REVIEW: ‘DOTA: Dragon’s Blood,’ Book 2 is A Rushed Story, That Still Hits All Its Marks

DOTA: Dragon’s Blood Book 2 is a Netflix Original fantasy adventure anime series. Selemena has fallen, captured by the Invoker. The Elvish Enclaves march to war and Terrorblade continues his quest to remake all of creation in his image. Amidst the chaos, Davion is enprisoned by his brother Dragonkights and Mirana, accompanied by Luna, Marci, and what remains of their troops, flee for safe haven. But they are soon going to learn that there is little safety left to be found.

When DOTA: Dragon’s Blood‘s first season dropped, I found it to be a solid fantasy tale that landed a banger ending that had me eagerly awaiting the next phase of the story. Having experienced the show’s sophomore outing I can confirm that the energy, peril, and brutal stakes that began taking form in last season’s ending are only heightened throughout DOTA: Dragon’s Blood Book 2‘s eight-episode run. My biggest complaint about this phenomenal fantasy tale is that there isn’t more of it.

The series short length does its grand plot of betrayal, dragons, monsters, and gods no justice. So often threats are introduced and are dealt with far too quickly. Several characters are introduced and no sooner do you begin to like them than they are taken from the story by the next plot twist. Normally this sort of frantic pacing would destroy a story with so many gears interconnecting for me. And it would here too, if not for the fantastic way the show continues to build up its core cast of characters. Davion, Mirana, Marci, Luna, and Fymryn all get fantastic character moments that don’t pull punches as they each struggle with their hardships. And while the show’s continued focus on these characters keeps much of the narrative feeling familiar to returning viewers, there is also much that is new in DOTA: Dragon’s Blood Book 2. Particularly in its new primary setting: The Helios Empire.

The Helios Empire feels heavily inspired by ancient Egypt. This new locale filled with gold-tipped towers and sun-kissed stone structures delivers a striking change to the visual look of the series when compared to the dark keeps and heavily forested woods that made up the majority of the locations in season one. And with the visual change to the series, Helios also brings a dramatic shift in the story focus. Rather than having the story revolve so heavily around Davion, DOTA: Dragon’s Blood Book 2 focuses much more of its plot around Mirana who, as it turns out, is originally from Helios. It seems she was not always the Princess of the Moon, but once was the Princess of the Sun. Much of her backstory and the political machinations surrounding her life come into the forefront in interesting, although rushed, ways.

Just as with last season, all the various plot threads come rushing together in the final couple of episodes. The action, drama, and emotion of these closing moments once more make any missteps in the series completely forgivable as I found myself once more completely overwhelmed by the conflict of dragons, humans, elves, and gods. The battles that fill these final episodes are epic, and the fiery explosions and bone-crunching punches are delivered with flawless execution.

And despite the bevy of huge combat moments, the biggest scene-stealer is once again Marci. The silent servant of Mirana brings the house down in what will undoubtedly be one of the most hyped moments in animation I experience this year.

So, in case I have failed to impress upon you yet my feelings toward DOTA: Dragon’s Blood Book 2, I love it. Despite its mistakes, its cast of characters rises above the plot’s flaws to deliver amazing action, great character growth, and heartbreaking emotional moments. I cannot wait for Season 3.

DOTA: Dragon’s Blood Book 2 Is streaming now on Netflix.