Beautifully animated and jampacked with action and further character development, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft will premiere on Netflix this October
After Amy Rose found a fortune in the eighth episode of TailsTube, the fifth season of Fortnite Festival premiered with the arrival of Karol G and Fall Guys was launched on iOS and Android, the hype for Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft levelled up with the launch of its second teaser, starting with the gathering of those tomb raiders who signed up for the Society of Raiders newsletter to be the first bunch to watch it. Previously, we saw some potential in a few supporting roles in the “Danger” trailer and two samples of the angel-faced archaeologist being voiced by Hayley Atwell before she appeared in Dead by Daylight as a Survivor. This time, more of her quest to return a stolen artefact has been revealed. As Fortnite fighters continue to battle against Dr. Doom’s tyranny with Gwenpool in Fortnite: Battle Royale and Marvel fans outside of the fourth season of the fifth chapter witness her new suit for a corruptible side of her in Marvel Future Fight, let us get another dose of intensity and reflect on what was previously revealed as I relish in the joy of a prediction of mine from 2019 coming true.
I am thrilled to see a little more of Ms. Croft on her anticipated journey as the new DLC for Sticky Business titled “Camp Zinnias” inspires creative minds with a pack of camping-themed images to rearrange and adorable matchmaking commences in Love, Ghostie.
As the voice of Hana Blotsma from Michael A. Grimm’s audio sci-fi action-drama series based on his own interpretation of the Doctor from the Doctor Who franchise, I know a thing or two about effective development for female characters. Reflecting on Lara’s quote as we first heard Atwell voicing her, I do not blame her for how we have not discovered the whole truth…until several years or more later. In the second teaser, we get to see her:
- In a fight with who appears to be a female masked wrestler
- Flee from a swarm of thugs
- Hug someone close to her, only to discover he is just a ghostly figment
- Steer a red car
- Fiercely rock-climbing, even after the branch breaks
- Have what seems like a flashback as blood is on her hands, possibly as a reference to Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness
Many of these moments add to the faithfulness regarding what made the games thrilling for our dear tomb raiders, thus increasing the hype for the first season’s premiere. Yet, I strongly sense some emotional depth underneath her badassery and independence. Two months after the chaotic highlight of the ninth season of Disney Speedstorm, we shall see Lara throughout an impactful journey. I bet part of her approves of how water gun emojis are now actual guns on X, formerly known as “Twitter” on iOS and PC.
Velma gave race-swapping and LGBTQIA+ representation in cartoons a bad name with its mean-spirited nature and fourth wall breaks that not even Deadpool would be butthurt enough to commit, but I just know Ms. Croft will kick ass. No reference to Kick-Ass, the guy from the R-rated black comedy film with the same name intended…or was it?
Jokes aside, here is a sign of Ms. Croft having Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as well as Survivor’s guilt. If that is the case, then the portrayal of PTSD ought to be considered more convincing and impactful to respect those who have the disorder in real life. Of course, this would not be the first time a leading lady from her own video game series has shown signs of PTSD as you may recall Samus Aran’s diagnosis.
Previously, we heard Jonah telling Ms. Croft to be careful and a new possible mentor telling her that danger is her friend. In the second teaser, the likely mentor seems to empathise with her as a sign of his competence within his role. As for Jonah Maiava, we see more of him on one of her quests. As previously mentioned, Lara will be in a fight with a masked wrestler at some point, bringing on some ¡Mucha Lucha! vibes, but without the comedy. What could motivate the women to let a catfight commence? Another new female character warns Ms. Croft to not make the same mistakes someone else made. Could the one she mentioned be Lara’s father? We still wonder when Zip and Winston will make an appearance at some point in the first season. If not, they can always be featured in the second one. Hopefully, Winston will not get locked in a freezer once Lara goes home…unless there is a trophy to be earned. Aside from the friends and foes throughout the first season of Lara’s animated journey, am I the only one who thinks Striker from Helluva Boss would be a great arch-nemesis for her?
Well, there must be some explanation for why they call it a “Survivor” timeline, Jonah.
Aside from how I personally think the wrestler’s character can be more effective if she were to only play for sport or perhaps call a truce between her and Lara after the duel instead of being some one-dimensional competitive B-word, we are still curious about who stole an artefact from Croft Manor. What if the thief is no other than…Sly Cooper? Oh, who am I kidding? He would NEVER steal from anyone who is not a thief.
The artistic merits continue to amaze me. I love how a glowing blue butterfly flutters near the entrance of the temple she and Jonah approach outside of the previously discussed trailer. As for the second teaser, the moment when Croft’s torch flickers right before she runs in a darkened scene is an example of exceptional lighting effects. There are also some delightfully convincing gushes of water that Wade from Elemental could secretly hide in and more richly detailed backgrounds, including the village Lara steers a car through and the coach of a train where another brawl commences. The flashback Lara gets as she is horrified at the blood of someone on her hands is a direct callback to the first game in the Survivor timeline as you can tell by her attire from the game. The lava below her in another intense moment is nothing like the lava that looks like tomato soup in the interpretation of Bowser’s Castle from Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart Wii. The design of Lara’s new formal outfit is unique, but I prefer the red and black versions of her dress from Tomb Raider: Legend. You know that an anime takes place after the events of Shadow of the Tomb Raider has been stylised in good hands when the hands belong to the same company that animated the Castlevania anime.
As Sonic the Hedgehog and Shadow the Hedgehog become children’s fashion icons at Primark, the grown-ups can admire the effort put into the animation in all episodes of the first season of Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. Is it me or does it snow in this particular scene?
There is no excuse for making transphobic comments at Lara’s face in the forthcoming series. Even though she is not trans, try showing some respect for both cis women AND transwomen for a change. Oh! And do not consider us autistic women “work-shy” as we can be just as diligent as neurotypical women. If people want me to think before I speak, they need to be careful of what THEY say. Respect is a two-way street.
Even though the visuals of Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft strongly resemble the artistic excellence of anime, it can be argued that the series is technically not an anime as it is produced by an American studio and animated by another in the same region, quite like how Avatar: The Legend of Aang and Avatar: The Legend of Korra were animated in a way inspired by the essences of anime but were produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studios. However, since all three trailers got uploaded onto the official Netflix YouTube channel with Japanese subtitles for marketing anime due to the series’ anime-like animation, it can still be considered an “American anime” to challenge those who rigidly view anime as Japanese animation and artistry. Besides, there are admirers of South Korean anime known as “Aeni”. Whether you consider Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft an anime or not, it is vital that working conditions in animation departments during the developments of forthcoming projects are being considered a big step up, compared to unsettling reports of mental health tarnishing because of struggles during work hours. That applies to both anime series being developed in Japan and animated movies being produced in the West.
A bigger priority to some of us would be how impactful the events set after Shadow of the Tomb Raider will be in terms of writing. As I have stated before, pointing out both inspiring and faulty aspects of character development would be a lot more constructive than crying “Woke!”, regardless of a character’s race or gender identity. Moreover, the finale of the second season could end with a memorable moment of Lara FINALLY becoming a modern version of the classic incarnation we have adored since 1996, leading to the first game of the next trilogy perhaps?
If you prefer the Japanese dub of a series, please do NOT make disrespectful remarks against the cast of the English dub as there has been one incident of someone on X, formerly known as “Twitter” needlessly exclaiming that the English dub of the first eight seasons of the Pokémon anime series “robbed ‘90s kids of better childhood” as Poké players mourned the loss of Rachael Lillis, the voice of Misty and Jessie. My condolences go out to the friends, family and fans of Lillis and may she rest in peace. Be sure to face despair and uncertainty with kindness and empathy for those alive and in need instead of resorting to closed-minded callousness.
Beautifully animated and jampacked with action and further character development, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft will premiere on Netflix this October near the release of Monster High: Skulltimate Secrets. Some additional girl power in the month of the Halloween spirit this year will commence in the first issue of a new solo comic series from Marvel starring Storm, followed by Negasonic Teenage Warhead’s solo series co-starring Deadpool this November and Hellverine’s solo series this December that will conclude his golden jubilee. Speaking of girl power, rumour has it that the idea of an animated film based on the legacy of Barbie has been discussed between Mattel and Illumination Entertainment and I would be infatuated by the possibilities about a year or two after some agreements, yet not everyone is fond of this idea. But for now, let us witness the return of the Terminator in Terminator Zero on Netflix a little later this month and possibly admire the efforts to help a survivor finally become the hard-nosed, feminist-friendly dame we have adored since 1996 this Autumn. And as we continue to show our support for Ms. Croft, keep an eye out for Tomb Raider: The Crypt of Chronos on Kickstarter in May 2025.
Congratulations to Deadpool and Wolverine on their debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe becoming the #1 R-rated superhero film of all time and congratulations to Ms. Croft on the opportunity to star in her second animated series this Autumn. Aside from exceptional new additions to beloved franchises and forthcoming ones that look promising, feel free to analyse brand new properties you are interested in, such as Mouse: P.I. For Hire, an upcoming first-person shooter that appears to be a lovechild of DOOM and Bendy and the Ink Machine and shall bring players into the 1930s era of cartoons in 2025. In the meantime, an Experience Seattle awaits tomb raiders attending this year’s PAX West.
