So, I know what you’re thinking. This would be the paragraph where I state how excited I am to do weekly reviews for the newest series to join Toonami’s lineup. Except, that’s not what is happening here. While this series warrants coverage and attention, not being a Toonami original or premiering on the block made me step back and think, why go all out? There will be many chances to check this series out before it even airs on Saturday night, which left a desperate taste in my mouth. But why not periodically check in and give our fans and readers the thoughts of someone who was not only intrigued by the series but also interested in if Unicorn: Warriors Eternal nails the excitement it has grabbed? Because the more I think about it, the more I realize I’m not as big of a Genndy Tartakovsky fan as one would think. He does fantastic work, and I love how both seasons of Primal came out. But can that same level of enthusiasm stay? Ultimately, Toonami needs content, whether it is a premiere or not. So I hope you’ll be on the lookout for these pieces the series develops for the Toonami fan base.

Now in case you’ve been living under a rock or reincarnated like Emma/Melinda (and did not receive any details), what is the central premise of this series? Thankfully, we have Dimitri/Edred to explain where he, Alfie/Seng, Emma/Melinda, and Copernicus are part of a magic order sworn to protect the world from all evil. Copernicus’ main job is to awaken these heroes. While there are some criteria that Copernicus must meet, this latest awakening has started a bit rocky. Beyond Emma/Melinda’s lack of awareness of who she is since gaining her powers in this new time period, Alfie/Seng is a child, and it would appear that the abilities of this celestial monk are too much for the young boy to handle. And while Dimitri/Edred has everything together, even he seems to be a bit melancholy at the prospects of how this new Unicorn order can stop a looming threat in the area. There already seem to be heavy losses as a spiritual elephant rampages around, killing Emma’s fiance. It sets the tone for what can be an intriguing adventure where our heroes will have to navigate this latest reincarnation to succeed in their ever-lasting mission.

I’m rather fond that Unicorn: Warriors Eternal’s centralized theme (at least so far) is about reincarnation, as it’s a topic that I don’t see often. Sure, heroes in other series have returned from the dead (looking at you, Goku), but having our three main saviors of the world “awaken” in new bodies in every era I find fascinating and something that could warrant spin-offs or future seasons if it’s popular enough. And seeing how this latest reincarnation has yielded different kinds of results that have been continued through the ages for Unicorn is a nice touch to make this show more compelling. I’m curious to see the repercussions of Copernicus’ actions on making Emma, Alfie, and Dimitri the warriors they are now. We already get a glimpse of how it affected Emma’s life, with her fiance potentially dead and her family distraught at the sudden change and disappearance. We have yet to have that kind of issue shown for Alfie or Dimitri, and we might never see it. However, adding that element with Emma adds a touch of drama and sadness that I think adds to all the tasks that are laid out for our heroes.

And while Tartakovsky’s art style isn’t usually my jam, having him create a steampunk aesthetic for Unicorn: Warriors Eternal supersedes any art critique I might have. It’s my favorite setting, and the art style for robots has always been a massive hit with any property with Tartakovsky’s involvement. You can look no further than Copernicus, who quickly stole the show with its hijinks and sound effects that added an excellent level of levity that I enjoyed. It’s a fun character to create, and having it be the “mascot” brings some life to a series that I hope doesn’t take things too seriously. It’s distinct and gives the typical flare both Toonami and Cartoon Network fans are known to see.

I wish the same level of detail and wonder would be used throughout, with every character looking special. Besides Copernicus and Melinda’s design, I’m left feeling everyone looks the same, which could make Unicorn: Warriors Eternal a bit dull. And yes, Dimitri/Edred and Alfie/Seng are more unique than the background characters you get. However, they haven’t been the focal point of any episodes, so I grade this more from Emma/Melinda’s design, which looks fantastic, especially with her facial expressions, which beautifully conveyed every emotion under the sun. Look no further than watching the second episode with her having to deal with walking around town with Alfie/Seng and Copernicus making a scene. To then be surprised by Dimitri during his magic show before his awakening to Edred. The designer for her did a fantastic job (especially with that quick kiss as well), and I hope we get more distinct characters and more details with Alfie/Seng and Dimitri/Edred later.

I did notice that this series feels ambitious, and I can see why Tartakovsky mentioned how this series was a long dream realized (taking nearly 20 years to be made). And I find myself optimistic about what more will happen. I hope it doesn’t become a project that reaches for the stars when it doesn’t have to with fans. There’s some genuine buzz surrounding Unicorn: Warriors Eternal. Just tell the story naturally and quickly, and you’ll have a winner. Add some great topics/themes, exciting character drama, and lingering questions on why our three heroes continue this cycle of showing up in different periods to stop an ever-looming threat that will not extinguish. I’m not entirely on board right now, but that is subject to change the more we learn and watch. And who knows, maybe this series can make me more of a believer in the future.

Verdict So Far: Will continue watching more for my own personal enjoyment instead of doing it for the job.

What did you think of the encore run of Unicorn: Warriors Eternal on Toonami? Feel free to tell us on our social media pages or in the comment section below!

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