Scavengers Reign Series Review

Scavengers Reign (2023)
Season 1 - 12 episodes

Rent Scavengers Reign on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Joseph Bennett, Charles Huettner
Starring: Sunita Mani, Wunmi Mosaku, Alia Shawkat, Bob Stephenson
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer

Plot
The animated series follows the crew of a damaged deep space freighter stranded on a beautiful but dangerous planet.

Verdict
This kept getting better with each episode. This world is mesmerizing and deadly as we follow three separate groups. Each group has a unique experience in this world, and none of them are good. We see them struggle to survive, but this planet is too much. The final episode ties everything together very well. This was a very good show and the ending makes it even better. While I wish the animation was more detailed, this does a great job of building the world and creating a compelling narrative.
Watch It.

Review
Based on a 2016 short film, production took over two years. The series starts at some point after they crash land on this strange planet. We can tell they've been there a while as some have managed to utilize local plants and start growing crops. It's a wild place with all of these creative yet dangerous creatures. We get the sense that this crew is doomed. Kamen is entranced by this telepathic creature, and that journey through this season is absolutely wild.

Kamen

The entire plight feels so desperate and bleak. While it's fascinating to see how the creatures works every human seems on their way to death. Kamen is being tricked to get the creature food. His plight is sad, but the more we see of his past the less sympathy we feel.

Azi

Azi and her robot Levi try to grow food, but it's no surprise when that goes sideways. Levi's plot is a roller coaster. This world is changing him. Sam and Ursala try to reach their ship, and that is a trek. Each creature with which they cross paths provides a new obstacle.

Sam, Ursala

Throughout the season we realize that there are years if not decades of this planet killing people. A scavenger crew comes to pick apart the ship, but they have no idea what they've gotten into.

This show is how you tell a story. It's a great narrative, and the final episode is strong. This season ends this so well that it elevates an already great season. I do wish the animation were more rich and detailed, but the plot more than makes up for that.