The third season of DreamWorks hit Dragons TV spinoff has finally been release, however this season as well as future remaining seasons will be released through Netflix instead of Cartoon Network like the first two. Titled “Race to the Edge” and taking place close to the timeline of How to Train Your Dragon 2 (complete with character designs to match), this new season sees Hiccup and crew (once again voiced by Jay Baruchel and co.) search for newly undiscovered dragons with the help of the Dragon’s Eye. It seems that Dagur the Deranged will take the helm as the main antagonist, which is actually a good thing.

DreamWorks Dragons is an 2012 animated series and a spinoff to the film How to Train Your Dragon, it is produced by DreamWorks Animation, and as of 2015 airs exclusively on Netlfix.

Hiccup and crew in their new designs matching those of How to Train Your Dragon 2.

After some rather unclear news on the future of the original Cartoon Network series, Netlfix and DreamWorks announced that the Dragons spinoff cartoon would be heading exclusively to the streaming service starting with the follow up season. It should be noted, that despite the completely different secondary title, this is a continuation of the Cartoon Network series, taking place some time before How to Train Your Dragon 2, while being close enough to it to bridge a gap between the two. In ‘Race to the Edge’ Hiccup, Toothless, and the rest find a device they dub the Dragon’s Eye which is powered by dragon flames and helps them identify and locate new species of dragons. While still a show aimed at children, this season is far darker than the previous two, full of mentions of death, darker scenes of violence, and more use of the word “kill” than one could imagine. Although, being exclusive to an non-traditional network gives the writers room for such a thing.

Hiccup and Toothless using the Dragon’s Eye.

THE GOOD: Firstly, it’s great seeing the How to Train Your Dragon 2 designs taking place here, as well as the updated, more aged look for the TV series exclusive characters such as Dagur and Heather (whom has her own dragon now). Secondly, being on Netflix made way for some extremely noticeable changes, including an far more heavily darkened tone compared to previous seasons, which was already fairly dark in content for children. I like the idea of Dagur being the go to antagonist here as the previous villain became a good guy (of sorts) during the finale of last season. Dagur is an insane brute, and has no issue killing humans or dragons, which is shown A LOT throughout the first half of season one. I also like how Race to the Edge clearly explains some events that take place in How to Train Your Dragon 2, such as Hiccup’s new flight suit and Stoic’s new dragon Rumblehorn being introduced.  This was an issue with the previous two seasons as they felt more like filler than an actual gap bridger.

The Deathsong, one of the many new dragons introduced in Race to the Edge.

THE BAD: Despite being the focal point of Race to the Edge, the Dragon’s Eye and Dagur are rarely used in the first half of the season, which is rather odd considering the next half doesn’t release until later this year or sometime next. You’d think they would have gotten as much out of the Dragon’s Eye as to keep people invested into the storyline, however when the Dragon’s Eye is used, it makes for good story. Also, while aimed at kids, the show gets dark, extremely fast, though this isn’t a change from the previous seasons, the level of increase in the darkened tone is heavily noticeable early on. This was likely done due to the show being on Netlfix, thus giving the writers more leeway to do so.

The Dragons of Berk taking on the Snow Wraith.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: After quite the hiatus the How to Train Your Dragons TV spinoff comes back with a fury. Full of great action and an interesting plot, the bridge between the series and the second film becomes clear. However, despite being plot devices, the Dragon’s Eye and Dagur aren’t used as much as one would hope in the first 13 episodes, here’s looking that changes with the release of part two in the coming months. Despite it’s issues however, Race to the Edge is a welcome return to an already great series. Otaku Dome gives DreamWorks Dragons: Race to the Edge  Season One Part One an 86 out 100.