The Magical Secrets of Futurama: Unveiling Enchantments & Unexplored Universe Connections

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Futurama season 11, episode 7!

Summary

In season 11 of Futurama, the introduction of voodoo sparks a debate concerning the presence of magic within the show's universe. Although voodoo is clarified as advanced science, Futurama does acknowledge the existence of supernatural elements such as the afterlife and spirits.

The connection between Futurama and Disenchantment implies that magic may have existed in the Futurama universe, blurring the lines between magic and science.

Magic remains an enigmatic aspect of Futurama, as the show has not definitively clarified its existence. Set 1000 years in the future, Futurama encompasses a wide range of fantastical storylines, characters, and situations, often attributed to advanced technology. Nevertheless, certain aspects of Futurama appear magical, though confirmation of its presence remains elusive. This breakdown explores every instance of magic and supernatural phenomena in Futurama, with the aim of unraveling the truth behind its existence in the show's universe.

Futurama has made a long-awaited return, thanks to Hulu's decision to bring back the beloved sci-fi series created by Matt Groening for another season. More than ten years after it was canceled, Futurama season 11 continues to embrace the futuristic sci-fi elements that made the original series so popular. In episode 7, titled "Rage Against the Vaccine," a new aspect of the Futurama universe is introduced - the existence of magic. However, things may not be as straightforward as they appear. Although there are still lingering uncertainties surrounding this topic, let's delve into the current state of magic within the world of Futurama.

Futurama Season 11 Introduces Voodoo To The 31st Century

The debate surrounding the presence of magic in the Futurama universe has been reignited by the introduction of a new form of supernatural power in season 11, episode 7. Following the outbreak of the Explovid-23 virus, Hermes determines that voodoo, rather than science, is the best solution to defeat the pandemic. He explains that voodoo has existed since his youth, with his wife LaBarbara hailing from a family that heavily practiced it. While voodoo has been utilized on zombies and other subjects in Futurama, it is uncertain whether it possesses genuine magical qualities.

Upon arriving in New New Orleans to develop a voodoo vaccine, Hermes enters a building managed by Barbados Slim to learn the mysteries of this enigmatic magic. However, he soon discovers that the building is actually a laboratory, where scientists in lab coats are concocting what is referred to as voodoo. LaBarbara clarifies that advanced science and magic are nearly indistinguishable, suggesting that any magic witnessed in Futurama is simply advanced science rather than supernatural phenomenon. Although this seems to imply that the supernatural does not exist in Futurama, the rest of the series reveals there is much more to the story.

The Afterlife & Spirits Exist In Futurama

The voodoo seen in season 11 of Futurama may just be science, but the presence of supernatural elements like the afterlife and spirits within the show cannot be ignored. Robot Hell, a recurring location, raises doubts about its natural origin due to the existence of the Robot Devil and his seemingly magical abilities. Additionally, characters make references to various forms of the afterlife, including heaven and hell, with the Robot Devil confirming that humans do go to these realms. While this doesn't confirm the ability of natural beings to wield magic in Futurama, it does suggest that there is something beyond the natural world.

Moreover, different gods and spirits make appearances throughout the series. A humorous recurring theme involves Professor Farnsworth, an atheist, praying to various gods such as Atheismo and Isis. In the episode "Godfellas," Bender encounters what appears to be God, but many questions remain about this deity. In "Ghost in the Machine," Bender transforms into a ghost, although it is explained as a wireless computer network, implying a natural explanation for the spirit. Until more evidence is presented, the status of these characters and elements in the Futurama canon remains uncertain.

Bender's Game Makes Futurama's Magic Question Even More Confusing

The Futurama movie "Bender's Game" introduces new elements that complicate the notion of magic in the Futurama universe. It parodies Dungeons & Dragons, transporting the Planet Express crew and other characters into a simulated reality based on the game. This alternate version of the universe features magic similar to that in Dungeons & Dragons, including Professor Farnsworth possessing supernatural abilities as a wizard. However, the canon status of this reality is ambiguous.

In "Bender's Game," the existence of the fantasy realm is a result of Mom and Farnsworth's crystals coming into close proximity. This causes the dark matter in the universe to transform into a strange reality. While in this reality, the characters face genuine danger, ruling out the possibility of it being a mere simulation or altered mental state. However, outside of the Dungeons & Dragons realm, no magical phenomena occur. From this, one can infer that objects like the anti-backwards crystal possess magical properties and can bestow magical abilities, although it could be debated that these crystals are simply advanced natural objects.

Futurama's Disenchantment Connection Proves Magic Once Existed

Magic & Science Are Indistinguishable In Futurama

Though magic may not be a part of the actual storyline of Futurama, it is clear that magic did exist in the past. Interestingly, Futurama and Disenchantment share the same timeline, with Disenchantment occurring approximately 600-700 years before Futurama. In Disenchantment, magic is explicitly present, and since the two shows exist in the same universe, it can be assumed that magic also exists in the canon of Futurama. However, the connection between the two shows is primarily utilized for humorous purposes, suggesting that the presence of magic in the universe of Futurama may not be intended as a serious element of the show on its own.

The current understanding suggests that in Futurama, it is difficult to distinguish between magic and science. LaBarbara proposes that what may appear to be magical phenomena in the universe could actually be natural occurrences that can eventually be comprehended and explained through scientific methods. This concept applies to all magical elements in Disenchantment as well. Since the scientific method only applies to natural processes, it becomes challenging to validate the existence of true magic or supernatural occurrences, and this uncertainty seems to prevail in Futurama too.

New episodes of Futurama release Mondays on Hulu.