Opinion: Video Game Anime Are Bad And They Should Not Be Made

I am perfectly cognizant of the fact that writing this isn’t going to make me any friends. But, it has to be said. So many people are hyper fixated on anime receiving poorly made live-action adaptations. But I see less pushback when it comes to poorly made video game-to-anime adaptations. And, with the impending release of NieR Automata Ver 1.1a by A-1 Pictures, the trend doesn’t look to be ceasing.

What’s the Problem?

If you ask me, there is a drastic difference between the anime industry and the games industry. In both, spending less money is one of the greatest virtues. But, time is another resource that I feel is not being valued as much in both industries. By that, I mean that in the gaming industry, there are countless examples of titles that spend five to ten years (or more) in development. On the other hand, there are times when an anime is announced and released in the span of a year.

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So, it should be asked. Is making an anime easier than making a game? I don’t know if I’d go that far. I think both art forms have struggles that are wholly unique. But, the biggest difference I’d say is that the anime industry is consumed by corporate meddling. This is a perfect segue to why I believe game-based anime should stop being made. How do you fit a 60-100 hour game into 6 hours?

Time Constraints

Caligula. Danganronpa: the Animation. Every anime with the word ‘persona’ in the title. What do each of these have in common? Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc takes between 25 and 45 hours to complete. Its anime adaptation? 13 episodes, or, around 6.5 hours. I don’t know about you, but given games often rely on that extra runtime to develop characters, how possible is it to deliver a satisfying anime adaption in less than half the runtime of the source material?

It results in one of two eventualities. Either the anime feels like an abbreviated, or abridged, version of the original work, or its a messy hodgepodge of original plotlines and endings. In the case of Caligula, which was based on The Caligula Effect, it’s unjust to even call it an adaptation. It has the same characters and the same setting, but that’s about where the line is drawn between the adaptation and its source.

If these studios / producers were willing to dedicate the time needed for these anime to develop, maybe this wouldn’t be such a problem. If Danganronpa or Caligula were given at least 52 episodes to develop their characters and properly tell the story they’re wanting to tell, then maybe we wouldn’t be here.

Ten Times As Much!

In the case of Persona 4: the Animation and Persona 5: the Animation, we’ve reached a crossroads where it’s not only a better experience to just play the game, it’s also cheaper. If you compare the cost to buying the physical edition of Persona 5: the Animation to the cost of owning the actual game, it’s shocking. To own the anime, it’ll set you back (as of writing) $298.98. For the game? Rarely will it cost more than $30.

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So, you’ll end up spending ten times as much for an abbreviated and unsatisfying story. I would even understand if someone were to tell me ‘I would buy at the increased cost if it meant I got collectibles!’ but that $300 cost? It only includes the 28 episodes and an illustration card set.

I am fully aware that this trend won’t be ceasing anytime soon. I can only hope that in time, the studios and the corporate producers behind these titles will start to value the artists and creators who make these anime more than they currently do. Otherwise, there will come a time when these creators … stop.