Marvel Animations should have learned something from X-Men 97

There's a lot to love X-Men 97. Reboots are all the rage these days, but more often than not they don't stick the landing. X-Men 97However, it does. The display expands on the original version X-Men: The Animated Seriesshows a wider universe and explores the complex relationship between Magneto and Professor X with great dramatic moments. Now that the television landscape has changed, the show is not limited to being merely episodic. Relationships can develop, and narrative can hint at things to come.

However, what has thrilled fans the most is the wonderful animation of this series. X-Men 97 It uses a style inspired by the original series, making it feel like a throwback. That said, as technology has improved since the 90s, the new show uses 2D methods and 3D techniques, giving it a much sleeker look.

In contrast, other Marvel animations have a more uniform look to them. the future The eyes of Wakanda and What if… Both have very similar styles. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man It's a little more unique with a flat style and comic book inspired illustrations. However, no one is excited about the appearance of these shows X-Men 97. While nostalgia could be argued to be a major factor, the show is still visually unique compared to Marvel's current animated lineup. With so many great looking animated shows, Marvel should take a cue X-Men 97 And change everything in terms of style.

X-Men 97 embraces old-school character designs

Animation, like any other medium, has its trends and styles over the decades. In the 70s, traditional animation was mixed with the beginning of real human characters. These cartoons had a lower budget and limited animation. Like Hanna-Barbera scooby doo where are you and Abrajav are classic examples of this style.

The 80s saw a further rise in action hero proportions aimed at selling toys, thanks to the likes of He is the man and lord of the world and GI Joe. Later, the 90s saw the rise of creator-driven cartoons. These cartoons were made in response to the limited animation that came before them and were more exaggerated and fluid. Rugrats and The Simpsons are the basic shows of this period.

The original version was published in 1992 X-Men: The Animated Series It was a little before this change. The show had a limited budget and largely stuck to the style of its '80s predecessors. An artistic choice to imitate the style of the original series X-Men 97 Not only to appeal to nostalgia, but to embrace a style of animation that hasn't been widely seen in decades. Along with drawing inspiration from the original show, the creative team also drew on classic anime from the 80s and 90s, such as Ninja Scroll. As a result, audiences found it refreshing in the modern landscape of animated television.

X-Men 97 welcomes new techniques

However, the techniques in this style of visual animation have been updated for the times. Instead of traditional TB animation with a limited budget, X-Men 97 It uses more advanced 2D animation and makes the most of its Disney-level budget. Instead of mimicking the limited animation style of the original, the creative team invoked more of a '90s feel by using a VHS-inspired effect. (It's also a rare case that VHS-inspired elements aren't used to evoke fear in a horror context.) This helps reinforce the illusion that this is a '90s show, not something that came out in 2024. 3D elements were also added. For more complex layouts and vehicles.

Executive producer and director Jake Castorna has said that the creative team was very careful about how they wanted to balance the old style while keeping it fresh for modern audiences. Judging by the response from fans, it looks like they were successful in spades. The show appeals to the nostalgia of old fans, but it doesn't feel like a boring rehash.

just like WandaVision Having experimented with different sitcom visual styles throughout the decades, Marvel's animation teams must have wanted to create truly unique visuals for their shows. X-Men 97with its retro-inspired look, has proven that audiences have an appetite for animated shows that break the norm. Other innovative shows, such as Moon Girl and Devil Dinosauralso show that this is limited to X-Men 97; This is just good animation design. Marvel has a collection of classic characters, many of which have been adapted many times. Why not take a bold risk and mix everything with something else? A breath of fresh air can renew the interest of old fans and even attract new ones.