Ashley Johnson Discusses Changes To Yasha's Story In "The Mighty Nein" Season 1, Plus [Spoiler] Voicing Zuala

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Ashley Johnson breaks down changes to Yasha's character arc from Critical Role's Campaign 2 to "The Mighty Nein," and why it was important to do so.

There are MASSIVE spoilers ahead for The Mighty Nein Season 1!

For fans of Critical Role, it has been such a dream watching Campaign 2 come to life with The Mighty Nein. Seeing our favorite characters and watching the early days of their stories being told through animation is, honestly, a dream.

A group of animated characters in fantasy attire, each holding various weapons and looking ready for action in an underground setting

As Season 1 of the show has aired on Prime Video, one character in particular has everyone shouting for more week after week, and that's Ashley Johnson as Yasha Nydoorin.

Anna Webber / Getty Images for Prime Video, Prime Video

Out of the main party, Yasha's story has undergone the most significant changes from the early episodes of Campaign 2 to what we see in The Mighty Nein Season 1. The biggest being she doesn't start out at the circus with Mollymauk Tealeaf (Taliesin Jaffe), and doesn't join the Mighty Nein right away.

a warrior faces soldiers in a fiery setting; a close-up shows the warrior's stern expression and braided hairstyle

This meant that throughout the season, Yasha would only appear in brief glimpses, with fans learning that the show was starting Yasha's story with her already under Obann's control, a plotline that would unfold later in the campaign.

Two animated characters confront each other intensely; one looks up menacingly. Scene suggests a dramatic moment in a fantasy TV show or movie

And, with the Season 1 finale, Yasha FINALLY crosses paths with the Mighty Nein in the final minutes. A moment that everyone has been anxiously awaiting to happen since Episode 1.

Animated scene with a worried character facing a group of adventurers in a fantasy setting. The group includes diverse characters wielding various weapons

Speaking about Yasha's story change from campaign to animated series in an interview with BuzzFeed, Ashley explained, "In sort of breaking how we were going to narratively tell this story, and in early discussions of talking about what we really want for our characters, what we want to be shown in the series, we ultimately made some changes for Yasha, specifically."

Animated character with long hair and face paint, wearing fur-trimmed armor, stands in a dramatic pose as the sun sets in the background

Moving up aspects of Yasha's story was born out of the fact that the character wouldn't need to be absent in the animated series, like she is in the early campaign. Ashley was starring in Blindspot at the time, which caused her to miss 55 episodes throughout Campaign 2, in particular, the beginning.

Person on stage wearing a casual graphic t-shirt, pinstriped pants, and a cap, sitting in a director's chair, holding a microphone

Ashley explained, "Something that we didn't need was Yasha's absences going in and out, because had I not been working at the time, I would have been there fully at the table. So we didn't need to have that in the show."

Animated character with a tattoo on the face looks emotional. Below, the character is seen from behind, holding a large sword, with a glowing symbol on the neck

So, the show moves up Yasha being under the control of Obann, which is a storyline that didn't begin until Episode 46 of Campaign 2. "Yasha is the Orphanmaker," Ashley began. "She is a killing machine who is being used for those skills that she has, and is trying to get out of it."

Top shows a stern character with face markings. Bottom depicts the character in action against armored foes, with dynamic, intense movement

She added, "I think we were just able to retell her introduction. I think that is everything. I think it just gives more of an impact for her and into the rest of the story that we will eventually tell with her."

Animated characters confront a vampire with striking facial expressions in a dramatic scene from a fantasy TV show

Another touch to Yasha's story this season is that we get glimpses of her past life, namely Zuala, her wife. The season finale even opens with a memory of Yasha and Zuala surrounded by blue flowers, another great detail for fans of the original campaign and Yasha's story.

Animated scene of two characters sitting under a tree in a field of flowers, with mountains and a waterfall in the background

For the animated series, Zuala is voiced by Aimee Carrero, a longtime friend of Critical Role who has played in Exandria Unlimited and Campaign 3 alongside the cast.

Anime character with long hair and geometric face paint, wearing a decorative choker, looks thoughtful against a blurred background

"Aimee Carrero is such an incredible actress, and we were trying to find any space for her," Ashley began. "And I was like, 'Maybe she could be my wife? (laughing) I don't know, throwing it out there.'"

Animated characters sit under a tree in a serene landscape, with flowers around them

Ashley adores that The Mighty Nein gave some space to see glimpses of Yasha's past, especially the scene with Zuala in the finale. She told BuzzFeed, "I love that we get to see that. And when you're first introduced to Yasha, you're like, Who is this creature that we keep seeing that is so terrifying?, and then to see that soft side of her is so important."

Animated scene with a dark-haired character wearing a blue flower kissing a red-haired character against a tree. Both share a tender moment

She added, "And for those of us who know her story, we just get to see little glimpses of it in the beginning. But I love that it's there, and it will lead to fleshing out Yasha's story even more."

Animated characters with intense expressions facing each other closely in a serene outdoor setting

As someone who has a poster of Yasha Nydoorin in my living room (true story), I cannot WAIT to see even more of her in The Mighty Nein Season 2. Especially, finally getting to see her alongside the rest of the Mighty Nein.

What did you think of Yasha's story in The Mighty Nein Season 1? Are you excited for more of her in Season 2? Tell us everything in the comments below!

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