The New Animated Series' Opening Sequence Selected the Wrong Critical Role Song

This latest animated series, the most recent animated series from Critical Role, unveiled an exciting opening credits. It showcases the beloved cast of misfits, misfits, and rogues kicking ass and taking names, while also hinting at multiple heart-wrenching personal histories for key figures including Liam O'Brien's mage Caleb, and Travis Willingham's warlock orc, Fjord.

Overall, the opening looks amazing. But I couldn't help feeling that something was missing in the music selection.

The intro employs "Welcome to the Continent", an exceptional song created by artist the talented musician. This piece from the official score of that title, the second one put out by Critical Role Productions LLC's music division Scanlan Shorthalt Music. It's a wonderful sentimental option, and I suspect that devotees of the second campaign will appreciate its inclusion.

Personally, The series' intro fails to capture the excitement and energy that accompanied the second campaign's actual-play adventure. "Your Turn to Roll", written by singer-songwriter Jason Charles Miller, was an instant classic for me when it was initially unveiled in that year, and it improved further when co-founder Sam Riegel added lyrics to the tune for the series' animated intro in 2018.

Including singing from one actress, another performer, a co-star, as well as Riegel himself, the song was memorable and fun. Back then, I hadn't even watched the second campaign at that point, but it was so infectious that I kept it on my phone. It's a song that excites you before you dive into an episode of fantasy hijinks.

The show's opening with "the new song" doesn't strike the same chords for me. It's a grand composition, but based on my understanding of this party, I can't help but feel that its mood is somewhat mismatched.

Of course, the creators has already said that the series will have a few surprises and differences from the actual-play campaign. A tonal change for its opening seems to be one of them.

This animated adventure will be released on Prime Video from Nov. 19. For those eager before that, or want a head start to get to know the personas of Critical Role's Campaign 2, the original episodes are accessible on Spotify and the video site.