This movie represents another drop in the Mass Effect transmedia bucket, which currently contains several novels, comics and plans for a Hollywood venture. There's no word yet on the plot -- or how, exactly, Shepard will be drawn this time.
This movie represents another drop in the Mass Effect transmedia bucket, which currently contains several novels, comics and plans for a Hollywood venture. There's no word yet on the plot -- or how, exactly, Shepard will be drawn this time.
Reader Comments (41)
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 10:50AM AMonkey said
Huh this could be pretty cool for the ME2 anime. I'm pretty much lost all interest in the Dragon universe after DA2 though.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 11:38AM Nashk said
@AMonkey
Anime adaptations have great potential. Unfortunately they are often written with the japanese audience in mind.
While this makes some sense, it often loses something in the process. Like how the best shot in the Halo universe turned out to be a kid whose hair could never possibly fit in his helmet.
Perhaps if the writers from bioware wrote the story, and the japanese animators do their thing to bring the universe alive, it would have potential. We will have to wait and see.
Reply
Anime adaptations have great potential. Unfortunately they are often written with the japanese audience in mind.
While this makes some sense, it often loses something in the process. Like how the best shot in the Halo universe turned out to be a kid whose hair could never possibly fit in his helmet.
Perhaps if the writers from bioware wrote the story, and the japanese animators do their thing to bring the universe alive, it would have potential. We will have to wait and see.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 10:51AM foxhound said
"...NEXT TIME ON MASS EFFECT Z!"
It's pretty sad these days that(I personally think)an anime based on a game series would fare better than any slop Hollywood could produce. Even if they spoofed the above comment, I'd rather watch whatever animation could be produced than some kind of "Bay-splosion" or godforbid it-- "Uwe Boll-visionary masterpiece".
It's pretty sad these days that(I personally think)an anime based on a game series would fare better than any slop Hollywood could produce. Even if they spoofed the above comment, I'd rather watch whatever animation could be produced than some kind of "Bay-splosion" or godforbid it-- "Uwe Boll-visionary masterpiece".
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 11:06AM bigwhiteyeti said
@foxhound
Every episode of Dragon Ball Z:
PREVIOUSLY ON DRAGON BALL Z! GOKKU begins his BALL OF FIRE!
Gokku: HAAAAAAAAAAAA-
-Opening-
-Commercial-
NOW BACK TO DRAGON BALL Z!
Vegeta: That ball of fire is huge!
Gokku: -AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA......
-Commercial-
Gokku: ...MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHH-
NEXT TIME ON DRAGON BALL Z!
WILL GOKKU EVER FINISH HIS BALL OF FIRE!?!?!?!
Reply
Every episode of Dragon Ball Z:
PREVIOUSLY ON DRAGON BALL Z! GOKKU begins his BALL OF FIRE!
Gokku: HAAAAAAAAAAAA-
-Opening-
-Commercial-
NOW BACK TO DRAGON BALL Z!
Vegeta: That ball of fire is huge!
Gokku: -AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA......
-Commercial-
Gokku: ...MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHH-
NEXT TIME ON DRAGON BALL Z!
WILL GOKKU EVER FINISH HIS BALL OF FIRE!?!?!?!
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 11:13AM Protege420 said
@bigwhiteyeti
wow i never realised but that is so true
Reply
wow i never realised but that is so true
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 12:59PM DevilSei said
@Nashk
Elcor Goku: Angered yell, I will get you freiza for killing krillin...
Elcor Frieza: Cocky, hahaha you will not defeat me, unless you
E. Goku: Angry, aaaaaaaaaah -turns yellow-
E. Frieza: Fright, oh no, a super saiyan
And thank god we aren't Elcor, because the way they communicate, it would be a kamehame-ha right in our nose.
Reply
Elcor Goku: Angered yell, I will get you freiza for killing krillin...
Elcor Frieza: Cocky, hahaha you will not defeat me, unless you
E. Goku: Angry, aaaaaaaaaah -turns yellow-
E. Frieza: Fright, oh no, a super saiyan
And thank god we aren't Elcor, because the way they communicate, it would be a kamehame-ha right in our nose.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 3:41PM maveric101 said
@bigwhiteyeti
hey now, DBZ Kai is awesome. they cut out almost all the crap from the original release.
Reply
hey now, DBZ Kai is awesome. they cut out almost all the crap from the original release.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 10:59AM Teancum said
I really miss 90's style animation - X-Men, Spider-Man, Batman. Those were animated shows I could watch. Anime has its place, but not every major series needs it.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 12:08PM Tinkus said
@Teancum Batman: TAS was one of the few superhero shows that didn't really pull punches with stories. To this day, I'm floored by most of the episodes. It's nice to see Brave and the Bold continuing the tradition of great storytelling.
As for the Mass Effect cartoon, I'm going to pass if Shepard is featured at all in this. Call me petty, but I played as femShep, mainly for Jennifer Hale's voicework. Using stockShep (if the cartoon goes this route) would be a big turnoff for me.
Reply
As for the Mass Effect cartoon, I'm going to pass if Shepard is featured at all in this. Call me petty, but I played as femShep, mainly for Jennifer Hale's voicework. Using stockShep (if the cartoon goes this route) would be a big turnoff for me.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 11:08AM Naru now in 3D said
Vote for FemShep 2012: Cuz where else can Shepard be a heroine if not in an anime?!
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 11:10AM JonahStein said
Aside:
The graphic accompanying this article just really made me wish for an Elcor companion on Shephard's team in ME3!
I know it's totally ridiculous, because of their size and demeanor, we assume they are slow... But what if Elcor turn out to have a natural propensity toward bioitic potential?
I just love having conversations with these guys; the dry delivery creates a humor that reminds me of Steven Wright.
Ha! I just now thought of that. Now he'll probably pop in my head every time I have an Elcor interaction...
The graphic accompanying this article just really made me wish for an Elcor companion on Shephard's team in ME3!
I know it's totally ridiculous, because of their size and demeanor, we assume they are slow... But what if Elcor turn out to have a natural propensity toward bioitic potential?
I just love having conversations with these guys; the dry delivery creates a humor that reminds me of Steven Wright.
Ha! I just now thought of that. Now he'll probably pop in my head every time I have an Elcor interaction...
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 11:17AM Lerkero said
This is how it should be done.
First, establish a franchise that people like and want to see more of.
THEN, make it become a transmedia franchise.
Don't do what EA did with Dead Space and Dante's Inferno and try to make something more than it should be when it's just starting out.
The associated Bioware name did sorta help, but that's not always the case. Not sure why they went with anime either. Seems like Western style animation would be more apt for this.
First, establish a franchise that people like and want to see more of.
THEN, make it become a transmedia franchise.
Don't do what EA did with Dead Space and Dante's Inferno and try to make something more than it should be when it's just starting out.
The associated Bioware name did sorta help, but that's not always the case. Not sure why they went with anime either. Seems like Western style animation would be more apt for this.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 11:18AM Vaancor said
Causious optimism. This could be interesting.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 7:02PM Rocket Raccoon said
@Vaancor
Content excitement: I quite enjoy everything Mass Effect offers so I am looking forward to this as well.
*releases excited scents*
Reply
Content excitement: I quite enjoy everything Mass Effect offers so I am looking forward to this as well.
*releases excited scents*
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 11:37AM Styli said
Hmmm.... As long as they don't let Dietz write it!
I'm actually looking forward to it. I can't see it starring Shepard, it will almost certainly be a spinoff like the novels.
I'm still waiting for the live-action series to be announced to fill the scifi void left by the cancellation of Enterprise. That'd be sweet.
I'm actually looking forward to it. I can't see it starring Shepard, it will almost certainly be a spinoff like the novels.
I'm still waiting for the live-action series to be announced to fill the scifi void left by the cancellation of Enterprise. That'd be sweet.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 11:45AM TCJJ said
Whilst I like my anime, I just have to ask... WHY? It's not like we NEED this stuff. Corporate sell-out marketing money-making bullcrap stuff.
At least FUNimation is handling it, but still... Halo Legends was a mess. I don't care what anyone says - they blatantly ripped off Star Wars in one episode. It looked like the scene where they destroy the Death Star. So similar. Yet I like the Halo games, so...
At least FUNimation is handling it, but still... Halo Legends was a mess. I don't care what anyone says - they blatantly ripped off Star Wars in one episode. It looked like the scene where they destroy the Death Star. So similar. Yet I like the Halo games, so...
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 12:59PM Negatron said
@TCJJ
Another Halo: Legends disliker. Im just curious what made it so bad? Im not saying i loved it, but i was watchable, my nerd rage meter stayed at a constant low.
Ohh you said something referring to Star Wars, never mind, you hardcore Lucas boys are a rowdy bunch.
Reply
Another Halo: Legends disliker. Im just curious what made it so bad? Im not saying i loved it, but i was watchable, my nerd rage meter stayed at a constant low.
Ohh you said something referring to Star Wars, never mind, you hardcore Lucas boys are a rowdy bunch.
Posted: Apr 8th 2011 1:04AM TCJJ said
@Negatron Actually, I am NOT a Star Wars fan. Far from it. I just happened to notice that. The reason I did not like Halo Legends? Well, it's kinda hard to pinpoint exactly. I never saw every episode, as I was watching them when they were released on the Xbox, but I am going to watch them all soon.
I don't HATE it. It's just not enjoyable for me. The animation seemed average and couldn't make up its mind as to whether it'd be in CG or classic 2D anime style, and the colours seemed kind of washed out.
I also didn't LOVE the voice acting. It wasn't HORRIBLE, but it was passable. The female spartan who died was also kinda weird. Just didn't seem to fit, but I guess that's just me. No, I'm not sexist. I have no problem with Kat or any other female spartans. Just this one.
It's hard to pin-point my exact problems with the series, but I do like my anime, and Halo Legends just felt kind of generic.
Still, Mass Effect is very story-driven, and Bioware go out of their way to make it look decent (although it's another example of a game that could use more colour. I'm looking at you, Gears of War), but I don't think they'll settle for anything sub-par. I'm just hoping I can say "yeah, that Mass Effect anime IS GOOD."
I guess I also hate how I have to go to multiple different sources to get a full story. I like Halo, but why should I have to read books and watch an anime of a story that started with a video game? It's such a drag. Especially the book-reading (and I LIKE books). Mass Effect is starting to do the same with its comics.
Reply
I don't HATE it. It's just not enjoyable for me. The animation seemed average and couldn't make up its mind as to whether it'd be in CG or classic 2D anime style, and the colours seemed kind of washed out.
I also didn't LOVE the voice acting. It wasn't HORRIBLE, but it was passable. The female spartan who died was also kinda weird. Just didn't seem to fit, but I guess that's just me. No, I'm not sexist. I have no problem with Kat or any other female spartans. Just this one.
It's hard to pin-point my exact problems with the series, but I do like my anime, and Halo Legends just felt kind of generic.
Still, Mass Effect is very story-driven, and Bioware go out of their way to make it look decent (although it's another example of a game that could use more colour. I'm looking at you, Gears of War), but I don't think they'll settle for anything sub-par. I'm just hoping I can say "yeah, that Mass Effect anime IS GOOD."
I guess I also hate how I have to go to multiple different sources to get a full story. I like Halo, but why should I have to read books and watch an anime of a story that started with a video game? It's such a drag. Especially the book-reading (and I LIKE books). Mass Effect is starting to do the same with its comics.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 12:57PM sammo21 said
I doubt it will feature Shepard, but I could be wrong. I use the default male Shepard because he looks the best and I think he looks pretty bad ass. Also, I doubt they would alienate the amount of people who like to play as Lady Shepard...
Still, I hope its written by the Bioware guys as then it WILL be good for a story at least.
Still, I hope its written by the Bioware guys as then it WILL be good for a story at least.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 1:01PM DevilSei said
Alright, step one to make insanely good Mass Effect anime. Get the people behind Gurren Lagann doing it!
Step two, get Bioware to help them make an awesome game, which may or may not be based off Gurren Lagann, ME 2, or the two of them. Last thing we need is Joker discovering Spiral Power and turning the Norman... scratch that. I DO want Joker discovering Spiral power.
Step two, get Bioware to help them make an awesome game, which may or may not be based off Gurren Lagann, ME 2, or the two of them. Last thing we need is Joker discovering Spiral Power and turning the Norman... scratch that. I DO want Joker discovering Spiral power.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 1:33PM Kaedex99 said
Knowing the way BioWare listens to their fans, it'll probably feature Tali baking Shepard-san chocolate and arranging his flowers, followed by two hours of her shuffling her toe against the ground and stuttering about how honored she is to be his stay-at-home Japanese schoolgirl.
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 1:53PM Gaddes said
Badass anime Garrus incoming...
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 2:43PM Crayola Q Pants ESQ said
Female renegade Shepard kicking people through windows or go home
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 5:44PM (Unverified) said
They better not Japanese-ify it like they did with Halo. That really annoyed me. They should not be allowed to put Shep in a samurai outfit or anything like they did with the elites in Halo. If it's just a straight up animation of Mass Effect, then it should be awesome. But they specifically said anime. That means they're going to butcher it right?
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 5:45PM Misguided Terran said
I want a scene on the Citadel where everything is just moving or alive.
I want that.
I don't need no anime Shepard.
Oh and gunfights... and stuff...
I want that.
I don't need no anime Shepard.
Oh and gunfights... and stuff...
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 7:19PM The Only Girl said
Oh cmon! If Mass Effect can get an anime, why not Phoenix Wright?!
Posted: Apr 7th 2011 10:47PM Regault said
I'm sorry, but unless there's at least 12 episodes, it doesn't qualify as an anime in my mind. This is basically a western work commissioned from an eastern studio.
At least they went with someone other than Madhouse this time.
At least they went with someone other than Madhouse this time.
Posted: Apr 8th 2011 6:55AM JODA said
WHAT ALOAD OF SH..
WHYWHY!!!!!
Honestly how many more games they gonna make into anime just going to ruin it for me like still do not wanna watch halo one :/
WHYWHY!!!!!
Honestly how many more games they gonna make into anime just going to ruin it for me like still do not wanna watch halo one :/
Posted: Apr 8th 2011 12:35PM mbaldelli said
I find myself at a loss for words seeing this information. On the one side, I thought that there had been talk about a full length feature movie being released for some time next year. Then there's the hype for ME3 which is supposed to be released for the end of this year.
On the other, if it's going to be anything like the animated versions of Halo and Dante's Inferno -- it's going to suck so badly as to warp the very reality that we understand.
I think that in the end, Hollywood (and game designers like BIOWARE) need to stop trying to milk their cash cows so badly. In the end, it kills an otherwise good idea through over-exposure and over-exploitation.
On the other, if it's going to be anything like the animated versions of Halo and Dante's Inferno -- it's going to suck so badly as to warp the very reality that we understand.
I think that in the end, Hollywood (and game designers like BIOWARE) need to stop trying to milk their cash cows so badly. In the end, it kills an otherwise good idea through over-exposure and over-exploitation.
Posted: Apr 11th 2011 5:11AM wcarnation said
Anime? Really?
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