The Mighty Nein Review – Episodes 1-3

I’m a huge fan of Critical Role, so went into The Mighty Nein with a lot of excitement. The show lives in the same world as The Legend of Vox Machina, but shifts the focus to a different corner of Exandria. Instead of tagging along with a well known crew, we travel to a new continent and meet a fresh set of characters who bring their own problems, secrets, and strange comforts with them. It is familiar enough to feel like Critical Role, but different enough to carve out its own identity. Right from the opening shots, the show signals that this is not Vox Machina part two. It has a new story to tell.

The Mighty Nein is based on Critical Role’s second campaign, which has always had a different tone from the chaotic fireworks of Vox Machina. Campaign 2 spent more time on slow burn character development, political tension, and personal stakes that grew step by step. The animated adaptation respects that foundation. Instead of tossing us into a fully formed party, episodes one through three take the time to show who these characters are before the group actually becomes a group. I liked that choice. It gives each character a stronger presence from the start and creates a sense of momentum as their paths begin to cross.

One thing I appreciated right away is how the show pulls in material from The Mighty Nein Origins comic series. The original campaign did not show every part of these characters’ early journeys on stream, so the comics helped fill those gaps. By including pieces of that in the show, we get a more complete picture of characters like Caleb, Jester, Beau, and the rest. Moments that were once only hinted at hit harder when you can actually see them play out. It gives the story a richer foundation, and it helps the party’s eventual formation feel earned instead of rushed.

What also caught my attention is the change in storytelling approach. The show does not wait to introduce mysteries that were uncovered far later in the campaign. Instead, it starts laying the groundwork immediately. In these first episodes, we already see hints of the Luxon beacon and the questions surrounding its purpose. The tension between the Dwendalian Empire and the Kryn Dynasty is not just background noise. It is folded directly into the narrative. Even early glimpses of characters like Trent Ikithon and Essek point to major events that long time fans know are coming. This shift gives the animated version a stronger narrative spine and makes the world feel connected right from the start.

As for the episodes themselves, they move at a steady pace while doing a lot of heavy lifting. The premiere episodes introduce us to the scattered lives of several future party members. Caleb is roaming with a haunted look, Nott is already proving to be resourceful and quick on her feet, and Jester is sweet, chaotic, and very ready to cause trouble for fun. Beau’s rough edges are fully intact. Fjord arrives with that quiet, curious energy tied to the strange power growing inside him. Their early moments show what drives them and what haunts them. Nothing feels rushed, and nothing feels wasted.

Episodes two and three begin pulling these individual paths together. The show does a good job highlighting the awkward early interactions that made the campaign so charming. These are characters who do not instantly fit together, and the show embraces that. Their first shared conflicts feel messy and human. Small jokes land well. Quiet moments get room to breathe. The fight scenes already carry weight, and you can sense the team starting to click even before they realize it.

The worldbuilding also gets attention. We see how tight the Empire holds its grip. We see the edges of something larger, simmering under political tension. The beacon becomes more than a simple glowing object. Even if you know the story, the show’s handling of these threads feels refreshing. If you do not know the story, these hints might spark questions that push you deeper into the world.

By the time episode three wraps up, the group is finally beginning to feel like a party. They still have miles to go before earning trust from one another, but these early beats set the tone for what the show will become. That slow, steady build is one of the things I always loved about Campaign 2, so seeing it preserved makes me optimistic about the rest of the season.

The performances are strong. There was never any doubt that the Critical Role cast would deliver, but hearing them in this polished format still feels like a win. They know these characters inside and out, and it shows in every line. Each character sounds grounded and distinct. Emotional beats hit with the right intensity. Comedic timing lands naturally. It is rare to see voice actors who know their roles so thoroughly, and it gives the entire show a sense of confidence.

That said, the early focus on scattered character threads might feel slow if you are expecting the fast, explosive start that Vox Machina had, so just go in with an open mind, and I’m sure things will kick into the adventuring portion of the campaign in the coming episodes. Also if you’re a Yasha fan, it seems like this season may be a bit thin on content for your favourite barbarian. So far there has only been a single scene featuring her and based on the story changes that have been established, I don’t expect to see a whole lot of her popping up this season.

Even with those small issues, I am very excited to see where the season goes. The changes from the original streams feel purposeful and thoughtful. They are not rewriting Campaign 2, but rather shaping it into something that fits the structure and momentum of an animated series. If the first three episodes are any indication, the show plans to merge loyalty to the source material with new creative angles that make the story feel fresh. That is exactly what I hoped for.

By the end of episode three, I found myself really wanting more. The tone feels right. The characters feel alive. The story is starting to move in a way that promises emotional depth, political intrigue, and plenty of strange magic. The Mighty Nein has always been a group built on complicated pasts and found family. The show understands that, and these first episodes do a great job building toward it. If the rest of the season keeps this balance, it has the potential to stand proudly next to Vox Machina while offering something entirely its own.

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