One of the debates that anime fans have right now is whether reboots are necessary, especially for those who are following up on the originals that are considered to be classics.
In the past several years, reboots have become common in anime shows as the studios attempt to revitalize or reintroduce a title to a new generation of fans and audiences. So what is their value? Let's explore the debate below.
The Case for Anime Reboots
It is easy to argue that anime reboots are unnecessary since audiences could just watch the original and relieve the glory days of how it captured the magic of fans when it was initially released.
However, you can also make a strong case that it is necessary because it is a way for studios to improve the original or reintroduce the IP to a new generation with updated animation and modern storytelling.
Shows like Sailor Moon Crystal and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has proven that reboots can be successful as long as it has improved animation, great storytelling, and faithfulness to the original.
The art of animation has also vastly improved in the last decade and there are now more creative ways to tell stories in the anime medium that would not have been possible 20-30 years ago.
There is also the business side where studios would want to keep the IP thriving for more generations and they have to find a way to extend its life. As long as there is fresh and creative storytelling in the reboot, there should be no problem at all in doing it.
The Case Against Anime Reboots
There is also an easy argument on why anime reboots can fail whether it's a lack of good storytelling or wonky animation that could ruin the experience of watching it.
While creativity is the answer to a successful reboot, the lack of it could also result in an unsuccessful output and get panned by fans who were hoping that the new version would live up to the original.
The 2016 reboot of Berserk is one of the popular examples of the cautionary tale of an anime reboot as it was criticized for its bad CGI animation and pacing issues that make it disappointing for fans.
Another recent example that made fans question the notion of a reboot is the 2021 version of Shaman King as it was considered to be a letdown and nowhere near the high-quality level of the original (which is still considered to be a classic).
If there is a lack of creativity in both the writing and animation, an anime reboot can easily become a failure for fans and that is what the studios should avoid.
Are Anime Reboots Necessary?
There is an argument to be made for both sides. In the end, you have to judge it based on each reboot project that is being made and whether it was successful in what it was attempting to do.
As long as most fans are happy with the creative results, reboots can be considered to be successful and it won't affect the entire anime ecosystem in general.
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