Boasting only ten episodes, Cartoon Network’s “Over the Garden Wall”, first released in 2014, may not look like much at first glance. The surreal atmosphere of the miniseries—a result of the series’ influences from various eras of Americana—is a far cry from other animated series, making the show stand out as unique among its peers. The show is beautiful, cozy, and unsettling, perfect for binge-watching on a chilly fall evening with a cup of warm apple cider.

“Over the Garden Wall” follows Wirt and Greg, two brothers who find themselves lost in a mysterious land called “The Unknown.” In an attempt to escape the Unknown’s dangerous woods and return home, the boys embark on various adventures through the mysterious woods, meeting and helping the woods’ inhabitants along the way— including a talking bluebird named Beatrice, singing frogs, and a town full of living jack-o’-lanterns. However, as the show progresses, and the chill of fall turns into the bitter cold of winter, Wirt and Greg are pursued by The Beast, a soft-spoken but haunting entity feared throughout the land of the Unknown, always looking for children to steal away into the dark.

Throughout the show, the animation features beautiful artwork and coloring that draws the audience in. Early in the series, when fall is still in full swing, beautiful golds and ambers dominate the show’s color palette, evoking that comforting harvest season feeling. The dominance of warm colors ensures that the rare moments of colder, deeper, desaturated colors, which defy this warm palette, hit much harder. The colder palette is designed to make you uncomfortable, ripping you from the comforting hug of fall into the sharp, unyielding talons of Winter—and The Beast. The color palette and overall atmosphere of the show are a masterclass in animation.

But the surreal story and atmosphere aren’t the only parts that draw you in. The soundtrack, created by the Los Angeles-based nouveau-folk band “The Blasting Company,” perfectly encapsulates the soul of the show, blending various eras of American folk music to give the entire miniseries a gentle, almost nostalgic feel. Several of the songs featured in the series are also incredibly catchy, and you’ll find yourself humming them long after you’ve finished the show.

Despite an overall runtime of under two hours, “Over the Garden Wall” packs a serious punch. Combining stunning artwork, surreal but engaging stories, a beautiful soundtrack and just enough eeriness in the form of The Beast to keep you on your toes. The show is a masterpiece of animation history that deserves to be enjoyed year after year.

Shelby Born is a columnist. Contact her at [email protected]