REVIEW: ‘The Dragon Prince: Mystery Of Aaravos Season 6’ Deliberates Over Destinies

The Dragon Prince Season 6 is the latest edition of the animated fantasy epic available on Netflix. Created by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond. After Aaravos’ prison is kept safe from dark forces, the heroes return home. But their nemesis is not finished with his machinations.

The plot moves with the assumption that the viewers have been following from the start, continuing right where Season 5 left off. The characters have made huge decisions and are reeling from their effects. The world of Xadis is vast and well-explored now, with the characters beginning to revisit places and plot points. Dragon Prince: Mystery of Aaravos gets more grown up with each passing season, rapidly approaching its endgame.

The structure is sensational. After the first episode, where the heroes regroup, they are scattered across the continent. Those missing must be found, while others try to save the world before the nefarious Aaravos return. The episodes then split between characters, taking time with them all instead of rushing. Much of the season can feel transitional, but the show has always leaned into taking time to travel or maintain relationships.

The pacing is smooth and calm, allowing for periods of tenderness. The last part of The Dragon Prince Season 6 has some of the most dramatic and decisive moments so far. Destinies are met, and storylines that have progressed over several seasons reach their conclusions. Conflicts that have threatened to boil over erupt into all-out war. Because of the time spent with every single figure, these endings are heartbreaking.

The characters are exquisitely written. Almost every character included in The Dragon Prince Season 6 has existed since early in the series. They have grown on screen, forced into making terrible and agonizing decisions. The world-building has been magnificent, but the characters themselves have made Xadia feel lived in. Their love and despair are present in anything they do. Callum (Jack De Sena) and Rayla (Paula Burrows) spend much of the season solely with each other, not joining the rest of the team after the starting episode. But their time together strengthens their relationship, with a complete arc within the season itself.

Likewise, Claudia (Racquel Belmonte), someone who is getting closer and closer to descending fully into darkness, is also isolated. Many figures have to go from being dragged along by destiny to having to make their minds up. Claudia’s family is perhaps the most significant example of this. Soren (Jesse Inocalla), Claudia’s brother, is goofy, hapless and adorable. But a character’s return to Katolis may force him to step up and reach his potential. And often, it is characters that one may not expect that can change the entire world’s fate.

The dialogue is terrifically layered. The delivery from the voice actors and the brilliant script make it one of the funniest animation series out there, especially when it does not intend to be a comedy. The history that characters have means they can bounce off each other endlessly. There are periods of profound positivity, but the show can also get incredibly dark, and it embraces the grief instead of shying away from it. The dragons, elves, and other ancient mystical beings carry that power and history in their voices. One that may resonate most is the Sun King, voiced by Adrian Hough, a dragon that has been blind for centuries. His gravelly voice is terrifying, brimming with pain and pent-up rage.

Something that this edition of Dragon Prince Season 6 does exceptionally well is provide backstories to the most evil members of the cast. Where these figures have been merely presented as dark manipulators for so long, now they are given gut-wrenching depth. It highlights the idea that not everyone is born evil, and there are always outside events that send villains down the dark path. However, it should be stressed that these pasts merely provide context. They do not excuse the antagonists for their horrific actions, but at least show what could turn a heart to stone.

The art direction gets amazingly creative throughout this season, making brand-new decisions. During a visit to the Celestial Elves, a group of enigmatic and spiritual beings, the later stage of the scenario features only one character in colour, whilst the rest of the scene is black and white. This raises suspicion, only becoming evident by the end of the storyline. Elsewhere, one of the character’s backstories is told through still illustration, interspersed with the most critical moments being portrayed as normal.

Elsewhere, the general design and animation within the world of Xadia are stunning. The dragons are captivating. They are huge and detailed, their massive frames moving seamlessly across the sky. However, the scale can also get smaller, with much of the humor emanating from slapstick and other physical means.

The Dragon Prince Season 6 forces its characters to grow up. Across the continent, characters that have been observed from childhood are being faced with the most devastating decisions and trauma, using these experiences to tackle them head-on. The isolation many encounter spreads the story across the world and removes help that may alleviate their situations. Most of the mentors for Callum, Ezran, Claudia, and the other youngsters are no longer there, leaving them to face the most excruciating challenges alone.

The love and dedication laced within The Dragon Prince Season 6 is absolutely jaw-dropping. The world has been fleshed out and explored, torn apart, and rebuilt. There is so much beauty and brutality. And after 6 seasons, the audience knows the rules and the politics. This is just as much of an epic as any live-action fantasy show. It embraces youthful energy and charm but will be extraordinarily adult and mature when it needs to be. The themes of loss and family are intensified, leading the characters to the edge of their own destinies.

The Dragon Prince: Mystery Of Aaravos Season 6 is available on Netflix from July 25.