Dreamworks Animation’s kids’ show Madagascar: A Little Wild has introduced a nonbinary character, voiced by a nonbinary actor—and also brings us a new song for Pride that’s bound to stick in your head. Watch the clip here (and learn a bonus fun fact tying the show to a classic queer-inclusive children’s book)!
On Dreamworks Animation’s Madagascar: A Little Wild (Hulu and Peacock), about a group of animals in a rescue habitat in the Central Park Zoo, new character Odee the Okapi is nonbinary, voiced by nonbinary actor Ezra Menas. In the episode “Whatever Floats Your Float,” by queer writer Laura Zak, the animals prepare for the annual “Animal Pride Parade” and Marty the Zebra (Amir O’Neil) tries to decide which float Odee should ride, since Odee seems part zebra and part giraffe. Odee tries to oblige and act like each animal in turn, but doesn’t quite fit either role. Ultimately, Marty learns to celebrate the things that make Odee unique, and so does Odee. “No one animal felt right. That’s not really how I see myself,” Odee explains.
Odee also sings the song “Be Proud,” with the line “I’m so much more than what you see/There isn’t just one recipe/That’s why you’re you and why I’m me/So, let’s celebrate us. Let me see you all be proud.”
Menas told EW, “This feels spot on. That gave me the confidence, just knowing that these people care about the stories that they’re telling. They care about the authenticity. They care about how it’s going to impact not only nonbinary youth, but people who are not nonbinary learning about nonbinary identities and accepting people for who they are.”
This is a great step forward, although I hope the analogy isn’t lost on kids who meet real nonbinary people. The animals do refer to Odee with “they” pronouns, but this is never explained, and Odee’s nonbinary identity is never associated with gender. Still, the message of celebrating people for who they are is always a good one—and maybe there will be more lessons to come.
Bonus fun fact: The Central Park Zoo has a history with actual queer animals. Real-life penguin dads Roy and Silo, and their chick Tango, featured in the hit children’s book And Tango Makes Three, were also residents there.
Watch “Be Proud” below (and then just try to stop humming it all day):