Rick and Morty has been a staple series in adult animation for little over a decade and it continues to be as influential and present in pop culture as it did all those years ago when it first debuted. I’ve personally enjoyed the creativity in the writing and the vast potential of storytelling that is possible in the series, along with the meta humor that played a role in what the series is typically known for. So when Rick and Morty: The Anime adaptation got announced, I couldn’t help but look forward to the creative potential that the show may have to offer.
The Rick and Morty: The Anime was announced on May 18th, 2022—over two years ago. Now, finally debuting on Max, the long wait is over. Featuring a stacked cast of voice actors for both the English and Japanese versions, and a unique art direction brought by animators the of Studio Deen.
The director of the anime, Takashi Sano, is known for his involvement in iconic series such as Lupin the Third and Vinland Saga, which is always a good sign to bring over someone experienced in the industry over to any adaptation. What made me enjoy the original Rick and Morty series was the characterization and emotional development we see of the cast throughout the seasons, and what a good adaptation needs is to carry over that characterization and mold a new story with new possibilities out of it.
On paper, the Rick and Morty: The Anime promises to bring that vibrant series that’s made a name for itself into eastern animation, a style that seems to garner more international audiences now then ever before.
Plot Summary
The episode starts off by introducing the Federation, what seems like an antagonistic force that is bent on wiping out a specific alien planet. Someone who seems to be a variant of Summer, Rick’s granddaughter, puts a stop to the Federation and their schemes. Though their plans of planet destruction had been foiled, they seem to have another idea in mind: kidnapping Rick Sanchez himself from the comfort of his own home.
Any fan of the original show will be quick to point out that Rick can’t get kidnapped quite easily. A mad scientist like himself always has something up his sleeves. As the episode progresses, the more familiar main-timeline version of Summer reveals that to be the case. The Federation had really just kidnapped a dummy while the real Rick is away on a planet living lavishly in hiding. Morty is occupied with his own virtual world built by his grandpa scientist himself, to mainly keep the teen pre-occupied. Its in this world where we get introduced to a couple of new characters that seem to hold weight to the upcoming events.
Elle, who seems to be a potential love interest for Morty, and Frank, an armored swordsman who forms a close bond with Morty are two characters that gain the spotlight for a good bit of the episode. After a few virtual reality shenanigans, Morty ia once again being portrayed as a boy in need of saving. Rick and Summer decide to finally pull Morty out. Thus the first episode concludes.
Analysis & Review
I think an attempt for a Rick and Morty spin-off was definitely made here. An attempt that feels similar to an expensive fan-fiction, with the characters so far feeling like caricatures of their original counterparts, as the English cast of Rick and Morty do not make a return here. The art style and design choices are poorly translated into an anime format. The incomplete, doodle-like character design and choppy animation definitely does stand out from any other animated series currently airing.
With it just being the first episode I didn’t expect much to happen plot-wise, but it seemed to boil down to Morty building emotional attachments to characters whereas Rick contrasts that by being distant. Almost TOO distant, here. With the last season of Rick and Morty, we see Rick go through some emotional leaps and hurdles to find himself becoming closer with his family, But this first episode doesn’t do all that well to highlight those newly found characteristics of his. He is seen as more brooding and distant with his speeches reminiscent of the older seasons of the original show.
Final Score
The first episode introduces an intriguing conflict involving the Federation and a kidnapping plot, while Morty navigates a virtual world filled with a couple new characters. Despite its unique art style, the adaptation struggles with inconsistent animation and it is a far cry from the much-needed character development seen in recent seasons of the original show.
While it stands out in the Max original landscape of animated series, the anime’s execution left me confused and feeling disconnected as a Rick and Morty fan, barely recognizing the characters I grew to love.
Featured Image: Adult Swim
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