Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Mighty Nein is streaming on Prime Video.
“My motto is: assume you’re gonna get fucked so you can prepare for the fuckery.”
Now… isn’t that a nice motto to have if you’re living in a dark fantasy, where powerful kingdoms are at war, assassins pop out of thin air, and heads roll like snowflakes on a winter day?
Based on the second campaign of ‘Critical Role’, a hit web series where professional voice-actors play Dungeons and Dragons, animated action-fantasy ‘The Mighty Nein’ follows a group of diverse misfits, brought together by fate to raise hell together. Or well, to possibly stop their world from collapsing by a massive war triggered by the theft of a powerful relic from the Kryn Dynasty.
Titled “Mote of Possibility,” the pilot episode of ‘The Mighty Nein’ wastes no time diving into chaos. A royal death, a daring heist involving the relic known as the Beacon, and a violent chase quickly spiral into something much bigger, nothing less than the spark of a looming war between two rival kingdoms: Kryn Dynasty and the Dwendalian Empire. Along the way, we’re dropped into a world crawling with powerful mages, shady thieves, strange explosions, and bodies.
Packed with multiple wild protagonists, ‘The Mighty Nein’ gradually introduces its core group. And for the uninitiated, the Mighty Nein aren’t actually nine people; the title is simply a play on the German word for “no.” At least in this season, the story centres on six primary characters, all oddballs in their own way, whose paths collide after a disastrous carnival massacre that leaves them all under suspicion.
There’s Caleb Widogast, an anxious wizard with a tragic past and way too much trauma packed into one coat; Nott the Brave, a chaotic goblin with a drinking problem and a surprisingly big heart; and Mollymauk Tealeaf, a flamboyant, tattooed tiefling who lives fast, and loves drama. Then there’s Jester Lavorre, a blue-skinned ball of energy, powered by sugar, mischief, and divine magic; Beauregard Lionett, a punch-first monk with zero patience for nonsense; and Fjord, a quiet warlock who inherits strange powers, and simply tries to figure things out as he goes.
All six of them end up in prison together as strangers in Episode 4 of ‘The Mighty Nein’, and walk out as a newly formed group ready to cause some serious trouble. They’re not instant best friends, but over the next few episodes, plenty of comedic camaraderie begins to build between the characters. From breaking out prison, slaying a monster, and participating in daring heists themselves (for a mysterious character called ‘The Gentleman’), the mighty nein go on a hell of an adventure.
Season 1 does a great job of slowly building its friendships, especially between Caleb and Nott, and Jester and Fjord. Both pairs have clashing personalities, which makes their growing trust and loyalty feel natural and earned.
The animation in ‘The Mighty Nein’ is energetic and expressive, capturing the chaos and unpredictability of a classic Dungeons & Dragons campaign. The character designs lean into exaggeration, making each new face instantly readable, while action scenes are fluid and punchy, especially during magical combat and chase sequences.
That said, the visual palette often sticks to darker, moodier tones, and a few brighter daytime scenes or a wider range of colours might have helped the world feel more expansive and alive. But overall, the animation does a solid job of balancing grit with humour, giving the show a distinct identity. I did feel like the voice-acting for a few characters was annoying sometimes, but that’s a minor complaint.
As far as the villains of ‘The Mighty Nein’ are concerned, Essek of the Kryn Empire emerges as a key schemer this season, secretly orchestrating the theft of the Beacon. Alongside him is Trent Ikithon, whose cold intelligence and casual cruelty make him instantly detestable. The two, backed by a small but powerful circle of allies, represent different shades of villainy.
Essek’s quiet ambition is fueled by personal and emotional interests, while Trent is an outright power-hungry sadist. Plenty of scenes, including sombre flashbacks show him to be a calculating mage tied to the Cerberus Assembly, who presents himself as calm, rational, and endlessly patient, but is exceedinlhy cold and cruel beneath the composed facade. He’s the kind of mentor who believes trauma is a teaching tool, and he really messes up several students along the way. Halfway through the show, I already wanted Trent to die a grisly death. And honestly, if the audience is rooting for a villain’s downfall this early, it’s a sign the show has absolutely nailed its antagonists.
The season closes on a high with “The Zadash Job,” an episode that neatly encapsulates everything ‘The Mighty Nein’ does well: trigger some mayhem! At its core is an ambitious heist to steal the Kryn Beacon, unfolding against the backdrop of rising political tensions and an impending war. What starts as a relatively simple plan, quickly escalates into a chaotic mix of magic, misdirection, and barely controlled mayhem. The episode balances humour and spectacle effortlessly, turning a classic fantasy heist into a loud, messy, and thoroughly entertaining caper.
But “The Zadash Job” also grounds its action in character stakes. Caleb’s past catches up with him in the form of his former allies turned enemies, while Fjord and Beau work undercover to secure the artifact and Nott, Molly, and Jester scramble to pull off the escape. The plan unravels thanks to a mid-air clash involving Kryn forces and Trent Ikithon, pushing the episode into full-blown chaos. The finale ends with a drama entry of Yasha the Orphanmaker, a powerful warrior, who may or may not join the Mighty Nein! That’s a story for the next season.
If you’re a fan of fantasy shows with magic, mystical creatures, and an endless selection of misfits, start streaming this series.
Rating: 8 on 10. Watch ‘The Mighty Nein’ on Prime Video.
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