Dragons, Riders, and a Whole Lotta Hiccups (Literally and Figuratively)
Let's be honest, we all fell in love with How to Train Your Dragon. The movies were amazing. But what about the TV shows? There are quite a few of them.
Were they all fire-breathing awesome? Or did some fizzle out like a wet Zippleback spark?
Riders of Berk & Defenders of Berk: The OGs
These were the first dips into the TV dragonverse. We saw Hiccup and the gang figuring things out. Dragon training was messy, but fun.
Astrid was a total BAMF from day one, wasn't she? And Toothless? Still the cutest dragon ever. No arguments.
My unpopular opinion? Mildew was annoying. Seriously, someone just needs to feed him to a Changewing already.
Race to the Edge: Teen Drama (But With Dragons!)
Okay, things got a bit more serious here. Hiccup and his crew went exploring. They found new dragons and new villains.
Dagur the Deranged was a surprisingly complex character. He was crazy, sure, but kind of endearing in a weird, Viking way. Don't judge me.
And Heather? I always thought she and Astrid were a potentially great duo. I mean they were quite alike. Girl Power to the max.
We got to see more of the Dragon Riders bond. The drama was real. It was like a teen soap opera, but with scales and fire.
Rescue Riders: For the Littlest Dragon Fans
Now, this one's a bit different. It's geared toward a younger audience. It stars Dak and Leyla, twins who can communicate with dragons.
It's super cute. Perfect for introducing the dragon world to your kids or younger siblings. Just don't expect the same level of complexity as Race to the Edge.
I’ll admit, I watched an episode with my niece. And those baby dragons? Cuteness overload. Don't tell anyone.
The Nine Realms: A Controversial Sequel
Okay, let's talk about the elephant dragon in the room. The Nine Realms is set in the modern day. Dragons are back after thousands of years.
This one gets a lot of flak. Some fans don't like the modern setting. They miss the Viking era. And I get that.
But here's my (possibly very unpopular) opinion: It's not terrible. It is different. The animation style is definitely distinct.
The characters have potential. It has a lot of potential. Just needs to embrace the spirit of the original, with a new twist. Though, it never quite reaches those heights.
Maybe it's just nostalgia talking. But the original shows have a certain charm. Something about Vikings riding dragons is just so epic.
So, Which Show Reigns Supreme?
It depends on what you're looking for. The Berk shows are classic. Race to the Edge is more mature.
Rescue Riders is for the little ones. And The Nine Realms... well, it's there. It exists!
Ultimately, they all add to the How to Train Your Dragon universe. Even if some are a bit spikier than others.
And let's be honest, any excuse to spend more time with dragons is a good excuse. Especially if it involves Toothless.
So, go binge them all! Just maybe keep the Mildew episodes to a minimum. You've been warned.
