S.S. Rajamouli has recreated his Baahubali franchise — featuring Prabhas in the titular role in Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) — in an animated version, but we are less than thrilled. Directed by Jeevan J Kang, the animated series Baahubali: Crown of Blood is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

Baahubali: Crown of Blood offers a glimpse into the history of Mahishmati before Baahubali and Bhallaladeva (Manoj Pande) became fierce adversaries. While his cousin Bhallaladeva and uncle Bijjaladeva (Deepak Sinha) are constantly conspiring against Baahubali on the one hand, the kingdom is under the threat of an aggressor like no other — Raktadeva (Rajesh Khatter) — on the other. Raktadeva commands a slave army of aggressive soldiers, runs a foundry producing deadly weapons and is virtually undefeatable.

Meanwhile, Kattappa (Samay Thakkar), the loyal aide of Queen Sivagami (Mausam), loses her trust and is exiled. How Baahubali takes on the might of Rakhtadeva without Kattappa by his side forms the rest of the story.

The first episode of Baahubali: Crown of Blood evokes the essence of the Baahubali films, reminding us why we loved them. The animated versions of Baahubali, Bhallaladeva, Sivagami, Kattappa and Bijjaladeva trigger nostalgia and set the tone for the series. It’s clear that the kingdom is in peril, and it is Baahubali, the compassionate and courageous hero, who rises to the occasion.

Bhallaladeva, obsessed with war and power, is easily manipulated by his father, Bijjaladeva. Unlike his war-hungry brother, Baahubali prefers peace, which frustrates Bhallaladeva but endears him to Bhallaladeva’s mother Sivagami and the people of Mahishmati. Sivagami remains as commanding as ever, and Kattappa’s unwavering loyalty to Baahubali and Mahishmati shines through.

Familiarity with these characters means the animated series offers few surprises. Moreover, the show often relies heavily on over-the-top dialogue and lacks emotional depth. The simplistic animation takes away the grandeur of the battle scenes. The story that worked on the big screen for its grandiose falls flat on the mobile device. Kaala Bhairava’s background score is also reminiscent of his father M.M. Keeravani’s music for the original films.

Sharad Kelkar, who dubbed Baahubali in the Hindi versions of the films, voices the character in the series, adding credibility. His signature baritone helps you connect with the titular character. Rajesh Khatter’s voice as Raktadeva is formidable and Manoj Pande’s rendition of Bhallaladeva is also impressive.