Blood of Zeus - Season 1

Blood of Zeus is an American adult animated fantasy and action series created and written by Charley and Vlas Parlapanides for Netflix.

Although Blood of Zeus was once on my radar during its release in 2020 and was even nominated for best animated series of that year, the series quickly fell into oblivion for me. Does this mean the series is bad? Not at all. After all, Blood of Zeus was once nominated as one of the best animated series of 2020.

Blood of Zeus follows Heron (Derek Phillips, NCIS: Hawaii) as he tries to save Olympus and the human world from vicious demons. After his village is attacked, his life takes a turn and he is given the monumental task of putting an end to the demons. At first glance, it seems like a familiar story: a boy born with incredible power must fight a supernatural battle to save his world. The premise reminded me of the Clash of the Titans and Wrath of the Titans films. In which Perseus, son of Zeus, battles Hades and the Kraken. Also a boy born with incredible strength who has to fight something supernatural.



The series takes quite a few liberties when it comes to ancient Greek myths, partly by introducing original characters. Fortunately, authentic mythical figures such as Zeus (Jason O'Mara, Life on Mars), Hera (Claudia Christian, Starhyke), Hades (Fred Tatasciore, Family Guy) and Hermes (Matthew Mercer, The Legend of Vox Machina) remain close to how they are described in myths. This mix of classic and new characters makes for a compelling viewing experience, but not one that jumps off the screen. However, it remains a story that we have seen so often: once again the story of the 'chosen hero', where the main character gets everything without much effort to continue victoriously. A shame, because there are impressive stories to be told with mythical figures like these. Fortunately, the antagonist, Seraphim (Elias Toufexis, The Expanse), does get some depth and development. Especially when you consider that there are only eight short episodes.

Blood of Zeus masterfully balances two stories: Heron versus Seraphim and the rising tensions on Olympus

What further sets Blood of Zeus apart is the way in which the series runs two storylines side by side: Heron's battle against Seraphim and the tensions on Olympus between the gods, mainly caused by the actions of Zeus and the subsequent jealousy of Hera. The story does not only focus on Heron, but other characters also influence the plot. The story surrounding Zeus and Hera in particular is strong and shows how versatile and dramatic the gods can be. Thanks to flashbacks, we also learn more about the past events that influenced the world. These retrospectives take the viewer into history, which is a textbook example of 'show, don't tell'. For example, the Story of the Titans is brilliantly told by Elias (Jason O'Mara, Life on Mars), providing essential context.



Powerhouse Animation, known for the critically acclaimed Castlevania series, once again brings an impressive and unique visual style to the table. This style brings the story and mythological world to life, just as Powerhouse has done before with Castlevania. Although the animation is not on the same level as Castlevania and sometimes seems a bit cheap, the series remains visually appealing. Fortunately, these imperfections become less and less visible as the series progresses. Of course, it could also be that I just got used to the animation style, so I no longer noticed these 'mistakes'. Regardless, these 'mistakes' do not detract from the characteristic style that remains consistent throughout the series.

The voice actors lend credibility to their characters, which isn't surprising considering the veteran cast

Although the animation leaves something to be desired and the story doesn't really impress, the voice acting in Blood of Zeus is not disappointing. The voice actors lend credibility to their characters, which isn't surprising considering the veteran cast. Many of them have already brought various characters to life in other series or games. Elias Toufexis' portrayal of Seraphim stands out for me and emphasizes what kind of character Seraphim really is. His inner struggle and fierce determination are beautifully shown. Unfortunately, most of the characters are not really developed further, so we don't see much depth to the characters.

Blood of Zeus offers an interesting take on Greek mythology, with a mix of classic figures and new characters. Despite some visual imperfections and a less than impressive story, the series remains fascinating thanks to Powerhouse Animation's strong voice acting and unique visual style. While not perfect, Blood of Zeus manages to provide a solid viewing experience for fans of the genre with its dynamic performances and mythological setting.