3 Reasons Why You Should Listen To “Epic the Musical”

“Epic the Musical” is a musical by Jorge Rivera-Herrans based on the popular Greek epic The Odyssey. The musical is split into several ‘sagas,’ think of them as short albums of songs that string together the story of the Greeks arriving in Troy, the battle, the journey home, and the mess they find themselves in because of poor choices and the Gods. Overall, it is a 2-hour masterpiece that everyone should experience at least once to determine if it’s their ‘fortie’. Below, I will tell you why you should give this musical a try while doing my best to avoid spoiling the story.

1. Supporting Creators

To clarify the most obvious point, as a musical, visuals are just as vital as lyrics and the emotions conveyed by the singers. Epic has introduced many people (including me) to new animators and content creators who design the Gods and characters differently, portraying their movements in ways that align with what you might imagine when paying close attention to the story. These animators enhance your experience with their visuals, and supporting them helps their growth as creators, allowing them to produce more of what they love. Notable YouTube animators include gigi, WolfyTheWitch, mircsy, and Ximena Natzel. While I could list many more favorites, these are a few you should definitely check out on your Epic journey.

Additionally, some of the singers who play roles in Epic have independent music careers. The one I listen to most often is MICO. Some of his songs include TV, Senses, and glhf<3. He has many more drops, but these are the ones I really vibed with and listen to regularly. By trying Epic, you can expand your music palette and discover new artists.

2. Great Storytelling

As I mentioned before, this is a creative rendition of the Odyssey, with excellent storytelling. Each song is important in advancing your understanding of Odysseus’ story. Epic has its own twists and dynamics, and even if you don’t know these characters, it still draws you in and makes you feel attached to them. Honestly? I’d compare it to a novella in its dramatics, but it’s so perfectly told and acted through their vocal tones.

20 years may seem like a long time to fit into 2 hours, but Jorge Rivera-Herrans expertly condenses the material so you don’t miss any of the action and still gain all the knowledge you need to follow along.

Along with the story, I should mention the characters—Jorge isn’t afraid to create disturbing villains. The Gods feel so real, you can imagine them in the sky, and by the end, you’re sick of another villain. He has Pixar Magic that creates incredible antagonists. 

3. Ilium

Yes, Jorge is working on a second musical. He started early drafts shortly after Epic was fully realized and finished recording. This new musical, titled Illium, will be a prequel that focuses on, you hopefully guessed it, the Iliad. It will likely further characterize the heroes of Troy, such as Achilles and Hector, and provide more backstory for the main cast of heroes we followed in Epic.

With this new musical, Epic fans are excited and anxious—in a good way—to hear, reconnect with characters, and re-ignite their passion after dedicating time to Epic. That’s why it’s important to support Epic, a creator still working on new projects, and join a community passionate about Greek Mythology.

This article stems from my love for Epic. Several people around me enjoy the musical, while some are indifferent. A friend, once hesitant to try it, watched the first animation and quickly became hooked by the style, pacing, and story. We even listened to it during a 5-hour road trip.

I encourage others to try, especially artists—it’s a great way to share work and gain views. Not an artist? Comment with your favorite song or saga and share it with your friends; see if they’ll give it a try, too!

Featured image via Mick Haupt on Pexels