Daria is an unlikely protagonist; an unpopular high school girl who moves to a new town in the opening episode. To make matters worse she speaks in a constant monotone. She may be an unlikely protagonist but she is a good one due to her biting commentary on those around her. Her only friend is Jane an artistic girl who shares Daria's disdain for those around her.
The rest of the cast might sound like a collection of clichés; the cute popular sister, mother who lives for her job, blonde bimbo cheer leaders dating an equally stupid football star... but they are hilarious. Her teachers are equally funny; a history teacher with anger issues, an overly sensitive English teacher, a man-hating science teacher and a principal who only cares about making money.
The episodes each focus various aspects of a teen's life; for the most part these are fairly typical events that are taken just a little bit further than likely in reality for amusement. Some episodes are a little far fetched but it is very rare that it goes too far... the 'holiday' episode being the only real failure I can think of.
I first watched this when it aired on a main channel many years ago and thought it was great; I had given up hope of ever seeing it again when I founding hidden away on Viva (UK Freeview Channel 21, which belongs to MTV); they clearly value it as it appears to show on a constant loop two episodes per week night. Watching again I was reminded just why I enjoyed it so much; the animation is decent and the writing is consistently sharp; even though I suspect the target demographic is teenaged girls it can be enjoyed by people of either gender and almost all ages; while there is nothing really offensive there are a few discreet jokes of a sexual nature. Overall I'd say that this series is well worth seeking out as it is consistently funny without resorting to gross out immature humour.
