The following contains spoilers for Ms. Marvel Season 1, Episode 1, "Generation Why," streaming now on Disney+.
The first episode of Ms. Marvel is finally on Disney+, with audiences and critics fawning over its flashy visuals and fresh storytelling. Even though the first episode is a great start to the series, this is just one of the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe projects to fall prey to review-bombing, with the series being criticized for targeting a younger audience. However, just because a series or movie targets a particular audience doesn't mean everyone can't enjoy it.
Kamala Khan is a typical Gen Z teenager who is obsessed with a particular fandom, in this case superheroes, and expresses this interest through a YouTube channel she created, Sloth Baby Productions. She also has trouble fitting in and has difficulty focusing due to her over-active imagination. One night, at AvengerCon, she discovers that her grandmother's bracelet has given her powers when she almost destroys the convention, giving her a different origin from the comics. There aren't that many shows that have had as strong a start as Ms. Marvel, with audiences being hard-pressed to find anything intrinsically wrong with the series. However, there will always be those looking to tear things down that aren't made specifically for them.
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Ms. Marvel follows a 16-year-old Kamala, so the series clearly touches on topics and themes that are relevant to this age group. This is used as an excuse for some to criticize the show, saying that it is now family friendly and on the same level as a show made for the Disney Channel, while also comparing it to other grittier and darker MCU series such as Daredevil. The critiques against Ms. Marvel all boil down to it taking on a younger tone and changing her origin story. This isn't the first time that this argument has been used to bring down certain shows, but what is seen of Ms. Marvel so far proves that these comments are redundant and irrelevant.
These choices do not detract from the enjoyability of the series as there are many elements to it that will appeal to viewers of all ages. Even if audience members aren't the same age as Kamala, they can certainly relate to all the awkward moments that come with being a teenager. From struggling to meet parental expectations to not quite knowing how to fit in, Kamala already perfectly encapsulates the realities of being a teenage girl. She is also relatable, as she is socially awkward and often dozes off into her own fantasy world, dreaming of being a hero, before crashing back to reality.
Then there is her family, with her overprotective and overbearing parents not seeming to understand her obsession with superheroes, but like all parents, they try to but don't quite get it right. They may not always get along, but they all love and support each other. The representation of a Pakistani-Muslim family is also a welcome addition and provides a look into this rich culture and community. This depiction of everyday life in a superhero's origin story is not always well documented, but it is where Ms. Marvel thrives and adds another layer of relatability.
What will draw in viewers the most is the gorgeous visuals scattered throughout the show. The series uses animation to help tell its story in a way that is creative, which helps reveal how Kamala views the world. This style will also call home to many comic book fans, and it has even been compared to the likes of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. If viewers are not captured by Kamala Khan's charismatic personality or her teenage antics, then there is always the striking animation. Overall, Ms. Marvel proves that because something is for a younger audience that doesn't mean it deserves criticism or that it will automatically be terrible. The first episode alone certainly suggests that this isn't the case.
New episodes of Ms. Marvel debut Wednesdays on Disney+.