The Dragon Prince is animated television series created for Netflix. It’s first episode premiered on September 14, 2018, and a year after another season was introduced to the growing fanbase.
The series are intended (or not?) for children and were created by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond. Aaron Ehasz was responsible for Avatar: The Last Airbender, while Justin Richmond has been working for years, for games producers such as Naughty Dog, and Riot Games. Studios in charge of game titles such as: Uncharted, The Last of Us or League of Legends. Yup.. research on creators explained so much to me. What is more Justin Richmond is founder and creator of Wonderstorm – a company that announced The Dragon Prince Game, however the relese date is not yet known. I strongly recommend visiting Wonderstorm website – it has beautiful graphic in the background.
The story starts with multiple events, such as: unorthodox meeting, discovery of the dragon egg (which was believed to be lost), and supposed murder of the king.
Again you may ask why sudden interest in something that is actually a childrens tale. Well the thing is I am not sure that it is a kids story. I’am more willing to accept though that it is a story for adults who are supposed to watch fairy tales with their kids. Or maybe it’s a bow to responsible adults who wanted to watch something as cool as Motomice from Mars with their kids on a TV. And well, it’s pretty obvious that modern day TV – especially for kids – is beyond pitiful. Perhaps that is why Dragon Price has no competition since day one.
Dragon Prince is not perfect, it surely has its issues. Like young queen Aanya having two mothers. I mean.. no matter what the liberal society thinks two women cannot biologically bring new life to the world. Puting it plainly there is no fucking way, and showing that to the kids is not progressive it’s dumbing the kids. This is a society that still uses swords and armour, and I’m pretty sure they do not have an inVitro fertility clinic in Xadia. So yeah there is the obvious shitty indoctrination.
But other than that crazy stuff the series are great! The world is interesting and vibrant, and of course incredibly pretty with is moon moths, dragons, spells and storms locked in a rocks. And even more than interesting in a matter of creatures, rituals or customs. The characters are interesting as well and series are building their growth in very different ways. Callum for instance starts as young boy, not really sure how he fits in a court, being king’s adopted son. And with every day of the journey he gains more experience and confidence. At the end of season 2 he becomes the first human mage to use primal magic, without the primal stone. Rayla is very similar in that aspect – an elven assassin conflicted between duty, and doing what is right – with the burden of guilt caused by her parents cowardiance. It is her mercy that leads to finding an egg in the first episode and form this unusual friendship between humans and an elf.
Story itself is way deeper than modern kids shows have. It covers all manner of difficult subjects one have to deal with in life. Some of this subjects are very hard to introduce to a child. Family, death, duty, betrayal, war – all this things and more are presented to the viewers in very gracefull, respectable manner. Which makes it appropriate and enriching for children, and pleasant to watch for an adult.
There are a lot intresting advanced plotpoints, for example:
King Harrow’s Death
It is possible that Viren switched king’s and Pip’s (king’s favorite parrot) souls in their bodies. He afterall was in the king’s chamber that night – with two headed magical snake from Xadia. That may also be why he referred ironically to the parrot before his coronation „No song for this occasion?”. And that’s probably why at the end of season 2 we get a glimpse of Viren turnig over the birdcage and the parrot leaving it. And let’s remember that young prince Erran can talk to animals..
Runaan’s Fear
While commander of moon shadow elf assassins is held by Viren in the dungeon he is taunted by Viren to help him discover the purpose of the magical mirror. In order to break the elf’s spirit Viren shows him something – something we are not able to see, that truly terrifies the elf. Later on we see how Viren somehow trapped Runaan inside a coin. But is he the only one forced in this terrible existence? We know Rayla’s parents were part of elite guard defending the Dragon Egg, and we know that supposedly they fled. We also may assume that Viren was part of expedition to kill the Dragon King. It was hinted that in that battle human used horrible dark magic.. So are Rayla’s parents truly a traitors? Or are they locked somehow in the magical coins along with Runaan?
The Mistical Box
During their journey Callum obtained the Key of Aaravos. A magical tool that helps detect different kinds of magic powering creatures from Xadia and mages. We also know that the elven archmage Aaravos has been locked away for unspeakable crimes in some other dimension. Perhaps it was the moon elves that locked him using the Moon Nexus as is was hinted by Lujanne (it was used to open doors to other dimensions). What if the box is a key to freeing Araavos? And the only one to use it would be a mage who has the power of all the elements? Perhaps it’s only a coincidence that the box is being held right now by Callum – the only one who managed to learn primal magic. Is Aaravos the one who taught humans how to use dark magic? Will the series end with battle between him and Callum?
The only thing sure right now is that 3rd season is coming to Netflix on Friday, November 22, 2019. And while I know there has been some sneak peaks and leaks on Comic-Con panels I have not read them yet. I don’t intent to do so. I guess I don’t want to spoil myself the fun.. But I cannot wait for the premiere and If you my dear reader haven’t watched the Dragon Prince yet I strongly recommend you do – regardless of your age. Ahh yes.. and I’m also pretty sure that the creators play DnD regularly..
