The Legend Of Vox Machina follows a ragtag group of mercenaries on a series of adventures filled with vulgar words, bloody brawls, and lots of ale — and it is a ridiculous amount of fun.
The Legend of Vox Machina centers around a group of mercenaries who feel more like a dysfunctional family than anything else. They love to drink ale, they love to start bar brawls, and they love to cuss. Over the course of the first six episodes they find themselves in a lot of sticky situations and up against some unique and monstrous foes. This show is not afraid to push things to the limits when it comes to blood and gore — on the level of Prime Video’s Invincible — and it is absolutely glorious.
As someone who knows nothing about Vox Machina or Critical Role going into the show, I was all in from the first few minutes. By the end of the first episode there is no doubt what each characters is like — and that can be hard to explain in just thirty minutes when you have seven characters. Of course there is more character development as the story and season goes on, but the fact that it was quite clear from the pilot is a testament to the writing.
I cannot speak for those that have followed Critical Role since the start, and who know these characters and their journey inside and out, but as someone coming in from the outside, I am itching to dive deeper into it all.
Vox Machina consists of a Cleric named Pike, the twin rogue elves named Vex and Vax, a shy Druid named Keyleth, a not-so-smart Barbarian named Grog, a vulgar Bard named Scanlan, and my personal favorite, a fighter named Percival. Each of these characters brings something to the table, and not just in a fight. They certainly have their ups and downs, but they are very much a family, which is clear from the start.
They all care about each other, and are willing to put themselves in danger in order to protect another. Pike often finds herself healing the members of her party, even though it takes a lot out of her. Keyleth struggles with confidence, but she is probably the most powerful of them all. Grog might not be the smartest of the bunch, but he has the biggest heart of them all.
Vex and Vax quarrel like siblings of course, but they have love for each other, as well as the rest of the group. Scanlan enjoys getting to know others.. well, their bodies at least. And Percy has some secrets from his past, that we just might see play out in The Legend of Vox Machina.
The animation style of this show is very similar to that of Invincible, and the level of gore and blood is around the same as well. This is very much an adult anime, and trust me, if this sort of thing is your jam, you are going to love it. There is silly humor, but a lot of it crosses that line into vulgar — and it works. The fights are filled with blood and gore that feels stretched just about as far as it can when it comes to an animated show.
Over the course of the six episodes that I received prior to release, the story evolves in a lot of unexpected ways. Some of the plot twists are a tad predictable, but that doesn’t take away from the execution. It is so easy to fall in love with these characters, and to root for them from day one. Watching them go on this journey together, and seeing how their relationships change — and how their character arcs play out, is a ton of fun.
With half of the season being a complete surprise to me, I cannot wait to see how it all comes together, and what is in store with them next. These episodes have had me on the edge of my seat, and I just know that there is so much more of that to come — and I can’t freaking wait.
Filled with bloody fights, vulgar language, crazy monsters, likeable characters, and an intriguing story — this show exceeds all expectations.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
About The Legend of Vox Machina
They’re rowdy, they’re ragtag, they’re misfits turned mercenaries for hire. Vox Machina is more interested in easy money and cheap ale than actually protecting the realm. But when the kingdom is threatened by evil, this boisterous crew realizes that they are the only ones capable of restoring justice. What began as a simple payday is now the origin story behind Exandria’s newest heroes.
Based on the beloved characters and adventures of Critical Role’s first livestreamed tabletop role-playing game (RPG) campaign, The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated fantasy-adventure series for adults that follows Vox Machina, a band of misfits with a fondness for boozing and brawling.
