How To Train Your Dragon And The Nine Realms

Dragons in the Modern Age? Oh Boy!
How to Train Your Dragon is awesome, right? We all cried when Hiccup and Toothless parted ways. It was cinematic gold!
But then...How to Train Your Dragon: The Nine Realms happened. And things got a little... different.
This isn't a hate piece. It's more like a "hmm, that's... a choice" kind of thing.
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Okay, Let's Talk Dragons
First, the setting. Modern day? Secret dragon world discovered in a giant fissure? Cue the teenage dragon riders! It feels like a big shift.
Hiccup went from underdog Viking to mythical hero. The new kids stumble on dragons in a cave. Feels a bit less earned, no?
Don't get me wrong, I am always happy to see dragons. But are the new dragons as iconic as Toothless?

The Kids, The Dragons, The Vibe
The new characters are...fine. We have the sporty one, the techy one, the spiritual one, and the leader. Classic team setup.
Their dragons are cool, sure. But do they have the same charm as the original crew? I am not so sure about it.
It's missing the grittiness of the first movie. Remember the Viking raids? It feels like it needs more edge.

My (Possibly Unpopular) Opinions
Okay, here's where I might get some hate. The animation style... It feels a little...simple. Less detailed than the movies.
The story lines are predictable. Good vs. evil, finding your place, etc. Not a bad thing, but is there anything new to the story?
Is it just me, or does it feel more like a spin-off than a true continuation? Maybe its because Hiccup and Astrid aren't there.

Is It All Bad? Absolutely Not!
The Nine Realms introduces new dragon species. That's always a plus! More dragons, more fun!
It's entertaining! The kids are likeable and do try to save the world.
It's a fun show for kids. This series is bringing the world of dragon riders to a new generation of fans.

Final Thoughts
Maybe I'm just too attached to the original movies. I am! I am more than willing to admit that.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Nine Realms isn't terrible. It's just...different. It has its own charm.
But will it have the same lasting impact as the first movie? In my opinion, probably not.
But hey, more dragon content is rarely a bad thing, right?
So, give it a watch! Maybe you'll love it! Maybe you'll agree with me. Either way, let's all agree that dragons are awesome. And hopefully, the show will have its own Toothless to win everyone over!
