Summary
There was a time when almost anyadaptation of a video gamewas a guaranteed failure. However, as times have evolved, more quality adaptations have emerged, particularly in the realm ofanimated TV shows. From longstanding video game franchises to recent hits, these adaptations have successfully bridged the gap between gaming enthusiasts and general audiences.
It is beneficial that some showrunners and animation studios are fans of the games they are adapting, enabling them to portray the stories accurately without alienating the players. At the same time, they showcase their skills in translating a game’s visuals, stories, and characters into their distinctive styles.
Getting rid of Ash Ketchum and startinga brand-newPokemonseriescould have resulted in disaster, butPokemon Horizons: The Serieshas already impressed many with its new direction. It follows the adventures of Liko and Roy, traveling across the land to uncover Pokemon mysteries.
It would seem thatPokémon Horizonsremedies the storytelling issues fans had with the original series, as it does not follow the same formula as the original series. There are more stories with actual character development, and while it’s not complex, fans appreciate that more effort is being put intoPokemon. It makes for the ideal show for the whole family to enjoy.
Due to being a MOBA, the massively successfulDOTAfranchise doesn’t have much of a story or lore, yet Netflix and Studio Mir delivered a story set within that universe withDOTA: Dragon’s Blood. It features demons, magic, dragons, and all the things that are common in high fantasy stories, with a knight going on an adventure to save the world.
DOTA: Dragon’s Bloodmay not be a reinvention of the wheel, but it is praised for executing familiar story beats and concepts with the elegance and grace that Studio Mir is known for in their work. Additionally, the series features multiple talented voice actors, including Yuri Lowenthal, Troy Baker,the late great Tony Todd, Kari Wahlgren, and Josh Keaton, who make their characters feel more alive with their performances.
ConsideringCupheadwas inspired by classic cartoons from the 1930s, it only makes sense that it would have its own TV series,The Cuphead Show!, which features Cuphead and Mugman going on wild misadventures. It often involves Cuphead causing trouble, with Mugman having to save him or becoming the victim of Cuphead’s shenanigans.
The entire series serves as a love letter to classicanimated franchises likeLooney Tunes,Popeye the Sailor Man, and Disney cartoons. The characters inThe Cuphead Show!are charming and beautifully animated, and the stories are filled with material that will make anyone laugh, including some jokes that might go over the heads of younger audiences.
From 1997 to 2023, the originalPokemonanime was the childhood show for multiple generations and was the gateway to the family-friendly RPG franchise. It always changed to keep up with each game that came out, with new regionsand Pokemon for Ash Ketchumand his friends to experience on their journey to becoming the very best (that no one ever was).
For twenty-six years, children and adults alike enjoyedPokémondespite its formulaic approach. Aside from a few aspects sporadically throughout the many seasons, most fans agree that nearly every episode plays out the same, which leaves the series feeling repetitive and played out. However, it was still proof that a quality video game-based show was possible.
When finished with the originalCastlevaniaseries, fans can immediately hop over to the sequel series starring Richter Belmont on his own vampire-hunting journey.Castlevania: Nocturneis not produced by Adi Shankar, but it maintains the gory action, three-dimensional character writing, and pristine animation required for it to feel like a proper continuation.
This time, the Belmont story is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, which, when combined with gothic horror elements, creates a powerful atmosphere complemented by formidable villains. Richter Belmont stands out as one of the greatestmembers of the Belmont family, and the sharp writing inCastlevania: Nocturneenhances his character beyond what the games have ever portrayed.
Starring Hayley Atwell as the famous video game hero,Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croftis likeIndiana JonesmeetsMission: Impossible,with action, suspense, comedy, and mythology all rolled into one. It focuses on Lara as she tries to overcome past trauma while fighting a mysterious terrorist organization by uncovering mystical artifacts.
New audiences can enjoy a gritty animated series, butfans of theTomb Raidergameswill also enjoy it, as it is confirmed to be a canonical sequel toShadow of the Tomb Raider. Hayley Atwell brings a lot of charm and edge to Lara Croft, but she also delivers on the softer and vulnerable side of her, which helps a lot in the character’s arc throughout the series.
Before the events surrounding Vand Keanu Reeves' Johnny SilverhandinCyberpunk 2077,Cyberpunk: Edgerunnersfocuses on a young rising criminal on the streets of Night City using his cybernetic implants to survive in a ruthless underworld. Instead of trying to replicate the vast amounts of content and stories in the game,Cyberpunk: Edgerunnerstells its own story set within the same universe.
Many have praised Studio Trigger for crafting an engaging tale that is safe for newcomers to enjoy, whileCyberpunk 2077fans can relish the details and references featured. It also maintains the criminal underworld element that makes the game so intriguing and some consider the characters featured inCyberpunk: Edgerunnersto be superior to those found in the game.
During a time when Konami seemed disinterested in creating a new game in any of their legendary franchises, theCastlevaniaanime on Netflix provided a breath of fresh air, honoring the games’ lore while expanding upon it. Beginning with Dracula’s war on Earth to avenge his wife,Castlevaniadelves into the stories of both heroes and villains in detail, illustrating that everyone is more complex than they appear.
For four seasons,Castlevaniawas created by fans for fans, with series creator Adi Shankar being an avid gamer who grew upplayingCastlevaniagames. This dedication is why the series features fan-favorite characters like Trevor Belmont and Alucard, but, as a good series should, it does not alienate casual viewers who simply want to enjoy a bloody and ultra-violent vampire anime.
Not many expected a series based onLeague of Legendswould become one of the darkest character-driven fantasy series, butArcanemade it a reality. With only two seasons,Arcanecemented itself as a modern classic with its unique visual style and story that tackles real-world issues such as classism.
Arcaneis about the feud between two rival cities: the rich and powerful living in Piltover and the lower class scraping by in Zaun.Add in steampunk elements, memorable characters, and strong representation of the LGBTQIA+ community, and the result is an epic series that started as strongly as it ended.
Devil May Cryis Adi Shankar’s latest project, and it was created as a prequel to theover-the-top hack-and-slash video game franchise, allowing for a new story to be told for longtime fans who may have doubts about the adaptation. Fortunately,Devil May Cryis not a complicated story in the games, so neither is the series, featuring a half-demon/half-human mercenary fighting demons to save the world.
From the soundtrack filled with heavy metal songs to the intentionally cheesy dialogue,Devil May Cryfeels like a giant homage to movies and video games from the early 2000s. LikeCastlevania, it is also brimming with ultra-violent action sequences while still having enough drama and character development to keep audiences invested.
