Onyx Equinox

I can't explain how much I adore Onyx Equinox, it has a lot of potential. The story and setting are simply great and I love all of the characters, especially the main hero. Izel may seem to be over-sensitive but I really liked his soft and delicate personality. Everyone says he cries and whines a lot but I think he is allowed to do so since he's just a child who lost his only dear person in a truly horrible way. Not to mention that he was forced to deal with some serious and dangerous stuff. The animation was a bit awkward but I am ready to overlook its flaws due to beautiful and complicated story Sofia Alexander is telling us. So excited for the continuation!

This show had so much potential, but was sadly brought down by terrible writing and a lack of true world/story building. It honestly feels like they rushed 3 seasons of information and writing into one. On top of the fact you never really get to know or fall in love with the caracters or their struggles. Because by the time you learn something, 5 more things are thrown at you and the last thing is forgotten. The Animation style is beautiful, but it lacks fluidity most of the time. On top of which the dialogue is also clunky and out of balance. This show felt like it could have been the next Avatar in both animation and character building, but just falls short of its greatness.

Episode one is out and it quite impressed me. A good take on Aztec and Mayan mythologies with Zapotec deities too and a pretty nuanced and realistic take on human sacrifice. If I have one complaint is that using Mictlantecuhtli as the main villain is a bit boring.

The point of main character aside, he is the failing of this show. Irritating to endure and creepy to listen to, more so after realizing the boy character is being voiced by a woman, his voice just sounds off and the unrelenting whining.

He's also a bit of a Marty Stu when necessity requires him to be smart or have skills. From weaver to leader, swordsman, tactician, and back to whining...

I'm often entranced by media that takes place during a historical period in which mythology is reality. When I first heard about Onyx Equinox, I thought it was going to be another "The Road to El Dorado" - a colonial telling of the Aztec/Incan/Mayan indigenous people and painting them to be blood thirsty savages. This show amazed me. Yes there is bloodshed, but the cultural practices surrounding it and their beliefs is fascinating. I had to go and look up articles to understand what I was watching and I have learned so much! This show tries to provide a compelling tale about the Indigenous peoples of South America pre-conquisator invasion and I must say, they succeed very well! If anything, the show can be a tad melodramatic (but given what the characters have suffered through, it's warranted) and the action feel a bit wooden but if those aren't hang ups for you, please watch this show!