Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a new anime series based on the cult classic comic book series by Bryan Lee O’Malley and the 2010 live-action film adaptation by Edgar Wright. The series follows the adventures of Scott Pilgrim, a slacker musician who falls in love with Ramona Flowers, a mysterious girl with seven evil exes. Scott must defeat each of them in order to win her heart, while also dealing with his own personal issues and his band, Sex Bob-Omb. The series is a faithful and creative adaptation of the original story, with stunning animation, catchy music, and a stellar voice cast. It is a must-watch for fans of the comic, the movie, and anime in general.
Premise of “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off”
The series is set in Toronto, Canada, where Scott Pilgrim, a 23-year-old bassist for the indie rock band Sex Bob-Omb, lives with his gay roommate Wallace Wells. Scott is dating a high school girl named Knives Chau, but he soon becomes obsessed with Ramona Flowers, a delivery girl who works for Amazon.ca. He learns that she has seven evil exes, who are members of the League of Ramona’s Evil Exes, a group of powerful and eccentric individuals who want to prevent anyone from dating her. Scott decides to pursue Ramona, despite the warnings of his friends and the challenges of the exes. Along the way, he also encounters other characters, such as his sister Stacey, his ex-girlfriend Envy Adams, his rival band The Clash at Demonhead, and his nemesis Gideon Graves.
Production and Release
Development of the series
The series was announced by Netflix on September 1, 2023, as part of its Tudum event, a global fan celebration of its original content. The series is produced by Netflix Animation and Universal Television, in collaboration with Wright, O’Malley, and BenDavid Grabinski, who serves as the showrunner and executive producer. The series is animated by Studio Trigger, a Japanese animation studio known for its dynamic and expressive style, and directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, who previously worked on anime such as Kill la Kill, Gurren Lagann, and Promare. The series is intended to be a faithful adaptation of the comic book series, while also incorporating elements from the movie and adding new scenes and characters.
Casting and writing process
The series features the original voice cast from the movie, who reprised their roles through an email chain initiated by Wright in 2020. The cast includes Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers, Kieran Culkin as Wallace Wells, Ellen Wong as Knives Chau, Alison Pill as Kim Pine, Mark Webber as Stephen Stills, Johnny Simmons as Young Neil, Brie Larson as Envy Adams, Chris Evans as Lucas Lee, Brandon Routh as Todd Ingram, Mae Whitman as Roxy Richter, Jason Schwartzman as Gideon Graves, and Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel. The series also introduces new voice actors, such as Aubrey Plaza as Julie Powers, Anna Kendrick as Stacey Pilgrim, and Bill Hader as the narrator.
The series is written by Grabinski and O’Malley, who collaborated closely to ensure the authenticity and consistency of the story. The series follows the structure of the comic book series, which consists of six volumes, each corresponding to one of Ramona’s exes. The series also expands on the backstory and personality of some of the characters, such as Knives, Envy, and Gideon, and explores some of the themes that were not fully addressed in the movie, such as Scott’s maturity, Ramona’s agency, and the consequences of violence.
Music used in the series
The series features original music composed by Nigel Godrich, who also worked on the movie soundtrack. The music is inspired by various genres, such as indie rock, punk, electronic, and pop, and reflects the mood and tone of each episode. The series also includes songs from the movie, such as “We Are Sex Bob-Omb” by Sex Bob-Omb, “Black Sheep” by Metric, and “Threshold” by Sex Bob-Omb. The series also features songs from other artists, such as “Scott Pilgrim” by Plumtree, “Ramona” by Beck, and “Anthem” by Leonard Cohen. The opening theme song is “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” by Anamanaguchi, and the ending theme song is “Ramona” by Frank Black.
Release date and reception
The series was released on Netflix on November 17, 2023, with 12 episodes, each lasting about 25 minutes. The series received critical acclaim from critics and audiences alike, who praised its animation, music, voice acting, humor, and fidelity to the source material. The series also received positive feedback from Wright and O’Malley, who expressed their satisfaction and gratitude for the project. The series was nominated for several awards, such as the Annie Awards, the Critics’ Choice Awards, and the Golden Globe Awards, and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.
Review of “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off”
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a brilliant and refreshing anime series that captures the essence and charm of the comic book series and the movie, while also adding its own flair and creativity. The series is a perfect example of how to adapt a beloved story to a different medium, without losing its originality and spirit.
Comparison to original story and movie adaptation
The series is faithful to the original story, but also makes some changes and improvements that enhance the overall experience. The series follows the comic book series more closely than the movie, which had to condense and alter some of the plot points and characters due to time and budget constraints. The series also incorporates some of the best elements from the movie, such as the visual effects, the editing, and the jokes, and adapts them to the anime style. The series also adds some new scenes and characters that were not in the comic book or the movie, such as a flashback episode that shows how Scott and Envy met and broke up, a cameo appearance by Bryan Lee O’Malley as a comic book store clerk, and a new character named Lisa Miller, who is Scott’s childhood friend and a potential love interest.
The series also improves some of the aspects that were criticized or controversial in the comic book and the movie, such as the portrayal of Scott as a flawed and selfish protagonist, the treatment of Ramona as a prize to be won, and the resolution of the conflict between Scott and Gideon. The series gives more depth and development to Scott, showing his growth and redemption as a person, and his realization of his mistakes and responsibilities. The series also gives more agency and personality to Ramona, showing her struggles and motivations as a woman, and her decision to choose her own happiness and future. The series also changes the ending of the story, making it more satisfying and meaningful, and showing the consequences and rewards of Scott’s actions.
Analysis of the characters and plot
The series has a rich and diverse cast of characters, each with their own quirks and traits, and their own relationships and conflicts. The series explores the dynamics and interactions between the characters, showing their friendship, rivalry, romance, and betrayal. The series also delves into the backstory and psychology of some of the characters, revealing their secrets, fears, and desires. The series also gives more screen time and importance to some of the supporting characters, such as Knives, Envy, and Gideon, who play a bigger role in the story and have more impact on the outcome.
The series has a fast-paced and engaging plot, full of action, comedy, drama, and romance. The series blends the genres of slice-of-life, romance, action, and fantasy, creating a unique and original world, where video game logic, pop culture references, and musical numbers coexist. The series also balances the tone and mood of the story, switching from light-hearted and humorous to dark and serious, depending on the situation and the character. The series also uses various techniques and devices, such as flashbacks, montages, narration, and fourth-wall breaking, to enhance the storytelling and the immersion.
Target audience and mature themes
The series is aimed at a wide and diverse audience, who can enjoy and relate to the story and the characters, regardless of their age, gender, or background. The series appeals to fans of the comic book and the movie, who can appreciate the homage and the adaptation of the source material, and also to new viewers, who can discover and enjoy the story for the first time. The series also appeals to fans of anime, who can appreciate the animation, the music, and the style of the series, and also to fans of other genres, such as comedy, action, romance, and fantasy, who can appreciate the variety and the quality of the series.
The series also deals with some mature and relevant themes, such as love, identity, maturity, responsibility, and self-esteem. The series shows the challenges and the joys of being young and in love, and the importance of being honest and respectful with oneself and others. The series also shows the consequences and the costs of violence and revenge, and the value of forgiveness and redemption. The series also shows the diversity and the complexity of the human condition, and the need for acceptance and understanding.
Conclusion
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a masterpiece of animation and storytelling, that honors and transcends the comic book and the movie, and creates a new and exciting experience for the viewers. The series is a celebration of creativity, passion, and love, that inspires and entertains the audience. The series is a tribute to the original creators and the fans, who have supported and loved the story and the characters for over a decade. The series is a perfect example of how to adapt a beloved story to a different medium, without losing its originality and spirit.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a series that deserves to be watched and enjoyed by everyone, whether they are familiar with the source material or not. The series is a fun and thrilling ride, that will make the viewers laugh, cry, cheer, and fall in love. The series is a masterpiece of animation and storytelling, that will leave the viewers wanting more. The series is a must-watch for fans of the comic, the movie, and anime in general.
