airs on Disney XD with reairs on Disney Channel. The show is also available on the WATCHDisneyXD app.