Wakanda Forever Animated? 'Eyes of Wakanda' Delivers Style, But Does It Have Substance?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Marvel's 'Eyes of Wakanda' is a visually impressive animated series that delves into the history of Wakanda's spies, but its short run and inconsistent stories leave it feeling like a missed opportunity. It's a feast for the eyes, even if the narrative isn't always firing on all cylinders.
Right, so Marvel's been churning out animated series on Disney+ faster than I can brew a decent cuppa, and the latest, 'Eyes of Wakanda,' has just dropped. IGN South Africa reckons it’s a visual feast, and fair dinkum, they aren’t wrong. Think 'What If...?' but with even more eye-popping art. But does it actually *say* anything, or is it just another shiny bauble in the MCU treasure chest?
This four-episode anthology, courtesy of Todd Harris (a Marvel Studios veteran) and his mate John Fang, dives into the history of Wakanda's secret spy network, the Hatut Zeraze (or War Dogs, as they’re also known). Their job? To sneak around the world, grabbing any stray Vibranium before some villainous sod gets their mitts on it. Sounds simple enough, right? But what happens when you throw in historical settings like the Trojan War or the Ming dynasty? It gets complicated, that's what.
The animation, handled by Studio AKA and Axio Animation, is genuinely stunning. We're talking vibrant colours, dramatic lighting, and backgrounds that’ll make you want to pause every five seconds just to soak it all in. The production design, courtesy of Craig Elliott ('The Princess and the Frog') and August Hall ('The Boxtrolls'), is top-notch, blending Afrofuturism with historical accuracy. It's like they took the best bits of the 'Black Panther' movies and cranked them up to eleven.
But here's the rub: while the visuals are cracking, the stories are a bit of a mixed bag. IGN points out that the first and last episodes, "Into the Lion’s Den” and “The Last Panther,” are the strongest, revealing new facets of Wakanda and its culture. These episodes shine when they focus on original characters or blend Wakandan tech with sci-fi concepts. The middle two episodes, "Legends and Lies" and "Lost & Found,” though? Well, apparently they’re bogged down by predictable plots and heavy-handed messaging. Bit of a shame, innit?
Now, the thing with these Marvel series is they always try to shoehorn in connections to the wider MCU. While 'Eyes of Wakanda' mostly avoids this, IGN notes the finale kinda succumbs to the pressure. Everything needs to be connected, apparently. Even if it doesn't really *need* to be. What is this, some weird rule that if it isn’t connected to the rest, then it doesn’t exist?
The big question is, does 'Eyes of Wakanda' stick the landing? Well, IGN reckon it’s an entertaining addition to Marvel's animated lineup, especially if you’re after something that looks the business. But with only four episodes, it never quite finds its rhythm. It's more of a sampler platter than a full meal, which is a bit of a bummer. But hey, even the weaker episodes are easy on the eyes, so it’s not a total loss.
So, should you watch it? If you're a fan of 'Black Panther' and love visually stunning animation, then give it a go. Just don't expect a groundbreaking narrative masterpiece. Think of it as a cinematic amuse-bouche – a tasty little morsel to tide you over until the next big Marvel extravaganza. And who knows, maybe they’ll greenlight a second season and really delve into the history of Wakanda’s War Dogs. Fingers crossed!
Tags: Marvel, Animation, Wakanda, Disney+, MCU
Original article: IGN South Africa