After the sheer chaos and devastation of Season 3, RWBY's fourth season takes a more low-key character-driven approach. While it's definitely a great addition to the show, I wouldn't say it's the most fun to watch a lot of the time.
Season 4 is split into four different storylines, each based on the four main characters from Team RWBY. Ruby travels with the remaining members of Team JNPR on a trip to Haven as they face one of Cinder's henchman Tyrian, help Nora and Ren fight a Grimm from their childhood, and deal with Pyrrha's death. This is definitely the most action-packed of the storylines, and I love how Nora and Ren finally get some development. Weiss is at her home trying to deal with her family, ultimately growing in her abilities and managing to escape. This was easily the best part of the season for me, it shows off just how much Weiss has developed, and the Schnee family drama had always been one of the show's more compelling aspects. Yang is at home dealing with the PTSD of losing her arm, and while it easily gets the least amount of focus and is arguably the most boring to watch, I also think the emotional moments make it very much worth watching. And last but not least is Blake, who returns home with Sun after running away and tries to stop the White Fang while dealing with her guilt. I really like this story arc, but it's incomplete. Most of Blake's storyline this season is build up for next season, so it's probably my least favorite of Season 4's storylines.
Generally, I really like this character focus, and this season does a lot to give most of the cast depth and let them deal with the events of Season 3. However, since this season is spread so thin, it's also incredibly slow-paced. I can only imagine how it must have felt watching the season as it came out, but even when binging it, RWBY's fourth season is slow and somewhat uneventful. On the presentation side, RWBY's animation switched to a different engine, and while it looks a bit unpolished compared to later seasons, it's a general improvement on the first three. The action, on the other hand, is hit or miss. There aren't many fights this season, and the only truly memorable one is the big fight with Tyrian. The other fights are a bit on the stiff side, especially compared to those from Seasons 1-3. I did really like the soundtrack this season, though, I think it's probably the best in the whole series.
While it doesn't reach the heights of other seasons, there are some sweet episodes here:
Tipping Point: This episode gives us one of the best songs in the whole series, "This Life Is Mine", and Weiss letting loose and embarrassing her family is a tipping point (ha! get it?) in her development this season. We also get the first half of the excellent fight with Tyrian, culminating in one of Qrow finally revealing himself in a badass last minute save.
Punished: Continuing from where Tipping Point left off, this episode gives us the fight between Qrow and Tyrian which is fast-paced, exciting, and the closest thing this season has to a truly amazing action sequence. Watching Weiss be punished by her father is rough, but it also manages to be the thing that truly convinces her to get the hell out of there.
Kuroyuri: I love the Nora/Ren flashbacks in this episode. We learn how they became friends, and about the Nuckelavee killed both of their parents. Their promise to always take care of each other is absolutely heartwarming and shines new light on their close relationship.
No Safe Haven: The final battle with the Nuckelavee was alright, but it was the final few minutes that truly make it great for me. Ruby's letter to the other members of Team RWBY was emotional, the score was beautiful, and the promise of seeing the members of the team finally reunite was just so exciting.
Overall, Season 4 was a solid character-driven season with some serious emotional heft, even if the pace was slow and the action was lacking.
3/5 Stars
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