**WARNING SPOILERS FOR MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE REVELATION AHEAD**
When Netflix announced that Kevin Smith was creating, writing and executive producing Masters of the Universe: Revelation and that it would be a continuation of where the original animated series left off, a select few knew what they were in for. Others like me, not so much. While I’m familiar with the characters from Masters of the Universe and am super familiar with the series; I never really watched the animated series as a child. That goes for the newer iterations that came along in the early to mid-2000s as well.
One thing that really drew me to Masters of the Universe: Revelation was the fact that Kevin Smith was at the forefront of this series serving as an executive producer, writer, and story editor. Couple that with a voice cast that features the legendary Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy, Lena Headey, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chris Wood, and Phil LaMarr and you’re a kid at a candy store with no adult supervision. Who cares about the cavities that are to come later am I right?
Needless to say that Masters of the Universe was set up to deliver something truly epic no matter how familiar you are with the classic animated series from the 80s. While this first part of the series is only five episodes long, the premiere episode picks up where the original Masters of the Universe left off while delivering an epic battle between He-Man and Skeletor in which both fighters meet their demise. After the realization that He-Man and Skeletor have succumbed to their battle, you’re left to wonder “where do they go from here?”.
And at first, it’s a bit concerning seeing how He-Man is the central figure of the Masters of the Universe franchise, despite him having an incredible supporting cast, he’s the character most people are looking to follow when watching the series. However, this is where the series shines the most in my opinion. Take away what thy desires most and see what can thou overcometh. Someone said that at some point, right? No? Well, you heard it here first.
All jokes aside, Masters of the Universe: Revelation does an incredible job at presenting a new story with all the familiar faces and characters fans have come to love and grow up with but takes its side characters, puts them in the driver’s seat, and takes them on a ride through hell to find a way to bring Prince Adam/He-Man back to life before all the magic on Eternia dissipates and ceases to exist. Not only that, due to the given circumstances, differences have to be set aside and the villains and heroes now have to team up for the greater good if they want to continue living.
What makes this even more special is that we are now following two of the most headstrong women of the series, Teela and Evil-Lyn. And when I say that Sarah Michelle Gellar and Lena Headey have perfect chemistry, they have perfect chemistry. Both women are no slouches when it comes to their craft, especially Lena Headey who’s loved for her more malicious and villainous roles, if you’ve seen Game of Thrones you know for a fact that you absolutely LOVED to HATE Cersei for her lack of a better word, rude ways.
The beautiful thing about following these two women throughout these five episodes is that you see them having to overcome having to work with the enemy and overcome their inner conflicts. Teela is having a hard time grieving the death of Prince Adam/He-Man mostly because she never knew that Prince Adam and He-Man were the same. Then you have Evil-Lyn who is now seeing life, her’s specifically in a new light, and how she’s wasted her life not fulfilling her destiny but instead, aiding Skeletor to fulfill his.
Now you have characters like Man-at-Arms, Roboto, and Ork who also have their respective arcs and have their battles to overcome and while the former isn’t super prominent throughout these initial episodes. He’s used well enough to make his presence worthwhile, especially when it comes to having to win Teela over as a daughter.
The only unfortunate part about Masters of the Universe: Revelation is that it’s only five episodes and that the final episode left me begging for more essentially. I have rewatched these episodes and they sure as hell are way more enjoyable a second time around now that I have spent some time with these characters who, while familiar, are still brand new to me.
This wouldn’t be a proper anime review without talking about the animation itself which is done by Powerhouse Animation who has had every single one of their Netflix anime series be a massive hit. From Castlevania, Seis Manos, and Blood of Zeus. Powerhouse Animation has really elevated their animation this time around for Masters of the Universe: Revelation.
This is no slight against their previous works which are all great, but something about the vibrant colors, the CGI animation, and how fluidly the animation flows throughout these episodes, especially during those fight sequences, it’s something that truly needs praise because it is not an easy thing to do. And we all know how much animation can make or break a series as a whole, despite how good or bad the story is.
Coming in at a whopping five episodes, Masters of the Universe: Revelation is a series that welcomes old and new fans alike. If you’re like me and are familiar but still new to the world of Masters of the Universe then you are in for a massive treat. More so if you’re coming in as an established fan. Masters of the Universe does a perfect job at balancing a story that serves both sides of the spectrum and that to me is just exemplary storytelling.
It’s hard to take something that’s already established, create a new story and try to appease old fans while trying to gain new ones (I’m looking at you Star Wars) but if there’s a template on how to do it, Masters of the Universe is indeed it. And I cannot wait to see the remainder of this first season.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation Part 1 is streaming now on Netflix.
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