The Mighty Nein Review:
So, The Mighty Nein is finally here — and I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s everything you’d hope for in a high‑stakes fantasy show, wrapped in some surprisingly tender moments. Released on Prime Video, this adult animated series takes off with a ragtag group of outcasts — fugitives, misfits, and scarred souls — who are suddenly thrown together by fate when a powerful relic called “The Beacon” falls into the wrong hands.
Right from the opening, the show nails its tone: a blend of dark humor, emotional vulnerability, and sweeping fantasy adventure. It doesn’t feel like a lightweight “just-for-fans” adaptation — there’s real weight to the stakes, and yet the characters never feel too serious. They laugh, argue, and fumble their way through their mission, making them feel deeply human despite all the magic.
Visually, the animation is a treat. It borrows some of the sharp, anime-inspired flair of similar fantasy shows, but with its own twist. The action scenes are fluid and dynamic, and whenever the story slows down, the quieter moments feel just as deliberate: a soft glow here, a shadowy corridor there. It’s clear a lot of care went into setting the mood.
Performance-wise, the voice cast absolutely delivers. For longtime Critical Role fans, there’s joy in hearing familiar voices (yes, some of the original cast is back). But even if you’ve never followed the D&D streams, the actors make their characters feel grounded and believable. Their struggles — guilt, regret, the burden of past mistakes — get real weight.
One of the show’s strongest points is its theme of found family. These characters don’t start out as a team — they’re fractured, wounded, and often at odds. But as they grow closer, they learn to rely on each other in meaningful ways. The Beacon plot is thrilling, but the emotional arcs are what really pulled me in: redemption, trust, and learning to belong.
That said, it’s not perfect. Because the series leans into its fantasy roots, there are moments where the world-building feels a little dense (especially in the early episodes) — some lore-heavy exposition might trip up casual viewers. And pacing can be uneven: a few episodes take their time to settle, which may feel slow if you just tuned in for action.
Overall though? The Mighty Nein is a very promising start. It’s ambitious without being overwhelming, emotional without getting too mushy, and exciting without losing its humanity. For anyone who loves fantasy, character-driven stories, or just great animation — this is absolutely a must-watch.
If I were rating it: 4 out of 5 stars. Can’t wait to see where the next episodes go.
