Dragons of Wonderhatch Series Review – Magical. Almost.
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Japanese high-school student Nagi is an imaginative teen who dreams of flying in the sky and sees colors in sounds. When a young hero called Tyme magically appears in her house through a bookshelf, accompanied by a tiny dragon, the two along-with Nagi’s friend Son embark on an adventure of a lifetime to seek out a great warrior named Akuta, in order to save Tyme’s homeworld called Upananta.
The magical realm of animated dragon-riding heroes collides with the mundane real world of humans in the Disney fantasy series “Dragons of Wonderhatch” (Wandahatchi: Soratobu Ryu no Shima). Unlike “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” or “Space Jam,” where cartoons and humans exist in the same plane, this series seamlessly flits between anime and live-action. Directed by Hagiwara Kentaro, the cinematography in the show is top-notch, laden with scenes and shots that are a visual treat.
For an episode-by-episode review of ‘Dragons of Wonderhatch,’ click here.
Nakajima Sene portrays Nagi, a kind, creative, and serious character who resides with her father, yearning for her mother—an artist who was obsessed with drawing a different world adorned with floating islands and fantastical beasts. As it turns out, this world is not just a figment of imagination, but a tangible place called Upananta. Out of the eight episodes, only episode 6 doesn’t feature any scenes of the animated worlds, otherwise, each edition is laden with colorful sections of Upananta, where warriors are trying to find a way to save their world from collapsing.
Okudaira Daiken takes on the role of Tyme, accompanied by his adorable dragon companion Guphin, as he find his way to Japan seeking Nagi’s assistance. His mission is to locate his hero, Akuta, to join forces and find a way to save Upananta. Nagi, joined by her childhood best friend Son, embarks on a thrilling adventure with Tyme, forming a trio whose friendship becomes a delightful highlight of this series. Okudaia Daiken is endearing as the young, cheery, idealistic Tyme, who funnily enough, is probably the weakest warrior in the series, but with the biggest heart.
Mackenyu, in the role of Akuta, contributes an interesting sub-plot revolving around quickly becoming jaded with the real world in Japan and giving up hope of fixing anything. While Akuta represents older cynical adults who give up on their dreams, the younger Tyme symbolizes the stubborn will of a younger generation determined to change their fate. Meanwhile, Morita Go plays Space, one of the primary antagonists in the tale, who is also stuck in Japan, but has a dangerous misguided plan in his head to save Upananta. The script takes a good dig at adult conspiracy theories and the politics of how “good versus evil” works.
“Dragons of Wonderhatch” is unevenly paced, with moments that may feel slow or even unwanted until a backstory towards the end makes the larger picture clear. However, the show’s redeeming qualities lie in its visually enchanting elements, a delightful cast, and a subtle yet harmonious soundtrack, making it a worthwhile watch. The vibrant animated realm of Upananta, reminiscent of iconic series like “Dragon Ball Z,” and the picturesque scenes of coastal Japan, bathed in captivating shades of blue, offer viewers captivating visual compositions.
Episode eight, the climactic edition of the series, fails to live up to the story expectations that the creators built up throughout the show. It was very random, scattered, and ultimately disappointing. However, “Dragons of Wonderhatch” (Wandahatchi: Soratobu Ryu no Shima) is an exciting new addition to the fantasy world. If you’re looking for a unique plot where the worlds of anime and live-action meet, definitely check this one out.
Rating: 7 on 10. You can stream “Dragons of Wonderhatch” on Disney Plus or Hulu.
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