Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light Review

First titled when it came out as “Daddy of Light”, brought communities, blogs, videos, news sites together with many jokes on the name for what was a new Netflix series that came out Summer 2017. While the controversy of the title wasn’t that big of a deal in general, it did change from “Daddy” to a more simple word, which then got revealed to be “Dad of Light”.
When I first heard of this, it sounded a little interesting but I didn’t do much else until Netflix suddenly showed it to me in the recommended section. Quite simple, the premise was something not that original but the way it went about using an MMO to reconsile a son with his father, intruiged me so much that I dropped everything else and started watching it from the get go.

A few episodes later and I was hooked, not only did I enjoy the simple drama that wasn’t overacted too much which most Japanese drama has a tendency to do, either if they are based upon a manga, light novel or from another series that already exist in Korea and so forth. Granted when shows do this, it is quite clear that they are staying with the materials from which it is based upon.
So there I am, six hours later, finding joy in what could easily be dismissed as a boring show, since nothing big is happening in the story but the characters’ development is what keeps you hooked from start ’till finish.
SETTING FOR THE ADVENTURE
The premise is simple, a boy wants to get along with his father when he was a kid. From there in a project with his guild friends, he invites his father into the world of Eorzea in the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV.

Simple to say this series is interesting at best, it’s very mellow when we follow our main character in the real world as he interacts with his family and co-workers. However, as soon as we enter Eorzea at the end of his day. It all changes to what is a familiar outline of how many anime shows, especially in the slice of life genre goes. Which this show definitely is and while it could be argued that it should have more action when inside the game, it has a beautiful way of giving a lesson to the main character and his father but also the viewer.

All of this ranges from small lessons in not to give up when it gets hard, to big life lessons that you can take to heart and use in your own every day life.

THE BEAUTY OF SONG
One thing to point out is the music, the thing that Dad of Light does justice to the franchise it is using in its series…is the music being played. Everything is from the Final Fantasy XIV game, well every certain theme as when a quest has been completed, when something urgent is going on or if it’s time for some relaxation between characters. All is being used to emphasize moments as they are unfolding on the show, but it’s also a fantastic feeling of nostalgia when those classic themes comes out through the speakers (give it an extra for the nostalgia bone when using surround sound).

COLOUR BRIGHTENS IT UP
When it comes to Japanese drama series, it has a tendency to not use a lot in its composition. It’s always quite colorful (which is good for a slice of life series), but while it’s pleasing for the eyes to see. It does lack a certain allure which could be utilized with better cinematography but it’s not something that will take away the enjoyment of watching the series.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS
So is this a series for you to wach? Well it all depends on what if you like light Japanese drama mixed with a lot of familiar anime tropes when it cuts to the Final Fantasy game. To me, I enjoyed it from start ‘til finish. Firstly because it just comes and goes that leaves you hanging, wanting a second season right immediately, since the series uses only the main game of Final Fantasy XIV ARR or Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn (there is a fantastic story to this game, however that is a story for some other time). So it has the possibility to continue with each expansion and giant events that has happened in the game which in turn can be used to the story of the characters.
Nevertheless, it does also fall flat on its simplicity with how the story develops but not in a major way.

That is why I firmly believe that this series should be recommended to be watched and experienced, as it only is 8 episodes. I wish, that there is a second season in the works already but that is something which can wait.

Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light deserves my final rating of:

Yet what do you guys think of this series if you have watched it already or planning to do it? Tell me down in the comments what your perspectives on this is.

Stay Cozy and have a nice day!