Animated Series Review: Sci-Fi Adventure of Rick and Morty in Anime Format
The anime spin-off of Rick and Morty, titled Rick and Morty: The Anime, has hit the screens, bringing a fresh take on the popular Adult Swim series. Created by Takashi Sano, a superfan of the original show and a seasoned anime professional, this series isn't just a clone - it offers a uniquely enticing spin on the franchise world we've grown to love since 2013.
Sano's love for Rick and Morty shines through, and it's evident in the series' enthusiasm for interdimensional adventures, space battles, and beloved supporting characters. But does it avoid redundancy? Well, that's a point of contention among critics and viewers.
Starting off with a bang, episode one, "The Girl Who Manipulates Time," showcases Rick on the run from the Galactic Federation, while Summer keeps tabs on reality through her headset. But Morty's in a world of his own, trapped in a VR game, where he encounters an atemporal being and finds himself tangled in an intriguing web of intertwining realities.
The anime boasts a rapid-fire sequence of visuals that are a hallmark of its medium. From zipping between universes to frenetic episodes like "Fighting Mother," the art style is familiar yet aesthetically distinct. Admittedly, some might find it overwhelming or deliberately confusing at times, much like listening to Otonez's upbeat theme song, "Love Is Entropy."
The voice casts are compelling, with the Japanese and English versions offering distinct yet equally appealing performances. Rick and Morty have never sounded grittier or more expressive, respectively, and the actors fully embody their characters.
As for the debated question of redundancy, while Rick and Morty: The Anime offers some fresh storylines involving Summer and Space Beth's battles against the Galactic Federation and Morty's romances, it's received mixed reviews. Critics have pointed out issues with unfunny jokes, poor pacing, and lack of coherent plot structure.
Fans, meanwhile, have raised concerns about whether the anime fully justifies itself as a spin-off. While it does incorporate Japanese settings, themes, and art style, they believe it doesn't quite capture the essence of the original series with the same finesse.
Catch new episodes of Rick and Morty: The Anime every Thursday at midnight on Adult Swim, with streaming options available on Max and digital purchases the following day. Japanese encore airings will follow on Saturdays as part of Adult Swim's Toonami programming.
If you're a Rick and Morty loyalist, don't miss the final scene at the end of the credits - it's always worth waiting around for! Curious about other releases? Stick with io9 for the latest on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, the DC Universe, and Doctor Who.
- The anime adaptation of Rick and Morty, titled Rick and Morty: The Anime, created by Takashi Sano, has incorporated Japanese settings, themes, and art style, and it airs every Thursday at midnight on Adult Swim.
- Despite the unique spin the anime offers on the Rick and Morty franchise, There have been criticisms about unfunny jokes, poor pacing, and a lack of coherent plot structure from some viewers and critics.
- The voice casts for the Japanese and English versions of Rick and Morty: The Anime provide compelling performances, with Rick and Morty sounding grittier and more expressive in the Japanese and English versions, respectively.
- In an effort to catch up on the latest releases, fans should keep an eye on io9 for updates on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, the DC Universe, Doctor Who, and more.
