Ordinal time series analysis is based on the idea to map time series to ordinal patterns, i.e., order relations between the values of a time series and not the values themselves, as introduced in 2002 by C. Bandt and B. Pompe. Despite a resulting loss of information, this approach captures meaningful information about the temporal structure of the underlying system dynamics as well as about properties of interactions between coupled systems. This -together with its conceptual simplicity and robustness against measurement noisemakes ordinal time series analysis well suited to improve characterization of the still poorly understood spatial-temporal dynamics of the human brain. This minireview briefly summarizes the state-of-the-art of uni-and bivariate ordinal time-series-analysis techniques together with applications in the neurosciences. It will highlight current limitations to stimulate further developments which would be necessary to advance characterization of evolving functional brain networks.Deriving evolving functional brain networks from observed, long-lasting, multivariate time series to improve characterization of various physiological and pathophysiological brain dynamics requires suitable and robust time-series-analysis techniques, that are capable of deciphering the multifaceted nature of the brain's complex endogenous and exogenous interactions. I will recapitulate concepts of ordinal time series analysis, showcase its applications in the neurosciences, and will discuss limitations and necessary developments to improve characterization of the complex networked dynamics system human brain.