“City Of Ghosts,” created by former “Adventure Time” storyboard artist and supervising director Elizabeth Ito, follows a group of young ghost enthusiasts around LA as they learn about their city’s history while making a documentary. Although the use of ghosts to tell stories might feel potentially scary, “City Of Ghosts” is a surprisingly gentle show.
“When I was six I saw a ghost,” says Ito. The family began to believe the ghost was her great-grandmother. The fact that her family believed her rather than dismissing the experience helped to inspire “City Of Ghosts.” “I liked that I was able to make a show that appreciates a group of kids where there are adults who are listening to them and believing in them.”
Ito understands that ghosts are spooky to many people, as she shares similar feelings. “I am scared by ghosts, they give me a creeped out feeling.” The ability to utilize ghosts in storytelling for children comes from the fact that before a certain age, children view ghosts the same as they would imaginary friends. “I loved the idea that to a kid, maybe someone hasn’t really died. Their spirit is still here.”
When it comes to the stories The Ghost Club explores, finding unique locations was important. “It was picking those neighborhoods where we don’t typically see stuff about LA focused,” says Ito. She looked for neighborhoods that would have a good story while staying away from potential hot-button topics. “I didn’t want that to distract from being able to tell these gentle stories.”
You can check out the adventures of The Ghost Clue as they explore Los Angeles in “City of Ghosts,” streaming now on Netflix.
About City of Ghosts
Featuring a charming blend of animated characters and live-action settings, City of Ghosts is a documentary-style series about a group of ghost-loving kids in Los Angeles who learn about the rich history of their city through encounters with friendly neighborhood ghosts. In each episode — which is based on and voiced by real residents from different neighborhoods — the members of The Ghost Club help others learn to inhabit the present by communicating with the ghosts of the past.