"Mako Mermaids: An H2O Adventure" Season 2 is OUT!

Netflix has released season 2 of Mako Mermaids! Yes, yes, I know “But Emily you said you didn’t like Mako Mermaids! You even wrote a whole post about it!”. This is true, but I’ve always been holding out that season 2 might go in a different direction and surprise me. Plus…I just can’t resist watching. With so little mermaid content out there, what’s a hardcore mermaid fan to do?

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the second season’s trailer to get you pumped for your Mako Mermaids binge-fest:

Also, check out some of the promotional pictures below:

Will you be watching Mako Mermaids’ second season? *Leaves to watch*

-The Mermaid Guru

Why I didn't like 'Mako Mermaids'...

This is a hard post to write. I don't want to write it. But I didn't like Mako Mermaids.

No H20 fan was more excited about this revamp than I was, trust me. However, as much as I wanted to love this show, it just fell flat. There was no magical feeling, no warm and fuzzy friendships, and no one I could root for (well, except maybe Cam, but then they went and utterly destroyed Cam).

The problems were way too simple. Everything that the characters faced could have been solved with some  old fashion communication. There was way too much anger in the show. Flat characters who had single goals and not much motivation. Like why does Zac go from a nice, chill guy to a raging lunatic obsessed with the potential power of the trident?? Male power-hungry stereotype much? And the girls themselves aren't really even friends. They don't work together and don't care much about each other.

Then, of course, their mermaid powers were all too convenient for the situations. In H20, the girls each only had one ability and they had to figure out how to save each other in so many instances with just those powers and their brains.

There's a lot more I could say, but I'll just leave it at the fact that I didn't like the show. I hear a second season was filmed, but no word on a release date or if Netflix is even interested in picking it up. What did you think of Mako Mermaids. Does it have the potential to improve?

-The Mermaid Guru

Chai Romruen Talks Landing his Role on 'Mako Mermaids'

Chai Romruen, who plays Zac in the soon to be released Mako Mermaids, talked with The Nambucca Guardian about the show and playing a merman. I'm more excited to see Mako Mermaids than I can ever really explain. I loved H2O and even though I'm sad it's over, I could not be more thrilled that the spin-off is featuring a merman. Mer books, movies, and TV are pretty rare alone, but the fact that this show will feature a merman is even rarer. I'm counting on Zac to be the best thing since Disney Channel's original movie character Cody in The Thirteenth Year. Chai shared a scan of the article on his Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook pages today, but it's a bit hard to read so I have written up some of the highlights.

On the auditioning process:

"It was an emotional roller coaster. I was so hopeful and had to do two days of final auditions with 10 other people who all had TV experience. I felt like a nobody and I started to get really nervous."

When Chai learned he got the part:

"I ran outside in the rain and just lay on the ground...it was amazing. It was the moment I realized you really can do what you want in life. Then I called my mum straight away to tell her."

What his mom had to say about Chai landing the role:

"As far as landing his first role as a merman, it is so fitting. When we lived in Thailand when he was young...if he was ever out of sight you could be sure to find him in the sea pretending to be a fish."

Chai also mentions that wearing the merman tail felt like "flying underwater". Don't forget that Mako Mermaids premieres on Netflix and on Network Ten July 26th! Will you be watching?

-The Mermaid Guru

VIDEO: 'Mako Mermaids' Sneak Peek Clip and Promo

The premiere date of the H2O: Just Add Water spin-off show Mako Mermaids is getting closer! After an official press release, we know that the first 13 episodes will be released on Netflix July 26th.

Check out the promo below, which confirms that in Australia, Mako Mermaids will also be premiering the first episode July 26th on television (Network Ten, 4 pm).



This clip from the first episode was also recently released. It features the entire main cast, which includes Zac, his best friend, and the three mermaids.



I really can't wait to finally see how the show turns out!

-The Mermaid Guru

'H2O' Spin-Off 'Mako Mermaids' is Coming to Netflix in July!

VERY exciting news today! H2O fans have been waiting to hear word of when the series spin-off Mako Mermaids would be premiering on television. For H2O: Just Add Water, the show was first released in Australia and then shown in the U.S. and other countries at a later (sometimes much later) date. However, this will not be the case for Mako Mermaids as Netflix has announced today that the show's first 13 episodes will be released for instant video on July 26th!

Here's the press release from PRNewsWire:

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), today announced  "Mako Mermaids," a new adventure from the creators of global hit teen series "H2O - Just Add Water" is splashing down on July 26 exclusively on Netflix, the world's leading Internet TV Network.

"Mako Mermaids" revisits an enchanting world of magic and adventure introduced in "H2O – Just Add Water," a long-running Australian series from Jonathan M. Shiff Productions that has captured the imagination of young audiences in over 120 countries and has become a huge favorite of Netflix members in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland and the Nordics. 

"We are thrilled to be the exclusive home of 'Mako Mermaids' in all Netflix territories," said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos. "'H2O' hit an amazing chord with teens around the world who love the clever mixture of action, comedy and romance that Jonathan Shiff and his talented team have created."  

"Netflix is the perfect home for 'Mako Mermaids'," said Shiff who produced the 26 episode series in association with Screen Australia, Network Ten, ZDF Enterprises and Screen Queensland. "Our fans love to watch the show how and when they want and they often return again and again to enjoy their favorite episodes."

"'Mako Mermaids' will delight the hundreds of millions of fans around the world who have fallen in love with the world created in 'H2O' and we are really pleased to make the series available on such an innovative platform as Netflix," said Fred Burcksen, Executive VP and COO of ZDF Enterprises, who are in charge of international sales of the series and brokered the deal. 

Following on where "H2O – Just Add Water" left off, mischievous teen mermaids Lyla, Nixie and Sirena, guardians of Mako Island, fail to stop 16 year old boy Zac from falling into the sacred Moon Pool and becoming a Merman. Risk being cast out forever, the mermaids must get legs, venture onto land and take back Zac's new powers.

The first thirteen episodes of "Mako Mermaids" will launch in all Netflix territories on July 26 while the thrilling second half of the season will arrive in September.

Unfortunately, I think this probably means that Shiff Productions was not able to find a television distributor (except perhaps in Australia) and that there will most likely be no second season, but we'll see how things go from here.

I might be posting a few re-cap and reaction posts once the series hits Netflix! Are you excited to finally be seeing the show? Source

-The Mermaid Guru

'H2O' Spin-Off 'Mako Mermaids' Premieres First Trailer!

If you are an obsessed H2O: Just Add Water fan like me, then you are probably anticipating the spin-off show, Mako Mermaids! You've also probably been wondering exactly what the new series would look and feel like, but wonder no further, the first real sneak peek has arrived in the form of a first season trailer and WOW it's packed with so many exciting and funny moments! Check it out below:



I am super excited for the character of Zac and finally having a merman around. Compared to 'H2O', the underwater shots look even more incredible and what special effects are included look fantastic. I have to say, there is definitely a cheesy feeling in this, but I feel like once we get past the girls' preliminary "OMG I'm a human and have feet" moments, the show will get better and better.

What do you think--will it live up to the original series? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

-The Mermaid Guru

H2O: Just Add Water/Spin-off News

The new mermaids!

I remember back in 2006 when I saw a TV spot on Nickelodeon for a new show called "H2O: Just Add Water". After seeing that first commercial for a television show about mermaids, I jumped around the living room excitedly screaming for a good 10 minutes. When the kick-off movie length episode premiered, I recorded it on a VHS and then proceeded to watch it over and over again until the rest of the regular season began. I was in love with the show and followed it to the end of season three.

Mermaid Sirena

So, that's why I am super stoked for the new spin-off series! At first it was announced as "Mako: Island of Secrets", was then changed to "Mako Mermaids" and is now sporting the title of "Secret of Mako Island". Filming began this past May on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Mermaid Lyla

Here's the show summary from the H2O Wiki: Secret of Mako Island centers on three mermaids, Sirena, Nixie and Lyla, who are charged with the task of protecting their magical Mako Island from trespassers, only to be thwarted by the arrival of a 15 year old land-dweller Zac – who forms a special connection with the island and is granted a fish-like tail and amazing powers. Threatened by his existence, the mermaid pod are forced to move away, abandoning Sirena, Nixie and Lyla, who in a bid for survival must get legs, venture onto land, and take back Zac’s powers or risk being outcasts forever.

Mermaid Nixie

Sounds exciting right? And if that weren't awesome enough, there have also been several photos released of the three girls both hanging out on the beach and in full mermaid wear! It's definitely going to take some time for me to get used to the new characters, but I think they look amazing! I believe the pictures were part of an Australian magazine spread because a low quality image of Zac as a merman has also surfaced (on the right).

Also, there was another piece of exciting news for H2O fans a few weeks ago. New Video has announced that the complete three seasons of the show will FINALLY be released on DVD in the US on November 6th 2012! The 12 disc set will have all 78 episodes including the three TV movies, PLUS 5 hours of behind-the-scenes features! The set is available for pre-order now and is currently $89.96. That's a pretty steep price, so I'm hoping it'll come down before November... 

Also, check out the box's cover art! My only complaint is the lack of Emma, since she was on the show for two seasons and Bella only was on for one, though I understand that four on the cover may have made them too small and that they want the most recent season to be featured.

What do you think? Do you love H2O like me and are you excited for the spin-off series? Let me know! Source

-The Mermaid Guru