(Feb. 01, 2023 2:37 AM)Xcess-Z Wrote: Here are my thoughts on anime vs manga:
Burst was pretty 1 to 1 manga wise. They elaborated more heavily on some character development, but other than that, each plot point was executed almost identically. Except for the fact that they removed single layers. I still haven’t forgiven d-rights for that.
God had the same plot points, but the execution and direction did feel noticeably different from the manga at times. Lots of characters like Norman and Kurtz technically got actual screen time, but they still ended up being jobbers, so I’m not sure if that’s better or worse. The anime definitely went harder with Requiem’s creation, making an entire extending segment based on a simple key art (that’s now one of the most iconic scenes in the entire generation), but the manga’s final battle was amazing. I think it’s just because Hiro Morita can portray emotion so insanely well, even without voice acting. I still prefer the page of Shu screaming his lungs out to the anime full scene. Also, the manga had a prologue with extra closure for Shu, which left the ending feeling way more complete. Still can’t choose one over the other though.
I’m going to be completely transparent about Chozetsu, I could write an entire thread going over every anime to manga deviation and why I hate every single one, but long story short, the manga wins by a long shot. Each battle feels way more earned in the manga. This also ties into Aiga’s character arc feeling completely different. Aiga quickly rising in power and getting cocky only for his hopes to be dashed against the rocks by Valt, his biggest rival, was completely butchered. They also added the whole Dark Resonance plot line, which basically just functioned as a free power boost. Extra info for Phi and Hyde’s relationship is cool, but they still never did anything interesting with his character in the anime. In the manga he just exists as one of the many colorful stepping stones on the road to the top, but the anime wants you to respect him as a big bad, despite having 0 depth and be completely one note. The ending in the manga was also way better. Instead of Aiga somehow sweeping Valt with a Burst, it shows that they are evenly matched, which fits the power progression way better.
GT’s actually pretty good though. The manga does feel a bit different, but they still both individually have really good takes on each character that properly parallel each other, like a good adaption should have. I actually like the anime a bit more, just based on the virtue that Amane and Fubuki got better development, and the animation was consistently stellar.
Sparking’s kinda weird. If we’re going strictly off of the virtue of plot points, the manga sweeps by far. Hikaru, Hyuga, and Lane are some of the most compelling characters in the franchise, but each of them got insanely watered down. However, I really appreciate what the anime was going for. Before I forget the mention it, the animation was consistently amazing this season, even more so than GT. Almost every episode was pure eye candy, and this isn’t even going over the major battles. Hikaru and Hyuga still suck, their character arcs being removed was a travesty, but Lane actually still had some good development near the end (unfortunately he didn’t get proper closure like the manga though).
The anime added extra plot points in the Legends Festival and Legend Super Tag League. First of all, the Legends Festival is probably the most hype tournament in all of Beyblade. The only major glaring glaring flaw was the ending. The animation was god like, but I won’t even try to pretend like Lane’s win wasn’t utter folly. Despite that, everything else was amazing to watch. It was truly a moment you had to be there for, watching it live week to week is an experience I’ll never forget. The Tag League was way less hype, but it managed to do good by so many characters. The Festival was cool, but it didn’t showcase character growth like the Tag League did. I still really wish we got the manga ending though, however, I’m actually very happy with this season in retrospect.
DB’s anime was basically just some assorted plot points from the manga all watered down. I could rant about it like Chouzetsu but at least that’s interesting. Almost every piece of actual character and development was removed, and the ending was undeniably worse, given that the manga had a tribute to the entirety of the Gen. Not to mention, the animation dropped in quality. Illya getting extra screen time was cool, but she did nothing in it. Illya made infinitely more impact for the story in Rashad’s character in the manga, despite appearing in about 3 panels. Obviously the manga wins here.
That’s about it from me. I would do this for Metal Fight too but I’ve only read up to the equivalent of season 1. The same major plot points people love the Metal Saga for are in both, big ups to Takafumi Adachi, but the anime added way for inter character relationships that made the story feel much more alive.
Anyways, that’s it from me.
I agree with some things, and others I don't.
Chouzetsu's manga was kind of a mixed bag seeing Aiga beating everyone. In the anime however we see many indications of Aiga being under pressure, in doubt, and most of all; on a losing streak. After Leopard's destruction, this was a perfect way to convey Aiger's power-hungry dilemma and it was implemented very well. Now I will say the manga doing Z Achilles destruction was a little better with it being Valt destroying Achilles, but I still loved Phi doing it because it shows the irony that the same person that led Aiger to this dark path was the same person that freed him. It was very well done.
Sparking's manga is only better with two things, Lane and Hyuga. Hikaru I don't mind in either he was amazing in both. Bringing some of the Legend's back in the manga was cool but I didn't enjoy the screen-time they had and it kind of made them coming back seem like a bluff. Also I disagree with the no development in the tournaments. Hyuga and Hikaru developed in a way while battling these Legends. In episode 25, not only was Hikaru fighting for himself, he fought more for his coach to show him how far he's gotten. Hikaru developed as a character. In episode 29, Hikaru comes up with a plan for Hyuga to win against Valt that takes him an entire night. Hikaru wants Hyuga to win so he wants him to follow the plan but Hyuga escapes and tells Hikaru, "I'm the one battling Valt not you." Hyuga then leaves Hikaru and goes to train with Honcho. Hyuga is having a hard time training with something on his mind and it's Hikaru. Honcho then goes on to say, "The only reason you're here is because of Hikaru." Hyuga then realizes that throughout their journey Hikaru has always been there for him. Hyuga goes back to Hikaru in compassion and follows on Hikaru's training regimen. We can even see Hikaru sacrifice himself for Hyuga in the battle against Lain the very next episode! Also in the battle Hyuga says, "I'm going to the final, together with Hikaru." This shows that Hyuga has developed. Tag League also developed character's very well but there's a lot to say about that so I'll just skip.
Dynamite Battle's anime was a major letdown compared to what we got in the manga. It was sad to see the producer's not handle the animation well either. Not that it was downright horrible but just a complete digress to what phenomenal animation we got in previous seasons. Not even going to get into Bell and Rashad since I explained before that they were handled way better. O Jingu who was the director let many fans down with how DB went. I will say that Ranzo and Basara were done much better in the anime with inner conflicts and with those of the cast. Ranzo being with Bell and Basara being with Rashad and Bell.
A question i've always pondered is that since Komi is over, do you think amazing animators like Ueda and Lee will come back for QuadStrike? One of the biggest reasons why QuadDrive didn't have as much great animation as GT and Sparking was because people like Lee, Ueda, and Fujimoto left for stuff like Komi and Chainsaw Man. Kawagoe the amazing director for Beyblade also left for Komi. But since it's over it might be a possibility that they come back. If OLM is willing to hire talented freelance or non freelance animators then QuadStrike will have amazing animation and could possibly be the best animated season in Burst.
One thing I will say is the animation and storyboarding in Burst is enough to make me tear up. Overall a criminally underrated series that more people need to watch.