What sets Amanda apart from other animated protagonists of the era is her quiet resilience. She is not a hero who conquers through violence or slapstick; she is an explorer who conquers through curiosity and empathy. In one memorable sequence, she navigates a forest of towering, whispering trees—a classic Strange visual—learning that the monsters she fears are merely misunderstood shadows. This psychological depth is what elevated the cartoon from a simple children's diversion to a piece of art that resonated deeply with adult audiences as well.
Amanda is not a princess, a genius, or a chosen one. She is a child with a coloring book and a wardrobe full of scraps. Her posture—up on tiptoes, arms slightly trembling—suggests both eagerness and uncertainty. Her face, seen in profile, wears not a smile of victory but an expression of quiet awe, as if she cannot quite believe that her internal world has been permitted to leak into reality.
He then asked the interviewer to play the cartoon one last time. According to the interviewer, Strange silently wept as Amanda flew over the vinyl ocean. --- Amanda A Dream Come True Cartoon By Steve Strange
Their journey spans colorful, diverse locations including prehistoric lands with dinosaurs, pirate-infested seas, and alien worlds. Key Plot Elements
Strange was an animator who prioritized mood over motion fluidity. His style often drew upon the traditions of independent illustration, utilizing color palettes that were daring and atmospheric. He was known for creating works that didn't just tell a story but evoked a specific feeling—often a blend of melancholy and hope. "Amanda: A Dream Come True" is perhaps the purest distillation of this ethos, standing as a testament to what animation can achieve when it steps away from the mold. What sets Amanda apart from other animated protagonists
Psychologists have occasionally cited Amanda: A Dream Come True in discussions of “possible selves” theory (Markus & Nurius, 1986). The cartoon visually represents the moment a feared or forbidden possible self is given permission to exist. For Amanda, the “dream” is not a specific outcome (e.g., becoming a ballerina or astronaut) but the process of becoming—a process usually relegated to private play.
The color palette is dominated by deep indigos, soft lavenders, and sudden bursts of warm amber. This use of color isn't just aesthetic; it is narrative. The cool blues represent the safety of the known world, while the explosive ambers and golds signify the intrusion of the magical "dream" into Amanda's life. This psychological depth is what elevated the cartoon
For those who grew up in the late 1990s or early 2000s in the United Kingdom, the name "Steve Strange" might immediately trigger memories of the New Romantic movement or the iconic club "The Blitz." However, long after his music career with Visage faded, Strange retreated to a different form of art: traditional, hand-drawn animation. The result was a curious, emotional, and visually stunning short film titled
As of 2025, the fully restored is available for free on the Internet Archive (courtesy of the Strange Estate). It has also been shown at select indie film festivals, including the London International Animation Festival and the Fantasia Film Festival.
A Kickstarter campaign raised £45,000 to restore the original 35mm print. The restoration was completed in late 2023, revealing color details no one had seen before—tiny stars hidden in Amanda’s irises, runes written on Lunar’s hooves.