A glorification to whales killing, dragons are just an excuse.
Anyway, mediocre. It's a boring attempt with a very weak trama. At the end of every episode there is a stupid recipe, who would care? And 'the whales fly because of their big heart'. A waste of time, poor dialogues, poor environments, nothing really stand out. It's not bad, it's just so 'meh'. Unsophisticated.
53 Reviews
As a show in and of itself, it's beautiful and creative, however it's clearly propaganda for whaling.
Noro_The_Arbiter7 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I cannot agree with the message that this show sends, since the characters themselves admit that the "Dragons" they hunt (which are stand-ins for whales) are relatively harmless, and the only reason they hunt them is for food and money. In the very first episode they say, and I quote "It is mad... it has the same smell as the dragon we got this morning... it's probably the mother". I will give credit where it is due, the artstyle, animation, and world that is set up is simply gorgeous, and very creative, but the message it sends is something I just can't support.
Don't stop half way!
Qwootle18 October 2022
A bunch of reviews seem to say they stopped at like ep. 3-5. Actual moral conflict doesn't start until the later episodes. There's a saga around 8-9(?) that starts it off. No spoilers, but episodes 10-11 are especially sympathetic to the dragons. My tiny cold heart!
Ignore any supposed real life thematic applications. I really didn't get that "political glorification" of whaling. But it IS a slice of life anime about living aboard a dragon whaling sky-ship, so if PG/PG-13 carcass prep or hunting is unpleasant to you, I'd avoid watching. They emphasize respecting the killed dragon, and not wasting anything, which I appreciate!
I think it's a pretty cool setting. Hay-day of dragon hunting is over, so the ship basically runs on sweat and dreams. The camaraderie and interpersonal relationships between the crew members is super cute. Its also like, half cooking show? Which makes sense, 'cause food is such a big deal with boom & bust resources, ex. On a ship like this one.
Honestly, its just a comfy anime. Soft spot for the big sis little sis dynamic two of the girl characters have going. Animation style grows on you, but it's a negative in my book. Dragons remind me of the creatures from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, which is neat!
Ignore any supposed real life thematic applications. I really didn't get that "political glorification" of whaling. But it IS a slice of life anime about living aboard a dragon whaling sky-ship, so if PG/PG-13 carcass prep or hunting is unpleasant to you, I'd avoid watching. They emphasize respecting the killed dragon, and not wasting anything, which I appreciate!
I think it's a pretty cool setting. Hay-day of dragon hunting is over, so the ship basically runs on sweat and dreams. The camaraderie and interpersonal relationships between the crew members is super cute. Its also like, half cooking show? Which makes sense, 'cause food is such a big deal with boom & bust resources, ex. On a ship like this one.
Honestly, its just a comfy anime. Soft spot for the big sis little sis dynamic two of the girl characters have going. Animation style grows on you, but it's a negative in my book. Dragons remind me of the creatures from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, which is neat!
Unfortunate comparisons.
cheathamg30 April 2020
OK, so it would be unfortunate to compare this with the Japanese whaling industry, but there it is. That aside, it is a very interesting idea to translate the whaling industry concept into a fantasy world where dragon hunting in airships is a thing. Yeah, sure, they say that dragons are a threat to humans and their numbers must be controlled. There again, that said, this seems like it might be worth watching. The animation is mediocre. There are quite a few personalities to track. There are conflicts, such as in the first episode the dragon hunters encounter hostility from the landlubbers they serve due to their nomadic, non-town based existence. All-in-all, as I said, it looks like it might be worth following.
It's terrible and amazing.
a_prill9 May 2020
The writing is horrible - the more they try so add action and excitement, the more boring it gets. And the whaling angle of course is just unforgivable. But as an animator I have to say that the style is groundbreaking and nothing short of a revelation. I can't wait to see this technique used in a better show.
Could have been so much more
KickSchutte15 June 2020
This show is not great if I am honest. The characters, soundtrack and animation is great. It is the plot that lacking. I would not recommend this show to anyone who cares about good story but if you are looking for a show with some wacky characters then this might be for you.
Boring
SeriousSinus27 September 2020
It started with potential. I will say right away that I got about half way and could not handle the lack of anything interesting happening. No plot twists or anything about if they should question the killings like I sort of expected.
Or any other story development. They do that thing that I've seen in other anime where they say, "So THIS is what a _____ is". In this case it's a dragon hunter. I just feel that's quite cliche. Maybe I've watched too much anime at this point.
But back to the plot... or lack there of. It was pretty much, kill the "dragons", then eat them. Talk about the ways to eat them. Repeat each episode. How boring.
Maybe it gets better but I could not stop falling asleep so I gave up.
Or any other story development. They do that thing that I've seen in other anime where they say, "So THIS is what a _____ is". In this case it's a dragon hunter. I just feel that's quite cliche. Maybe I've watched too much anime at this point.
But back to the plot... or lack there of. It was pretty much, kill the "dragons", then eat them. Talk about the ways to eat them. Repeat each episode. How boring.
Maybe it gets better but I could not stop falling asleep so I gave up.
I don't care about your simplistic political views
reivilojemsa14 May 2020
I hate whaling. I also hate single-minded one-layer people that bash the work of dozens of people because they have an inability to be nuanced.
A very major part of the story of humanity has been to fight animals bigger and deadlier than us to find sustenance and it is certainly not wrong to speak about it. This is a very good movie with a topic all of us can understand if we remove our political glasses because we all have (countless thousands of) ancestors who have lived the hunt.
Do realize the people who cannot judge this movie for what it is would have censored the Old Man and the Sea for the same reasons.
Do realize the people who cannot judge this movie for what it is would have censored the Old Man and the Sea for the same reasons.
Visually stunning, but lacks plot
KrionZed28 May 2020
Ideology/propaganda controversy aside, this show doesn't have much to offer in terms of plot or action. Arguably a great premise and setting, this show fails to imbue a sense of 'adventure'. I was hoping it would be more like 'Castle in the Sky' (or even One Piece) what with the airships and landscape, but it's more like a Rick Stein travel/food log, because all they seem to care about is food and recipes.
The characters are all your traditional anime archetypes, of course, but I've learnt to just accept that, and instead focus on the story/plot, which, as noted above, is pretty non-existant. I did wonder if we were getting a Moby Dick kind of plot, but that dragon was killed and eaten fairly quickly. I do use the term 'dragon' loosely though, as they're more like aliens/fancy goldfish.
Overall, a rather forgettable show.
The characters are all your traditional anime archetypes, of course, but I've learnt to just accept that, and instead focus on the story/plot, which, as noted above, is pretty non-existant. I did wonder if we were getting a Moby Dick kind of plot, but that dragon was killed and eaten fairly quickly. I do use the term 'dragon' loosely though, as they're more like aliens/fancy goldfish.
Overall, a rather forgettable show.
Exchange whales (whaling) for dragons (draking) and that's what this anime is all about.
Melissa180521 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
To the viewers complaining about those of us who find this show repulsive for its clear whaling themes (whaling isn't mentioned, so someone said, but it doesn't need to be because they replace the word with "draking" - it's the same thing, just with dragons instead). Is it whaling propaganda? Well, considering the environmental activism to stop the barbarity of whaling, especially in Norway and Japan (lo and behold the latter is also the home of anime), it would stand to reason those who support whaling would make up a manga/anime story in an attempt to make it look acceptable. I am not saying this is definitely the case, but it is indeed a strong possibility, especially given a few years ago Japan stated it was going to resume commercial whaling. Suddenly this anime pops up just a few years later?
I had noticed a few times in the show that there appeared to be some shifting perspectives, which gave me hope that the show would turn itself around and the drakers would eventually see the error of their ways, but I reached an episode where there is a dragon thought to be dead, which turns out to actually still be alive and it fights to defend itself but quickly loses its strength as it's already half dead. The episode builds up a fair bit of sympathy for it (as the show has done a few times earlier in the series - which also of course ended in the dragons' deaths - who was I kidding?), and I even started to think Mika might see this one differently. But alas! No. The dying dragon is suffering right in front of him and all he cares about is what it tastes like and his crew follow suit to go and finish it off - at which point I turned it off and removed it from my viewing activity on Netflix. If it had been a case that the dragons were a threat to humanity, and were inherently evil, then maybe I'd have taken a different stance on it, but that's just not the case. The show otherwise has absolutely no character development and somehow Mika defeats a small group of sky pirates solo (who are quite pathetic pushovers anyway), which was laughable. The dragons are different; they seem very alien as though they ought to be swimming through the cosmos rather than on a planet, and some of them are quite mesmerising to watch, which perhaps is the show's only merit. However, it just adds to their melancholy as targets to be consumed by people. Sorry, this show just has absolutely no integrity whatsoever.
I had noticed a few times in the show that there appeared to be some shifting perspectives, which gave me hope that the show would turn itself around and the drakers would eventually see the error of their ways, but I reached an episode where there is a dragon thought to be dead, which turns out to actually still be alive and it fights to defend itself but quickly loses its strength as it's already half dead. The episode builds up a fair bit of sympathy for it (as the show has done a few times earlier in the series - which also of course ended in the dragons' deaths - who was I kidding?), and I even started to think Mika might see this one differently. But alas! No. The dying dragon is suffering right in front of him and all he cares about is what it tastes like and his crew follow suit to go and finish it off - at which point I turned it off and removed it from my viewing activity on Netflix. If it had been a case that the dragons were a threat to humanity, and were inherently evil, then maybe I'd have taken a different stance on it, but that's just not the case. The show otherwise has absolutely no character development and somehow Mika defeats a small group of sky pirates solo (who are quite pathetic pushovers anyway), which was laughable. The dragons are different; they seem very alien as though they ought to be swimming through the cosmos rather than on a planet, and some of them are quite mesmerising to watch, which perhaps is the show's only merit. However, it just adds to their melancholy as targets to be consumed by people. Sorry, this show just has absolutely no integrity whatsoever.
Unique and entertaining ride! What's with the SJW and politically correct reviews?
OnlineDater14 May 2020
Drifting Dragons is worth watching and I look forward to seeing how the story progresses in the upcoming seasons. The animation is beautiful. The two main female characters and the two main male characters are interesting in their own unique ways. This show is getting unnecessary hate from soft people that can't seem to comprehend they are watching a fantasy anime.
Only worth it if you read the manga and even then...
anderson-ja-207577 June 2021
One of the primary draws in the manga was the art style which they absolutely ruined in the show. The music and animation make it feel childish which is foolish for a seinen addaption. A good deal of the character relationships and humor are left out, leaving an uninteresting shell of the crew, and immatur running gags are added without reasoning. It can all be generally summed up by saying that they changed the whole tone for this addaption trying to keep the story and it doesn't work.
That being said, you can still enjoy parts of it and relate them to your reading experience. If you haven't read the manga at all, however, this show is definitely not going to be that enjoyable standing alone.
That being said, you can still enjoy parts of it and relate them to your reading experience. If you haven't read the manga at all, however, this show is definitely not going to be that enjoyable standing alone.
Stopped watching its kinda sickening
lewischasen8 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The more I watched the more I couldn't ignore the fact that it's whaling with dragons. Plus the stenciled characters and interactions was just bleh. Keep in mind this is a guy with a low bar of what good anime is. In the end I find whaling or sharkfin hunting wrong and this stuff basically is that I had to stop after the scene of a dragon fighting to be free and the blonde chick in conflict of wether it was right or not then just killed it while in eye contact. Sorry nope times no to the power of oh hell no on the whaling propaganda
Propaganda series about whaling
grantyardley-3329621 May 2020
Substitutes whales for dragons, hunting "dragons" is portrayed as only for eating. Even has an episode that references the annual massacre of dolphins. Again, the "dragons" get hunted because they taste good.
Tone deaf Japanese propaganda.
Tone deaf Japanese propaganda.
Wonderful, light, digital animation
natalietay-146853 May 2020
The art is digital, which sometimes can be a little artificial, but is not a problem here.
This anime would have gotten a better rating if it were lengthier, and had given each character a deeper story. I think there's a lot of room for improvement there.
That said, it's still great. I'd recommend anyone to watch. Easy to binge too.
This anime would have gotten a better rating if it were lengthier, and had given each character a deeper story. I think there's a lot of room for improvement there.
That said, it's still great. I'd recommend anyone to watch. Easy to binge too.
Beautiful world making and animation but not much of plot or storytelling.
mayank0987627 June 2020
The animation is deceptive as the premises are good, a world of dragons and humans on air balloons going dragon hunting. But the story itself is shallow, nothing much happens, no character development or backstories, it is without substance. This is a disappointment considering the animation art, background score and voice overs good.
Worth watching
Dimakovtun2 May 2020
The story is about a couple of newcomers on the flying ship that hunts dragons. based on the whale industry of 18-19th century. There is character development, interesting situations, nice pictures. It's not fully-epic (but close), yet not boring. Also looks like the series does not lack creativity, so I'm looking forward to the season 2.
This title is not for vegetarians, for sure, since it depicts butchering and eating dragons that are often not actually evil or aggressive towards humans. That is pretty unique aspect, placing some characters and probably some viewers into mildly-uncomfortable situation, but making the show better defined.
This title is not for vegetarians, for sure, since it depicts butchering and eating dragons that are often not actually evil or aggressive towards humans. That is pretty unique aspect, placing some characters and probably some viewers into mildly-uncomfortable situation, but making the show better defined.
Poor choice of themes
Chuck_EM23 September 2020
The art and production values are great. I thought at some point that this would turn into a story of at least one of the characters changing their ways and becoming a friend to the dragons (whales). I've watched four episodes and it doesn't look like it's going to happen. So this is just unapologetic propaganda about whaling. It's too bad because otherwise it's quite interesting.
One has to object to the theme
Snootz6 May 2020
I'm by no means a vegetarian. I realized animals are slaughtered every day to provide food for humans. But there is a marked difference between quickly and painlessly killing a cow (which is done by instantly deadening its brain)... and hunting down and slowly "executing" a whale. Not only are whales far more intelligent than cows, the pain they go through in the whaling process is nothing short of torture, beyond butchery. Many won't be able to enjoy this anime because it will make them sick to their stomach. It's very difficult to identify with a crew of people who seeming take enjoyment out of slowly executing what some would consider a magnificent creature. In short, this anime is too predictably offensive to earn a good rating. I'm actually surprised that anyone gives his an 8-10 star rating... and that we don't see more under-5 ratings based on thematic issues alone.
Anime should not be judged purely by the graphics and characters. Story and theme is equally important.
Anime should not be judged purely by the graphics and characters. Story and theme is equally important.
Excellent hunting slice of life
neuromancerx-112 May 2020
Hunting may no longer be a necessity in our first world nation where you can comfortably ignore where the meat comes from, but it has been a persistent reality for thousands of years, and still is in many less industrialized societies. Basing an anime on that very real aspect of life is just as valid, if not more, than any other less objectionable themes. Personally I would much rather explore themes that are "controversial" but bring value and honest portrayal of human character than some politically correct vanilla piece about clear lines between Good and Evil. Nothing spells death of creativity like moral absolutism that I'm noticing so prevalent in a lot of these so called reviews.
Whaling is necessary and good! Propaganda is also good!
Cathbadhian14 May 2020
Netflix takes the very dubious step of buying/funding a series which, despite any other positive points, has the obvious flaw of being openly pro-whaling and promoting whale meat as a delicious food. They can call them "dragons" all day, but the propaganda/advertising message is very clear.
Considering the international moratorium on whale hunting, and Japan's intent to ignore this and restart commercial whaling - this is completely and utterly unacceptable from Netflix. We should condemn Japan's actions, not release animes celebrating them however indirectly, and promoting the eating of whale/dragon meat. Shame on you, Netflix, if you have any left.
Considering the international moratorium on whale hunting, and Japan's intent to ignore this and restart commercial whaling - this is completely and utterly unacceptable from Netflix. We should condemn Japan's actions, not release animes celebrating them however indirectly, and promoting the eating of whale/dragon meat. Shame on you, Netflix, if you have any left.
Different Yet AMAZING!
jeffreystaats621 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Netflix finally has an anime that's not blood, violence, doom, end of days. The overall concept of this anime (to me) is a way of life with a lot of hunting aspects. Throughout this initial first season (hoping for more) it takes you on journey of the airship Quin Zaza and her crew with ups and downs. The dragon hunters or drakers as they are called are a mismatch crew that works great together, some became drakers because they wanted to take on the challenge, to fulfill a dream, it was on a whim, or simply because they want to taste/eat every last type of dragon that's out there. There are several aspects of this series that reminds me of anime's such as Food Wars, Toriko, and even Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. The way in which the preparation of the food is described as well as the presentation reminds me of Food Wars and Toriko. There are even a few dishes that have been made in Food Wars that were made in Drifting Dragons with some variation. The relation between Nausicaa and this series I see towards the end of the season when Takita goes to return a baby dragon she has found to its heard. The hunting aspects of this series are seen throughout, from the way in which the hunt takes place how drakers of the Quin Zaza take care not to damage the meat of the dragons, taking care not to make the dragon suffer, how they use all parts of the dragons even the bones in some cases, the butchering process of the dragons, and even the honoring of dragons when the hunt is done by reciting the Drakers prayer. My personal favorite aspect of the hunt that is shown is when they arrive at the City of Quon. Mika and Takita visit the old tribal chief and give him the dragons skin which he has a pattern (each of which is unique) made out of them and it is then added to a sort of quilt of every dragon hunted. This way each dragon can live on in story honoring them further. One such pattern that is pointed out is even a few hundred years older than the chief. All that said I think that this was an excellent anime and I would highly recommend it. Thank you for reading and I hope that this review helped!
The adrenaline rush for hunting
joanopoulos6 May 2020
I can t quite understand what they try to tell us. They hunt innocent creatures harmless as they say to humans just for the thrill and the enjoyment of ...eating. That reminds me the whale hunt in which Japanese excell. No, I won t participate by viewing this.
Being Hated on For Ridiculous Reasons
DeBBss16 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Currently, Drifting Dragons is getting review bombed because of the themes of the show. Many people are comparing Drifting Dragons to whaling propaganda, therefore it deserves a 1/10. This is simply ridiculous; yes, Drifting Dragons is similar to whaling and it references it a lot, but it being propaganda? You can't be serious. Drifting Dragons never promoted whaling, it never even mentioned it in the first place. Just because it's similar to whaling, doesn't mean it is whaling or promotes it. It honestly surprises me that people take an anime about dragons so seriously; and to even compare dragons to whales is even worse.
When it comes to the show itself, it's amazing in my opinion. The cinematography is gorgeous and the dragons designs are really creative and unique. The storytelling and worldbuilding could be a little better if I have to be honest. What I love about the plot is that it's unique. We've seen people fight dragons and we've seen people make friends out of dragons, but we've never seen people eat dragons. I just can't believe that this show is getting hated on for just trying to do something new.
When it comes to the show itself, it's amazing in my opinion. The cinematography is gorgeous and the dragons designs are really creative and unique. The storytelling and worldbuilding could be a little better if I have to be honest. What I love about the plot is that it's unique. We've seen people fight dragons and we've seen people make friends out of dragons, but we've never seen people eat dragons. I just can't believe that this show is getting hated on for just trying to do something new.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
