There's a good chance that the Friday, July 21st debut of Amazon Original series Niko and the Sword of Light will get lost in all the trappings of Comic-Con. That would be a shame. This gorgeously animated and wondrously magical series deserves to be seen, especially by families with little ones who are looking for a fun fantasy adventure. Based originally on the motion comic by Imaginism Studios, Inc., Niko's 2015 pilot episode won an Emmy before the full series was even ordered. And now that the full first season is coming to Amazon, it might just become the favorite childhood cartoon for a new generation.
To get an idea of the quality of Niko and the Sword of Light, you can simply look at the stellar cast, assembled by casting/voice director Andrea Romano. Veterans Kari Wahlgren, Tom Kenny, Steve Blum, Jim Cummings, Dee Bradley Baker, and Kevin Michael Richardson anchor the impressive list of actors with more big names from the voice-acting industry appearing throughout the series. Wahlgren leads the series as Princess Lyra alongside relative newcomer Andre Robinson (Doc McStuffins) in the title role. Robinson's delivery as the adventurous, ever-positive, and enthusiastic Niko brings a unique and charming voice to the character, one that's bolstered by the polished performances that surround him.
And yet the story of Niko is a recognizable one. If you're a fan of the Legend of Zelda mythology or the award-winning Avatar: The Last Airbender, you'll find yourself in some familiar territory. The dark magic of the volcano-dwelling sorcerer Nar Est (Blum) has all but destroyed the world, except for the council of elders and Princess Lyra, who have used their dwindling magic to cast a protective shell around their castle. However, the entirety of humanity is now trapped within this snow globe-sized domain, one that's literally held in the clutches of Nar Est. The elders have created a number of champions endowed with a unique weapon of light powered by a crystal shard, yet so far all of their hopeful heroes have failed to defeat Nar Est ... and only one remains.
Enter Niko, a 10-year-old boy who is broken out of his crystal chrysalis far earlier than the elders would have liked, since he's the last hope for their survival. He may have the heart but he lacks the training and experience to properly wield his weapon of light and defeat Nar Est in his volcano stronghold. Luckily, the princess herself is able to accompany him on his journey, training him up along the way. They're joined by a cast of crazy critters that act as sidekicks, guides, and occasional adversaries. The ultimate goal of the quest is clear, but it's the magical journey that makes Niko worth a watch.
The animation here, courtesy of Titmouse, Inc. and Studio NX, is top notch and heads above a lot of current kids programming on TV and on streaming platforms. It's got a traditional look to it that reminds me of 90s Disney programming like Darkwing Duck, Aladdin, and TaleSpin. Niko is far more serialized than those episodic shows but there's a classic feel here that's both familiar and comforting. There are story elements, character dynamics, and humorous beats that seem to draw direct inspiration from the wealth of Disney programming; you'll spot them easily. Yes, Niko is aimed at younger audiences, but it does have jokes and references that adults will appreciate as well. This is something Avatar: The Last Airbender did quite well and Niko is on track to do the same.
A few things set Niko apart: The globe-trotting adventure ranges from swamps, to undersea kingdoms, to forests, and ultimately to the dark sorcerer's volcano; these locations are called out in the episodes' titles, like "From the Sky Maze of Anguish to the Swamp of Sorrow." And while Niko does wield a sword of light, he doesn't carve up the opposition in brutal fashion. Instead, its magic drives away the darkness from the world's creatures that seek to eat Niko and his companions. You see, Nar Est uses his powers to transform otherwise harmless animals into dangerous and deadly beasts; Lyra's magic and Niko's sword pose a direct threat to that. (It's also worth noting that, while nefarious, Nar Est isn't exactly scary; he's actually a bit of a bumbler, which is a delightful wrinkle.) And while Niko does a good job at establishing some existing mythology within the world, it feels like there's much more of the tale to tell in future installments. It's poised to be right up there with DreamWorks' Dragons and Trollhunters. These reasons are as good as any to keep pushing play.
Rating: ★★★★ Very good
