Rant: Dragon Warrior 1 vs 2

I've been wanting to write this for a long time, but I haven't had the actual mood to do it.

Do I prefer Dragon Warrior 1 or Dragon Warrior 2?

Hard question. In this essay..... I will explain the good and the bad of both seasons from my point of view. It's filled with opinions, take caution before reading.

1. Concept & Storyline

In a nutshell, Dragon Warrior 1 is about a game. An online game that's connected to human's world. The main characters just accidentally become the chosen ones. The humans don't fight. They just accompany their dragon friend.

In another nutshell, Dragon Warrior 2 is about destiny. The tribe had prepared for the antagonist's awakening for years, and they chose their best child-warriors. Those kids fight. They have swords, they can get hurt. They can protect themselves.

Both has soul controls and betrayals happening, but you can clearly guess who is good and who is bad on Dragon Warrior 1. On Dragon Warrior 2, it's kind of confusing. And amusing. How some characters switch sides, how they react to the betrayals. 

Dragon Warrior 1 is alright, but I personally like Dragon Warrior 2 better story-wise. It's more structured, or probably just in my opinion. I love how lots of heavy things happened in Dragon Warrior 2. It's not as simple as cute kids playing online game with their cute dragons.

As someone who grew up with Dragon Warrior, it's fun to see characters who has similar age with me. I was eleven when I Dragon Warrior 1 aired, and fifteen when I watched Dragon Warrior 2. If I was fifteen when I watched the first, I doubt I'd like it. Same goes with the second season. I wouldn't enjoy it as much if I was eleven, due to its considerable heavy topic.

2. Character's Personality & Dynamic

OOOH MY FAVORITE PART.

Dragon Warrior 1 has such diversity and amazingly fun dynamics. We have the strongest idiot, the smart coward, the girly warrior, the sarcastic lone wolf, the disabled big brother, and the soft hearted cool kid. Even better, the dragons have personality too! The still-an-idiot-but-smarter-than-his-partner, the sugar addicted cutie, the cool and cocky, the unbelievably loyal worrywart, the tired and lonely but hopeful one, and another sugar addicted cutie, but more innocent.

The dynamic between the humans and their dragons, Tianlo-Xiaoda-Meihan friendship, the rivalry of Tianlo and Lingling, Ziyuan and Lingling's backstory, and the entirety of Ahkun's existence is a wonderful part of Dragon Warrior 1.

On the other hand, Dragon Warrior 2 has really memorable characters, but not for the dynamics. Here we have the oblivious (almost) Gary Stu, the blindly kind emotional disaster, the meaner antagonist-like yellow Lingling, the happy-go lucky, the innocent baby, and a depressed child. In addition, there's also a mysterious guy, an empty-headed food lover, and a hater of feelings. Then, on to the dragons. Let me just say it. The only one who has a personality is Ji Ka, the "I always feel like I'm the worst so I act like I'm the best". The others are just regular determined dragon. They don't really have a distinguishing personality.
Sure, the brotherhood between Xiaoyi and Kaifeng, the constant argument of Dongfang and Tianhua, and the backstory of Shu Xing Men is a fun aspect. And don't forget the obvious romance. Kaiyi, I mean.

But I don't feel the strong bond between humans and dragons. Just... they're just there. Saving the world. Without fun. Except Dongfang and Jika, the best partners.

These characters has good potentials but they're too busy fighting evil. Still very enjoyable though. I like messing with DLZS2's characters, but I honestly prefer the old ones.




3. Character Design & Art Style

Nothing is better than Dragon Warrior 1's dragon designs. Even to the newest season, Dragon Warrior 1 still has the best design for the dragons. For the humans though, Dragon Warrior 2 wins. By far my favorite design, comparing it to other seasons. Nothing beats season one's dragons, and nothing beats season two's humans.

Now, the art style. I have to appreciate Dragon Warrior 1 for working the 2D, despite having four-fingered characters. Honestly I prefer this than the newest season. But Dragon Warrior 2 is the total best in art. Beautiful scenery, very beautiful. Even compared to the newest seasons. 2D is the way for me. The 3D can be kinda annoying though, especially when a certain character wears a cape and... totally not working it. It's so weird. I don't like the 3D.

This is the prettiest area in the entire Doulong universe.

4. Battles
Dragon Warrior 1 has that regular child cartoon's battle, not much amazing ones. There are some episodes that pierced my heart, but that's it. Nothing felt like a really heavy battle. Probably the hardest ones are when certain dragons betray their partners... But the strong part of Dragon Warrior 1 is, they fight together! They are allies in battle, the help each other to win the fight. There are less individual action than party fight. This strengthens the character's bonds. And I think that's beautiful.

While Dragon Warrior 2 is more of an individual development. Many times they got separated and have to evolve their skills, alone. But I have to say, it's intense compared to the old ones. If only the animation could be better. The 3D is still a no for me, but eh. Some of the battles are pretty hard to handle. There are chained betrayals there, you know. Battle between brothers. They're just pre-teenagers, chill!! It's cool, nevertheless.

And honestly, the traitor battle felt heavier than the main antagonist's battle. In both seasons. Because, of course! Hurting your own friend is harder than hurting your mortal enemy.

5. Atmosphere

Sure, Dragon Warrior 1 is more comedy and less serious. The jokes are silly but enjoyable. I feel like instead of action, the main theme is bonding and friendship. And if it actually is, they have captured it pretty nicely. Though if they're going for action... They improved it in the second season.

Dragon Warrior 2 is way more serious and less jokey. But there's still some comedy relief on the right place. Especially in the early episodes, the atmosphere is nice. Let's be honest, I shed a tear when Kaifeng almost died. But that's probably because of my bias. Also, some episodes are resonating with me. I can feel what the characters feel. I felt Kaifeng's insecurity, Jika's doubt, and more. Towards the end though, it felt kind of rushed. I don't feel like rewatching it.

Oh, I almost forgot. Despite the childishness, both shows that these kids needs rest too. They eat, they sleep and all of it. In Dragon Warrior 1 they even come back home few times. I guess saving the world really doesn't make you immune to hunger and exhaustion after all.

In conclusion, I prefer Dragon Warrior 2. Despite the bland characters and lame dragon design... I'd love to explore the humans' dynamic. They're also really fun to draw, especially Tianhua! That's why I'm pretty productive here.

Oh, and last note. I only watch these two seasons. I got quite bored watching Dragon Warrior 3. I don't like Adhi. He's annoying, I have to say. But that's just my opinion. The comment section is there, if you wanna change my mind. The only thing you can't change is my love for Kaifeng. See ya!

He's the best character in every universe.
No one can change my mind.