Netflix has been busy building its catalog of anime over the last few years. Dragon’s Dogma is one of the latest to debut on the streaming service. It represents the second game adaptation from Capcom following the successful Castlevania series. Trailers began to appear in the spring for this medieval drama. Featuring both traditional style anime along with detailed CGI, it could appeal to fans of fantasy genres.
After losing his home to a dragon, Ethan sets out to hunt it down once and for all. Resurrected as an Arisen, Ethan sets out to vanquish the Dragon that took his heart. But with every demon he battles, his humanity slips further away. A pawn appears by his side and serves to protect his life. But the dangers that lie in wait for Ethan are beyond their imaginations, for when you fight a monster… you just may become one too.
Inspirations and Influences
It would be difficult to not compare it to a plethora of other popular fantasy projects over the decades. One of the opening scenes involves a village being razed to the ground and seems extremely reminiscent of visuals from Peter Jackson’s version of The Hobbit. From, of course, the famous J.R.R. Tolkein material, Disney’s 1981 Dragonslayer film, to the iconic Game of Thrones opening credits scene, many inspirations become clear.
The influence of Game of Thrones doesn’t stop with the opening credits, either. This is not a kid’s show. From dismemberments to gratuitous, violent death scenes and various character incinerations, viewers are quickly made to realize this is a TV-MA-rated series. Some may find themselves remembering Bofur’s quote “think furnace with wings” during these events. The show’s hero, Ethan, an Arisen, will find himself engaging in epic battles with many mythical creatures on his road to revenge. Season one is now available for streaming and comprises seven episodes.