Review: YOLO: Crystal Fantasy “Maddison’s Birthday Party”

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Sarah and Rachel get invited to a party of mystic proportions, that of Madison’s birthday party. Sarah is the plus one and is enslaved by the party organizers while Rachel tries to get a read on the place. As Sarah departs to go run an errand, Rachel reconnects with her high school pal Madison. After uploading a selfie, Madison turns into a monster and wipes out her evil palace.

Meanwhile, Rachel nearly murders a dude trying to rob a convenience store only to find out he was alive the whole time. Her victim actually has a sad story to tell but Rachel can’t help so he leaves.

Our Take

Mike Lazzo is still getting Adult Swim credits which is a fun note, but besides all of that, I don’t agree with Post Malone’s assessment of this series being “an Australian Rick and Morty“, even if he gets a guest appearance. Rather, Yolo: Crystal Fantasy bears a bit of semblance to the new Syfy series just picked up, but just a grittier take with an aesthetic closer to Hot Streets or Squidbillies. 

Aussie-based animation is starting to creep in on the States, and this series is the latest example of that. You only live once, but if we get more episodes like this, I can see this show living for a few more seasons. Yolo is indicative of the truly odd series that used to canvas the network in the early part of the decade. Old school fans should find a lot to enjoy here, new school fans will appreciate the Rick and Morty connection. I’m in.