Marvel Anime

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Have you ever wondered if the difference between American cartoons and Japanese animation is only skin deep? Here's your chance to find out. 

It's 2011--two years since Marvel Comics announced the production of four new television series featuring Wolverine, the X-Men, Blade and Iron Man. (In order, of importance to me.)

The shows, developed by Madhouse Studios, were released in October 2010 to Japanese audiences. And are scheduled for release in the US around the same time this year. A concrete date has not been announced.

Judging from past experience with Marvel it will either be released yesterday or in 2013.

"I'm Going Ghost!"

A lot of cartoons get flack nowadays for their lack of concept and...well, cartooning. (Let's be honest. I'm one of the people giving flack.) But I bite my tongue when it comes to Danny Phantom.

David Kaufman voices Danny Fenton, the awkwardly pubescent son of ghost-hunting inventors Maddy and Jake. After a completely avoidable run-in with his parents' gadgets, Danny gains super powers which enable him to become invisible, fly and walk through walls. (Sure those are lame powers to start off with, but the kid does all right.)

Joined by his friends Tucker (Rickey D'Shon Collins) and Sam (Grey Delisle), Danny battles the ghostly forces of evil for an impressive 53 episodes. Director Butch Hartman shows admirable vision, cutting the show off the air before it became boring or annoyingly redundant. The show has a definite (and surprising) conclusion. Check it out for yourself on Netflix.

The characterization of adolescence is in line with American stereotypes. The cast oscillates between engaging and annoying throughout the series. If you skip a few episodes in the 3rd season you'll be fine.

The animation favors the popular Japanese style, but skips the face plants and sweat drops, taking advantage of simple lines and angular construction. The coloration and heavy shadowing makes for a palpable atmosphere that will have you jumping at shadows.

I rate it a POPCORN COMBO!

Danny Phantom Episode List on Wikipedia
David Kaufman: Danny Phantom
Nick Toons: Danny Phantom Games