Netflix’s Leviathan Anime: Epic Steampunk WWI Adventure or Missed Opportunity?
Netflix has just dropped its new anime, Leviathan, and while the premise promises a wild mix of steampunk, World War I, and genetically engineered animals, the final product leaves a bit to be desired. If you’re hoping for a deep dive into the gritty realities of early 20th-century warfare with a sci-fi twist, you might find yourself wanting more. But let’s break down what’s really going on in this 12-episode series from Studio Orange.
- Leviathan is an anime adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s YA alt-history trilogy
- Mixes WWI with steampunk mechs and bioengineered animals
- Focuses more on friendship and romance than on war’s complexity
- Visually striking, but the story simplifies its setting
- All episodes hit Netflix on July 10
Steampunk WWI – but only on the surface
The core idea of Leviathan is super cool: what if World War I wasn’t just about trenches and tanks, but also about giant mechs and genetically engineered beasts? The Allied Powers, called “Darwinists,” use living war machines, while the Central Powers, the “Clankers,” roll out steampunk mechs. This should be a recipe for epic battles and creative worldbuilding, right?
At first, it kind of is. We meet Aleksandar, son of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, on the run after his father’s assassination. He’s got to learn to pilot a mech and escape to safety, with every moment full of tension. The animation by Studio Orange (the folks behind Beastars and Trigun Stampede) is sharp, colorful, and brings these wild machines to life.
Check out the trailer here:
Romance, friendship, and flying whales
Things really take off when Aleksandar’s path crosses with Deryn Sharp—a Scottish girl disguised as a boy to join the British air force. The Darwinists’ tech is a visual treat, from floating jellyfish to a massive flying whale-ship. The action is there, and so is the heart: Deryn and Alek’s friendship (and budding romance) is sweet, if a little predictable. There’s a definite Disney’s Mulan vibe as Deryn juggles her secret identity and feelings.
The plot loses momentum away from the war
But as the show moves away from the frontlines, it starts to lose its edge. The first four episodes, based on the opening book of Westerfeld’s trilogy, are the strongest. Later arcs, like a detour to Istanbul and the introduction of over-the-top Ottoman tech, are visually fun but lack real narrative punch. The story becomes more about racing to deliver a cute bioengineered critter than about the war itself. The show keeps things morally simple—war is bad, peace is good, and friendship saves the day.
What’s missing? Leviathan never really explores the complexities of World War I. There’s no gritty trench warfare with mechs, no sense of the war’s true scale or cost. The characters don’t have real debates about why the conflict is happening. It’s all a bit too neat and clean, especially compared to something like Avatar: The Last Airbender, which balanced kid-friendly adventure with real emotional weight.
Quick pacing, shallow characters
With just 12 episodes, the series rushes through its plot, often resolving big twists in minutes. Characters change their minds on a dime, betrayals are quickly forgiven, and the deeper motivations behind the war are barely touched. Even the spectacular visuals—like mechs firing lightning guns at a flying whale-ship—can’t fully distract from the thin storytelling.
The soundtrack by Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi (Ghost in the Shell) is a nice touch, but the musical numbers sometimes feel like filler rather than story drivers. There are moments that tug at the heart, but some deaths are way too obvious (pro tip: never talk about retirement before a big battle!).
Should you watch Leviathan?
If you’re looking for a light, visually engaging YA adventure with steampunk flair and a dash of romance, Leviathan is worth a shot. Just don’t expect a deep exploration of history or war. All 12 episodes drop on Netflix on July 10, so you can binge and judge for yourself!
