Eyes of Wakanda Review: Wakanda’s Secret Warriors Get Their Time to Shine

If you’ve been missing Wakanda like a vibranium-deprived tech junkie, Eyes of Wakanda is the return you didn’t know you needed but will absolutely geek out over. This new animated anthology from Marvel Studios takes a sharp left turn from the usual Avengers chaos and drops us into the cloaked world of the War Dogs, Wakanda’s elite spies. It’s action-packed, emotionally intelligent, gorgeously animated, and just short enough to leave you yelling at your screen, “That’s it?!” Let’s unpack why this show slaps, where it fumbles, and what we still wish we got (hi, Okoye fans).

Here is our review of Eyes of Wakanda.

Wakanda’s Undercover MVPs Take Center Stage Eyes Of Wakanda Review

One of the biggest triumphs of Eyes of Wakanda is how it expands on a corner of Wakandan lore that we barely got to scratch in the live-action films aka the War Dogs. These covert operatives have been maintaining Wakanda’s secrets across centuries, and the series does a bang-up job showing us just how essential, brutal, and morally complex that job can be.

From ancient Greece to feudal China and colonized Africa, the show time-hops across historical flashpoints as these agents retrieve stolen vibranium and protect Wakanda’s secrets at all costs. Each episode centers on a different mission, with its own unique visual style, tone, and historical setting. It’s part spy thriller, part cultural deep dive, and all Marvel.

Stellar Voice Cast Brings It All to Life

Let’s give flowers where they’re due. The voice acting in Eyes of Wakanda is pure fire. Winnie Harlow as Noni delivers a performance that’s both grounded and commanding, while Cress Williams plays The Lion with a quiet menace that feels ripped from a prestige drama. And yes, hearing Anika Noni Rose and Lynn Whitfield take on key roles is like sipping Wakandan wine, rich, full-bodied, and deeply satisfying.

The casting was clearly thoughtful and intentional. These aren’t just big names thrown at the screen for clout. They actually bring depth and dimension to characters who have just 30 minutes to make you care. Spoiler alert: they succeed.

Animation Style That Deserves a VFX Oscar

Visually, Eyes of Wakanda is stunning. The art direction feels like someone took the bold brushstrokes of Ernie Barnes and fused them with the sleek, kinetic style of modern anime. The CGI is stylized, not stiff, and the movement in action scenes is buttery smooth. Each episode has a distinct visual flair, echoing the era it's set in without losing that signature Wakandan aesthetic.

It’s stylish without being self-indulgent, and that alone sets it apart from a lot of Marvel’s recent visual snoozefests.

MCU Tie-Ins That Don’t Feel Forced

Here’s where things get fun for longtime Marvel fans: Eyes of Wakanda is loaded with nods to the live-action universe, but they’re smartly woven in. We get references to the Dora Milaje, vibranium lore, and even subtle callbacks to Killmonger's ideology. It’s all canon, people, this series fits snugly within the MCU timeline and even hints at future directions for Wakandan storytelling.

Marvel could’ve easily made this a cheap spin-off. Instead, they gave it weight, history, and yes, a few Easter eggs that’ll make diehard fans feel rewarded.

But Seriously, Why Was It So Short?

Let’s talk gripes. The series is only four episodes long. Four. Episodes. That’s like giving someone a spoonful of jollof rice and then snatching the plate away. Each episode is packed with story, but there’s zero breathing room to really let the characters grow or for plotlines to get messy in the best way. It feels like Marvel dipped its toe in and then said, “Okay, that’s enough culture for now.”

And while the show explores many War Dogs, it left one glaring omission: where is our Okoye series? Danai Gurira has the chops, the fanbase, and the narrative potential to lead her own show. A standalone series diving into Okoye’s past, loyalty, and badassery practically writes itself. Marvel, we’re begging. Give the general her due.

A Must-Watch With Room to Grow

Eyes of Wakanda isn’t just another Marvel add-on. It’s an ambitious, visually striking, and emotionally intelligent expansion of Wakanda’s story. It gives voice to characters we never knew we needed and highlights the lengths Wakanda goes to in preserving its way of life. The voice cast is A-tier, the animation slaps, and the time-travel missions feel fresh in a franchise that’s been spinning its multiverse wheels.

Still, it’s not perfect. The brevity is frustrating, and the missed opportunity for deeper character arcs and Okoye content stings. But for what it is, Eyes of Wakanda proves there’s still plenty of vibranium in the MCU’s veins, if Marvel’s brave enough to mine it.

So, should you watch Eyes of Wakanda? Absolutely. Just be prepared to fall in love and then immediately start Googling “Eyes of Wakanda Season 2 release date.” Spoiler: you’re not alone.

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