Blood of Zeus - Season 2

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

The first season of Blood of Zeus offered a compelling interpretation of Greek mythology, with a mix of classic and new characters. Despite some visual shortcomings and a not very impressive story, the series still kept me interested. After all, nothing beats Greek mythology. The vivid performances and mythological setting are also present in the second season. But is this season also worth it for fans of the genre?

The second season of Blood of Zeus begins with a fresh look at the battle within Olympus. Hades (Fred Tatasciore, Family Guy) and his wife Persephone (Lara Pulver, Sherlock) use the chaotic times to right an age-old wrong by stealing the Eleusinian Stone, a relic that promises power over Olympus. At the same time, Zeus (Jason O'Mara, Life on Mars), Hestia (Vanessa Marshall, Young Justice) and Athena (Sarah Elmaleh, Captain Fall) are assigned to hide the stone. The loss of a beloved god creates a power vacuum that many gods want to fill. With the world in turmoil, Heron (Derek Phillips, NCIS: Hawaii) embarks on a new adventure, driven by new visions and a destiny no longer woven by the Fates.



It is striking that Heron almost seems to play a supporting role in the first episodes of this season. There is more emphasis on expanding the existing story and characters. Heron's character development leaves something to be desired. Despite his experiences and the lessons he learned in season one, Heron still seems to be seething with anger this season. Zeus's advice to remain calm seems to have little effect. His anger, while understandable given his circumstances, seems to be his only drive. Fortunately, in the last episode it becomes clear that Heron has indeed grown during his adventures. He shows his increased wisdom by making a decision that isn't driven by the anger he's felt all season. I think this is the best possible way to show a character's progress in just eight short episodes.

The series' ability to humanize villains remains one of its strongest aspects

The series once again excels in presenting its antagonists. Season two offers deeper insights into the past of Seraphim (Elias Toufexis, The Expanse) and his relationship with an old lover, adding more layers to the character. The same actually goes for Hades, who we also learn more about in season two. Blood of Zeus really knows how to introduce and build up their antagonists. We should feel sympathy for them. The series' ability to humanize villains remains one of its strongest aspects. And with a season that focuses on themes of forgiveness, redemption, morality, and betrayal, humanizing the antagonists isn't too difficult.



This season, Powerhouse Animation is once again responsible for the animation, and I have to say, they have outdone themselves. The visuals in season two have been significantly improved. While not on the level of series like Attack on Titan or Demon Slayer, the animation quality certainly shows an improvement over season one. It reminds me of the quality that Castlevania fans will definitely recognize. Scenes that really stood out were those in episodes two and eight, where Heron shows off his powers. These moments are vivid, intense and visually impressive. Something I would have liked to see more often during season one.

Dialogue is infused with philosophical undertones and beautifully brought to life by the powerful voices of experienced voice actors

The dialogue in season two is also noteworthy, with certain scenes standing out for their depth and execution. For example, episode two contains a remarkable dialogue with the Rhadamanthus (JB Blanc, Bleach). This dialogue is infused with philosophical undertones and beautifully brought to life by the powerful voice of JB Blanc, known for Bleach and Monster. It is therefore not surprising if I think the voice actors are great again in season two. Just like last season, the experienced voice actors give the characters a kind of authenticity. In addition to Elias Toufexis and JB Blanc, Fred Tatasciore as Hades is also a pleasure to listen to.

In summary, Blood of Zeus also offers a great look at Greek mythology in season two. Unfortunately, Heron plays a less prominent role in the earlier episode, causing his development to lag behind. The series, on the other hand, excels at fleshing out antagonists like Seraphim and Hades, with improved animation by Powerhouse Animation and vibrant scenes in episodes two and eight. Dialogues are impressive, excellently performed by voice actors such as Elias Toufexis and Fred Tatasciore.