Let’s go to Wonderland

Welcome to another story about how attending a convention introduced me to a new anime, but one that spans multiple years. I was at Anime Expo in 2022 when I was first introduced to Disney Twisted-Wonderland, a mobile game where its world and numerous characters are based on Disney’s vast collection of stories. Since then, the series has had a manga adaptation and then an anime adaptation that was being promoted at Anime Expo 2025.

Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation is an anime adaptation of the hit mobile game. Like the game, the story follows Yuuken Enma after he is transported to another world by mistake. The season retells the story in a narrative-driven format while preserving the elements that made the mobile game a hit.

It should be noted that I’m anime only when it comes to Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation. I have not played the mobile game nor have I read the manga adaptation. Because of that, this review will not compare Season 1’s events with their portrayal in the manga or the mobile game. Instead, my critique focuses solely on the anime adaptation and how it stands on its own.

Welcome to Night Raven College

Yuuken Enma is an ordinary high school student who is summoned one night by the Magic Mirror to Night Raven College, a school for magic users. There’s just one problem: Yuuken doesn’t know how to use magic. Complicating matters, nobody in this world has ever heard of his world. Because of this mistake, Headmaster Dire Crowley allows Yuuken to stay in the haunted Ramshackle Dorm and do odd jobs around campus to earn money for food. The series follows his attempts to find a way back home while navigating his way through life at Night Raven College.

Season 1 adapts the Prologue and Book 1: The Rose-Red Tyrant. It opens by introducing Yuuken to the students, dormitories, and rigid social structure of Night Raven College. The season’s central conflict follows Yuuken as he helps Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade of Heartslabyul, a dormitory inspired by the Queen of Hearts. However, things become heated as they clash with the draconian methods of the House Warden, Riddle Rosehearts.

The Magic Will Begin

As an eight-episode season, there is no time for filler or unnecessary subplots. From start to finish, every moment serves a clear purpose, whether advancing the world-building, introducing key characters, building tension, or resolving central conflicts. To that end, it succeeds in conveying its story within a short season without compromising quality or narrative cohesion. No moment is wasted, and the season effectively introduces this world, explains its lore, and prepares viewers for what comes next.

Being a series set in a world inspired by Disney villains, you’d expect plenty of Easter eggs. Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation delivers on that in many ways. Since each dorm is inspired by an iconic villain, the show highlights how that character’s personality and abilities shape its culture and rules. At the same time, several characters are clearly modeled after specific villains—because, of course, you need a gym teacher based on Gaston. Finally, there are moments of Yuuken dreaming that are clips from the classic Disney films. Overall, it’s clear the franchise is a love letter to the House of Mouse’s rogues’ gallery.

Finally, it’s hard to overlook the killer soundtrack, which consistently sets the tone and builds momentum for each moment. This starts with the opening “Piece of My World,” performed by Night Ravens, which carries over from the mobile game and still knows how to get you pumped for an episode. Meanwhile, “Obedience,” performed by the Heartslabyul dorm, is the perfect way to end each episode. In between, the soundtrack consistently finds the right melodies to match the moment.

Off With Your Head!

My only issue with Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation Season 1 is its pacing. The trade-off for having an eight episode season is that there’s no time to waste, but some moments still have to be rushed. This is most apparent at the start of the season, as well as during the final confrontation and Riddle Rosehearts’ resolution. At the same time, there are moments that feel unnecessarily dragged out, like the battle against the Overblot Miner. At the same time, the series doesn’t have enough room to fully lean into its Disney inspired elements or characters in the way many fans would want.

But don’t let this shortcoming discourage you from giving Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation a chance.

Dazzle in the Darkness

Season 1 of Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation brings the world of the hit mobile game to an anime adaptation. It’s not just a treat for fans of the game, but even Disney fans will appreciate the many nods to the House of Mouse’s rogues’ gallery. At eight episodes long, the series doesn’t waste any time, so anyone can easily give it a chance. Plus, you gotta love that killer soundtrack.

Disclaimer: I watched the entire season on Disney+, which I pay for myself.

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Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation (Season 1)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• An anime adaptation of the hit mobile game.
• Eight epeosides that are not wasted with filler or unnecessary moments.
• Plenty of easter eggs and nods for Disney fans.
• Killer soundtrack from the game is brought over.

Cons

• Pacing issues as some moments feel either rushed or dragged out.