Anime Remakes Wouldn't Be Working

In recent years, remakes of classic anime have gained popularity, targeting primarily a middle-aged audience, rather than focusing exclusively on children or youth audiences. With the decline of the child population in Japan, it is logical that studios seek to captivate the nostalgic people who grew up with these stories. However, not all fans welcome these remakes with open arms.

A recent discussion on the Girls Channel forum titled “Mixed opinions on anime remakes” reflected the mixed emotions that these productions generate. For example, about the remake of “Rank 1/2“, one user expressed: «While I’m glad almost the entire original cast is returning, the visual style seems out of place, which leaves me with mixed feelings.».

The change in character design and artistic direction are usually the most criticized points. While it is difficult to exactly replicate the style and essence of the original productions, especially when the creative teams are no longer the same, these differences often create divisions among fans.

Recent productions such as “Karakuri Circus” and “Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken” have also polarized opinions. Although many fans of the generation that watched the original series enjoyed the remakes, they do not seem to have significantly captured a new, younger audience. Regarding “Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken”, a fan commented: «The animation was impeccable, but some of the main voice actors were not up to par, and the music, including the opening and closing songs, was disappointing».

Another factor that affects the perception of these remakes is the failure of related products, such as video games or merchandise. In the case of “Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken,” a mobile game released during the broadcast was quickly canceled due to its poor reception, affecting the overall image of the project.

The “Grendizer U” remake is another recent example that has generated controversy. Although the modern design of the characters has been well received by some, others consider it too generic and far from the original essence. However, franchises like “GeGeGe no Kitaro,” which have been renewed repeatedly over the decades, seem to have habituated their audience to the aesthetic and narrative changes.

Many old-school fans long for specific elements of the original anime, such as the celluloid animation technique or classic soundtracks. A clear example is the opinion about “Tokyo Mew Mew”: «The original character design was better. Now it seems too focused on the male otaku audience and promoting voice actresses as idols».

Anime remakes face the difficult challenge of appealing to both the nostalgia of original fans and attracting new audiences. While some projects achieve a balance between both objectives, others remain trapped in comparisons with the past, leaving a feeling of dissatisfaction in the most demanding public. Although the path of the remake is complicated, it remains a recurring commitment to keep the legacy of the classics alive and, at the same time, explore new opportunities in the anime industry.

Fountain: Yaraon!