The Transition of Nine Voyages: From Live-Action to Animation

The Transition to Animation

House of the Dragon, a spinoff to the HBO show Game of Thrones, has seen a significant change in the development of its spinoff Nine Voyages. Originally planned as a live-action series, Nine Voyages has made a pivot to animation. This decision marks a notable shift in the approach to storytelling within the Game of Thrones universe, especially with its connection to the wider narrative of the Targaryen dynasty.

Corlys Velaryon The Sea Snake standing proudly on a beach in House of the Dragon

The decision to transition Nine Voyages to animation was influenced by budgetary constraints, as George R.R. Martin explained on his personal website. The character Lord Corlys Velaryon, also known as The Sea Snake, is set to be the central figure in this animated series, embarking on legendary voyages that precede the events of House of the Dragon. This shift to animation has sparked discussions about the creative possibilities and visual storytelling that can be explored through this medium.

Ahead of the premiere of House of the Dragon season 2 in 2024, George R.R. Martin shared an update on the goings-on in the wider Game of Thrones universe. He revealed that of the four animated projects in development, two were shelved. However, the decision to move Nine Voyages to animation was met with full support, highlighting the potential for a more expansive portrayal of the world of A Song of Ice and Fire through animation.

The Rise of Animated Spinoffs

The transition of Nine Voyages to animation reflects a broader trend in the entertainment industry, where animated spinoffs have become increasingly popular for established franchises. This move is not entirely unprecedented, as animated shows based on established intellectual properties (IPs) have been a phenomenon for decades, with notable examples from the 1980s and 1990s.

However, the modern approach to in-universe production, as seen with Nine Voyages, represents a significant evolution in the utilization of animation for expanding established universes. Streaming services have played a pivotal role in this trend, leveraging animated shows and movies to explore the science fiction and fantasy genres in ways that may be challenging with live-action projects.

The shift to animation allows for more expansive storytelling, especially for franchises with complex world-building and fantastical elements. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video have already embraced this format, with projects such as The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf and The Boys spinoff Diabolical. These endeavors demonstrate the potential for animated spinoffs to enrich and extend the narratives of popular franchises, drawing on the visual and narrative flexibility offered by animation.

The Continuity and Impact

A notable aspect of the current wave of animated spinoffs is their commitment to maintaining continuity with live-action counterparts. This emphasis on interconnected storytelling has led to animated projects being integrated into the broader franchise narrative, offering a more cohesive and immersive experience for viewers.

The Nine Voyages spinoff, despite its transition to animation, aligns with this trend by maintaining its connection to the House of the Dragon live-action series. The evolving landscape of animated spinoffs has seen them being positioned as integral components of franchise expansion, with a focus on enriching the existing narrative tapestry through visual and narrative synergy.

The convergence of animated and live-action branches within franchises, as observed in properties like Star Trek and The Witcher, underscores the growing significance of animation in expanding and deepening established universes. This trend opens new avenues for storytelling and world-building, offering creators and audiences a platform to explore the vast potential of animated narratives in the context of beloved franchises.