Looking at a list of 1990s cartoons on the Skool Days site, the link to this title in the "D" section caught my eye. I'm not sure if I remember somehow hearing of this show premiering in that decade, but if I did, then I simply passed or slept on it. Then, over two decades later, I decided to give it a go on Youtube. This was inspired by my desperation to find better cartoons to try out after having overlooked them previously in lieu of the dreck that passes for the medium. It has since been added to my favorites list (both of the '90s and in general) and, once again, to my list of 'toons I wish I had bother to check out sooner. Considering this is what I'd consider to be one of the most impressive programs I've ever seen. So far, I've seen only the first episode, but it left a great impression on me in such a big way. I found something new to me on which to be hooked.
Although other reviewers prior to me already explained the premise, I'l try to discuss some things about it differently, in that they haven't been mentioned. This series follows the titular characters, who make up a team of four siblings: The three brothers, Z'neth, Summit, and Peak, along with their sister, Apex. Evidently, all their names are various references to the top or highest point of something. Set in the 41st century, they and others used to make the ground or land their home, but were forced to take refuge to the sky in a place called Airlandis, as their new home, due to a war outbreak that destroyed much of the planet, Earth. Crystals are searched for with the help of their pet dragons to keep their stratospheric safe haven balanced. Also, they go in search of a place that hasn't been devastated by the war and radiation outbreak, which resulted in the appearances of unprecedented species, like the aforementioned dragons. But their are several mutants, led by Dreadwing, that are out to devastate Airlandis as well. The Dragon Flyz have special wings that are built into their seemingly ordinary suits that turn them into wing suits and allow them to take flight. Again, each of the siblings has his and her own dragon and like the human foursome, most of them are male: Riptor for Z'neth, Sky Fury (the lone female dragon) for Summit, Wing Storm for Peak, and Blazewind for Apex. Funnily enough, I would've thought a female dragon would be paired with Apex, but ironically not. Sometimes their owners use their steeds for transport to travel. The first three episodes comprise a story arc and a feature film. Amazingly, this show seemed to predict that one day wing suits would become a reality. In addition to this being an animated action/adventure/sci-fi/fantasy/drama, it could be considered environmental with the near-ruins of Earth used as a focal point to get its message across.
On the technical, both the art and animation are breathtaking; the characters (both heroes and villains) are a great bunch; the story is written flawlessly; the music is fine too. The presentation had its own toy-line by Galoob, but due to inconsistencies by different sources, I can't be sure if the toy-line inspired this or if it was vise-versa. I don't know which came first, but if it's the former, then this is another toyetic 'toon that managed to outdo itself in many more ways than one. Proving that not all toy-based cartoons are useless, other than being extended commercials and it's surely among the better ones. At first, it seemed like things were going to go sky-high for the Dragon Flyz. But due to the toys failing to sell, it wasn't quite sky's the limit for them and the series. That misfortune led to this being yet another potential but short-lived program that was dropped too soon. It seems to be one of those shows that didn't get a proper nor satisfactory ending. Not only does this seem to have been underrated, but the toys seemed to be as well. If only this were brought to DVD in the U.S., as I'd like to own my own copy of the complete series. I may not had been as appreciative of toons like this at the time, but now I have a whole new appreciation for material of this caliber. Please, don't pass this up, as this is really amongst those that are truly worthy. Recommended.
Although other reviewers prior to me already explained the premise, I'l try to discuss some things about it differently, in that they haven't been mentioned. This series follows the titular characters, who make up a team of four siblings: The three brothers, Z'neth, Summit, and Peak, along with their sister, Apex. Evidently, all their names are various references to the top or highest point of something. Set in the 41st century, they and others used to make the ground or land their home, but were forced to take refuge to the sky in a place called Airlandis, as their new home, due to a war outbreak that destroyed much of the planet, Earth. Crystals are searched for with the help of their pet dragons to keep their stratospheric safe haven balanced. Also, they go in search of a place that hasn't been devastated by the war and radiation outbreak, which resulted in the appearances of unprecedented species, like the aforementioned dragons. But their are several mutants, led by Dreadwing, that are out to devastate Airlandis as well. The Dragon Flyz have special wings that are built into their seemingly ordinary suits that turn them into wing suits and allow them to take flight. Again, each of the siblings has his and her own dragon and like the human foursome, most of them are male: Riptor for Z'neth, Sky Fury (the lone female dragon) for Summit, Wing Storm for Peak, and Blazewind for Apex. Funnily enough, I would've thought a female dragon would be paired with Apex, but ironically not. Sometimes their owners use their steeds for transport to travel. The first three episodes comprise a story arc and a feature film. Amazingly, this show seemed to predict that one day wing suits would become a reality. In addition to this being an animated action/adventure/sci-fi/fantasy/drama, it could be considered environmental with the near-ruins of Earth used as a focal point to get its message across.
On the technical, both the art and animation are breathtaking; the characters (both heroes and villains) are a great bunch; the story is written flawlessly; the music is fine too. The presentation had its own toy-line by Galoob, but due to inconsistencies by different sources, I can't be sure if the toy-line inspired this or if it was vise-versa. I don't know which came first, but if it's the former, then this is another toyetic 'toon that managed to outdo itself in many more ways than one. Proving that not all toy-based cartoons are useless, other than being extended commercials and it's surely among the better ones. At first, it seemed like things were going to go sky-high for the Dragon Flyz. But due to the toys failing to sell, it wasn't quite sky's the limit for them and the series. That misfortune led to this being yet another potential but short-lived program that was dropped too soon. It seems to be one of those shows that didn't get a proper nor satisfactory ending. Not only does this seem to have been underrated, but the toys seemed to be as well. If only this were brought to DVD in the U.S., as I'd like to own my own copy of the complete series. I may not had been as appreciative of toons like this at the time, but now I have a whole new appreciation for material of this caliber. Please, don't pass this up, as this is really amongst those that are truly worthy. Recommended.