The Tithes

GW have managed to make a great looking and gripping animated series, building on the earlier Pariah Nexus, with even more impressive visuals, and a more interesting story in the anthology format. The first episode looks great but suffers a little from cheesy overplayed dialogue (though how to get around this is unclear when this is typical of all space marine related media, and perhaps fitting). The second episode in particular introduces an array of interesting factions and characters, and effectively shows the, to-say-the-least morally-grey complexity of imperial decision making in the 40k universe. The outcry from the usual suspects about there being a female custodes in a fantasy universe featuring aliens, magic, gods, and all sorts of other deliberately unrealistic and fun elements says a lot more about the state of a very vocal minority of terminally-online men than anything else.

I've been playing Warhammer since rogue trader in the 1980s, so I had to give this a watch. It was disappointing overall but I can't say it was terrible.

I really liked the first episode, like a lot, 8 out of ten. Animation has some weak points but story and action was good. I wanted to know more about the backstory and what happened later to the characters.

On the other hand I absolutely hated the second episode, 2 out of ten, and that's being generous, bad voice acting, weird animation and lore breaking writing. It felt more like fanfiction made by a gender studies major for a HR department slideshow than a Warhammer story.

Episode three was ok, 6 out of 10, interesting story choices with grim dark take on bureaucracy but animation seemed a bit cartoony with the orks parts and it just needed more polish to be done.

Overall mid, 5 out of 10.

Of the three episodes, one has an interesting enough story, one not so much, and one is engaging and intense. However, each episode has strong characters and intense exchanges. The action is entertaining, but not worth going into.

The strength of the anthology is its characters for sure. If they had gone more into them, it would have been even better. Its weakness is the the action and story are just okay. They could have been truly excellent episodes if the action had been more punchy and the story had had more interesting plot.

The Tithes is a phenomenal addition to the Warhammer 40k universe, delivering an enthralling narrative that captures the dark, oppressive atmosphere of the Imperium while adding fresh layers of intrigue and depth to its characters. The series masterfully weaves together the grim reality of life under Imperial rule with the human (and superhuman) struggle for survival. From the brutal sacrifices demanded by the Emperor's tithe to the relentless power struggles that unfold, this story grips you from start to finish.

To those who can't get past the idea of a female Custodian: maybe your grip on the lore isn't quite as strong as you think. The Warhammer universe is vast, terrifying, and constantly evolving-just like The Tithes, which does an exceptional job at pushing boundaries while staying true to the grimdark heart of 40k.

I LOVE IT. Nails it as an anthology series, mixing solid animation with gripping storytelling to welcome new fans into the dark, chaotic universe of Warhammer 40K. Each episode dives into a different story, all told from humanity's perspective, showing the brutal sacrifices people make in a burning galaxy where there's only war. The anthology format works great here-it's like getting bite-sized pieces of lore without the info overload, perfect for newcomers.

The animation? Not mind-blowing, but it gets the job done. It nails the grim, gritty vibe you expect from Warhammer 40K, setting the right tone for each story. But the real MVP is the dialogue. The writing is sharp, the characters feel real, and each story has those intense moments that pull you in. They picked some great stories to showcase, hitting that sweet spot of epic battles, personal struggle, and the iconic dark tone fans crave.

All the stories are from humanity's perspective, which is cool, but it'd be nice to see some other factions get a turn in the spotlight. The Warhammer universe is massive, and there's so much more to explore than just the humans' point of view.

As for the lore tweaks, yeah, there's been some drama, especially around the introduction of female Custodes. Honestly? Not a big deal. Gender doesn't change who the Custodes are or how they function, and it doesn't take anything away from the Sisters of Silence. Speaking of, it's awesome to finally see the Sisters done right, complete with sign language that makes them feel even more real and badass.

This anthology feels like a love letter to the franchise. It brings the grimdark world to life while making it more accessible, which is exactly what the community needs right now. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just dipping your toes in, this series has something for you. It's time to stop fighting over minor changes and celebrate what makes this universe so awesome.