I began screaming in Kotaku Slack when my fellow weeb (and employees author) Isaiah linked a screenshot of Dragon Age: Absolution. My favourite western fantasy RPG is getting an anime adaptation? Signal me up. However then I began watching the trailer, and my enthusiasm deflated instantly. Absolution doesn’t appear like a present produced for the followers of the supply materials.
Dragon Age: Absolution is a six-episode anime that’s set within the Tevinter Imperium, a nation the place mages rule over folks with out magic. Netflix promised that it will function an all-original solid and stay trustworthy to the lore. The present can be animated by the identical studio behind Netflix’s The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.
I needed to love this so unhealthy. However because the digital camera panned over extremely generic wanting buildings and characters, I grew despondent. There’s putting geometry to how BioWare designed cities within the video games, and the Tevinter idea artwork would present its structure as slim and claustrophobic. Should you advised me that I used to be watching a trailer for DOTA: Dragon’s Blood, then I might have believed you. I didn’t see something that tells me this can be a Dragon Age adaptation.
I purchased the Dragon Age: Inquisition artwork ebook shortly after the sport got here out, and I want that Absolution’s characters regarded something like Inquisitor idea artwork #24. Even cloaked, I affiliate the sport’s characters with robust silhouettes. I didn’t see a single memorable character in your entire trailer. It was so dire that I began to surprise if I might be capable of inform two mages aside. Voltron: Legendary Defender had comparable issues with uninspired character design.
In fact, I’m not blaming the employees right here. The studio’s Witcher anime seems considerably higher than the Dragon Age trailer. It’s a tough time for Netflix animators proper now, and reveals are undoubtedly affected by how a lot funds they’re given. Netflix lately laid off 70 folks from its animation division final month, and animated tasks resembling Wings of Fireplace, With Form Regards From Kindergarten, and Antiracist Child had been reduce totally. Even when Absolution does properly, we would not see a season two. Simply take a look at what occurred to Tuca and Bertie.
Ultimately, it’s only a trailer. Possibly Absolution’s story will make up for the way lukewarm I really feel in regards to the visuals. However anime is a robust medium as a result of it strives to marry narrative with visible storytelling. Absolution already feels hamstrung proper out the gate.
