Marvel's animated shows should have learned something from X-Men '97.

There's a lot to love X-Men '97. Reboots are pretty common these days, but they often don't land properly. X-Men '97But yes. The show expands on the original. X-Men: The Animated SeriesIt showcases the wider universe and explores the complex relationship between Magneto and Professor X through dramatic moments. Now that the television landscape has changed, shows aren't limited to purely episodes. Relationships can develop, and narratives can hint at what will happen.

But what has fans most excited is the show's outstanding animation. X-Men '97 It uses a style heavily inspired by the original series, making it feel like a throwback to the past. But technology has advanced since the '90s, so the new show uses both 2D and 3D technology to give it a much more sophisticated look.

In contrast, other animated Marvel shows have a more uniform look. oncoming eyes of wakanda and What if… They both have a very similar style. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man It's a bit more unique with its flat style and comic book-inspired images. But no one was excited about the look of these shows the way they were excited about them. X-Men '97. You could argue that nostalgia is a major factor, but the show is still visually unique compared to Marvel's current animated lineup. Considering how many great animated shows there are out there, Marvel should take a cue from: X-Men '97 Change your style.

X-Men '97 Embraces Old School Character Design

Like any other medium, animation has its own unique trends and styles over the decades. The 70s saw a mix of traditional cell animation and the beginnings of realistically proportioned human characters. The cartoon had a reduced budget and limited animation. Something like Hanna-Barbera Scooby-Doo, where are you? and Jabberjoe A classic example of this style.

In the '80s, the action hero proportions were further ramped up in the hopes of selling toys. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and GI Joe. Later, in the 90s, creator-centered comics emerged. These cartoons were created as a response to the limited animation that came before and were more exaggerated and fluid. Rugrats and the simpsons It's a typical show of this era.

The original came out in 1992 X-Men: The Animated Series It was a little while before this change occurred. The show had a limited budget and largely stuck to the style of its 80s predecessor. Artistic choices that mimic the style of the original series X-Men '97 is intended not only to evoke nostalgia, but also to embrace a style of animation that hasn't been widely seen in decades. Along with taking inspiration from the original show, the creative team also took some cues from classic 80s and 90s animation, such as: ninja scroll. As a result, viewers felt fresh in the modern landscape of animated TV.

X-Men '97 embraces new technology

That said, the techniques associated with this visual animation style have been updated with the times. Instead of traditional cell animation with limited budget, X-Men '97 It uses more advanced 2D animation and makes the most of a Disney-level budget. Rather than emulating the limited animation style of the original, the creative team decided to bring in a more '90s feel by using VHS-inspired effects. (It's also rare that VHS-inspired elements aren't intended to be scary in a horror context.) This helps increase the illusion that it's a '90s show and not something from 2024. 3D elements were also added. For vehicles with more complex layouts.

Producer and executive director Jake Castorena said the creative team was very careful to strike a balance of evoking old-school styles while keeping it fresh for modern audiences. Judging from the reactions of fans, it appears to have been a huge success. The show will evoke nostalgia from longtime fans, but it won't feel like a tired rehash.

like WandaVision Having experimented with a variety of sitcom visual styles over various decades, Marvel's animation team must be eager to create truly unique visuals for their shows as well. X-Men '97has proven that audiences have an appetite for animated shows that break the mold with their retro design. Other creative shows such as Moon Girl and Demon DinosaurIt also shows that this is not limited to this. X-Men '97; It's just good animation design. Marvel has a ton of classic characters, many of which have been adapted multiple times. Why not take a bold risk and mix it up? A breath of fresh air can reignite the interest of old fans and even attract new ones.