The second half of the 2010’s has given us animation fans an absolute renaissance in American cartooning. I’m watching Steven Universe, Star vs The Forces of Evil and now, Mysticons. I encountered Mysticons while looking for something entertaining to work to. I looked up, saw a blonde Gorgon and was hooked. ^_^ Today’s review is one of those utterly delightful moments in which a thing I did for myself turn out to be a thing we can all share. 

The story is rather typical for a magical color-coded fighting force in a magical kingdom. Four girls from disparate backgrounds are brought together by a “Dragon Disk” and their powers are revealed. They regularly encounter dragons and magical items, while fighting an evil baddie named Necrafa (who wears a fetchingly skeleton-themed outfit) to protect their kingdom and the Princess, who is herself one of the Mysticons.

Like Japanese anime, the strength is in the team, and their friendship, The story  is well-written and narrative, so you want to watch it in order. This may be complicated by broadcast schedules which still do not recognize this simple fact. I have the series on DVR and have yet to have two broadcast in order. (Broadcast the episodes in order for fuck’s sake!)

Many of the characters, both good and bad, are well-developed. The series safely and thoroughly passes the Bechdel-Wallace Test, although there are also conversations about guys, which is perfectly reasonable. My first episode told the story of a male pop idol gnome who has stolen a Banshee’s magic and voice to make himself famous. Happy end when she rightfully gets the gig he stole. 

I jokingly commented on Twitter that my only complaint was the heteronormativity and I was pointed to this article on Overly Animated. Turns out that Mysticon Ranger, former thief Zarya Moonwolf, has a girlfriend. Before she was a thief, she was a pirate. Her friend Kitty Boon and she are a canon couple. The Overly Animated article goes into detail about the manufactured “controversy” of their story and a kiss between then that was cut from the broadcast.  So there’s a good reason to go catch up on Season 1!

Ratings:

Art – erm, well, not great. Maybe 5, 6 at best
Story – 8 So far as I’ve seen, very good. 
Characters – 8 I like what I’ve seen
Service  – I mean, Mysticon Knight is pretty nice to look at, so…
Yuri – Yes

Overall – 8

I leave you with an image of Serena Snakecharmer, whose snakes sometimes speak.

Approved.