10 Animated Spin-Offs to Watch Before Predator: Killer of Killers

by

Following a near-fatal blow to its reputation due to the poorly received film “The Predator”, the franchise surprisingly made a remarkable comeback, surpassing its previous strength. Despite being exclusively available on streaming platforms, the prequel “Prey” managed to restore the franchise’s bloodthirsty charm. Now, the “Predator” series is poised for an impressive revival with the theatrical sequel “Predator: Badlands” and the animated anthology “Predator: Killer of Killers”.

The anticipation of watching Predator again on the big screen is high, but it’s debatable whether Predator: Killer of Killers isn’t even more significant. This upcoming project will be the franchise’s first animated venture, and it stands out as an anthology series, where the Predator character will appear in various historical epochs. As we eagerly await this anthology, now is a perfect time to delve into other films’ and franchises’ animated adaptations that have likely influenced the new direction of the Predator franchise.

The leap from the raw and rugged universe of Pitch Black to the grandiose space opera is quite a stretch, even for devoted fans. Although Dark Fury doesn’t entirely bridge this gap, it does smooth over the transition between the films. For instance, Dark Fury reveals what became of the survivors from Pitch Black, and it gradually introduces both Riddick and audiences to the galaxy’s more expansive and bizarre aspects.

What stood out most was how Dark Riddick deviated from the norm, being an exceptional animated spin-off. To start, it was steered by Peter Chung, the very same mind behind Aeon Flux. This short movie showcased a distinctive style and movement that perfectly echoed the gloominess and grittiness of Riddick’s realm and character. Unfortunately, Dark Fury fell short of its potential as it would have been far more impactful if it had expanded into a full-length adult animated feature film.

Currently Not Available on Streaming

Despite initial controversy upon its release, Van Helsing eventually became a cherished classic among viewers. One point everyone who loves this film can agree on is that there simply isn’t enough Van Helsing to keep fans satisfied. Thankfully, for those craving more of the franchise, Van Helsing: The London Assignment provides exactly what they’re looking for. Additionally, a recent animated short even managed to address some of the original film’s biggest questions.

In a lead-up to Van Helsing, “The London Assignment” introduced Van Helsing’s pursuit of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde in a captivating Gothic fashion. The animation style, reminiscent of anime classics like Hellsing and Vampire Hunter D, was not only evident but delightful. Though the short was concise, it left viewers yearning for more.

The main issue with the initial Hellboy movies was that they failed to provide a satisfying conclusion. Hellboy didn’t get a chance to confront the Biblical apocalypse, leaving fans yearning for more BPRD adventures. That’s where Hellboy Animated comes into play. Positioned between the live-action films, Hellboy Animated follows the BPRD on seemingly ordinary missions. However, as usual, things never go according to plan.

The animated version of Hellboy takes full advantage of animation’s flexibility, showcasing its characters’ abilities and the inherent silliness of the supernatural. While the live-action films are visually striking, they were somewhat constrained by practical limitations. However, it is worth noting that the animated series effectively recreates the comic’s episodic feel. For those who long for more time with Hellboy and the BPRD, these animated spin-offs are a must-watch.

Currently Not Available on Streaming

Although the franchise took a turn for the worse following the release of the original film, the only subsequent installment that managed to evoke the same essence was “Highlander: The Quest for Vengeance.” Remarkably, this film belongs to the cult franchise and is an official entry, as it was penned by long-time “Highlander” writer David Abramowitz.

Among its franchise counterparts, what made The Search for Vengeance stand out was its production by Madhouse, a seasoned anime studio. This studio lent an exceptional style and fluidity to the movie that would have been challenging to achieve in live-action. Moreover, it provided a straightforward yet impactful rendition of the fundamental idea from Highlander. One could argue that this animated film not only matched but exceeded the original.

There is no more suitable foundation for an animated anthology than Dante’s Inferno. The original poem and its subsequent video game adaptation offer a natural division into chapters that align perfectly with the circles of Hell. This is precisely what six experienced anime studios accomplished when they brought Dante’s Inferno: An Animated Epic to life.

The game Dante’s Inferno was known for its intense and brutal nature. Consequently, it was fitting that it transformed into an equally violent and gruesome animated series. Dante’s Inferno: An Animated Epic captured the essence of the infamous anime from the ’90s and 2000s, and it couldn’t have been more accurate. Each level of Hell had its own unique aesthetic and atmosphere, which made the series one of the better adaptations of the poem.

In a nutshell, the universe of Halo is expansive and brimming with countless tales. While the main games primarily revolve around the protagonist, Master Chief, various spin-offs like Halo: Legends were created to offer alternative perspectives. This anthology series, comprised of seven shorts from diverse animation studios, presents the Halo world through the unique viewpoints of characters other than Master Chief.

In “Halo: Legends,” a variety of heroic characters and tales were showcased, ranging from ordinary ODST soldiers to Arbiters and Spartans. What made this collection intriguing was each short story had its unique art style and genre. Despite Halo facing a creative slump recently, “Halo: Legends” serves as an excellent reminder of the franchise’s vast potential.

The launch of the DC Universe took an unusual turn as it debuted with the animated series, “Creature Commandos.” Unlike many reboots that kick off with a movie, this shared universe began with a TV show featuring some of DC’s least known and downright peculiar superheroes. Fortunately, this wasn’t a letdown. In fact, “Creature Commandos” stands out as one of the strangest yet most captivating adaptations from the DC universe ever produced.

The Creature Commandos series served dual purposes – it was both a joint operation mission and an anthology. The narrative had a main plot, yet each episode delved into one of the main characters’ backgrounds. This added layers of depth and empathy that were absent from similar live-action films. Luckily, we can look forward to seeing these commandos again soon.

The main issue with the Star Wars films was their repetitive narrative, as they consistently centered around the Skywalker family and the ongoing conflict between the Rebels and the Empire. However, Star Wars: Visions served as a remedy to this monotony. While some of the anime episodes remained faithful to the established canon, others boldly expanded upon the concept of Star Wars by exploring new territories. The final products were nothing short of extraordinary.

Visions brought fresh perspectives to the often repeated and widely used ideas within the Star Wars franchise. This was achieved by reinterpreting classic scenes like a lightsaber duel in the style of a popular anime battle series, or perhaps animating them in an entirely new way. What makes it even more appealing is that the series didn’t stick rigidly to the established canon and could switch genres at will. Unlike live-action Star Wars, its animated anthology offers a greater degree of flexibility.

Positioned between “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” “Batman: Gotham Knight” focuses on a fully-developed Batman as he safeguards Gotham City. Significantly, this six-part anime anthology delves into the transformation of Gotham’s criminal element, progressing from typical gangsters to extraordinary supervillains. As each episode unfolds, Batman encounters increasingly inventive and perilous adversaries.

In comparison to The Dark Knight Trilogy, Batman: Gotham Knight delved into ideas that the movies couldn’t explore. Being rooted in realism, the trilogy had limitations in depicting Batman’s skills and adversaries. However, Batman: Gotham Knight didn’t have such restrictions, which worked to its advantage. If you admired the films’ vision but yearned for a touch of comic-book creativity, this anthology is perfect for you.

The Matrix trilogy is deeply rooted in anime, as proven by the film The Animatrix. This movie, consisting of nine short films crafted by top-tier anime studios, significantly advanced the storyline of The Matrix. It brought forth fresh characters, broadened the universe’s scope, and delved deeper into the fundamental ideas that underpin The Matrix.

What stood out even more was how each short film in “The Animatrix” stood independently. The primary characters from these films made only brief appearances at most. Each short had its own distinct narrative. In this way, “The Animatrix” not only expanded the universe of the movie trilogy but also presented fresh and thought-provoking reinterpretations of the story. To this day, “The Animatrix” continues to be the benchmark for Hollywood’s anime adaptations.

Read More

2025-04-27 01:12