Review: Ace Attorney Anime

Hey guys! I got wind that the Ace Attorney anime was out yesterday, so after watching all that I could, I'm now reviewing what there is so far. There will be spoilers in this post mostly because I've played the games and you can find the story lines pretty much anywhere, from what I can see they are sticking true to the games as far as basic plot. So sorry if you hate spoilers, I'm not holding back so I can convey my own reactions to the anime as genuinely as they come (I'm actually started this post before finishing the first episode, got through the title sequence before stopping to wait for a better moment to watch it). However, if you still want my overall reaction, I marked the point where there won't be anymore spoilers (bottom of the post, bold type and asterisks, can't miss it) so there is that. Right now, since it just came out, it's only in Japanese so being able to deal with subs is a must if you want to watch it right now (I prefer dubs but I'm warming up to subs recently). So on with my review. *Insert really cool opening sequence that is for a review here*

Episode 1

So right off the bat we are greeted with the traditional "oh look the killer" opening scene for the first episode of Ace Attorney. It was pretty basic and such. Right after it cut to the other opening scene that introduces Phoenix. We see his apartment, a few things that people who have played the game might recognize and then we see Phoenix, a young looking Phoenix. I've gotten used to the older looking Phoenix Wright from the current game, Dual Destinies, so seeing a young Phoenix was bitter sweet. I loved the original trilogy and Phoenix's story and how he went from rookie to well an ace attorney and beating every odd out there. However, it did throw me off to see the old art style and not the new suit I got used to, as well as remind me that this Phoenix, anime Phoenix, has a long, sometimes painful, journey to get to where he is now. But I do like the art style, I think it's reminiscent of the old games which I like, although the current game, and the new one coming out, has anime cut scenes and I was hoping that they would bring that art style to the new show. Instead it's more like a blend of the old with the new.

Phoenix through the Ages

(Yes he's pointing in all of them, it's a classic Phoenix Wright move, that and slamming hands on the courtroom desktop)

Anime Phoenix

Dual Destinies Phoenix

Original Original Phoenix from GBA Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

DS Phoenix from when they re-released the original trilogy

3DS Trilogy Version Phoenix
AKA The one I'm more or less  used to.

Do you realize how long it took to get these photos to work right? A long time.

So we meet Phoenix and watch him get ready for his first court appearance and as he rushes out it cuts to the opening sequence. I like the title song, it's nice even though I have no idea what is being said. As for the actual animation, I wish they did something besides the classic running opening. I wanted to see more animation like the part with Phoenix and Edgeworth on the beach with the golden chain and they represent the scales of justice (or of the law, the scale thingy). But the running worked to a degree, I've just seen running openings for a long time (Code Geass to a degree, most any Pokemon opening, various others I think) and wanted something new. After the opening sequence we get the area outside the courtroom and the typing thing that tells us where and when. We see Mia (again, bitter sweet) and then go into the courtroom. They made a point to show us all the areas in the courtroom. The open space, the desk areas, the gavel. And then we get to the case and see Larry Butz get brought it. Of course the prosecutor is none other than Winston Payne. Naturally the first episode is the tutorial case from the game. Larry is up to a few shenanigans that we don't see in the game so there's something new there. The judge comes in, sits down, and the trial begins. The first part of the trial starts with some traditional Phoenix things, the "Uh... Not sure what to say or why I yelled objection" but, the actual objection, and the testimony. The second part of the trial happened and the usual turnabout occured. Payne didn't get to do his rookie breaker speach thing but he did make the face of defeat which was interesting. The classic Phoenix Wright theme played to signal the turnabout. The confetti happened and some little effects. The bit at the end with Phoenix and Mia walking back from the courthouse was nice and bitter sweet because reasons that will be revealed soon. Overall, the dialogue for the first episode was lifted straight from the game. I'm hoping it's just for this one episode and the rest of the season has some form of creativeness. The one thing I really hope they don't screw up is the banter between Phoenix and Miles in and out of the courtroom. Now on to episode two.

Episode 2

After watching episode 2 there isn't much else for me to say. Miles Edgeworth is introduced and we see more of why Phoenix became a lawyer. Mishaps been murdered and Maya, her little sister, has been accused of murder. Phoenix can't find a lawyer to take the case and takes the case to defend Maya. The scene is actually really cute and introduces the dynamic they will later have beautifully. We see the differences between Phoenix and Edgeworth and finally when they meet we see the beginning of a stand off. It's great seeing their court origin story without having to go through tedious button clicking like in the game (while I love the game, it gets tiresome to go through the story but get held up by button pressing). The final scene between them got me excited to see what the writers in Japan have done to convey the relationship between Miles and Phoenix. I loved the quick exchange between them at the end. I feel like it's prefacing something far greater and I hope that the anime dynamic is just as amazing as their dynamic in the games. Over all, I definitely enjoyed this episode more than the first. I didn't feel like the whole episode was lifted from the game which gives me hope that over time, they might take a few more liberties while staying true to the game. I've also decided that if the US gets it to dub that I want Briena Palencia to voice Maya. Not sure where J Michael Tatum would fit  into Ace Attorney though (maybe Edgeworth). But if I got to chose I would want Travis Willingham as Gumshoe. 

*No spoilers from this point on*

Overall, I have high hopes for this show. I think it will turn into something amazing and I can't wait to see more. To top it all of it's the 15th anniversary of when Phoenix Wright was first released so things are happening this year. There's going to be a limited edition version of the new game with two extra cases. The new game gets released in Japan sometime in July; I'm not sure when it comes to the US. As for the anime, there's a new episode released every Saturday at some time on Crunchyroll. The season is not free so other sources  are needed to actually watch the episodes, so Sunday or Monday is generally a good time to look for a new episode online. To clarify, I like the new anime. I like where it's going and I have hopes for it to be all it could be. My biggest worry is them screwing up Phoenix and Edgeworth's dynamic and how they interact with each other. I'll be really made if they skimp on the banter and interactions. Next episode will be sort of the moment of truth of whether they screw this one key component of Phoenix's story up. For now, it's off to a good start and should pick up within the next few episodes. Sorry if you read all this and are still mad at any spoilers, I warned you up top. I might do a follow up once a few more episodes get released and I've watched them. I have one more review to do this week and that will be on the most recent tour of Phantom of the Opera. I was going to do that one but it got pushed back because I found out that the Ace Attorney anime is out now. That's all from me tonight. Go watch the show if you want to, or play the games  and then watch it, or vice versa, I don't care, live your life the way you want to. I'm going to shift through my phone files and see what exactly is on my phone. Until next time, Sanders out.