The Eyes of Wakanda Review: An Animated Anthology That Dares to Venture Beyond the Throne
Ever since Marvel’s Black Panther stormed onto the scene in 2018, Wakanda has been a magnetic force in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)—a cultural, technological, and narrative powerhouse. Now, Marvel dares once again to harness that magic with The Eyes of Wakanda, an animated spin-off that’s equal parts bold experiment and fascinating detour. Streaming on Disney+, this four-episode series steps out of the shadows of Wakanda’s throne to focus on the famed Hatut Zeraze (or War Dogs), delivering action-packed espionage and faint echoes of the MCU’s golden era.
But here’s the real question on everyone’s mind: is The Eyes of Wakanda a vivid extension of Marvel’s most celebrated world-building or just another ambitious sideline project destined to collect dust in the Marvel backlog? Grab your vibranium shield, and let’s take a closer look.
What The Eyes of Wakanda Brings to the MCU Table
Marvel seems to be enjoying its experimental streak in animation, and The Eyes of Wakanda fits perfectly into that niche. Directed by Todd Harris, a former story artist for Black Panther and Wakanda Forever, the series kicks off in 1260 B.C. with a disgraced former Dora Milaje, Noni (voiced by Winnie Harlow). She’s on a mission to track down Lion (Cress Williams), a rogue Wakandan soldier-turned-pirate king who’s absconded with some precious vibranium.
Each episode follows a similar premise, set in different historical backdrops, from the Trojan War to 15th-century China. And while this “artifact-of-the-week” format might initially sound formulaic, the series uses it as a vehicle to explore Wakanda’s long-hidden global footprint and its secretive, nationalist agenda. Imagine Anthology Lite: self-contained stories loosely tethered by the impact of Wakanda’s influence over millennia.
As detailed in Variety’s exclusive preview, director Todd Harris pulls from his work on Black Panther to expand Wakanda’s reach beyond the throne.
The Good, The Bad, and The (Almost) Brilliant
Fans burned out by the sprawling web of interconnected Marvel storylines (cough, multiverse fatigue, cough) will find The Eyes of Wakanda refreshingly straightforward. There’s no Tony Stark cameo, no multiverse jargon, and no Infinity Stones. Instead, what you get is an espionage-heavy, character-centric story that offers a deeper look into Wakanda’s covert agents. Yes, Wakanda’s vibranium-fueled supremacy still takes center stage, but this time, it’s woven into a decidedly human story about nationalism, duty, and sacrifice.
Here’s where the series shines:
- Stunning Animation With a Bold Touch: Kudos to Marvel for leaning into the “animated anthology” vibe. Hats off to Axis Animation studio, which brought Wakanda’s world to life in a striking 3D visual style, artfully combining exaggerated character designs with painterly aesthetics. The opening hand-drawn sequence, inspired by Ernie Barnes’ work, is almost worth the watch all by itself. Combat scenes push the laws of physics as we know them, but hey—that’s part of the fun.
- New Depth for the Dora Milaje: We don’t spend much time in Wakanda itself, but this is precisely what lets the spotlight land on characters like Noni. For years, the Dora Milaje have stolen scenes with their fighting prowess—but until now, we rarely got to see what makes them tick. Eyes of Wakanda gives us that rare chance. Check out our Marvel Animation Drops ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ Teaser; New Disney+ Series Coming August 2025 for more related information.
- Focused, Not Overloaded: One of the most refreshing things about Eyes of Wakanda is simplicity. Unlike the chaotic mess of recent Marvel projects (looking at you, *Secret Invasion), it chooses a lane and drives straight through. This isn’t trying to be a sprawling epic spanning six MCU timelines. It’s a tight, well-contained show, and that focus works in its favor.
And yet, it’s not all sunshine and vibranium shields. There are challenges, too:
- Shallow Storytelling: While the animation and action pack a punch, the actual narratives can feel a bit thin. With only 30 minutes per episode, there’s little room for deep character arcs, and the “fetch quest” structure feels overly familiar by the third installment. A little more focus on emotional depth wouldn’t have hurt.
- Wakanda’s Tech Curve (Or Lack Thereof): The show’s depiction of Wakandan technology across different time periods hits a snag. By the 1400s, Wakanda already has monorails and aircraft. Fast-forward to Infinity War, and their tech doesn’t seem much more advanced. You’d think they’d be 50 years away from building Infinity Gauntlets themselves.
It’s a tight, well-contained show, and that focus works in its favor.
Rolling Stone calls it “an animated anthology that dares to venture beyond the throne,” and that’s a fair read.
Is The Eyes of Wakanda Worth Your Time?
ICYMI, The Eyes of Wakanda could easily have been another throwaway Marvel project (googles Eternals), but it manages to stand out as one of Marvel’s more visually daring animated entries, even if it doesn’t rewrite the rulebook. It’s not a masterpiece—but it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it feels like Marvel’s way of quietly apologizing to Wakandan fans for not giving the Dora Milaje the screen time they deserved in Wakanda Forever.
What makes this show tick is the cultural authenticity threaded into every frame. Whether it’s showcasing how Wakandan warriors interact with Achilles or Chinese monks or the painterly way its action sequences unfold, this series captures the essence of what makes Wakanda a beloved MCU locale.
Should you keep an eye on The Eyes of Wakanda? Absolutely. It’s rare to get a Marvel project this self-contained and focused—even if it’s not perfect. Plus, with only four episodes, it’s a low-commitment binge. If nothing else, it serves as a reminder of just how much storytelling juice Wakanda has to offer, even without its (beating) heart, T’Challa.
Looking for more focused Marvel spin-offs? Don’t miss our review of Exciting Marvel News! They’re Prioritizing Young X-Men and Black Panther 3
Streaming now on Disney+.
