If This Be My Destiny...

I wasn't particularly excited for this animated series, but I decided to give it a chance and I'm glad I did because I do think it's better than any right it has to be.

Peter Parker (Hudson Thames) is bitter by a spider that comes through a portal during a struggle between an intergalactic creature and Dr. Stephen Strange (Robin Atkin Downes). Months later, Parker has developed powers and is using them to act as the vigilante hero Spider-man. Parker is offered the chance to join a gifted young scientists programme at OsCorp but it's not long before Norman Osborn (Colman Domingo) learns his secret. Osborn though offers to help Peter, even providing expensive upgrades to the suit.

You don't really get an idea of the animation style looking at still images but essentially this looks like the classic era comic books, but that moves in a dynamic 3D world. I really liked it. The use of splash pages and Marvel's signature "face" tags also helps evoke the history of the character. I'd say at the start it all feels a little disjointed, but it does come together, and the final few episodes, in particularly, are very impressive. I really liked that it's set up a lot of villains (or fellow heroes) immediately and there are a few interesting characters along the way that make an appearance.

I really liked it a lot more than I anticipated that I would and will definitely be back for season two.

So first of, I didnt review all the episodes but only stuck to the last one now. I found the whole series to be super entertaining and felt like it picked up appropriate speed along the way to a really good finale.

Peter is super well done, his arc as a hero is amazing. There is a satisfying to conclusion at the end and all the big moments hit perfectly.

There is a LOT of setup though. And I mean a lot. Just judging by the cameos and setups in the last episode, you can easily make 4-5 movies just out the ending. Is that bad? Not really for me, but expectations are high.

They might be able to pull it off though, since there were a lot of surprising storylines and characters in the first 10 Episodes of the show that I didn't see coming.

Its a very fresh take. And its not only for kids. There is blood, dark themes and brutality.

Very (positively) surprised.

At first, I agree Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man had a very rocky start, struggling to find its footing with some not so great storytelling choices. However, by the end, it turned into something truly unique, delivering some of the best Spider-Man storytelling since the spectacular Spider-Man (still personal #1). The character development, emotional arcs, and action sequences improved significantly, making it a four course meal that starts weird but keeps getting better after each course (literally during the time of writing this, this series episodes was split into 4 weeks).

That being said, it's far from perfect. One of its biggest missteps is how it nearly erases Uncle Ben's importance. By having Ben die before Peter gets his powers and shifting the iconic "With great power, comes great responsibility" to other characters, the show diminishes a fundamental part of Spider-Man's and Peter Parker's origin. Both Uncle Ben and Aunt May played crucial roles in shaping Peter into the hero he becomes, and this change weakens that foundation and disrespects the original work (I know not everything has to be comic accurate but that argument is situational. Which in this case uncle being the starting point for Spider-Man being good & having moral lines, while aunt May is the continuous for Peter to work hard & biggest driving force in protecting those he loves) (-1)

Another major flaw is the animation quality. For a series that has been in development for years, the animation is barely decent and, frankly, subpar by today's standards. When compared to anime that release on a weekly or yearly basis, they maintain fluid action, stunning visuals, and high production values. This show feels outdated. Given the long production time, one would expect something far more polished, but instead, we get something that looks underwhelming, especially for a modern animated superhero series made by MARVEL/DISNEY. (-1)

Also loses half a point for that beginning but came back strong so gain half a point.

Despite these issues, the series still shines in many ways. The writing eventually finds its groove, the emotional weight of Peter's journey lands well, and it closes on a high note that leaves more stories to be told in the future. It's a fantastic addition to Spider-Man's animated legacy, just not a flawless one. Because of these shortcomings, it falls short of being a perfect 10, but it's still a strong and enjoyable watch for fans of the web-slinger. 8/10 is the perfect rating for this series.

Throughout its run, "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" has managed to do something that many other adaptations - especially the MCU - have struggled with: reinventing Spider-Man's history while staying true to the core of who he is. It understands that Spider-Man's story is not defined by specific events, but rather by the lessons he learns and the ideals he holds onto. And with its season finale, "If This Be My Destiny...," the show not only delivers on everything it has built up to but also subverts the MCU's frustrating habit of lackluster finales by giving us one that actually works.

Where many modern superhero stories tend to stumble in their conclusions - either by prioritizing setup over payoff or rushing through key emotional beats - this episode finds the perfect balance. It's a thrilling, high-stakes closer that not only delivers massive action and unexpected twists but also provides meaningful resolutions to many of the ongoing subplots. While a few mysteries remain unsolved, they feel like deliberate threads being saved for Season 2 rather than loose ends left hanging. Of course, it wouldn't be "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" without jaw-dropping action, and this episode pulls out all the stops. The big battle that dominates much of the runtime is an absolute spectacle, seamlessly blending fluid animation with comic book-style energy. The show's ability to capture the kinetic, acrobatic nature of Spider-Man's fighting style has always been one of its strongest visual elements, and this finale showcases that in full force. Every punch, web-swing, and reality-bending moment is brought to life with stunning precision, making for one of the most visually impressive action sequences of the season. But what truly sets this finale apart is how well it balances spectacle with substance. The action is thrilling, yes, but it's the emotional weight behind it that makes it so compelling. Every twist, every decision, every revelation carries meaning, adding further depth to an already rich narrative. And even as the episode provides satisfying resolutions, it also plants the seeds for what's to come, setting the stage for a second season that promises to be even bigger and more ambitious.

"If This Be My Destiny..." solidifies this show as one of the best modern interpretations of the Spider-Man character. It understands what makes Peter Parker an enduring icon and isn't afraid to carve out its own unique space within the Spider-Man mythos. If this finale is any indication, Season 2 is poised to be something truly special.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man... I first watched it on Disney+ and it was amazing. It had a lot of movie and cartoon references like the scene where Lonnie stopped Peter from killing scorpion. They even introduce Venom, and the Spider-Man's paradox is so crazy. This would be MCU Spider-Man's true potential if Sony didn't interrupt Marvel in the first place, this show was actually planned to be in MCU, but later change to something else, a different MCU. So if you ask me, this will easily be my top 3 favourite cartoon series, what about you?

Also, please introduce more heroes or villains in the second season.