If I had to describe this series with one word it would be “wholesome”. The Dragon Prince is a perfect example of how animation can appeal to all ages. From the smoothness of its animation to the complexity of its plot, this series is meant to be enjoyed by all family members. The series not only follows characters that embark on a fantastical journey, but it gives the illusion that the viewers are also part of it. Through playfully laid out storytelling, the hit Netflix series gives audiences some much needed comfort with its vivid colors, beautiful animation and a (surprisingly) intricate plot.

Series Information:

Genre:
Fantasy / Action/ Adventure/ Comedy drama

Voice Cast:
Jack DeSena
Paula Burrows
Sasha Rojen
Jason Simpson
Racquel Belmonte
Jesse Inocalla

Distributed By:
Netflix

Episode Duration:
24 to 33 minutes

Series Rating:
8.0 / 10

Series Plot:

The Dragon Prince is set in a continent that has been divided in two. In the West there are the five Human Kingdoms. In the East there is the land of Xadia, in which elves and dragons live. Humans have been cast out of this land because they practiced dark magic, which is a deviation of the magic found in the six primal sources: the Sun, Moon, Sky, Earth, Ocean and the Stars. Two princes, Callum and Ezran, find themselves in an unlikely alliance with a Moonshadow elf, Rayla. The three of them discover the stolen egg of the late Dragon King, and with it a way to stop the inevitable war between their two species.    

Style and Writing:

Even though visually stunning, the animation for The Dragon Prince can initially come across as too mechanic. True enough, in the first season the characters’ movements seem a bit laggy, although it is barely noticeable. However, in the second season, the animation not only becomes smoother, but it also becomes more vibrant and impressive. With every new season, the series manages to outdo itself with the combination of hand painting and three-dimensional computer animation.

As for the writing, the series excels at relaying a very humorous and serious narrative. The series also references other popular productions such as Disney, The Lord of the Rings, Avatar: The Last Airbender and more. From Season 1 to 3 the storytelling of The Dragon Prince demands your attention. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the fourth season, which in comparison with the others seems a bit dull. However, this is remedied by the fifth season, which sets the stakes higher than ever before.

Characters:

The Dragon Prince comes with a plethora of characters. Even though many would think that the main characters are Callum, Rayla, and Ezran, there are also many others who play crucial roles in the overall story. The dark mage Viren and his children Claudia and Soren, are extremely important to the plot of the series. The princes’ deaf aunt Amaya also has her own storylines. And last but not least, there are also many dragons, elves, as well as constant animal companions to the human and elf characters who are always given their time to shine.

It should be noted that The Dragon Prince doesn’t really have evil characters. One of the many advantages of the show is that even characters who seem immoral, are actually morally ambiguous. They may go too far at times, but their goals are for the most part selfless. For this reason, it is very difficult to dislike many characters, since they always show their humor, their love and more importantly their humanity, even at their darkest moments.

Having been an avid fan of animation my entire life, The Dragon Prince immediately drew my attention for many reasons. The animation is stellar and really transports viewers into the fantastical world of Xadia. Despite the premise being quite serious, the series never fails to deliver lighthearted comedy, which is seen constantly throughout every episode. Even so, the show never condescends its audience. It talks about many different topics, such as the value of friendship, love and loss, and government corruption. No matter how old you are, these are concepts we should always remember.

Additionally, the series beautifully portrays same-sex relationships in a way that can be accepted even by the most conservative viewer. The representation of love comes naturally in this series, and viewers can easily be caught up in it, supporting the characters and their loved ones, even despite their personal beliefs.

Finally, credit is due to the story itself. Viewers can easily relate to the main characters and they can sometimes find themselves supporting more morally ambiguous ones. It is also interesting to observe the world-building of Xadia and the Human Kingdoms, their history and struggles. We immerse ourselves into this strange world (which often reminds us of our own) while watching the protagonists and find out more about the differences between humans and elves.

Overall, when it comes to The Dragon Prince, it doesn’t matter if you are a child, a teenager, an adult, or even an elder. This series is made for all. It is enjoyable, with a talented voice cast and the animation lures you to binge-watch it in just a few days. With the new season coming on July 26, viewers have plenty of time to rewatch it (or maybe even start watching it for the first time).

Written by Demetris Bougiouris