The Evolution of Anime Graphics 

Don't put Goku in smash, put Mario in Dragon Ball.

Jiggle physics has a weird history. It's funny to see the earliest iterations, where the technology behind it seemed to be exaggerated as much as possible, likely so the devs could say "Look what we did!". There is absolutely no realism to it, with the movement itself being exaggerated as much as possible to make you notice it. I can't imagine anyone actually finds it titillating... Maybe some people do, I don't know, but for me it's just hilarious. The tech in concept though isn't a bad idea. I mean, it's not like breasts don't deal with some additional physics the majority of the human body doesn't deal with. Making animation systems that automatically and dynamically produces realistic results _will_ enhance visuals. But overdoing it just looks stupid, and it wasn't until relatively recently that the hardware could produce realistic results. And even now there are still plenty of games that still treat breasts like they're large, taped on balloons.

Link was in Soul Calibur, does that make The Legend of Zelda series anime?

More, yes more! Please go into anime game stories as well. I would be pretty floored if you ended up discussing how Tales of Phantasia followed in the footsteps of anime shows based on replays (look up Tale Phantasia for more info), like Record of Lodoss War and Slayers, and then split off into two teams, one that continued with Tales of Destiny, and another that created Star Ocean: Fantastic Space Story. Anime narratives and tropes in video games is a really strong subject and you definitely enjoy doing deep research on the subject.

"Wrestling is anime" amen brother *sniff* amen.

This was infinitely fucking fascinating. Thank you.

I didn't know mother's basement was didyouknowgaming?

As a person deeply into retro games and Japanese games, you did a great job Geoff, citing all sources nicely and wrapping them in a cohesive narrative. I know most of the people here won't give a notice, but I was quite impressed. And very well researched too. Great job.

Seeing custom robo get some love always makes me happy :3

I'm just here to point out that Astro Boy: Omega Factor is an unbelievably awesome anime game. It probably mostly exists because the 2003 Astro Boy anime series was a new thing at the time, but it's also a love letter to Osamu Tezuka's work in general, including some weird, obscure references. It's made by Treasure, the people behind like half of cult classic shoot-em-up games or the like in the 90s and 2000s (Gunstar Heroes, Sin and Punishment, Ikaruga etc), and is fantastic. like you can have your 800 fighting games based off of anime and manga properties, but make more games like this

On consoles: **continues to discribe the history of anime games in great detail** And on PC: ...Yeah, it's porn.

I know it was just one random slide at the beginning of the video, but I once remember hearing the story of how Bad Box Art Megaman came to be: Back in the day, Box artists would be shown the game they were going to work on in some capacity or another, and then would go create massive hand-crafted airbrush paintings to be downsized and placed on the final product when it shipped out. Usually, they would get a chance to talk to developers, see concept art, and possibly even play the game themselves. The guy who was hired to do the U.S. cover for Megaman was a very accomplished and very skilled airbrush painter, but for some reason (I think weird scheduling issues with the American release date) he was called in to the office to look at the game one day, and then given something like 24 hours for his turnaround time for the finished box art. He didn't even play it: He and a couple of execs sat down with one of the Developers (who only spoke Japanese, if I remember correctly), and watched him play for like 30 minutes. At one point they were specifically trying to figure out how the character was shooting, and there was no real way to tell at such a low resolution that it was supposed to be the classic Megaman arm cannon, so they just shrugged and assumed he must be carrying a gun.

Another video where the Anime Pope pays a LOT of attention to a fictional character’s ta-ta physics. If that’s not God’s work, I don’t know what is.

Anybody else remember Budokai for the PS2? Anyone??

NO MENTION OF THE WONDERFUL 101?! It's the Gurren Lagann of video games!

You actually did a really good job on this. Felt almost like a documentary in places. Definitely wouldn't mind more stuff like this.

I'm just happy Lunar got a name drop. I miss that franchise.

Take a shot every time he says "anime"

wow man just wow this so ambitious and comprehensive as well as well done that I can't help but to be impressed if you left something out you can hardly tell and you managed to mention some of my favorite games which I'm sure I'm not the only one, the fact that you mentioned both Breath of Fire and Vagrant Story among many other classics while being so in depth about video game history glad you finally got to flex you video game know how muscles in a video for this channel cause we are all the better for it

Follow up!! Follow up!! Follow up!! Follow up!! No seriously though a follow up to this would be so cool.

Bro, you're youtube thumbnail is why you are a great marketing person. Also, I cannot see any other creator do this You are amazing and you're craft is amazing

Dude so many anime games coming out this season. Black Clover, Naruto to boruto, fist of the north star, Jump Force

Always happy to hear Legend of Dragoon mentioned (even in passing)

It’s kind of weird hearing about MiHoyo before Genshin Impact jsjjsas

And let's not forget that the best games in the Musou series are all the anime spinoffs - Gundam, One Piece, Hokuto no Ken, Zelda (because as establish in a different comment, Zelda is anime), and whatever else they apply it to going forward.

Wait, wait, wait, wait. Why on earth would you think this is a topic only you care about? This was a great episode, and one of a few where I've sent links to it to other people.

The fact that you put in a little snippet of Resonance of Fate made me very happy

No mention of the ULTIMATE anime game? Hyperdimension Neptunia? Anime girl video game consoles, in an anime game. It's so meta is transcends simple "anime game"

Glad to hear Legend of Dragoon mentioned. I still play that game on my Vita. Thumbs up just for this.

Song at 1:07 is called Sexy Adventure from Lupin the Third part 3

Yes. THIS is the kind of narrative I want. None of that 'anime is trash and so am I' nonsense. Anime is the pinnacle of human brilliance

Yeah, there's a Valkyria Chronicles game set in high school, but it's also the black sheep of the series. Even though there's only 1 game before it to set precedent, it's almost universally hated among fans of the franchise as it goes from something at least passable for a stylized war story to high school kids LARPing as soldiers. It's still decent gameplay-wise (and in the end, gameplay is the one metric that matters to me for videogames), but immersion doesn't work out so good. Makes the 1st one look realistic in comparison, and that one has literal girl shock troopers wearing large earrings and elaborate hairdos while in combat.

Pretty crazy how this all happened in about 50 years

Some of the game designers and directors were pretty out there too, the stories they put in these games would've been a treat to watch as a TV anime. As a small example, I'd say Nier Automata (and its prequels/predecessors) would give any crazy, off-the-hook anime narrative a run for its money -- since you did touch on stories somewhat.

I love that you had gameplay footage of Crystalis as a part of this video. I loved that game as a kid.

Zone of the Enders!!! Now that's a Ganime!

Hi there! I have to say, I LOVED this video. It was great to see exactly how anime video games have changed throughout the years. You mentioned a follow up video discussing the story aspects of anime video games and I’d be incredibly interested in seeing that! I’ve been writing my entire life, so storytelling, story structure, characters, world building, all of that stuff is right up my alley. I know you probably have a lot on your plate, but if you DO get to that video, I’d be one happy camper. Thanks for everything! ❤️❤️❤️

Am I the only one that thinks Live2D looks ugly as sin in most applications? The kind of art styles they generally use with it do not work well with lifelike mo-cap style motion. There's a reason GG Xrd and Dragonball Fighterz use keyframe animation systems despite running at 60fps. Maybe it'll get better with time, but as of right now it very quickly ruins my opinion of anything it's in.

Sitting here hoping he mentions Tales and Valkyria Chronicles only to realize he's the one who got me into both of them.

I would like a 50 hour video from you

No mention of the Yu Yu Hakushou Genesis/Mega Drive fighter by Treasure?! For shame, Goeff!

Interesting, the box art for the karate game is from Adachi Mitsuru. He is basically unknown in the west but he's super prolific with decades of classics such as Touch, H2, and dozens more. Highly recommended for those who like highschool sports drama, particularly Baseball. Though he does other genres.

I'm a simple man. I see Dragon Ball, I click the video.

This might be the funniest video you've done in a while, I loved it. I mean it was informative too but the gags were great.

Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is still the best DBZ Game! Though Xenoverse and FighterZ are amazing too.

God, your bit about Honkai3rd at the end just made me excited because I love this game and you cover every reason it’s so amazing~

You used Brave Fencer Musashi music and said something nice about it, that gets you a like from me

I didn't realize this for years, but my first anime game ever was "Speed Racer in The Challenge of Racer X", not realizing Speed Racer was anime until years later. The first I identified as such was the first Budokai game, being "introduced" to the genre to Super Saiyan Goku wailing on Frieza, a sequence that was hilarious to my "no context going in" kid mind.

"Game stories also have gotten a lot, like, A LOT better over the years" *Immediate cut to Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter* I hope this was 100% intentional. Because it is the best example one could come up with. Wonderful video.

I was surprised to see Tales of Phantasia in this video- it's one of my favorite games of all time (SFC English ROM hack), but it seems few people have played it (the GBA official English port is awful). I'm biased, but I think the Tales series needs more love.

Mana khemia is underrated as fuck. The games are fantastic with brilliant art, characters, and systems, and they actually did something with the high school setting outside of using it as an excuse to put cute girls in short skirts.

Technology is amazing I need SIF All Stars pls

Since Falcom has been brought up in this video: Reminder that Trails of Cold Steel IV has a release date for this year and we still have no word on Cold Steel III's localization

I am really enjoying Dragon Quest 11 right now.^^

People will never accept this "kiddish" stuff is taking the world by storm

I’m happy Sakura Wars was able to get a mention here its such an underrated series and i really wish the first 4 games could have been brought over to the west

I cant believe custom robo got multiple shoutouts in this video, half the time i feel like im the only one who remembers and loves those games, im playing custom robo arena while i listen to this

Well, this one will be a long one. Generic comment about grabbing popcorn.

Holy hell, Space Griffin. I played the hell out of that game, and forgot all but the vaguest impression of it. I only recognized the title because we were talking Early Mecha games and me and 3 other people tried to google it. DEEP CUT!

I'm still disappointed with the Seven Deadly Sins and Little Witch Academia game.

Dang, that was a smooth musical transition to the Honkai Impact 3rd music, which itself was a great transition to the ad.

Jump Force, at the moment, seems to be one of the few Anime games that doesn't make everything look really weird. Hopefully, it sets the standard from here on out.

Hey Jeff, where is my opening analysis? My scene analysis? You're breaking my heart, pal.

This video was fucking awesome. Honestly it could’ve been 50 minutes but I understand how much work that would be lol. Thank you for this.

I fully support the idea to continue your videos about anime history since your narration style is VERY engaging when it comes to providing exposition to a topic. I would love to see you review the overall review of anime stories trends since it's a topic that has been reviewed in sections, but really reviewed as a timeline. I really wish to see more videos like this in the future. After doing another SAO video I guess since that is what really pays your rent...

I never realized until that transition that the woman in the Mona Lisa is wearing a veil...or a...see-through...hood thing...

I really appreciate how direct and matter-of-fact (but not dry) this video was. At a few points I fully expected some distracting jokes about how bad an early game looks or a tangent on a particularly favored game derailing the topic, but it never came. In fact I just found the video more interesting as it went on and I only noticed one very quick game recommendation snuck in and the only big pause for a joke (90's polygons) I thought was delivered really well without being overly or unnecessarily harsh. Not only that, but I think that pause helped the video's pacing seeing as it directly bridges the huge jump from 2D to 3D graphics. Good stuff! I liked the brief looks at some more idiosyncratic approaches with Radiata Stories and Time and Eternity, but at the same time I think it would've been worth taking a moment to examine that awkward period around the mid-2000's when some anime-styled games attempted more realistic rendering to often uncanny effect, for example Star Ocean 4. I also personally appreciate a couple of lesser-known, but no-less-great examples like Brave Fencer Musashi, Breath of Fire IV and V, and Radiata Stories being used; it really says to me this was a well-researched video beyond even the easily fact-checked timeline presented, or at the bare minimum a very well-conceived one from someone who has a lot of awareness of or experience with these titles both in and of themselves and in the context of their release. Overall, great video-I'd even say surprisingly so. If the video on the evolution of game stories you mulled over near the end is even half as good as this then I would like to see it.

19:24 TomTom has a stand and that's awesome

>doesn't mention Nier: Automata

When you really want to talk about games since you loved gaming so much but your channel is all about anime YOU FIND A WAY TO TALK ABOUT GAMES AND HARDWARE improving games

Love the editor inserting Free! footage where any other anime would work too

blip

"Pink haired, big eyed, bullshit," is my new favorite description of anime.

Goku should 100% be in the next mario game as a side character Prove me wrong *im waiting*

Geoff, you absolutely killed it with this video. Fucking stellar, inspiring too

Geof (do you) read WEBTOONs like god of Highschool and tower of god

Sadly no mention of "Far East of Eden: The Fourth Apocalypse" probably one of the first jrpg to have its anime battles being fmv giving it one ridiculously anime feel.

I didn't know I could like this channel more than I already do until you mentioned Brave Fencer Musashi.

Nice video mate! Your videos are always top notch and well researched

Oh hey I'm actually first this is new.

It's clear how much work went into this video. This was well done. I love your video's but I've yet to be as impressed as I have been with this one! Keep up the great work. :D

Too bad Game Anime are devolving.

Definitely a neat video. Pretty informative. I think a video about the progression of anime game stories would be interesting.

30 minutes of non stop namedropping...

Happy to hear you talking baout some of your other passion! I too love Anime AND Video games and I'm always interested in seeing them combine!

I thought he would talk about some trashier games

10:35 Actually they didn't have more pixels to work with. The Genesis had the exact same resolution as the NES and the SNES even had a slightly lower resolution than the NES.

Legend has it that Persona games existed before Persona 3...

The opening to this video might be the best 23 seconds on youtube.

In some corner, a moon princess is crying from lack of love. But in all seriousness, this was fascinating - especially that animation software you mentioned. It sounds like a fun toy to mess around with...wonder how much it costs... But yeah. Type-Moon is the pinnacle of anime gaming. Prove me wrong.

Great damn research MB not often i hear Vagrant Story and Valkyrie profile in the same list. Really enjoyable to watch

I can't believe we went the whole video without a single "chrono trigger is basically videogame's dragonball" joke.

On of the best videos i have seen in a while. Good job. MB

I think a big thing is also rising stature of video games. In the 90's licences were given out cheaply and games were seen as merchandise not much higher than plushies or t-shirts. However now AAA games have serious prestige and being part of a famous gaming corporations is considered almost of equal honor as a famous anime studio. That is also a self reinforcing thing because as they gain prestige they attract more famous and better talent which increases the quality which leads to even more prestige. Another effect though of that is that because of that prestige licences are not given out as freely anymore. Having a poorly received game about your manga/anime could really hurt it's reputation.

This is a great video! definitely do a followup please :) (though one thing I would recommend is maybe but a subtitle in the corner of what game is one screen since sometimes it either wasn't clear or you didn't mention it by name because of time, but a lot of them looked interesting to maybe seek out and play)

As someone whose main interests are anime and video games I loved the video and would be happy to see more. Recently was watching old videos and saw the one on Trails In The Sky, which after watching is on my must pick up list.

Jesus, this one was a hell of a video! Well done sir, as a student of sciense engineer I feel 10x more motivated to continue my studies. Really, you are one of the best youtubers I know of, right near lemino, Kurzgesagt and others. I wish you the best, cheers from Brazil!

Somebody forgot Gundam Vs series which was still a reign champion of the JP arcade for MORE THAN 15 years!!!!

Books are also becoming anime. Just read Brandon Sanderson's books, especially The Stormlight Archive. Big fucking swords with spikes? Check. Big weird monsters to be fought? Check. Underdog power fantasy story? Check. Weird powers that included standing in mid air? Check. Even the writer has admitted to using Japanese media as an inspiration.

you know what makes ALL this possible at all? MATH! yes, that math! don't diss math, kids