by Tim Gordon
Eyes of Wakanda is not just another Marvel series; it’s a bold reframing of the Wakandan mythos, stepping away from the superheroes we know to tell stories from the shadows.
Directed by Todd Harris, this animated four-part anthology on Disney+ follows the Hatut Zeraze, Wakanda’s feared “War Dogs,” elite covert operatives who have quietly protected their nation for centuries. Instead of focusing on the Black Panther mantle itself, the series explores the secret missions carried out to retrieve stolen vibranium artifacts, building a rich, centuries-spanning tapestry of history, myth, and sacrifice.
The anthology is anchored by Noni (Winnie Harlow), a disgraced former Dora Milaje who seeks redemption. Her presence threads through all four episodes, but each chapter tells a distinct story, blending intimate character arcs with sweeping historical resonance.
The series begins with Episode 1: Into the Lion’s Den, a taut, character-driven mission that immediately grounds the show’s emotional core. Noni goes undercover to infiltrate the ranks of The Lion (Cress Williams), a former Wakandan general turned pirate who has stolen Wakanda’s technology to forge his own oppressive “Lion Kingdom.” Posing as a captive, she allows herself to be caught, revealing her true intentions only when the moment is right. What she discovers, that Wakandan tech is being used to power foreign armies, ignites the series’ central moral tension and sets Noni on a path that will demand both courage and sacrifice.
Episode 2: Legends and Lies shifts gears and tone, diving into a mythic reinvention that deepens the anthology’s historical sweep. A Wakandan operative embedded deep in foreign territory uncovers a long-forgotten vibranium artifact, one that has quietly shaped and been erased from the stories of empires past. Drawing inspiration from Greek legend, the episode reframes familiar myths through a Wakandan lens, forcing viewers to question who gets to write history and how those narratives harden into “truth.”
Then comes Episode 3: Lost and Found, perhaps the most intimate chapter in the series. Here, a mission to recover another priceless Wakandan artifact unexpectedly evolves into a fragile, personal story. A Wakandan agent returns home carrying more than just the artifact and, in doing so, brings back secrets, emotions, and complications that blur the line between duty and desire. It’s the closest thing the series has to a love story, but one weighed down by sacrifice and the constant question of whether personal attachments can coexist with service to Wakanda. The quieter, emotional tone adds unexpected tenderness to the anthology, making the eventual consequences of the mission hit even harder.
Finally, Episode 4: The Last Panther closes the series with its most ambitious and haunting chapter. A disillusioned Wakandan prince searching for meaning is thrust far into the future, where Wakanda has become a desolate wasteland. The nation’s once-proud legacy lies in ruins, and the only hope of restoration is buried in a historical truth he must unearth. His journey forces him to face the literal and figurative “face of evil,” and in doing so, reconcile the sins of the past with the possibility of renewal. It’s a striking, almost mythic conclusion that pushes the Black Panther legacy into daring new territory, reminding viewers that Wakanda’s history is as much about reckoning as it is about pride.
Visually, Eyes of Wakanda is a revelation. The animation, provided by Axis Animation, uses a hand-painted style inspired by artists like Ernie Barnes and Dean Cornwell, giving the series a textured, organic feel that sets it apart from Marvel’s other animated projects. The score, evoking the sweeping tones of Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther films, roots each episode in a sense of grandeur, while the anthology format allows for tonal shifts, from tense espionage to mythic fantasy, without ever feeling disjointed.
And speaking of Coogler, with Sinners and Ironheart already making waves this year, Eyes of Wakanda is another feather in his cap, proving that his influence on the Marvel universe continues to deepen and evolve.
While Eyes of Wakanda may not have the instant blockbuster appeal of its live-action predecessors, it’s a daring and deeply rewarding addition to the MCU. It honors the world Ryan Coogler brought to life while carving its own fresh path, offering a meditation on legacy, power, and the sacrifices required to protect both. With artifact retrieval at its center, the stakes are nothing less than Wakanda’s very soul, and through its four powerful episodes, the series shows that Wakanda truly is forever.
Grade: B+