Scott Pilgrim, a brilliant graphic novel series in its own right that used classic video game imagery in its colorful tale, gained a global audience with the release of Edgar Wright’s live-action adaptation, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. With an exceptional cast of actors recognizable to anyone cinema literate in the 21st century, the Scott Pilgrim film stayed for over ten years as the definitive adaptation of the comics. Just shy of the end of 2023, this new anime adaptation arguably rivals the 2010 film, somehow pleasing fans of the novels, the live-action film, and newcomers all at once.
‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ Premise
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off begins the same way that previous Scott Pilgrim depictions start: Scott Pilgrim is a mild-mannered, awkward Canadian who plays bass in a three-piece rock band and doesn’t have much else going on in life. That is until he meets the glamorous, mysterious, colorful-haired Ramona Flowers, and his instant love sweeps him off his feet. She seems to like him back a little bit, but something extraordinary stands in the way of this exceptional girl: Ramona’s seven evil exes come to fight Scott Pilgrim to the death before he can safely date her.
SPTO’s English Voice Cast Will Really Please the Movie Fans
Unsurprisingly, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off has all the signature appeal of the Scott Pilgrim comics and movie adaption. Hyper-stylized action, colorful video game iconography, laugh-a-minute nerdy humor, and an adorable central romance come with all versions of Scott Pilgrim. What shocked audiences in the initial marketing of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was the claim that the entire ensemble cast of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World reprises their roles, and in this facet, the anime series does not disappoint.
The film was not particularly well-received critically and somewhat of a box office bomb, but the retained voice cast proves that a cult following has developed around Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. With the roles iconic enough to the voices, original Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O’Malley brings back everyone from the film, with Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead leading the pack. Chris Evans, Brie Larson, and Jason Schwartzman are just a few of the original actors you might remember but listen for the fresh appearances of Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, and Aubrey Plaza, all of whom play their original characters from the film.
Still from ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’
Watch Out, Superfans: This is Not an Average Adaptation
Fans who have already read the books and seen the movie multiple times might have found a straight anime adaptation worthwhile enough, but obviously, O’Malley felt differently about Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. The joy of this show is not just hearing the recognizable voices from the film reciting refreshed dialogue set to fittingly stellar, respectful, and fresh animation. This time, the entire plot following the initial set-up differs from any other Scott Pilgrim. Though there will be no more spoilers here, we can assure you the choices made from the first episode are an instantly notable shake-up to the Scott Pilgrim storyline.
A front-to-back rollercoaster ride of excitement akin but distinct to the film and book series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off has it all for continuing Scott Pilgrim fans. Though new audiences would find the show just as interesting as seasoned fans, part of the experience is the repeating voice actors and the shock of the differences from the original timeline. The initial version always takes precedence, but Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is still near-universal fun.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is streaming now on Netflix.
