Women Wearing Shoulder Pads Review: A Trippy, Stylish Adult Swim Surprise

First Spanish-Language Stop-Motion That Hits Hard

Women Wearing Shoulder Pads makes history as Adult Swim’s first series produced entirely in Spanish, and it’s an achievement worth celebrating. Created by Gonzalo Córdova and produced by the Mexico City-based studio Cinema Fantasma, the show instantly sets itself apart. Set in 1980s Quito, Ecuador, it introduces a world filled with eccentric women balancing ambition, tradition, love, and the quirks of guinea pigs. The result is an animated series that feels both daringly original and surprisingly accessible. 11 minute episodes filled with wall to wall chaos.

Characters, Conflict, and Queerness That Go Deeper

At the heart of the story is Marioneta, a proud and ruthless Spaniard who arrives in Quito determined to reinvent how people see cuys — guinea pigs that are a staple of Ecuadorian cuisine. Her greatest opposition comes from Doña Quispe, who runs a successful restaurant and butchery business tied to tradition. This clash sets the stage for a story of rivalry, reinvention, and family legacy.

But the series doesn’t stop at satire. Marioneta’s tangled love story with Espada Muleta, a masked matadora, adds both humor and passion, while Doña Quispe’s daughter Nina brings activism and rebellion into the mix. These characters move the story beyond simple parody into something richer, layering queerness, ambition, and emotional depth in ways that catch you off guard.

Visuals, Stop-Motion, and Craft That Mesmerize

Stop-motion animation often carries a handcrafted charm, but here it’s elevated into something extraordinary. Every detail — from costumes inspired by 1980s excess to intricate set designs and expressive puppets — works in harmony to create a world that feels alive. Even for someone who doesn’t normally gravitate toward stop-motion, this series demands attention. The artistry is bold, imaginative, and proudly embraces its tactile look rather than hiding it.

The style is also playful and experimental. Moments weave together surreal humor, melodramatic staging, and bursts of visual spectacle. It feels cinematic in its ambition, offering the kind of animation you rarely see on television.

Humor, Telenovela Vibes, and Surprising Depths

Part of the magic is how the series leans into soap-opera drama while still landing emotional punches. There are sweeping rivalries, unexpected romances, musical interludes, and bursts of absurd comedy. What could easily be camp for camp’s sake instead becomes a heartfelt exploration of identity, love, and community. The queerness of the characters isn’t just for decoration — it drives the narrative, giving weight and authenticity to the relationships at the core of the story.

Why It Feels Unique — and Why It’s Addictive

What makes Women Wearing Shoulder Pads addictive is how confidently it embraces its weirdness. Watching puppets ride giant cuys, or seeing power struggles play out through lavish costumes and surreal set pieces, never feels like empty spectacle. Instead, it becomes a reflection of identity, culture, and the chaos of human connection. The brisk pacing of the short episodes only fuels the urge to keep going, making it dangerously easy to binge.

The cultural specificity is also key. By telling its story in Spanish and rooting it in Ecuadorian and Latin traditions, the series avoids dilution and instead feels authentic. It’s rare to see an Adult Swim project so committed to a non-English narrative, and it pays off beautifully.

Minor Bumps Along the Way

If there’s a downside, it’s that the condensed format occasionally leaves you wanting more depth. Some character motivations could use more breathing room, and a few plot twists happen faster than they should. Subtitles also miss subtle wordplay here and there, but that’s a natural challenge with translation rather than a major flaw. Overall, these issues barely register compared to the sheer originality and energy of the show.

Final Verdict: Stream It, Don’t Sleep On It

Women Wearing Shoulder Pads is bold, queer, stylish, and unapologetically strange in the best possible way. It’s the kind of show that proves animation can tell stories with as much complexity and emotion as live action — and sometimes more. Whether you’re drawn in by the visuals, the humor, or the heartfelt relationships, this is a series that deserves your time.

The season finale and full feature-length special will both air on Adult Swim this Sunday, 9/28.