Objection! Finally, after years of waiting, Phoenix Wright has become an anime that is set to debut in April 2016. Now Phoenix Wright originally was a visual novel based video game in 2001. Due to the success of the first game many sequels, crossovers, and spinoff games have been produced. While the games were being produced a manga in 2006 was published that followed a similar style and story to the video games. The success of both the video games and the manga has led to an anime series being produced that follows a similar plot to both the manga and the video games that have come before it.
Summary:
The Phoenix Wright anime focuses on, Ry?ichi Naruhod? , a new defense attorney. He chooses to accept cases where people are accused of murder; despite it being difficult, as he believes his clients are innocent. This is due to his personal view on law and his philosophy of how a person is innocent until prove guilty, which is disagreed upon by prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, thus creating a rivalry between the two of them. In taking the stance that you are innocent till proven guilty, Ry?ichi, conducts his own investigations to gather evidence and statements that can be used at trial, in order to prove his clients are not guilty.
Analysis:
The anime is the latest installment in the Phoenix Wright franchise, and as a result it is heavily influenced by the video games and the manga. The story being told in the Phoenix Wright anime is an updated and refined version of the video game. This generates a familiar feeling toward it making the anime more relaxed but predictable based on what has occurred in the video game. Furthermore, the anime is structured in a unique way as the show is divided into 2 parts: investigative and trial. The investigative component allows Ry?ichi to obtain evidence and gather information and statements that can be used at trial. The trial component allows for Ry?ichi to use what he has gathered to point out contradictions in a witness testimony to help his clients. This division helps to keep this show fresh and interesting as the two parts help to create a whole. Finally, the anime has many characters that fans are familiar with such as Miles Edgeworth, Detective Gumshoe, and Mia and Maya Fey. As a result of being familiar with these characters it is easier to follow the story and the character’s actions, as you understand their role in the show. Furthermore, since the fan base is familiar with these characters, due to the video game, the anime has an easier time of developing their characters and can focus on other elements of the story.
The anime of Phoenix Wright is an excellent addition to the Phoenix Wright franchise. The anime is telling the first few cases that Ry?ichi takes as a rookie defense attorney while he is learning the ropes and developing a rivalry with Miles Edgeworth. Despite retelling the first few cases the anime does an excellent job of capturing what initially drew people to Phoenix Wright and what has kept them intrigued in this franchise for over a decade. In being that the anime goes back to the origins of this franchise it reminder us as fans that new stories are enjoyable but sometimes going back to what started it all is just as good, if not better. The Defenses rests your Honor.
