Long Zu [Season 1 Episodes 1-3]

Alright, let’s dive into the first three episodes of Long Zu (Dragon Raja: The Blazing Dawn). If you’re into fantasy worlds, dragons, and high-stakes drama, this series might just hook you—though it’s not without its quirks, as fans have been quick to point out.

First off, let’s get the basics straight. Long Zu is a donghua (Chinese anime) produced by GARDEN Culture, which aired its first season from August 19 to November 25, 2022. The story kicks off with Lu Mingfei, a regular high school kid who’s just minding his own business until he gets an acceptance letter from Cassell College—wait, he didn’t even apply there! Talk about a plot twist. Turns out, Cassell College isn’t your average school; it’s a secret training ground for fighting dragons. Yeah, dragons are real here, and they’re not the friendly, fire-breathing kind you see in kids’ movies. They’re ancient, powerful, and out to wreck humanity.

Now, let’s talk about the first three episodes. Fans on MyAnimeList have mixed feelings, but most agree it’s a solid start. One user mentioned, “not a lot of actions with the hands but a lot with the mouth plus some emotional scenes… I enjoyed watching the episode even if I was expecting something else.” That’s a good point—these episodes are more about setting up the world and characters than non-stop fighting. We get to see Lu Mingfei’s confusion and curiosity as he steps into this new, dangerous reality. There’s a lot of dialogue, but it’s not boring; it’s there to build tension and make you care about the characters.

Another fan highlighted Caesar, one of the main characters, saying, “Caesar finally getting a chance to be a total boss.” Caesar is this cool, confident guy who’s already a pro at Cassell College. His scenes are fun because he’s so charismatic—you can tell he’s going to be a key player in the dragon-fighting action later on. And let’s not forget the emotional bits. The show doesn’t shy away from making you feel things. There’s a scene where Lu Mingfei has to say goodbye to his old life, and it’s surprisingly heartfelt. It makes you root for him even more as he embarks on this crazy journey.

Of course, no anime is perfect. Some viewers wished there was more action. One comment said, “if you hated this episode/chapter, just watch/read something else…” But honestly, slow burns can be great. The first three episodes are like the calm before the storm. They’re setting up all the pieces—Lu’s new friends, the college’s secrets, the dragon threat—so that when the action does hit, it’ll be even more epic. Plus, the animation is pretty slick. The fight scenes (when they do happen) are well-choreographed, and the fantasy elements—like the dragons’ designs—look awesome.

What’s really cool about Long Zu is how it blends real-world issues with fantasy. Lu Mingfei is just a regular teen dealing with school and family, but suddenly he’s thrown into a war against ancient creatures. It’s relatable in a weird way—who hasn’t felt like their life was about to change overnight? The show also touches on themes like friendship and courage. Lu doesn’t want to be a hero at first, but he’s forced to step up, and that’s inspiring.

Let’s not forget the humor! There are some funny moments, like when Lu Mingfei is trying to figure out how to use his new powers or when Caesar teases him. One fan even joked about a scene with “highly corrosive blood… that’s… interesting… also, I think he missed a spot on his shoulder… lol left the stove on… that’s safety 101!” It’s these little, lighthearted moments that keep the show from being too dark.

Overall, Long Zu Season 1 Episodes 1-3 are a great introduction to the series. They’re not packed with action, but they make up for it with strong character development, a fascinating world, and emotional depth. If you’re into fantasy anime with a mix of drama and humor, this is definitely worth checking out. Just be patient—the best is yet to come. And hey, if you’re craving more, the rest of the season is out there, and from what I hear, the dragon fights get way more intense later on. So grab some snacks, sit back, and let Long Zu take you on a wild ride. You won’t regret it!