The First Season of Unicorn: Warriors Eternal Delivers on Genndy Tartakovsky’s Vision
Unicorn: Warriors Eternal is now available for streaming on Max.
Genndy Tartakovsky, the renowned animator behind beloved TV cartoons such as Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and Primal, has spent the past two decades working on a unique fantasy sci-fi adventure. Inspired by the works of Hayao Miyazaki, Osamu Tezuka, and Max Fleischer, Tartakovsky’s vision has finally come to life in the first season of Unicorn: Warriors Eternal. This animated series represents the culmination of Tartakovsky’s career, combining the action and serialization of his previous works with the sense of mythology and world-building seen in Clone Wars and Sym-Bionic Titan. The result is a fresh and captivating cartoon that will appeal to both young and adult audiences, showcasing Tartakovsky’s creative expertise.
A Universally Appealing and Esoteric Story
Right from the start, Unicorn: Warriors Eternal captures a unique balance between universal appeal and esoteric storytelling. Unlike the silent narratives of Primal, this series delivers chatty scripts that resemble those of Sym-Bionic Titan. The plot revolves around three immortal warriors who reincarnate across time to combat an evil entity. However, it becomes even more intriguing when considering the warriors’ identities: Melinda, the daughter of Merlin the wizard; Edred, an elven warrior with a magic sword; and Seng, a cosmic monk with orange eyes and access to the astral plane. These characters often encounter cosmic creatures and are bound by a steampunk robot named Copernicus until their next reincarnation. While the show delves into vast lore (which the first season only scratches the surface of), it manages to ground its strangest aspects with well-developed characters and a fully fleshed-out world.
Melinda’s journey takes center stage in the first season of Unicorn: Warriors Eternal. As a powerful sorcerer, her soul reincarnates in the body of a Victorian teenager named Emma. However, something unexpected occurs, bringing the warriors back in younger bodies and causing an identity crisis for both Melinda and Emma. Throughout the season, the two souls grapple with their shared existence, resulting in an emotional storyline that showcases Tartakovsky’s ability to balance earnest storytelling with comedic elements. Drawing from his experience creating Dexter’s Laboratory, the series also provides plenty of humor. Seng, in particular, steals the spotlight with his memorable scenes, and there’s a hilarious early-season gag involving an army of nude statue soldiers that gets “neutered” before battle.
A Visual Masterpiece
Unicorn: Warriors Eternal boasts stunning animation. Studio La Cachette, known for their work on Primal, flawlessly captures the kinetic energy, precise camera angles, and movements envisioned by Tartakovsky. The result is a series filled with dynamic and exhilarating fight scenes that surpass much of Western animation. The show’s Victorian steampunk aesthetic contributes to its unique visual style, perfectly complementing the blend of tones and genres. Unicorn: Warriors Eternal fearlessly combines various elements, with Emma resembling a goth version of Betty Boop and Seng embodying the spirit of a classic Chuck Jones character. The successful integration of these diverse elements within this peculiar world is a testament to the sincere approach taken by the show, as both serious and humorous moments hold significance for the characters.