Marvel Anime Was Never a Good Idea (And No, One Piece Success Wouldn’t Help)
Is Marvel Anime a missed opportunity?
Even die-hard Marvel fans might be surprised to learn that there was such a thing as Marvel Anime. While it’s still a unique page in Marvel history, there are some reasons why Marvel Anime might not be the best watch for everyone.
From the get-go, Marvel Anime was a collaboration between Marvel Entertainment and the Japanese animation studio Madhouse. While this sounds like a dream team, the execution left much to be desired.
The series consisted of four 12-episode segments, focusing on Iron Man, Wolverine, X-Men, and Blade. But instead of blending the best of both worlds, it often felt like the series was stuck in an identity crisis, not fully embracing either its Western comic roots or the unique storytelling techniques of anime.
The Marvel Anime: X-Men series, in particular, had a storyline that was a tad too convoluted. While the animation isn’t bad, the plot seems to be a mishmash of various X-Men comic arcs, making it hard for even seasoned fans to follow.
Moreover, the character designs, especially for some of the female characters, leaned heavily into certain anime tropes, which might not resonate with everyone.
Over on Reddit, anime fans had a lot to say about Marvel Anime. Some fans pointed out that Japan adapting Western comic properties felt as off as Hollywood trying to adapt Japanese manga, even though the recently released Netflix ’s One Piece proves that it can be done properly.
On IMDb, the reviews for Marvel Anime are a mixed bag. While some appreciated the animation quality, many felt that the storylines were stretched thin, with clichéd plots and characters that were hard to like.
Some viewers mention that the series seemed to focus too much on certain physical traits of the characters, detracting from the overall experience.
But everyone's taste is different, and what might not work for one person could be a hit with another. It's an interesting fusion of two beloved entertainment worlds, and if you are fan of both Marvel and Anime, you might even like it.