It’s finally here. After years of radio silence,Genndy Tartakovsky(Samurai Jack,Primal) has returned to the small screen with his long-awaited animated series,Unicorn: Warriors Eternal. The Emmy Award-winning director has become synonymous with quality Western animation, delivering shows that take advantage of the medium in almost every way possible. Stellar action, tear-jerking moments, and beautiful settings are a staple of Tartakovsky’s work, and now thatUnicorn: Warriors Eternalis coming to Adult Swim, we can finally see his latest efforts in motion.
Originally existing as just an announcement with an accompanying poster for the longest time, it’s hard to understate just how significantUnicorn: Warriors Eternalis. For many, it was assumed to be in a state of perpetual limbo before ultimately beingcanned due to the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Frankly, it’s still hard to believe that it’s actually happening. Either way, its trailer was recently released along with an official announcement of its initial airdate. There’s not much time before the series premieres, meaning there’s no better time to discuss just about everything we know aboutUnicorn: Warriors Eternal.
Unicorn Warriors Eternal: The Plot
The plot synopsis forUnicorn: Warriors Eternal,provided by Warner Bros. Discovery, is as follows:
“‘Unicorn: Warriors Eternal’ follows a team of ancient heroes protecting the world from an ominous force. Throughout history, unicorns have symbolized the virtuous, appearing to ensure that goodness reigns. When the reawakening of our heroes comes too early, they find themselves in the bodies of teenagers. Damaged as a result, their memories of who they are and the history of the unicorn over the centuries have been lost, with some of their magical abilities weakened and fragmented. Not only do they have to protect the world against the prevailing darkness, they have to do it while navigating the unexpected laughs and humor that come with teen angst and emotions.”
While we’re far removed from the ancient rage that wasPrimal, fans ofSamurai Jackwill likely welcome the return of fantasy crossed with science fiction. Specifically, it appears that steampunk- aretro-futuristic aestheticthat incorporates steam-powered machinery- will play an immense part in the series' style. The character of Copernicus, a hulking machine adorned with a metallic top hat, is easily the best example of this. Seeing as the series will also take place in London, iconography and visual design reminiscent of the Victorian Era are also prominent.
Related:Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal: What We Hope to See in Season 3
Interestingly enough, if you’re expecting the same kind of ramped-up violence thatPrimalproudly displayed, you may want to temper your expectations. Michael Ouweleen, president of both Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, had this to say about the series' broadcast schedule in the show’s press release:
“By programming this during peak hours and re-airing across multiple dayparts, we are ensuring that all generations of animation fans can see this event-level series.”
We can reasonably expect a mature series that feels appropriate for all ages, akin to seasons one through four ofSamurai Jack. This isn’t a bad thing, obviously. Restrictions often lead to creative workarounds, and Tartakovsky’s previous works showcase how the director skirted even the most stringent of limitations. But, of course, being limited to ten parts also allows the series to end in a satisfyingly conclusive way. Fans of Tartakovsky’s work will undoubtedly remember theparticularly volatile discourse over the finalesfor bothSamurai JackandPrimal.
Unicorn Warriors Eternal: The Cast & Crew
Genndy Tartakovsky’s previous works focused on one or two protagonists each, which not only allowed them to be developed into fully-realized characters but also allowed the world around them to play a significant role as well. This is especially true inPrimal, where the world changing around Fang and Spear substantially influenced their conflicts.Unicorn: Warriors Eternalappears to have several main characters this time, adding to the grandiose scale the series has promised.
Information regarding the series' voice cast is limited as of writing. For now, it is reported that Hazel Doupe (Float Like a Butterfly) will play the sorceress Melinda, Tom Milligan will play the warrior elf Edred, and Demari Hunte will play the cosmic monk Seng.
Related:Best Samurai Jack Episodes, Ranked
As for the production crew, several returning members from Tartakovsky’s previous project, Adult Swim’sPrimal, will reprise their duties. These include the likes of character designer Stephan DeStefano, composers Tyler Bates and Joanne Higginbottom, and sound designer Joel Valentine.
Release Date
The first two episodes ofUnicorn: Warriors Eternalwill premiere at midnight, May 4, with next-day availability on HBO Max.
Unicorn Warriors Eternal: Everything Else
Unicorn Warriors Eternal was originally green-lit in October 2020, with few updates available since. It was initially meant to air on Adult Swim’s daytime equivalent, Cartoon Network, but has since moved to Adult Swim following several programming changes after the Warner Bros. Discovery merger stabilized.
According toAnimation World Network, Tartakovsky claimed that the series has been in development for over 20 years, originally conceived during his time at Cartoon Network Studios. His previous projects “were like a training ground” in bringingUnicorn: Warriors Eternalto life. IfSamurai JackandPrimalwere just a precursor for what’s to come, one could only imagine how amazing this new series would be in comparison.
