Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » TV » REVIEW: ‘Wizards: Tales of Arcadia’ is Wonderful Conclusion

REVIEW: ‘Wizards: Tales of Arcadia’ is Wonderful Conclusion

Collier "CJ" JenningsBy Collier "CJ" Jennings08/16/20204 Mins Read
Wizards Header
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Wizards Header

Wizards: Tales of Arcadia is a limited series developed by DreamWorks Animation Television for Netflix. It is also the third part of the “Tales of Arcadia” series developed by Guillermo del Toro. Taking place after the events of Trollhunters and 3Below, Wizards follows  Hisirdoux “Douxie” Casperan (Colin O’Donoghue) who is the apprentice of the legendary wizard Merlin (David Bradley). Douxie and several heroes including Trollhunter Jim Lake (Emile Hirsch) are flung back in time to Camelot, where they must repair the timeline. All the while an evil presence looms in the background.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Wizards is fairly shorter than Trollhunters and 3Below, clocking in at only 10 episodes. Yet this isn’t to its detriment; it manages to pack a LOT of stories into those 10 episodes and not feel overstuffed. Even better, we get to see how certain events that were alluded to in Trollhunters actually played out. From Blinky and AAARRRGGGHHH!!! befriending each other to the rise of the first Trollhunter, these events are seeded throughout episodes and remind you how far these characters have come.

wizards tales of arcadia 1596992650

The series also has a unique take on Arthurian lore. King Arthur, who’s usually a noble figure, is shown to be cold and distrusting of magical creatures. Morgana le Fay serves as Merlin’s apprentice and seeks justice for her fellow magical beings; she is a far cry from the power-mad sorceress we saw in Trollhunters‘ third season. As the series rolls on, you see why Arthur has grown distrustful of magic and how Morgana became the self-proclaimed “Mother of Monsters”. Morgana’s journey is especially compelling because she genuinely starts out with good intentions; you know she’ll wind up a villain but it still manages to hit you in the heart when she embraces the dark.

The main characters also show remarkable growth. Perhaps the characters that go through the most growth are Douxie and Claire (Lexi Medrano). Douxie is trying to prove to Merlin that he can be a great wizard; Claire is trying to save Jim from a ghastly fate while wrestling with the Shadow Magic she and Morgana harness. The two connect over their shared magical skills and forge a genuine bond; it’s nice to see a platonic relationship between a male and female protagonist given just as much weight as a romantic one. Alfred Molina is also a scene-stealer as the shape-shifting familiar Archie.

Another refreshing aspect of the series is that Douxie doesn’t always win. He makes mistakes. He oversteps and is unsure of himself. So often, stories feature a capable and skilled protagonist so it’s great to see a guy who isn’t 100% perfect. I also enjoyed his relationship with Merlin; not only are they student and master, but there’s also a father/son bond between them. This is highlighted in an emotionally devastating scene in the final episode where Merlin praises Douxie for his accomplishments. I teared up watching it because I love father/son bonds in stories.

If there’s one issue I have, it’s that certain characters could be utilized better. Jim doesn’t get much to do throughout the series, as he is mostly dealing with a life-threatening injury. Similarly, 3Below‘s Krel Tarron (Diego Luna) also has a woefully small part. I understand that you can only do so much in 10 episodes, but I would have liked to see more of them (though the final episode hints at a new destiny for Jim.)

Wizards: Tales of Arcadia is a wonderful conclusion to one of the greatest animated universes ever created, featuring a fresh take on Arthurian lore and stringing together three different series. A feature film, Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans, is in the works for 2021; I can’t wait to see how del Toro and crew bring it all to a close.

Wizards: Tales of Arcadia is currently streaming on Netflix.

Wizards: Tales of Arcadia
  • 9/10
    Rating - 9/10
9/10

TL;DR

Wizards: Tales of Arcadia is a wonderful conclusion to one of the greatest animated universes ever created, featuring a fresh take on Arthurian lore and stringing together three different series. A feature film, Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans, is in the works for 2021; I can’t wait to see how del Toro and crew bring it all to a close.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: “Selena + Chef” Episodes 1-3
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations,’ Volume 9
Collier "CJ" Jennings
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Born and raised in Texas, Collier “CJ” Jennings was introduced to geekdom at an early age by his father, who showed him Ultraman and Star Trek: The Next Generation. On his thirteenth birthday, he received a copy of Giant Size X-Men #1 and dove head first into the realm of pop culture, never looking back. His hobbies include: writing screenplays and essays, watching movies and television, card games/RPG’s, and cooking. He currently resides in Seattle.

Related Posts

Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

07/03/2025
Anthony Ramos in Ironheart Episodes 4-6

REVIEW: ‘Ironheart’ Episodes 4-6

07/01/2025
The Bear Season 4 But Why Tho 3
7.0

REVIEW: ‘The Bear’ Season 4 Tries to Bounce Back

06/30/2025
Squid Game Season 3
9.5

REVIEW: ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 Delivers An Emotion-Filled Finale

06/27/2025
Taecyeon in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 5-6
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 5-6

06/26/2025
Cho Yi-hyun in Head Over Heels Episodes 1-2
8.0

REVIEW: ‘Head Over Heels’ Episodes 1-2

06/24/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

Together (2025) still from Sundance
8.0
Film

REVIEW: Have A Grossly Good Time ‘Together’

By Kate Sánchez01/27/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together (2025) is disgustingly funny, genuinely ugly, and just a good time at the movies.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 Alcatraz
9.0
PS5

REVIEW: ‘Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4’ Gives Old Games New Life

By Kyle Foley07/07/2025

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 is another example of how to breathe new life into a classic without losing touch of what makes the originals great.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here