REVIEW: ‘Tomb Raider King’ Episode 1

Tomb Raider King Episode 1, produced by Studio Eek, introduces Joo-Heon Seo (Yoshimasa Hosoya, Trigun Stampede), an Excavator who searches tombs for magical relics that recently appeared in our world. But when he is sent on a deadly assignment, an encounter with one particular relic gives him the chance to live his life over again, with enhanced abilities and his knowledge of the future. 

From its bloody intro that sees its protagonist saved from a gruesome end and gifted with new strength, to the now cliché holographic display that tells him about missions he needs to fulfil in video game-like fashion, much of this episode’s setup will feel familiar to viewers, calling back to recent popular anime of similar tone and style. This leaves much of the introduction feeling like an attempt to chase the latest trend. 

Despite the damper these elements put on the series’ setup, Tomb Raider King Episode 1 does bring with it some unique twists. Some of the particulars of the setting, like how magical relics, the central drive of the narrative/world, work, are interesting and could provide opportunities for good storytelling as the plot unfolds. Especially since, at least some of these relics seem to have wills and agendas of their own. 

Tomb Raider King Episode 1 can’t escape what’s come before, despite some interesting elements.

The other major element of this introduction that sets it apart is the time-travel aspect of the story. When Joo-Heon is saved from his impending demise in the opening scene, he is not only granted enhanced abilities but also sent back in time by 15 years. Inhabiting his body from then on, he finds himself with knowledge of where the magic relics will begin to be found before they have appeared and turned human society on its ear. 

How Joo-Heon will use these advantages remains unclear as Tomb Raider King Episode 1 rolls credits. While not seeming outright bad, the character’s introduction showcases enough moral ambiguity to leave his paths forward wide open. This open-endedness of the character’s path forward does come at a cost. 

Joo-Heon is very unlikable. While the series establishes the chaos the world resides in after the appearance of the magical relics, the way it is used to explain the protagonist’s harsh attitude does little to make him more tolerable. The writing and voice work often make him come across as petulant rather than strong, leaving him in a hard place for a leading character.

As a protagonist, Joo-Heon Seo is off to a rough start in life and in execution.

It is possible that the series intends to develop the protagonist over the course of the series. If it does go that way, this opening could be reframed as simply crafting a springboard for the character to evolve from. We’ll have to wait and see.

While Tomb Raider King Episode 1 delivers both good and bad, the area where it falls squarely in between is its visual design. The design of the characters, world, and the opening-scene monster is fine but never remarkable. Joo-Heon’s struggle to survive the opening does a solid job of establishing the fight’s power levels and scope, but not in a way that draws the viewer in. This heavily undercuts the brutality of the moment.

The big opening struggle for life is also harmed by the writing. The fact that the script has Joo-Heon hurling threats and insults around when he has clearly suffered mortal wounds undercuts his situation terribly. The tone of his threats feels dismissive and arrogant. If they felt forced or desperate, they could help in the moment, but because of the voice work, the character comes across as far less concerned than seems appropriate. 

Some writing and direction choices make certain moments unbelievable.

How is the audience supposed to believe in the danger the protagonist faces when he doesn’t seem bothered by it? Trying to set up a brutal clash just to have your lead whine it away is a major waste of what is clearly the pivotal moment of the episode, if not the series to come. 

Despite some interesting elements in its world-building and narrative, Tomb Raider King Episode 1 falls well short of its target. An unlikable protagonist and poor writing deny the episode much of its potential. The series could yet come around, but it hasn’t made the journey any easier for itself with this rough inaugural effort. 

Tomb Raider King Episode 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll. 

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