Summary
- Despite challenges,
Rick and Morty: The Anime
aims to revitalize interest with the new creative team and voice actors. - The absence of Justin Roiland has impacted viewership, and the new season faced an uphill battle in gaining back fans.
- The online virality of the short film doesn’t guarantee TV success for
Rick and Morty: The Anime
.
As a die-hard Rick and Morty fan who has been following this franchise since its humble beginnings, I must confess that my heart skips a beat when I hear about the upcoming anime series. Having grown up watching some of the greatest anime masterpieces, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension as I contemplate the prospect of Rick and Morty joining their ranks.
It’s worth noting that Rick and Morty, a renowned animated comedy known for creating numerous memes, has faced difficulties following accusations against one of its cherished voice actors, Justin Roiland, who gives life to both main characters. This situation created hurdles for the team behind the scenes and the devoted fanbase during Season 7, and the declining viewership suggests a decreasing enthusiasm for the show.
For fans, there has been a slight ray of hope in revitalizing interest in the show, bringing in new fans and giving existing ones a reason to step outside the real-life drama around the show, Rick and Morty: The Anime. With a new creative team and both new English and Japanese voice actors coming to the project, the anime is set to give a new and refreshing take to the popular franchise. However, there are many challenges that Rick and Morty: The Anime faces, which may prove to be too much to revitalize interest in the show.
A New Coat of Paint Won’t Necessarily Hide the Shadow of Justin Rolaind
In January 2023, accusations of domestic violence against Justin Roliand surfaced, although he was later acquitted. However, allegations of broader mistreatment and inappropriate behavior towards other staff members (as reported by Vanity Fair) led to his dismissal being deemed necessary. Some contend that the show would have continued to prosper without his participation, but the dismal viewership numbers for Season 7 tell a different story. The debut episode attracted just 420,000 viewers, marking a significant drop from the previous season’s premiere, which had approximately 1.5 million viewers. Critical and fan response was also less favorable overall.
1. The decrease in audience numbers can largely be traced back to Roiland’s absence, not just because he served as the leading creative force behind the show, but primarily because he was the most prominent and well-known figure. While his dismissal may have been justified according to many, it doesn’t mean that fans stopped connecting with the series due to their disappointment about Roiland’s actions. Despite this, Roiland had become the voice of a cherished character, and his absence was significant to fans, even as some viewers accepted the new voice actors in “Rick and Morty.” Furthermore, ratings might have dropped amid mixed reviews; while many episodes continued to receive accolades, there was a widespread sentiment that several were average or lacked direction.
Is the show, which used to be cherished, starting to feel a bit too predictable and dull as it enters its seventh season? It could be due to Roiland’s absence and his actions, but it’s also fair to say that the show still carries a certain taint, and regaining the trust of audiences after they’ve lost interest can be challenging. With so many other shows available and people’s time being precious due to financial constraints, it’s hard for a series to recover once it loses its audience.
It’s doubtful that fans who have grown disillusioned with the series will set aside their past criticisms of the franchise and wholeheartedly welcome “Rick and Morty: The Anime” without prejudice solely because it receives positive reviews. Overcoming the lost enthusiasm might prove challenging, although the anime still faces other major hurdles.
Anime Fans Won’t Be Flocking to Rick and Morty: The Anime
Rarely do Japanese animation studios transform American properties into anime. Shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Castlevania have achieved significant popularity, but these are Western productions that pay tribute to Japanese media. Their success is based on their own qualities, and the scarcity of Japanese adaptations from Western content can be attributed to the abundance of inspiring material available in the world of manga and light novels – a treasure trove for creators.
Fans who enjoy the humor in popular anime comedies such as “The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.”, “Grand Blue”, and “One Punch Man” are unlikely to rush towards the “Rick and Morty” anime, given their already abundant collection of old, current, and upcoming series. Anime enthusiasts seldom find themselves lacking in series to watch, often overlooking some they would appreciate due to the vast amount of content. While there will be a bit of an overlap, it won’t be significant enough to attract many anime comedy fans seeking new shows. Moreover, heavy Western influences can sometimes act as a barrier for those who prefer traditional anime styles.
As a longtime fan of animated series with a quirky, offbeat sense of humor, I can’t help but feel that the visual style of “Rick and Morty: The Anime” may not be as appealing to me as it is to others. Having spent countless hours immersed in the polished, intricate worlds of anime like “Kaguya-sama: Love is War” and “Gintama,” I find myself yearning for more refined visuals and less crude depictions.
Online Virality Does Not Guarantee TV Success
A significant amount of discussion revolves around the anime version of “Rick and Morty,” particularly the popularity of the short film titled “Rick and Morty vs. Genocider | A Special Rick and Morty Anime Short.” At present, it has surpassed 10 million views on YouTube. While this indicates enthusiasm, online popularity doesn’t always equate to a successful television series. Various studies, such as the one reported by PBS, have revealed that younger audiences tend to engage more with online content than traditional TV shows.
A 10-minute YouTube video serves as an enjoyable snack for today’s online video enthusiasts. Yet, it remains unclear if this would lead to a whole season. Online viewership doesn’t always promise success in other formats, and assuming that increased YouTube views equates to renewed interest in Rick and Morty following a disastrous Season 7 is optimistic at best. Even with the talented Takashi Sano as the writer/director, there’s no certainty that repeated YouTube viewings will correspond to the show’s premiere.
Despite the Talent Behind the Rick and Morty Anime, the Team Has a Steep Hill to Climb
While “Rick and Morty” is undeniably intriguing for this project, it’s crucial not to overlook the significance of the team responsible for it. This includes director Takashi Sano and Studio Deen, a studio renowned for its exceptional work in anime. Their portfolio boasts classics like “Fruit’s Basket” and “KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!”, both highly regarded within the genre. However, it’s important to note that Studio Deen has faced criticism for productions such as “Pupa” and “Fate/Stay Night”. The upcoming anime will stand on its own merits, but with a mixed bag of successes and setbacks in their portfolio, the team behind it carries a diverse track record.
It’s clear that the series has faced significant challenges, but fans of “Rick and Morty” are eager for a resurgence of its original quality. The most sensible approach would be to approach the new season with a mix of hopefulness and caution, given the decline in viewership that’s been observed. Analyses suggest that the introduction of “Rick and Morty: The Anime” might make it tough for the show to regain lost viewers if its goal is to rekindle interest and win back those who stopped watching.
If you’re open to giving it a try and want to keep backing the skilled individuals who made Rick and Morty successful, the English version of the anime adaptation titled “Rick and Morty: The Anime” will debut on August 15, 2024, on Adult Swim. Two days later, on August 17, 2024, you can watch the Japanese subtitled version. Don’t forget that Rick and Morty is also available for streaming on Max and Hulu.
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2024-08-06 01:31