Eyes of Wakanda: Marvel’s New Animated Series Now Streaming on Disney+

Marvel Studios Animation’s Latest Offering

Marvel Studios Animation has rapidly expanded its portfolio over the past four years, delivering a diverse range of original animated series to Disney+. Among these, Eyes of Wakanda stands out as a visually stunning anthology that combines 2D and CG animation. Created by Todd Harris, a veteran storyboard artist at Marvel, this four-episode series showcases a unique blend of artistic styles and rich storytelling.

A Journey Through Wakanda’s History

Eyes of Wakanda explores the history of Wakanda’s secret spies, known as the Hatut Zeraze or The War Dogs. Their mission is to blend into the outside world and recover lost Vibranium artifacts that could jeopardize the safety of Black Panther’s hidden kingdom. The series spans significant historical moments, including the Bronze Age, the Trojan War, the Ming dynasty, and the First Italo-Ethiopian War. Each episode is distinct, reflecting the cultural aesthetics of its respective period while offering inventive action sequences.

Stand-Alone Stories with MCU Connections

One of the strengths of Eyes of Wakanda is its accessibility within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Each episode is largely self-contained, allowing viewers to enjoy the series without prior knowledge of the Black Panther films. The half-hour runtimes ensure that each story provides resolution and closure, making it easy for audiences to engage with the content. However, the finale does attempt to connect the series to the broader MCU, which may feel unnecessary to some viewers.

Highlights and Shortcomings

The series opener, "Into the Lion’s Den," and the finale, "The Last Panther," are particularly noteworthy, as they delve deeper into Wakanda’s lore and introduce original characters like Noni, a failed Dora Milaje candidate voiced by Winnie Harlow. These episodes effectively capture the Afrofuturist elements of the franchise, merging Wakandan technology with sci-fi concepts. In contrast, the middle episodes, "Legends and Lies" and "Lost & Found," suffer from predictable plots and a clunky mix of humor and serious themes.

A Visual Feast

Despite its narrative inconsistencies, Eyes of Wakanda excels in animation quality. The sepia-toned title sequence by Studio AKA sets a high bar, while Axio Animation delivers vibrant color palettes and dramatic lighting throughout the episodes. The backgrounds, crafted by Craig Elliott, are visually stunning and encourage viewers to pause and appreciate the intricate details.

Conclusion: A Promising Yet Incomplete Series

While Eyes of Wakanda showcases the potential of animated storytelling within the Marvel universe, its short four-episode run leaves much to be desired. The series feels more like a sampler than a cohesive season, lacking the time to fully explore its creative possibilities. Nevertheless, the animation quality and unique visual style make it a worthwhile watch for fans of the franchise.

In summary, Eyes of Wakanda is a visually captivating addition to Marvel’s animated offerings, though it ultimately falls short of realizing its full potential.