“Eyes of Wakanda” arrives on Disney+ with a simple mission: follow Wakandan warriors through history as they retrieve vibranium artifacts from the enemies of their homeland. Four episodes, one day, no waiting. That ambition earns the series a 7.2 out of 10.
Trailer, via Marvel Entertainment.
The Warriors and Their Artifacts
The Hatut Zaraze are the protagonists, Wakandan warriors tasked with dangerous missions across time and place. Each episode drops them into a new conflict, chasing down an artifact that has fallen into enemy hands. The premise is globe-trotting, and the series leans into that with settings that shift from ancient battles to modern espionage.
The animation comes from Axis Animation, rendered in a hand-painted style inspired by contemporary African-American artists like Ernie Barnes and illustrator Dean Cornwell. It gives the series a distinct visual identity that stands apart from Marvel’s usual digital stylings.
A Cast Built for Franchise Weight
The voice cast reads like a call sheet built for weight. Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Zeke Alton, and Steve Toussaint all appear. Additional voices include Patricia Belcher, Lynn Whitfield, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, and Anika Noni Rose, with Harris himself directing.
Cress Williams voices a character called Nkati / The Lion, and Winnie Harlow voices Noni. Anika Noni Rose plays a “crucial role” in the series, per Harris. Jona Xiao voices an incarnation of Iron Fist, later identified as the original MCU character Jorani.
That casting carries a lot of franchise weight. The series shares continuity with the films, and it is the first animated entry in the MCU’s “Sacred Timeline,” meaning it connects directly to the movies rather than standing separately.
What Works and What Falls Short
The series is at its best when it lets the warriors do what they do best: fight, travel, and recover. The globetrotting premise gives the writers room to explore different eras and cultures, and the hand-painted animation holds up across the four episodes.
But the series struggles to balance its episodic structure with a larger throughline. Each episode feels self-contained, which works for a miniseries but leaves the viewer wanting a bit more connection between the individual missions. The pacing can also drag in the middle episodes, though the final episode delivers a payoff that justifies the wait.
Here is what stands out:
- A distinctive hand-painted animation style inspired by African-American artists
- A star-studded voice cast anchored by Cress Williams and Winnie Harlow
- Direct connections to the MCU’s film continuity
- A globe-trotting premise that allows for varied settings and eras
Here is what falls short:
- Episodes feel episodic rather than tied together
- Middle episodes drag on occasion
- The premise is thin compared to the scale of the ambitions
The Bottom Line
“Eyes of Wakanda” is a solid, occasionally uneven addition to the MCU. It does not reinvent the wheel, but it executes its premise with care and a strong visual identity. The animation is a highlight, and the cast brings genuine energy to their roles.
For fans of Wakanda and the broader MCU, the series offers a fresh angle on a familiar setting. For general viewers, it is a worthwhile but modest entry in a crowded streaming landscape.
The verdict: 7.2 out of 10.
Key Facts Box
– Platform: Disney+
– Season: 1, 4 episodes
– First aired: August 1, 2025
– Last aired: August 1, 2025
– Score: 7.2/10
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