This is a bad animated show. The quality of the animation is not very good to begin with, but also it is just boring with bad writing.
11 Reviews
Bad Animation, Boring Show
worthwood29 July 2018
Far too ambitious
rubyrose-8161510 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
When I first saw the commercials for this series it looked quite interesting, though from the complicated designs of the characters, I had a feeling that the animation would be subpar, moreso because kids shows don't typically have the highest animation budget.
Turns out I was right.
From what I've seen, the show was aiming to be of the fantasy action genre, which isn't too atypical of most cartoons. Its main problem with this is that the action scenes aren't interesting much at all. Usually it just involves our heroines jumping into the air and shooting magic out of their weapons. The only time the shooting magic part would make sense is when either Arkayna or Zarya are using their powers as they are the essentially the rangers of the group, but these abilities extend to Emerald, the knight. Who uses a sword and shield. And isn't supposed to have such abilities.
It's also given to Piper, the striker of the group (I've never heard of this type of fighter, so I have no idea what they would usually use, but from what I can tell her weapons are Chakrams). She just throws them and they bounce off of stuff. Not exactly what I was expecting from these weapons as they would usually have the ability to cut things, but considering the target demographic, some things do have to be toned down. But taking these abilities into consideration, it feels like they use the same weapon, it just looks different. Even though they're a team, they don't function as one, with differing abilities that combine well in order to defeat their enemy. The show tries to portray them working together, but it feels like they're just fighting individual battles against a common enemy.
They are all capable of using magic, but the problem with the system this show has is that we don't understand the extent of everyone's magical abilities. There's nothing telling us why the Mysticons are so weak. There's nothing telling us why Auntie Yaga is so strong. There's no proper scale of who the strongest and weakest are and nothing giving us an understanding of why they are that way. From what we're shown, it seems they can use their abilities at will with little to no consequences.
There's two problems with this; Firstly, it takes away any suspense or impact of their actions. If the characters don't give up anything to use their abilities, however slight it might be, where is the impact? Where is the tension that we feel when they run out of energy to use and become powerless, thus prompting them to train to increase their magical and fighting capabilities, and leading them to rely on each other's strengths when theirs fall short? The severe lack of these boundaries makes it seem as though magic in this story is only there to provide convenient solutions to problems, or to cause inconveniences to try and create tension, which it fails at doing because it's made painfully obvious that they could be easily solved.
This show has major problems with the story, its pacing and its overall execution. Problems are introduced one episode, then they're resolved by the end of it, or in the following episode, making the pacing disjointed and unrealistic. The way the story is done is more of a tell rather than show. In a visual medium such as animation, its important that we are shown how the characters are feeling through strategic camera angles and their body language, not just their facial expressions. It's also vital to show things that are happening, not just being told. In example, Tazma somehow stole the Dragon Disc, yet we were told and not shown the moment she snatched it away. In such a vital moment, especially one that directly affects the plot through the Mysticon's success, they couldn't have even bothered to animate her stealing it away before she was hit by Necrafa's attack? It removes the suspense and tension and makes it feel like it's just happening because... plot convenience.
As previously mentioned with the action in this series, it's not interesting. But it could've been if the designs of the characters weren't as complicated, or at least more flexible. There's a reason why characters have to have simple designs in animation; it makes it easier to animate them! It makes it easier for the animators and colorists to work on animations, and also to make their movements more believable and interesting and dynamic! It's the thing the Mysticons are not capable of having because the people who designed them added too much detail! Moreover they gave these designs to a company that does not have animators capable of handling such detailed designs and still make the movements interesting. It's why so many scenes have recycled frames or jolted transitions that are missing the in-between frames to smooth out the animation and make it look good. It's especially vital in this show because it's trying to be a fantasy action show. If they had been given more flexibility with drawing the characters in certain shots rather than absolutely sticking to model, it might've been more engaging. Most shows have at least that much leeway; limiting them so severely damages the overall quality of the animation.
The only thing in this series I didn't really have an issue with is the sound design. The opening sounds good, the music used in this series is rather simple, but it fits. The sound effects were fine, but not really anything all that special.
Overall, the Mysticons falls short in many aspects, especially the ones vital to making a show interesting or unique. If they could be improved upon in the future, then maybe subsequent titles written and produced by Sean Jara and her peers could be more successful in the future.
Turns out I was right.
From what I've seen, the show was aiming to be of the fantasy action genre, which isn't too atypical of most cartoons. Its main problem with this is that the action scenes aren't interesting much at all. Usually it just involves our heroines jumping into the air and shooting magic out of their weapons. The only time the shooting magic part would make sense is when either Arkayna or Zarya are using their powers as they are the essentially the rangers of the group, but these abilities extend to Emerald, the knight. Who uses a sword and shield. And isn't supposed to have such abilities.
It's also given to Piper, the striker of the group (I've never heard of this type of fighter, so I have no idea what they would usually use, but from what I can tell her weapons are Chakrams). She just throws them and they bounce off of stuff. Not exactly what I was expecting from these weapons as they would usually have the ability to cut things, but considering the target demographic, some things do have to be toned down. But taking these abilities into consideration, it feels like they use the same weapon, it just looks different. Even though they're a team, they don't function as one, with differing abilities that combine well in order to defeat their enemy. The show tries to portray them working together, but it feels like they're just fighting individual battles against a common enemy.
They are all capable of using magic, but the problem with the system this show has is that we don't understand the extent of everyone's magical abilities. There's nothing telling us why the Mysticons are so weak. There's nothing telling us why Auntie Yaga is so strong. There's no proper scale of who the strongest and weakest are and nothing giving us an understanding of why they are that way. From what we're shown, it seems they can use their abilities at will with little to no consequences.
There's two problems with this; Firstly, it takes away any suspense or impact of their actions. If the characters don't give up anything to use their abilities, however slight it might be, where is the impact? Where is the tension that we feel when they run out of energy to use and become powerless, thus prompting them to train to increase their magical and fighting capabilities, and leading them to rely on each other's strengths when theirs fall short? The severe lack of these boundaries makes it seem as though magic in this story is only there to provide convenient solutions to problems, or to cause inconveniences to try and create tension, which it fails at doing because it's made painfully obvious that they could be easily solved.
This show has major problems with the story, its pacing and its overall execution. Problems are introduced one episode, then they're resolved by the end of it, or in the following episode, making the pacing disjointed and unrealistic. The way the story is done is more of a tell rather than show. In a visual medium such as animation, its important that we are shown how the characters are feeling through strategic camera angles and their body language, not just their facial expressions. It's also vital to show things that are happening, not just being told. In example, Tazma somehow stole the Dragon Disc, yet we were told and not shown the moment she snatched it away. In such a vital moment, especially one that directly affects the plot through the Mysticon's success, they couldn't have even bothered to animate her stealing it away before she was hit by Necrafa's attack? It removes the suspense and tension and makes it feel like it's just happening because... plot convenience.
As previously mentioned with the action in this series, it's not interesting. But it could've been if the designs of the characters weren't as complicated, or at least more flexible. There's a reason why characters have to have simple designs in animation; it makes it easier to animate them! It makes it easier for the animators and colorists to work on animations, and also to make their movements more believable and interesting and dynamic! It's the thing the Mysticons are not capable of having because the people who designed them added too much detail! Moreover they gave these designs to a company that does not have animators capable of handling such detailed designs and still make the movements interesting. It's why so many scenes have recycled frames or jolted transitions that are missing the in-between frames to smooth out the animation and make it look good. It's especially vital in this show because it's trying to be a fantasy action show. If they had been given more flexibility with drawing the characters in certain shots rather than absolutely sticking to model, it might've been more engaging. Most shows have at least that much leeway; limiting them so severely damages the overall quality of the animation.
The only thing in this series I didn't really have an issue with is the sound design. The opening sounds good, the music used in this series is rather simple, but it fits. The sound effects were fine, but not really anything all that special.
Overall, the Mysticons falls short in many aspects, especially the ones vital to making a show interesting or unique. If they could be improved upon in the future, then maybe subsequent titles written and produced by Sean Jara and her peers could be more successful in the future.
What even?
marcoslykos26 August 2018
Brings back memories
jubsjubbly10 February 2018
Positive Female Role Models
BeckyHew29 October 2021
I really like this show, as it displays a variety of female role models each with different personalities, showing young girls that there's more than one way to be a girl.
The story is enjoyable and the characters are fun.
It's great that the characters are strong, brave and actually fight, which is often rare in fantasy stories where women are relegated to the "magic" role that is a side note.
I'm hoping this will become a cult classic!
The story is enjoyable and the characters are fun.
It's great that the characters are strong, brave and actually fight, which is often rare in fantasy stories where women are relegated to the "magic" role that is a side note.
I'm hoping this will become a cult classic!
Good Show
mgsolakis12 March 2019
My daughter loved this show. The animation is old school, which I personally prefer to the new stuff. It's has some witty writing if you ask me. Adults and older kids can clue in to aspects of the show that younger kids don't understand which is an example of the good writing available in this show. That said the story is simple enough that younger kids can follow.
I could do without some of the vulgarly such as characters burping etc. I also think the show can be a bit of a soap opera at times. But overall it is an imaginative show with interesting characters, good lessons and entertaining episodes.
I could do without some of the vulgarly such as characters burping etc. I also think the show can be a bit of a soap opera at times. But overall it is an imaginative show with interesting characters, good lessons and entertaining episodes.
Has Real Potential
gatorx-2855719 August 2018
I won't pretend like it's a classic, like say Batman, Ninja Turtles, or so on, but I can see it catching on in the near future in other media. It has great potential that I think can be explored more and probably will be explored more.
The show itself certainly has its flaws, the animation is subpar, the action could be better, especially given what we've seen in kid shows lately, and the pacing isn't especially good as a lot is thrown at you without letting most of it sink in.
Yet, objectively speaking, it's really not as bad as haters would have you believe. The characters and story are totally serviceable, and it can get pretty heavy at times with the drama when time is permitted. It also has a nice connection with family ties and relationships between characters, some stronger than others. Plus it's a cool blend of science fiction and fantasy, resulting in creative set ups and possibilities.
So, again, I can't pretend it's the greatest show out there, but it's by no means terrible. Personally, I enjoy it. If you like superheros, fantasy, and sci fi, you might enjoy this.
The show itself certainly has its flaws, the animation is subpar, the action could be better, especially given what we've seen in kid shows lately, and the pacing isn't especially good as a lot is thrown at you without letting most of it sink in.
Yet, objectively speaking, it's really not as bad as haters would have you believe. The characters and story are totally serviceable, and it can get pretty heavy at times with the drama when time is permitted. It also has a nice connection with family ties and relationships between characters, some stronger than others. Plus it's a cool blend of science fiction and fantasy, resulting in creative set ups and possibilities.
So, again, I can't pretend it's the greatest show out there, but it's by no means terrible. Personally, I enjoy it. If you like superheros, fantasy, and sci fi, you might enjoy this.
Fun for the whole family
bhermann-4060818 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This series centers around four girls known as Mysticons: a daughter of royalty named Princess Arkayna Goodfrey (with bright/dark reddish hair), a street fighter named Zaarya Moonwolf or Z-Star (with blue hair), another street fighter named Piper Willowbrook (with reddish brown hair), and Emerald Goldenbraid (with blonde hair). There are various other characters, but Arkayna, Z-Star, Piper, and Emerald are the protagonists of this series. As the series moves forward, the romance between Zaarya and Kitty Boon (a space pirate), known as MoonBoon becomes more than subtlety and context like some of the episodes of Adventure Time. Additionally, the stakes of the series continue to be raised as the Astromancers go from becoming the allies of the Mysticons to their enemies, apart from a whole new set of villains after something happens to Dreadbane. Additionally, new secrets are revealed which leads to continuing conflict even after the Mysticons think they won. The final villain of the series is perhaps the one with the most cunning one yet. The way Zarya and Kitty's story is ended is a sweet one, although it would have been great if they could have kissed.
Wonderful series! (Spoilers)
lapidot-0771221 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I'm always happy to see more action oriented series starring female protagonist and hope that more people will give this show a chance as it really picks up further along in the season. Mysticons is a show with a continuous story so everything has cause and effect. I really enjoy seeing the bonds and friendships between all the characters including the adorable Choko. I also love the diversity of the show with one small form of that being a romance (as i'm sensing major chemistry between kitty boon and zarya with them even being featured in a music sequence with the other two couples of the show) so I do hope that the crew of this show will continue to fight for what they believe in and won't cave in to network pressure because there are so many people out there that it would have a positive impact on. With all that being said this show somehow takes mythological and magical elements all in a modern setting and makes it all work. Not to mention that the show also has a pretty sweet soundtrack. Of course needless to say I look forward to seeing the main characters grow throughout the course of their journeys. Please Nickelodeon give this show the attention and love it deserves.
The Kids Like This One
nicosachse-212778 February 2019
This seems to me like it would have been made for younger kids based on the design, animation etc but my kids who are in their mid and late teens now both enjoy this show a lot. As an adult I don't hate it either, we can actually sit through it and be somewhat entertained. A lot of that is just the entertainment of seeing the girls argue about the show with each other but still, most kids shows are not sit through-able.
Awesome
nasrofarah28 January 2022
I love this show. As far as females only MCs go this is done exceptionally well. Nice , albeit weird animation (2D and maybe 3D , I honestly don't know) and funny and quirky dialogue. The characters are relatable at times and their motivation for "saving the world " is actually well grounded and easy to understand. It's not like " saving the world is the right thing" speech. The steaks were personal, which made all the sense. Thank God they made a season 2. Because this show is booming. Highly recommended.
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