Amid the streaming wars, many animated series have risen and fallen due to executive meddling. One of the more successful ones to come out of them was Netflix’s The Dragon Prince. Set in a fantasy world where humans and elves are at war, the young mage Callum must join his adoptive brother, Prince Ezran, to reunite the two races after finding the egg of the Prince of Dragons. Along the way, he is hounded by the mage Viren, who serves the mysterious elven archmage Aaravos.
While critics have acclaimed the series, too many animation fans have overlooked it. This is actually a shame, as The Dragon Prince is one of the best that Netflix’s animation department has to offer. Here is a breakdown of why more fantasy lovers, cartoon fans, and everyone should watch this gem of a series.
It Has The Crew Of Avatar: The Last Airbender
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The first reason to watch The Dragon Prince is that it was created by acclaimed writers Justin Richmond and Aaron Ehasz, the central duo behind Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. To most readers, the series needs no introduction as it’s become one of the most influential works in animation, legendary for its layered worldbuilding, complex characters, and commentary on the nature of war and peace. To this day, many critics thoroughly analyze the series; aspiring creators also continue to take inspiration from it.
This time, Richmond and Ehasz returned to bring their magic to streaming again. For those disappointed by Netflix’s 2024 reboot or the original sequel, The Legend of Korra, this series gives both creators another chance to win fans back. This series has everything fans could want from a spiritual successor: a blend of fantasy action, gripping drama, and comedy they’ve come to love. Sokka’s voice actor, Jack DeSena, even returned to voice Callum. In a market flooded with cheap imitators, this series is one of the closest examples of a spiritual successor to the legendary work one can get.
The Dragon Prince’s Take On The Fantasy Genre
The following reason to enjoy The Dragon Prince is its original take on fantasy. On the surface, audiences have seen many of the show’s tropes, such as elves, dragons, and wizards. However, this time around, the creators go all out. The six kingdoms of elves are each based around one of the elements, and the land of Xadia is brimming with fantastical flora and fauna. Much like The Owl House, the fantasy world of this show goes beyond your standard medieval setting into a truly alien realm.
Additionally, The Dragon Prince provides what any fantasy fan always looks for, which is a functional magic system. As with Avatar, the series bases its magic on a collection of different elemental “sources.” The writers show how a creative fighter and tactician can fully control an element to wicked results. The show also introduces “dark magic,” a seventh element that can be used as a shortcut to power at a grave cost. Instead of painting it as a purely evil force, the show explores the ethics of such a corrupting force.
The Writing We’ve Come To Love
Finally, as a successor to Avatar, The Dragon Prince naturally has the same top-notch writing that gave the series its reputation. No one is entirely a “good” or “evil” faction, as the humans and elves each have their own heroes, villains, and grievances. The series profoundly explores how the cycle of revenge hurts everyone. Standing at the center is our trio, Callum, Ezran, and Rayla, who are as much a tight-knit band of adventurers as they are individuals with contrasting worldviews and codes of ethics that come into play. This show can be a breath of fresh air for those tired of the constant darkness of works like Game of Thrones.
The show’s central villain, the mage Viren, and his children, Soren and Claudia, are at the heart of its complexity. Instead of being a generic cackling sorcerer, Viren is a morally grey figure caught between his family, his duty, and his desire to protect the kingdom from the elven threat. He is a central figure in the mystery surrounding the true main antagonist, Aaravos, who has quickly become a fan favorite.
Apart from its complex and nuanced storylines, the show also has impeccable humor. This is because the show is created by and for nerds. This extends to the many Easter eggs, references throughout the show, and several “meta” jokes, such as Callum commenting on a “ship” frozen in ice while on an adventure with Rayla. Small moments show the writers listened to their audience and understood the assignment. As one final selling point for the show, it is very easy to binge on Netflix, as each episode is nine twenty-minute episodes in length. With another season on the way, catching up on this classic epic will be quick.
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