South Park: The Longest-Running Animated Series Set in Colorado - Denver - 1

When talking about Denver, it feels incomplete without mentioning the animation South Park.

In fact, this is not just a simple animation. It's like a 'cultural gift set' that compresses the air of Colorado, its unique atmosphere, and its sharp, edgy sense of humor.

Some say that if you want to know the true 'soul' of Colorado, you have to watch this work.

The reason it's so funny is that there are no taboos, and nothing is made with caution.

There really aren't any.

It touches on politics, religion, celebrities, and social issues.

Usually, such topics are approached cautiously, but here, they just throw it out there. There's swearing and it's quite explicit.

But it's funny. Not just funny, but there comes a moment when you think, "Isn't that true?" It's not surviving for nothing.

The creators are also key. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, both from Colorado.

They didn't just live here for a while; they actually grew up here.

Especially, Trey Parker grew up in a mountain town, and both are graduates of the University of Colorado Boulder.

They are both 'true' Colorado kids. So, the background of this animation isn't forced; it's a slightly twisted version of what they actually experienced.

That's why the snow-covered towns and the somewhat dull atmosphere feel strangely real.

There's one more interesting point. There is actually a place called 'South Park' in Colorado.

If you drive a bit south from Denver, you'll find a highland plain, and when you go there, you really feel like, "They took this straight from here."

The scenery there is almost identical to the animation.

South Park: The Longest-Running Animated Series Set in Colorado - Denver - 2

And South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, released in 1999, is definitely worth watching.

It's not just an animated movie; it's a musical. It starts with elementary school kids getting into trouble after watching an adult film, but it expands into themes of freedom of expression and censorship.

The songs are quite good. When you hear it was even nominated for an Academy Award, you might think, "Really?" But after watching it, you'll understand.

What's truly amazing about this series is that it's still ongoing.

It started in 1997 and is still active. Not just casually continuing, but they bring in current issues and create episodes right away.

This is the legendary part of South Park; unlike most animations that take months to produce, South Park completes an episode in just 6 days.

That's why they can incorporate news that breaks today into next week's episode with 'insane speed'.

They touch on everything from Trump, COVID, to internet culture.

It's not a coincidence that people say it reacts faster than news programs.

And back in 1997, Comedy Central was a relatively unknown channel, but it became a major channel thanks to South Park.

For people in Colorado, this isn't just a cartoon.

It's a bit of regional pride. Just as New York is known for finance and LA for movies, here it's like, "We have South Park."

If you visit a souvenir shop in Denver, you'll find a lot of character merchandise. You'll keep seeing faces like Cartman and Stan. Tourists see that and think, "Oh, this is that town."

When you travel to Denver, you usually focus on the mountains and nature, but it would be a shame to miss this.

At night, you can crack open a beer at your accommodation and watch an episode of South Park.

I think you'll understand the strange vitality hidden in the town's unique tranquility, the rough yet honest nature of the people, and the American-style black humor all at once.