The very mention of Neo Yokio's existence sparks debate. Created by Ezra Koenig of the rock band Vampire Weekend and produced by Production I.G and Studio Deen in Japan, the 2017 Netflix series has simultaneously split audiences and developed a cult following. Several years on, Neo Yokio exists in a world in which it shares criticism of the ultra-rich and the superficial nature of high society with US Presidential candidates while its social justice themes echo in both online and real-world discourse.

As the world finds itself quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now's the time to see what Neo Yokio is all about.

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Neo Yokio boasts a celebrity-rich voice cast of Jaden Smith, Jude Law, Susan Sarandon, Jason Schwartzman, Steve Buscemi, Richard Ayoade, and Stephen Fry, to name a few, who pop in and out of season one's six episodes, including the 2018 Christmas Special, Neo Yokio: Pink Christmas. Kaz Kaan is heir to the title of Magistocrat passed to him as a member of the magistocracy, an upper-class society of demon-fighting well-to-dos who reside in the city of Neo Yokio.

Historically, these magic-wielding exorcists were themselves demons who joined the ranks of high society and now live among the elite, battling their kin when needed. Despite the danger, Neo Yokio thrives -- at least for the well-off. While his status requires that he perform demon exorcising services, Kaz's attention is focused mostly on fashion and keeping his position as one of society's most eligible bachelors.

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Neo Yokio Tackles Wealth and Privilege Using Over-the-Top Satire

Neo Yokio lays bare its intentions in Season 1, Episode 1, “The Sea Beneath 14th St” with a promotional tourism video. Neo Yokio exists as a facsimile of Manhattan where a cataclysm of sorts, alluded to having been caused by climate change, has placed half the city underwater. Demonic terrorism is rampant, thus requiring the assistance of magistocrats.

Regardless of the world as it exists around him, Kaz's melancholy nature stems from relationships and fashion. His responsibility to society takes backseat priority when he's depressed, and he's depressed more often than not. Aunt Agatha (Sarandon) chastizes his obsession over relationships with “old money” families -- “in their eyes, we will always be neo riche, just a bunch of rat catchers.”

Kaz contemplates on the hierarchy of the wealthy while on his first task. Unable to solve the mystery behind a famous fashion blogger's possession, Kaz reflects among tombstones while visiting a rooftop cemetery. As he chastises an elderly man for his choice of perfume used to honor the memory of his deceased wife, Kaz realizes the source of the possession is the blogger's Chanel suit. The case is solved, but Kaz's clueless attitude toward the grieving man demonstrates his blind spot for those beneath his status and lays the foundation for a habitual ignorance of the existence of others.

A salesclerk, simply referred to as Salesclerk (Ayoade), is a recurring character throughout the series. His fascination and admiration for Kaz and his circle of wealthy friends find him fawning over his wealth, status and fashion choices, his own personality consumed by those he serves. Salesclerk becomes the face of the working class in Pink Christmas.

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Released in December 2018, Pink Christmas written by Koenig and Nick Wendfeld of Viceland, is framed as a Christmas bedtime story. In it, we learn that Salesclerk is Herbert Sims. He lives a solitary life in squalid conditions workings for a large retailer serving the wealthy. His dedication to his career, and strong desire to be validated for his service, is showcased when he undertakes a quest to find a gift for Kaz to give during the city's televised Secret Santa gift exchange.

Ironically, Herbert loses his position as salesclerk when Arcangelo initiates a boycott of consumerism. Herbert, rejected by the very society that he dedicated his life to, is cast to the streets where he becomes central to Neo Yokio's destruction.

In Season 1, Episode 6, “I'm Starting to Think Neo Yokio's Not the Greatest City in the World,” Kaz catches a brief glimpse of the conditions the underclasses like Herbert live in while piloting a race car through the city's slums. Residents pelt the vehicles with rocks from their rooftops and people press themselves against walls to avoid being run over by the drivers.

“Bougie pig, don't you know we're dying down here?” says a man as he joins others in beating Kaz's car with sticks. This vitriol comes as a surprise to Kaz, the illusion granted him by his sheltered lifestyle momentarily broken.

Neo Yokio Explores Gender Roles and Sexual Identity Using Anime Tropes

The series' take on gender roles and fluidity is explored while paying tribute to Ranma ½. Season 1, Episode 4, “Hamptons Water Magic” finds Kaz and his crew of friends Lexy and Gottlieb (voiced by The Kid Mero and Desus Nice respectively of Showtime's Desus & Mero) visiting a country estate. There, Lexy and Gottlieb fall into an enchanted pool which flips Lexy's sex from male to female and Gottlieb into a giant panda.

To make his ex-girlfriend jealous at a party the group attends, Kaz demands that Lexy acts as his girlfriend. When Kaz forcibly kisses him, Lexy expresses his anger.

“I may have this hot female body right now, but I do not identify as female,” says Lexy. As Kaz begins to belittle him and dismisses his anger, Lexy expresses that he's seeing a side of him that he doesn't like, explaining that “gender is a spectrum, not a binary.” Kaz is painted as being in the wrong and eventually apologizes to Lexy for his behavior.

Neo Yokio Captures the Zeitgeist of the 2020s

As Democratic presidential candidates espouse socialist messages in the United States, painting the wealthy as out-of-touch and irresponsible, Neo Yokio offers a visual aide. Amid memorable quotes and over-the-top social interactions, Neo Yokio slowly removes the designer clothing and offers a glimpse into a somewhat secretive world.

As 2020 matures, there is no better time than now to further explore Neo Yokio. Until a second season is announced -- if it ever will be -- delve into the animated lifestyle of the rich and famous.

Neo Yokio stars Jaden Smith, Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman and Susan Sarandon and is available to stream on Netflix

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