The New Animated Series' Opening Sequence Chose the Incorrect Popular RPG Show Song
The Mighty Nein, the newest animated series by Critical Role, unveiled a new introductory sequence. It features our favorite cast of misfits, misfits, and criminals kicking ass and making their mark, while teasing at multiple heart-wrenching backstories for characters including Liam O'Brien's wizard Caleb, and another actor's warlock orc, the character Fjord.
Overall, the opening appears amazing. However, I felt that an element was lost in the song choice.
The intro employs "Welcome to the Continent", an exceptional song composed by producer and singer Colm McGuinness. It's a track originating from the soundtrack album of the same name, the second release put out by the production company's record label Scanlan Shorthalt Music. It's a great sentimental option, and I believe that devotees of the sequel series will love its inclusion.
Personally, The Mighty Nein's opening doesn't quite capture the hype and excitement that accompanied the second campaign's actual-play adventure. "It's Your Turn", written by singer-songwriter Jason Charles Miller, became an immediate hit for me when it was first revealed in 2015, and it only got better when cast member the performer wrote words to the tune for the series' animated intro in 2018.
Including singing from Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey, a co-star, as well as the writer, the track was memorable and fun. At the time, I hadn't even watched the second campaign at that point, but this was such an earworm that I kept it on my device. This track that knows how to get you pumped before you start an installment of fantasy hijinks.
The show's opening with "the new song" fails to hit the right notes for me. It's an impressive composition, but based on my understanding of the group, I feel that its mood is somewhat mismatched.
Naturally, Critical Role has already said that the series will have some surprises and variations from the original live sessions. A tonal change for its intro appears as one of them.
The Mighty Nein will be released on the streaming service from Nov. 19. For those eager before that, or want a head start to get to know the characters of the second series, the original episodes are available on Spotify and YouTube.