The opening chapter to this masterpiece of action-based storytelling is truly flawless. From the outset, we teeter on the edge of survival alongside Spear and witness a world partly prehistoric, partly fantastical; and artfully brutal in a way which sells the grit of the characters' struggle while keeping us hanging on every blow of combat like we're kids watching Saturday morning cartoons again.
The story itself - and, in some ways, the animation, too - are rather simple. But every moment of this episode oozes with narrative value through art, sound, and direction, seamlessly placing us in the world without the need for exposition of any kind. The simplicity allows for a perfect balance between story beats and incidental worldbuilding.
In 20 minutes, we see Spear and Fang face tragedy in a way that emotionally invests and thrills us, leaving us eager to see them face more challenges.
The story itself - and, in some ways, the animation, too - are rather simple. But every moment of this episode oozes with narrative value through art, sound, and direction, seamlessly placing us in the world without the need for exposition of any kind. The simplicity allows for a perfect balance between story beats and incidental worldbuilding.
In 20 minutes, we see Spear and Fang face tragedy in a way that emotionally invests and thrills us, leaving us eager to see them face more challenges.