Viewtiful Joe – The Anime

Just a couple of days ago, I happened to notice a new, but familiar face on the usual channels I turn to in order to get my anime fix. The animation style was vaguely familiar, kindling old memories as I watched. I was suddenly brought to realisation that I really was watching what I thought I was, with the fabled catchphrase;

“Henshin a go-go, BABY!”

I guessed that this wasn’t something terribly new, but to me it was. I had no idea that there was actually a show for Viewtiful Joe and yet it made perfect sense. There are few games with graphical styles better suited for traditional animation; I mean, hell, the entire first game happens inside an actual movie. Seeing the characters of the series – both old and new – amused and entertained me to no end.

The novelty wore off pretty quickly, though, as I was plagued with the usual doubt and skepticism of Games being used for other means of entertainment. In a game dominated by near-endless battles, short cutscenes and an agonizingly large amount of button bashing, it was hard to watch the white, red and pink emblazoned warrior spending so much time babbling with his enemies before opening a disappointingly small helping of whoop-ass on them.

Nevertheless, the whole show picked up the ball again as it remained immaculately faithful to the game. Everything about Joe is just about perfect; there are no unnecessary additions or changes to an already polished web of characters and environments. I was somewhat put off by how strongly they portray Joe as being somewhat of an airhead, but this is only due to the huge amount of dialogue present in the cartoon in comparison to that in the game. The very first game didn’t provide much in terms of character development (it was a beat ‘em up for crying out loud), but when the anime takes a crack at it, it doesn’t disappoint.

Not much of the game is left out either – Joe does retain his time control powers (which is all I’ve seen so far) and they’re displayed in a very neat and straightforward fashion – just like in the game. It’s pretty much a sure thing that his other cinematic manipulation makes an appearance at some points in the series. Even the dinky little six machine plays a part and not a spec of paint is any different from when it appeared for the first time on the Gamecube.

Gamers always fear for the fates of their favourite games the moment the words “movie” or “television” are mentioned in the same sentence, and I tend to feel the same way. Amongst a vast history of flops and failures being the rule rather than the exception, I feel that seeing a cult classic such as Viewtiful Joe being put on TV in such a fantastic way gives a bit of relief and inspires hope that perhaps, just perhaps – things are starting to get a little better.