After two and a half years of no new episodes, the wait is finally over — the new trailer for season 4 of The Dragon Prince, which has been retitled Mystery of Aavaros, is here and it raises a lot of questions.
The 75-second teaser showcases Aaravos in his most terrifying form yet; The elf goes from brooding over a mysterious star map to using Viren like a literal chess piece without breaking a sweat. What's more ominous is the eerie smile that never leaves his face. The trailer is full of clues about what's to come in this next phase of The Dragon Prince saga and hints at the bigger mystery at hand.
What Is Aaravos’s Origin?
Even before watching the teaser, the description begs the question regarding Aaravos and Startouch's backstory and their endgame. All of this points to Aaravos being Xadia's next big baddie.
Though he was mostly a side character for the first three seasons, it’s clear Aaravos will be playing a much bigger role in the show moving forward. So far, most of Aaravos's origins have been shrouded in mystery, but this new season promises to explore his past, his connection to dark magic, and his ultimate plans for control.
When Is Season 4 Coming Out?
Fans have been holding their breath a long time for season 4. The last time fans got new The Dragon Prince episodes was in 2019. The last major update was way back in 2020 when the show was renewed for four additional seasons, with the series set to conclude after the seventh season.
Though no specific release date is mentioned, the official website for The Dragon Prince confirms the new season will premiere later this fall. That means the new season could drop anytime between July and December, though fans are hopeful it will be sooner rather than later.
What Does Aaravos’s Star Map Detail?
Though he's not the most likable character in The Dragon Prince, Aaravos is certainly the most intimidating, even when he's just looking at a map. Said map is featured heavily in the new sneak peek trailer, as it blends constellations with an otherworldly backdrop.
From what is shown, the star map depicts a variety of fantastical creatures, including a dragon. The map is the biggest clue to Aarovos's origin, but its meaning is still unknown. Regardless, the map appears to be an integral part of Aaravos’s plan to escape his imprisonment.
What Is Aaravos’s Next Move?
The new teaser shows Aaravos hyping himself up for the next phase of his scheme. As he smiles down at Viren's stone figurine of, his demeanor makes it clear he has a plan in place.
Season 3's ending saw Viren’s defeat, as well as Aaravos growing inside an ominous cocoon. Aaravos's next move seems to be using his cocoon to escape his imprisonment. He could take on a different form after he emerges, but it’s clear he is not going anywhere anytime soon. He has a plan in motion, and whether Viren likes it or not, he is now a part of that plan.
How Will Earth Tie Into This Season’s Theme?
Aside from the show's new subtitle, the teaser also confirms "Earth" will be the subtitle for season 4. Earth is one of six primal sources of magic, including the moon, the sky, the sun, the stars, and the ocean. Each previous season has been subtitled after one of these sources, and season 4 is following this pattern.
If Earth magic is the primary focus of season 4, it could be an important part of Callum, Rayla, and Ezra's plan to deal with Aaravos. Since Aaravos has dark magic on his side, the trio will need all the magical help they can get.
Is It Too Late For Viren To Find Redemption?
Ever since Aaravos’s introduction, Viren has been trying to use him to gain power over all the kingdoms of Xadia. However, the teaser makes it clear Viren is just a pawn for Aaravos, who remains one of The Dragon Prince's best characters.
The most horrifying part of the trailer is when Aaravos turns Viren into a stone statue as a single tear falls down the latter's cheek. This could be setting up a redemption arc for Viren now that Aaravos has made it known who the true threat is. But after everything he has done, it may be too late for him to change his ways.
How Much Time Has Passed Since Season 3?
The teaser only features Aaravos and Viren onscreen, so it's unclear if the main characters are the same age they were at the end of season 3. So far, each season has picked up right where the last season left off as the first three seasons take place over fewer than two months. But, season 4 could reflect the show’s extended hiatus by having a multi-year time jump.
The characters could be older and living in a much different Xadia. Season 4 could just as easily pick up right after the season 3 finale. Either way, the characters aren’t out of the woods just yet.
Who Will Be The Next King?
Season 3 concluded with Viren taking over the crown from Ezran. But with Viren’s ultimate demise seemingly foreshadowed in the teaser, it is unlikely he will remain the king of Katolis for long, so the fate of the throne is currently unknown.
The obvious solution would be for Ezran to reclaim the title since Viren was the one who tricked him into renouncing his crown in the first place. However, if Ezran is not allowed to reclaim his title, then anyone could claim the crown.
Will Xadia's Inhabitants Remain United?
Of all the questions fans have about the new season for The Dragon Prince, a main concern regards Xadia's inhabitants. Xadia's humans, elves, and dragons used to live in harmony before humans began using dark magic. However, these three groups united in season 3 to defeat Viren. This begs the question if this truce will last indefinitely.
Xadia's citizens work best when they are united against a common threat, and Aaravos could be the menace that keeps the alliance alive. Even if the groups still resent each other, they will likely need to work together to take on an elf as powerful as Aaravos appears to be.
Are The Dragons Important Anymore?
Aside from a constellation in a star map, there are no mentions of dragons anywhere in the new teaser. The major arc of the first three seasons was returning Zym to his family. Now that the baby dragon has been reunited with his mother, that part of the trio’s journey has come to an end.
The teaser's focus on Aaravos implies season 4 is shifting its sights away from the dragons, but in a show called The Dragon Prince, it's unlikely the dragons are going anywhere. But with the rise of Aaravos, it seems the dragons are no longer the trio's main concern. Only time will tell how the dragons will play into this story's next chapter.