So I recently watched the first three episodes, and read the first three or four chapters and I gotta say. The anime isn't the best adaptation.
To start is the beginning. The first episode is original, which isn't a bad thing, but it does lead to a problem. In the manga, it states that the sacred beasts become corrupted, but because it's tell don't show, we don't quite understand how immediately, and the early chapters make it seem more like society has pushed them a certain way or their emotions have been enhanced, maybe war trauma or something along those lines. This makes it easier to understand Schaal's advocacy for their humanity. In the anime, we clearly see that they become more beast-like or go crazy. This makes Schaal seem like an idiot, because we know there's no way to appeal to their humanity.
On that note, The characters aren't as good as in the manga. The manga versions were expressive, and quirky, with Schaal stopping them in the middle of the road for tea time, or playfully pointing her gun while she talks about how she's going to shoot Hank. Hank is also the one who asks her to join him on his adventures, which makes it seem more like he needs a companion of sorts, like THE DOCTOR, if THE DOCTOR was a werewolf. In the anime, everyone has very little expression, and a lot of fun tends to be cut out, there's some expression, but it's very tame. Schaal is also the one who decides to follow Hank if I'm correct, which in the anime it makes her seem like a pest to Hank's amazing adventures.
They also make Schaal an idiot with how in the anime, The Spriggen's back of treasure had blood on it, whereas in the manga, there wasn't. Adding the blood makes Schaal look like an idiot. When the minotaur is destroying people's livelihood, Schaal accuses Hank of planning to kill it because it's a sacred beast, which makes Schaal look like an idiot again. The director doesn't like Schaal is what I'm getting.
There's one scene where Schaal walks into Hank's room. In that scene, you might notice that Schaal and Hank's past girlfriend, Elaine, look very much alike. Hank is having a nightmare about Elaine, so you have to wonder, "what's the pay off", as that visual point feels like a clear setup. In the anime, nothing happens, making the visual set up pointless. In the manga, we haven't actually seen Elaine yet with the exception of the nightmare where we get a glimpse of her. Hank even comments on how Schaal and Elaine have the same eyes, set up, and pay off.
The anime original content feels more like a detriment to the story(even the stuff with Schaal and her Father didn't add much because it was a bit lifeless), the series makes Schaal out to be an idiot, the story is lacking in charm and fun(which doesn't mean a series can't be completely serious, but Re;Zero and Berserk had fun moments in them, so there's argument that contrast is required), and that one scene just really bugs me since it ignores a rule of writing, even if unintentional(that one is more of a nitpick). I feel the anime would be better if they made it a 10 episode series rather than twelve, that would basically eliminate multiple problems I have, as they'd also be able to put more budget into making the characters more expressive rather than just making sure the action and beasts are animated well. i wanted to enjoy the anime and did at several moments in the first three episodes, but there were also moments where I just had to pause and take a second with how stupid they made Schaal. It has plenty going for it, but honestly, I'd rather go back to watching Fairy Gone, as that series was pretty fun despite the places it was lacking in. good night. |