X-Men
“A True Example of Anime Evolution”
We all know that Marvel once attempted to establish a significant presence in the anime industry. These shows began airing on TV in 2010–2011, a timeframe still challenging to believe today. Consider this: Following the announcement of Suicide Squad Isekai, fans were ecstatic and enthusiastic about the entire endeavor. Following the show's release and completion, the devotedness of these fans becomes clear. Even the powerhouse, Wit Studio, couldn't make the show shine.
Marvel and the American superhero comic industry should take note, as I want to avoid bringing up the Batman samurai twist again. 2018 was a fantastic year for anime, but a what-if scenario should have remained buried in the depths of hell itself. If you haven't already, I highly recommend watching the CG Batman Ninja; it was truly captivating. Let’s just keep it at that, shall we? Well, that's enough ranting about Marvel messing things up left and right.
Today, we're here to talk about the X-Men anime, which surprisingly is their best entry in my book. I'm still trying to figure out why, but this show effectively captured the entire atmosphere of the mutant universe despite occasionally feeling dragged out and pointless. I still hate the person who created this character art for Beast; he looks horrendous. However, if you are a devoted X-Men fan, as I am, you should certainly investigate it.
Nothing makes sense.
I understand—telling stories from comics that have been in production for so long is hard. But we can at least make things coherent, right? The fan-favorite characters from the X-Men universe join the cast as we look at a broken Cyclops who can't get over Jean's death. If that's true, Wolverine took it a bit further, saying that he's been in the same spot for an entire year because he's a certified simp.
However, the story follows the X-Men as they investigate the disappearances of mutants, uncovering evidence that connects them to the tragedy they all witnessed not so long ago. While the concept appears promising, the plot ultimately veers off course. First, a kidnapping occurs; we rescue them; we uncover a secret lab conducting experiments; we encounter an imposter who bears responsibility for some of our past wounds; a final fight ensues, and the show concludes.
My issue with this setting and the overall plot progression lies in the poor execution of building the show toward the climax and the grand reveal, which even a 5-year-old could easily predict. Everything is obvious, even when these super mutants keep pretending they're blind. The anime also lacks a wide variety of locations, creating the impression that the entire story unfolds slowly from the beginning. Some of you may fall asleep while watching the series, and I don't mind. That's something bound to happen!
Playing favorites with the characters
The anime adaptation of these characters, who rank among the best in American comics, must be a true delight. However, this isn't necessarily the case for all these cherished characters. Despite Storm and Cyclops appearing in terrible health, Wolverine and Beast look like they did not receive enough attention. In some shots, Wolverine feels like a dirty villain from an Isekai anime, and I can't help but draw the character design inspiration from Hunter X Hunter's Uvogin.
Well, we do have a character similar to Killua in the mix, albeit with a gender twist, and this Hunter X Hunter from Walmart is doing a fantastic job of concealing things. While Madhouse's characters are not abhorrent, they still feel rough on the edges and don't carry the Madhouse spirit that the studio was all about during its glory days. I realize the anime has been around for almost 15 years, but Madhouse is currently animating Hunter X Hunter.
Why? Indeed, Madhouse distributed the Marvel anime budget among four shows. Despite being my favorite experiment, the X-Men anime may not appeal to die-hard fans. The fight scenes showcase the Madhouse spirit I previously mentioned. The fistfight and hand-to-hand combat sequences are particularly challenging to animate. However, considering these mutants have lasers and claws, how does a fistfight fit into this context? It certainly does, and you'll see for yourself when you pick up this anime!
The music's alright.
I've observed that these Marvel anime projects adhere to a particular trend. This trend involves dedicating a significant portion of their budget to music, which becomes evident even if you pay little attention. The series showcases exceptional music, similar to the adaptations of Iron Man, Blade, and Wolverine. It fits the atmosphere of the X-Men universe and adds spice to some of these fighting sequences.
Overall, the show makes a concerted effort to become a significant player in the anime industry. However, 15 years later, no one knew that Marvel had dabbled in anime. Part of the reason for this is that the Isekai genre frequently garners negative attention, particularly among Gen Z. However, I'm sure you'll agree with me that the X-Men adaptation is arguably the best available, and if you disagree, it's simply a matter of personal taste.
Morikawa Toshiyuki, the voice behind Minato Namikaze and Bondrewd from the masterpiece Made in Abyss, portrayed Cyclops, my favorite character from the X-Men universe, which was another reason I was so desperate to watch the show. Now, I've piqued your interest, as these characters are fan favorites despite their distance from each other. The voice actors excelled in capturing the personalities of these characters, ensuring that the sound department remained flawless throughout this anime's duration. I can say that with complete confidence.
At the time of writing, the release of the Marvel Fighting Games collection coincides with my introduction to the Marvel anime adaptations. Take a look at those games, which rank among the best fighting games. Now, back to the anime. If you're a die-hard fan of the X-Men universe, then by all means, check this anime out and see for yourself whether it's worth its mutant salt.
Of course, it isn't, but a die-hard fan would support the series to the ends of Earth, right? The anime has some outstanding action sequences, even if the finale makes you feel like they gave up on the project at the end. If you've seen the other Marvel adaptations, you'll find the X-Men anime adaptation even more compelling. It's the best that both Marvel and Madhouse have produced to date.
Furthermore, it's been a while since we last saw a full-fledged X-Men film. So, what better thing to do than to go back and witness what the 2011 anime adaptation looked like? This period coincided with the popularity of the X-Men movies. Please let us know what you think of the anime; I'd love to see if people share my opinion!
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