The first season of The Mighty Nein ended with a shocking cliffhanger, and fans are passionately debating whether the bold creative choice was brilliant or frustrating.
The animated series on Prime Video, based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons livestream from Critical Role, wrapped its debut season. The final moments left viewers on a major turning point, deliberately unresolved. This has ignited a split in the fan community, with some calling the move “straight up disrespectful” and “super frustrating,” while others praise it as a masterstroke that has them desperate for more.
The cliffhanger ensures that the story of the Mighty Neinโa group of flawed adventurers in the war-torn continent of Wildemountโwill be a major topic of discussion until Season 2 arrives.
What Exactly Happened in the Finale?
The season concluded with an episode titled “The Zadash Job.” The Mighty Nein, after a dangerous heist, find themselves cornered in the city’s sewers. They are faced with two powerful warriors from the Kryn Dynasty who possess a magical artifact known as a Beacon.
Outmatched and out of options, the group prepares for a final, desperate fight. At that critical moment, the mysterious and feared warrior Yasha arrives. In a brutal display, she kills the Kryn warriors and takes the Beacon herself.
The real twist comes next. Upon touching the Beacon, the trance-like fury that has driven Yasha all season seems to shatter. She falls to her knees, looks at the stunned adventurers, and pleads, “Please, help me.” The screen cuts to black immediately after her plea, ending the season.
This meeting is a significant change from the original livestream campaign. Originally, Yasha was introduced much earlier as a friend. The show’s writers chose this new, more dramatic introduction to reimagine her story for television.
Why the Creative Team Chose a Cliffhanger
For the cast and producers of The Mighty Nein, who are also the original players from the Critical Role livestream, the cliffhanger was a deliberate and exciting choice.
“We’re suckers for cliffhangers,” said Travis Willingham, CEO of Critical Role and the voice of Fjord. “We love to be left wanting more. Anything that makes you discuss it with your friends, talk about it online, look for fan theories. That’s what keeps you engaged in the story.”
Willingham described the creative intent behind the jarring ending: “We’re gonna give you a kiss, slap you in the face and then kick you out the door.”
Ashley Johnson, the voice of Yasha, explained the power of her character’s vulnerable moment. “You’re not expecting this badass, terrifying creature who is the stuff of nightmares to have her very first vulnerable moment right when she meets this group of people for the first time,” she said. This instant shift from hunter to someone needing rescue is designed to hook the audience completely.
Showrunner Tasha Huo confirmed the finale took creative liberties, crafting an original heist plot to make for more compelling TV than a direct adaptation would allow.
Mixed Reactions from Viewers and Fans
The bold ending has received strong reactions across social media and fan platforms.
A common sentiment among frustrated viewers is the lack of closure. One fan directly called the cliffhanger “straight up disrespectful,” while another tagged it as “super frustrating” for failing to provide a satisfying end to the season’s storylines. Some audience members new to the story felt the finale rushed to place all the characters on the board, craving more episodes to develop the plot naturally.
However, many fans are fully on board with the suspenseful ending. On forums, viewers have expressed that the cliffhanger is a “good sign” pointing to more story to come. Longtime followers of the Critical Role campaign are excited to see how the animated version will continue to adapt and change beloved story arcs.
The series itself has been met with critical praise, holding a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season. Reviews highlight that the show has a darker, more mature tone and more nuanced character building compared to its predecessor, The Legend of Vox Machina. This stronger foundation in character has made many viewers deeply invested in the fates of Fjord, Jester, Caleb, Nott, Beau, Mollymauk, and now Yasha.
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When to Expect The Mighty Nein Season 2
For fans desperate to know what happens next, the good news is that more is definitely coming.
Sam Riegel, the voice of Nott, has confirmed that work on Season 2 is already underway. He stated that the team has “already completed one or two episodes” and is deep into the work on animation retakes, sound mixing, and dialogue recording.
While an official release date from Prime Video has not been announced, Riegel suggested that based on the current production pace, the new season could potentially be ready by next year. The show has already been picked up for a second season, giving the creators the confidence to end Season 1 with such an open-ended, character-driven moment.
The creative team has many beloved moments from the original campaign they are eager to adapt. Showrunner Tasha Huo mentioned looking forward to exploring the backstory of Nott and the personal journey of Fjord. Other cast members have cited future locations and story arcs like the pirate island of Darktow, the frozen city of Aeor, and the beloved kenku child Kiri as highlights they hope to bring to the screen.
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