Have We Found the Worst Anime of 2024? A New Trailer Says Yes.

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As a seasoned anime fan with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the recent trailer for “Murder Mystery of the Dead” has left me quite underwhelmed. Having witnessed the evolution of animation quality from hand-drawn to digital, I’ve grown accustomed to seeing the medium pushed to its limits. However, this latest offering seems to have taken a few steps back in time, harkening memories of the infamous “Ex-Arm” debacle of 2021.

In the vibrant world of anime this year, numerous shows have made waves with their successful releases, ranging from fresh debuts to fan favorites. As we move towards Fall 2024, anticipation runs high as more premieres are on the horizon. A recent trailer launch has sparked quite a discussion in the anime community, and it seems they’ve already picked out what they believe will be the least impressive series of 2024.

Unfortunately, the trailer for “Murder Mystery of the Dead” doesn’t come anywhere close to impressing. The initial glimpse from the ABC Animation project, recently unveiled to fans, seems to share a similar stiff CG look with the notorious “Ex-Arm”, leaving fans in comparison.

The TV broadcast on November 13, 2024, will air from ABC Tokyo MX.

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The Trouble Behind Murder Mystery of the Dead

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From what’s shown earlier, the thriller series titled “Murder Mystery of the Dead” has puzzled fans worldwide following its first trailer release. The series premieres on November 6 and seems promising in terms of plot. In a future overrun by zombies, our main characters find themselves imprisoned within an unfamiliar tower. When one of the invitees to the tower meets an untimely death, a grisly murder mystery begins to unravel. It will be up to Mikoto Amano to maneuver through this lethal investigation.

From a casual perspective, the plot of “Murder Mystery of the Dead” seems entertaining, but that’s about where the positivity ends. ABC Animation and Balus are facing criticism for the anime’s CG appearance. The animation is static, and the setting is inadequately detailed, making “Murder Mystery of the Dead” seem sparse. Anime like “Land of the Lustrous” and “Trigun Stampede” have demonstrated how CG anime can be done effectively, so this trailer falls short of expectations. Additionally, the characters’ expressions in the trailer are worryingly blank. The anime needs to invest more effort into animating facial expressions or risk all its characters appearing as sociopaths.

CG Anime Hit a Low With Ex-Arm in 2021

Moving from “Berserk” to “Ajin: Demi-Human,” several well-known series have fallen victim to the “CG anime predicament.” The technology can be difficult to master, and in its current stage, it’s not yet at par with expectations. While studios like Studio Orange are committed to creating quality CG anime, such dedication is scarce. The animation is often viewed as a cost-effective substitute for the digital standard within the industry. However, after incidents like “Ex-Arm,” both fans and industry experts express doubts about the feasibility of CG anime.

Calling Ex-Arm an infamous series may not fully capture its essence. Back in 2018, news broke that an anime adaptation for Ex-Arm manga was underway, and Visual Flight won the bid to adapt it. With Yoshikatsu Kimura at the helm, this team was new to the anime scene. Unfortunately, from the very first episode, Ex-Arm turned out to be a catastrophe due to its poor CG animation. Characters were incomplete, renders were flat, and overall, it set a new standard for disappointing anime with its 2021 release. Now, Murder Mystery of the Dead is stirring up discussions about the pitfalls of CG anime again, and we can only hope that this series doesn’t end up like Ex-Arm.

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2024-09-24 17:09