To say that fans were livid seeing the trailer for the highly anticipated remake of Fist of the North Star and its low quality CGI would be an understatement. The anime adaptation of the cult classic Rooster Fighter had a very divided, albeit not as vitriolic reception, but we have seen this issue for some time now. Japan’s CGI animation is significantly behind the USA’s CGI animation. The question some might have is should anime even bother with CGI? I think there could be benefits to using the technology, but they have to be ironed out.
Yes, the vast majority of CGI anime television series have been poorly received, but one specific studio has been an anomaly. That studio being Studio Orange. This studio has produced acclaimed titles such as Land of the Lustrous, Beastars, and Trigun Stampede. They have proved that there are some really talented CGI animators out there and their success proves that the medium of CGI anime television series can be incredible when done well. Also have to point that Japanese video games are animated works produced in Japan, so I guess video games can be considered anime. Cutscenes in video games such as the Final Fantasy series often have the best visuals in the video game medium. It seems like the success with video games does not translate to animated television series, though. It seems like the best Japanese CGI artists in the business are more interested in doing video games than television series. The issue with CGI seems to be how ingrained 2D animation is in anime culture and the most talented artists in Japan preferring to do 2D. To 2D animation fans, the focus on 2D is a major blessing as large swaths of the world have abandoned 2D in favor of CGI.
On the other hand, some animators in the business, such as those working under MAPPA, find the studio’s working conditions on 2D animation projects hellish and have mentioned the technological advantages CGI animation provides that ease burdens of overworked animators. I do not think the Japanese or American fanbase would like for CGI to completely eclipse 2D animation, and I do wonder if the Japanese fanbase has as much an aversion to CGI anime as US fans.
I do have to point out that at one point in time, Japanese 2D television anime had a bad reputation of being considered cheap, stiff, and lifeless by American animation enthusiasts critical of it. Japanese 2D animation has made so many strides and improvements over the decades that the claim that American 2D animation is “objectively superior” hold less water. Demon Slayer has created some of the most impressive animated action ever seen on the small screen anywhere in the world. The medium has changed so much since the days of Speed Racer. Studio Orange’s body of work has proved that CGI television anime has already taken strides from the hilarious CGI seen in a Studio Gonzo anime (anyone here remember Vandread‘s ugly CGI mechs from the turn of the century?).
What I believe needs to be done is let Japanese CGI studios learn and try to “catch up” with the West. It took the West a long time to learn CGI and we started with some awful looking early CGI television series such as the Donkey Kong Country cartoon and Butt Ugly Martians. Eventually, the US learned to do CGI on a television budget and created such acclaimed works as Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Arcane. I can’t quite understand why Japanese television CGI seems 20 years behind the West, looking arguably worse than an early 2000s episode of Jimmy Neutron. Even if the top artists work mainly in 2D, it is surprising how primitive anime CGI looks. My optimism is that maybe by 2040, CGI anime will look….actually good, or at least I hope.
One thing I don’t get is why do major adaptations of beloved manga in CGI by studios not experienced with the genre. The 2016 Berserk adaptation disappointed many fans of the manga. Most fans believe that should have been done by a 2D studio or Studio Orange. If studios are to experiment with CGI, maybe they should wait at least a decade to use it on a major IP until all the kinks are ironed out. Maybe a CGI Fist of the North Star reboot would look incredible in 2036 when artists have mastered the craft. Or maybe it could have been incredible in 2026 if Studio Orange did it.
It does seem like Western companies are pushing for these CGI anime titles, as the most hated and infamous are Western co-productions, such as Ex Arm the Netflix CGI Ghost in the Shell (and presumably Rooster Fighter unless the finished product ends up way better than expected). It seems the West isn’t providing enough funding, resources, or whatever to make these succeed. I do believe that these CGI Crunchyroll/Netflix/Toonami originals are a lost cause and I don’t know why Western companies continue to co-produce them.
So, in conclusion, I believe that CGI anime should exist, but it is going to take some decades to iron out the kinks. If the US had to suffer through Butt Ugly Martians to get us to Star Trek Prodigy, then Ex Arm is just a experiment with CGI for Japan to get to its first CGI masterpiece not made by Studio Orange. I would prefer it these experiments with CGI were not with beloved properties as studios not named Studio Orange seem to not be ready to produce a great CGI Berserk or Fist of the North Star. I think Japan should wait until the 2030s after practicing with original (non adaptations) or lesser known properties before making a CGI Fist of the North Star, or maybe just have a Studio Orange Fist of the North Star, or a 2D Fist of the North Star. The point is that the CGI studios are not ready to adapt the most beloved manga out there and they need to get more practice before they are ready.
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