Masyanya

Masyanya (Масяня) is a popular Russian cartoon character created by Oleg Kuvaev and his mult.ru studio and first appeared in 2001 on the Internet.

I can't stand New Year.

Who? What?
In this vision of Saint Petersburg, Masyanya, her boyfriend (Khrundel/ Pigface) and friend (Lokhmatiy/ Hairball) and most others closest to her have disproportionately large, oval heads and never age, although the world around them represent changes in the world. Masyanya and co. have a cynical and sarcastic attitude to the world but are nevertheless ultimately kind-hearted and enjoy laughing at and doing stupid things.

Why is it so good?

The cartoon seems to sum up something about many young people in Russia - acting the fool combined with a certain world-weariness that's arrived too early. The characters sitting around, chatting and laughing is how many spend their free time. It's a slice of Russian life; not all-singing, all-dancing glamour and not a standard TV version of how young adults live.

It has great, silly humour...

In this episode, Khrundel is working is a fast food place when two American tourists come in. He gets Lokhmatiy to 'help' with translation. [No Russian needed]

it has insightful, social comment...

In this heartbreaking episode, based on a real person, Okolobakha is a talented violinist, who has to do military service. On his return, Masyanya and  Khrundel see him busking in the metro. He wants money for a new violin as his "is very bad". Masyanya wants to give him some but Khrundel understands that the violin is not the problem after his time in the army. [clear enough to understand without knowing Russian by understanding the plot and intonation]

and the political comment has become clearer over time

In this episode [which has subtitles if you click on the option], Masyanya tries to boost a friend's self-esteem has plenty social comment and digs at the government, especially at the end when they take action to avoid problems with the police.

And now?
Its creator, Oleg Kuvaev, has on-screen analysed society thus indirectly critiquing the government and has successfully defended his copyright in the courts off-screen. In 2006, he unexpectedly closed down his studios and stopped producing all of the previous cartoons. He now lives in Israel, where thankfully he has restarted making his, and our, beloved Masyanya.