The Scott Pilgrim Books Are A Modern Work of Art 

The comic does explain why Scott falls for Ramona. She’s the girl of his dreams. Literally. She uses the subspace highway that runs through Scott’s dreams and that’s why he can’t stop thinking about her.

Thank you for speaking of Lisa Miller, she doesn’t receive the love she deserves. She ir a real pivotal point in the story because what she did to the relationship

Scott's memory is not accurate most of the time. For example he didn't remember that he didn't tell his departure to kim or that he actually fought envy in a drunken state before breaking up. It can be assumed that Scott actually became distant from envy as she started to become different from his girlfriend. And try to force his expectations on her. Which along with envy's own toxic behaviour led to breakup.

I personally loved the anime, it put more emphasis on other characters and an overall happier ending thanks to the different way the exes were dealt with. It's not a 1 to 1 retread of the same story which I really appreciate! But, it kinda leaves Scott's development on the backburner, so while the relationship is built on a better foundation with this iteration it doesn't feel like Scott grew much.

As far as the film adaptation goes, only the first book was out when they pitched the film idea, and only the first 4 were out when they had the main script they would use for filming. That's kind of why the first half is a slow burn and a lot closer to the books, but the pacing of the second half is super rushed.

Just finished reading the comics yesterday and immediately went to find video essays. This absolutely did not disappoint- I love your analysis here. You absolutely deserve more views, this is very well edited! The books really are such a unique and fascinating experience. Something I noticed was that Nega Scott never speaks in the books, possibly because he’s the part of Scott that he tries not to acknowledge. Those actions aren’t spoken of, the side of him isn’t spoken of. It just lingers. It exists. It haunts him. That is, until he finally accepts that it’s there and works to move past it. Gosh I love this story

THANK YOU for touching on Kim’s feelings for Scott, nobody ever talks about it since it’s not really implied in the movie, but it’s pretty clear in the books that she still has feelings towards him.

I love Kim pine she's literally me

I've had Scott Pilgrim in my radar for a long time, but just with the anime's release i decided it was time. Its one of the best comics, including japanese manga, that i've ever read. I'm in my early 20s, and seeing everything Scott went through was relatable, for real. I get why people don't like him, the story itself doesn't treat him well, but his flaws, his struggle and eventual growth are what makes his story great. Since finishing it i even started reflecting more about past experiences i had, about certain relationships, romantic or not. So, by my definition, If a story makes you reflect, it is certainly really fucking good.

SP is a story about how we're all shitty people, but you're only evil if you don't grow. How did you feel about the anime? (you should watch it)

I wholeheartedly agree that the book is a masterpiece. But I never heard of it until I saw the movie. My friend under sold it perfectly saying it was a quirky rom-com then 30 minutes in my head exploded. Bought the DVD next day, watched all 3 commentaries and when I discovered it was a book I called my local comic shop and picked it up that day. Finished it in 2 days and recommended it to everyone I know. None of that would have happened if I didn't see the movie.

My first introduction to Scott Pilgrim was the netflix's series and i loved it, i knew it was a retelling and when i finished the series i wanted to know how things happened in the books Best decision of my life i can't stress enough how amazed i was by this series, it quickly became one of my favorite pieces of fiction i've ever read

Loved the pace of the vid. Very satisfying. Wouldn't mind a longer version, or something similar for other books, or films maybe.

I saw 'The Glow' as a metaphor for the emotional scars that follow a person around and kind of influence their behaviors after a really bad or abusive relationship. Maybe that's overthinking it a tiny bit but I've seen what that does to people, how it influences subsequent relationships. How someone will do things or say things to head what, in their head, seems to be an inevitable occurrence off at the pass. As far as weird super powers go, turning someone into an echo chamber of their own fears, anxieties, hangups and baggage is super effing evil. So in that, Ramona has my sympathies. I was getting more and more fed up with her being sharp with Scott through the series until it all kinda clicked into place. I mean sure, she definitely 'dabbles in being a bitch' but damn, she's damn near broken. I hope they were making their subspace jump at the end to a therapist, man.

I'm not good at reading subtext, so I love and am thankful that you explain it so well. This series has been my favorite comic since Jr High! I'm so glad there are other people who still have a passion for the original series and your video has honestly just made me happy from learning the deeper dimensions to these characters. Thanks man

I watched rhe new anime yesterday, fell in love with the characters, had so much fun with it, and loved everything, then i went to read the books today, read em all in one day, and now i realize just how depressing the story was, and am a little upset with how downplayed Gideon was in the show

I watched the film and the new series on Netflix that came out this year. I watched both of those before reading the comics, I enjoyed both for what they were and I still believe that after reading the comics. Just like everyone on here and you the comic being more character driven was really good and it really made me think about my life and life in general. I'm glad I read the comics they were very well written and made me think about how many things are not black and white. Also a quick side note, for the people who say they don't have time to read the comics, They are like 180 pages (I'm just throwing the number here) I was able to read them in a few days and was still able to take in all nuances, background, and characters. This also means that I will read through them again and maybe find more from the story being told.

This was a great vid to wind down with before going to sleep

I'm happy that set it off gave Ramona a character

Thank you for making this video. Just got done reading the books and I am DEPRESSED 😩I think the ending was very unsatisfactory, just left me feeling Ramona and Scott were going to break up directly after they enter the door lol. I watched the movie and definitely see what you’re saying, it was underwhelming at best, compared to the greatness the books had. I wonder what my viewing experience would have been like if I didn’t read the books beforehand and if it was a standalone film, I think I would have liked it more. BUT HEY! It was sooo funny and the casting was wonderful as well as the music and I guess the feeling of ‘wanting more’ after watching a movie isn’t the worst thing. 🤷‍♀️

Just finished the books and im in love with your video. Its too accurate and also helped me to understand a lot of things that i didnt on my own. Just like scott cant find a good reason to love ramona so much, i cant find a reason of mine to love them as a couple the much as i do, but i just LOVE THEM. Great video man.

GRAAAAH I LOVE THE KIM CAPTURE SCENE!!!!!! THANK U FOR FINALLY SPEAKING ABT IT!!!!!

I really like you takes on the series here. I read the books a while ago and didn’t feel very much for them initially but your video has helped me see them differently and appreciate them more. I wish I watched the movie before reading the books so that I could have been impressed instead of disappointed. I really wish there was an faithful animated adaptation - while the visual effects and production are great and show a lot of love for the series, I feel like the story and characters are meant for illustration. The new series is really great. I feel like it improved the story, at least for me. I love what it does with all the characters. I would really like to hear what your thoughts on it are when you get around to watching it!!

Really liked the anime so I decided to check out the comics and ended up loving them way more than I thought I would! You did a good job putting everything that was great about the comics into words. Definitely a series I'm going to hold dear for many years to come :)

I loved this analysis, I am so grateful for it too, I read the comics and although I did pick up on the themes, some stuff just flew over my head, but this video made me appreciate the comics so much more. I like the movie, but now thinking about it truly, it almost feels just sad really, because the characters feel different, the way the central themes are handled is different and Ramona and Scott to me feel very very different, especially Ramona. On another note i am very interested on hearing your thoughts on the anime personally i liked it a lot

I loved this video, your take on the story and the characters.

"I would really like to touch on Wallace Wells" who wouldn't?

Great video, man. You shouldn't call yourself a manchild for loving a baby comic book, though. First of all, Scott Pilgrim isn't a baby comic book, it's an adult comic book. :D Secondly, I've been a huge fan of SP for years, I even have the famous Ramona Flowers statue... that only makes me a nerd! I like Edgar Wright's movie, it's pretty brilliant on a technical level, the soundtrack is awesome (everything Envy-related is great), and a good chunk of the cast is solid... I said a good chunk, because Michael Cera as Scott was the miscast of the year. And they completely ruined Kim. And they completely ignored Lisa. As a matter of fact, on a certain level, I think I enjoyed the amateur comic dub released on YT more. I hope they didn't screw the animated series. I already don't like the character design of a few characters...

I do agree a lot of the complexity was lost on the film, but that secret sequel (SP Takes Off) that dropped on Netflix gave a second chance to that cast, they actually nailed the voice acting so good that I can’t help but hear their voices in the books now.

I can't wait to see your analysis of the show. I let my friend's daughter borrow my set. She loves it

awesome retrospective

This video perfectly encapsulates "You just had to be there." A lot of people who weren't, don't realize that the movie was being created at the same time as the comics after vol 1. There was no way for the movie to be a 1:1 adaption because both creators (Bryan Lee O'Malley and Edgar Wright) were influencing each other. Which is why I don't fault the movie for not adapting what wasn't even written yet. I look at it as a game of "Telephone" and love it for the stylistic way it blends film and comics as media (like the Spiderverse movies). That being said, I'm just glad all adaptions lead more people to check out my favorite comics, and it was nice to hear a fellow fan's insight.

SPOILERS FOR THE ANIME - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, takes place in 2023, because Old Scott's time year is 2037 and The Screenplay was made 14 years in the future hence deducing the year is 2023. The Anime was good, anime Scott isnt the same one from the comics, he is the past current version, because old Scott, the one old version of Scott from the comics. Let's Call Scott from the anime Netflix Scott and Old Scott from the anime Prime Scott now. The anime follows the first volume to a T, but then takes an unexpected turn when Matthew Patel fights Scott. They think Scott died due to the fight with him. But he was taken into the future. Anime Young Neil 'makes' a screenplay based on the series of the events based on the comics, but shocker it was created by Future Prime Ramona which is found out later in episode 6? I think. And the battles with the evil exes to win Ramona never happen since Scott is gone. Instead Ramona searches around Canada to find the 7 evil exes trying to figure out who kidnapped Scott. She finds out none of them Kidnapped Scott. Then it was revealed that Prime Scott used the Vegan Twins' future robot to create time travel by isolating Robo-1 from the space time continuum. Where Ramona deduces that Scott was the only one who could be the one who kidnaps Scott. During all this, Prime Scott takes Netflix Scott into the future confused, he shows him where 'we' live. Which is Prime Scott and Prime Wallace Wells. Prime Scott shows Netflix Scott what happened in his life AKA the events of the comics which would have happened in the Anime if Prime Scott didn't step in. He stepped in because he didn't was Netflix Scott to have the same fate he did. Netflix Scott learns everything and is sent back to current time. He reunites with all the Friends, him and Ramona hug and try to kiss but can't due to something Prime Scott put in his drink Called A.K particles. These A.K. particles were made by Prime Ken and Kyle, The Twins programmed it to Ramona's genetic signature making so they couldn't kiss. Then right after this They go to Matthew Patel's stage play of Young Neil's (Future Ramona's) Screenplay. In the middle of it Even Older Scott uses time and dimensional manipulation to take the entire cast to the Subspace highway area for a final fight. Then Netflix Ramona and Scott fight Even Older Scott and Win. They go back to the play. That's where Season 1 Ends. Season 2 maybe?

Great video, definitely deserves a subscription. On an unrelated note, the anime was pretty entertaining but it needed more Scott

Ironically the Netflix show dropped recently

Beautiful review.

As someone who read the comics first I find that every time I rewatch the movie the less I enjoy it. Since it fails to adapt some of the most important themes of the story and ends up not really addressing the problems the characters have.

I thankfully learned about the books before the film, I didn't know they were this popular though. I read the first one when I was a bit too young to be reading it lol, then I rediscovered it at an art museum. I didn't start getting into the series again until recently when the anime was announced.

Those 37 minutes felt like 37 seconds. Such a well written and engaging video!

I watched a comic dub on RU-vid and I LOVED it! I was really disappointed seeing the movie after that, so I whole heartedly agree that the movie is underwhelming compared to the story of the books. Even though the movie was fantastic, it just didn’t feel like the comics. I haven’t played the game yet, but I’m gonna get a switch for Christmas soon so I might get it then!

This video popped for me during my obsession with Scott Pilgrim after watching the show, and afterwards the movie, wanted to return to it after finishing the comic and as soon as i finished it I watched this video, perfect for helping me understand the meaning behind all the books. So yeah, good vid and absolutely true and all that thanks

Since this is a safe space to speculate a bit, with the running theme in the book of men objectifying women in relationships (Scott using Knives to feel beter about himself then latching back onto her and Kim when he needed emotional comfort/ Gideon literally fridging his own ex girlfriends) made me fixate on the first memory of Ramona we see, her being in middleschool and realising every boy at school wants her, she's this weird edgy kid with dyed hair that smokes and the boys around her want her for likely surface level reason. She is objectified as a conquest and in turn she objectifies this other kid, dating Matt just because he's not white or a jock. Someone smarter and less tired than current me probably made a more clever point about this but like, I think Ramona ends up dating so many evil exes because she's already internalised her objectification, she acts ready to leave at any moment never takes the first step to connect, she doesn't talk about herself or the past and yet is frustrated when Scott can't answer what he likes about her because it is absurd that he doesn't know anything about the person he's dating and it's like. Bleh I'm tired but like there is something here I think probably

What a great video

I am not a good reader, by that I mean it's pretty much impossible for me to sit and focus on the book long enough to actually get through it. but I remember in high school I had a friend let me borrow the book and about three or four weeks later I had gone through the entire series. I don't remember another time in which I fell into a graphic novel so hard. Incredibly charming and kept me turning the page all the way through. I need to bite the bullet and buy myself the box it already. That here and I can't think of a single piece of medium that encapsulates my high school experience more. I would love to read it again

Great analysis. The Scott Pilgrim comics are among my favorite pieces of media ever. They're amazing so I'm glad it's getting more attention. Although while I agree with most of this I have to say I dislike the "all of the superhuman video game stuff is just in Scott's imagination take on the series. It's not that I think there's zero foundation for it due to Kim's flashback, but I don't think it makes sense and I think it detracts from the series overall. There are just way too many video game and supernatural stuff for it to be rode off as just Scott's imagination. The league of evil exes come to fight Scott for dating their ex. That's the catalyst for the whole stakes of the comic and it's too weird and important to just be explained away. There's no way the final battle with Gideon could work without the video game stuff or complex technology. The creator confirmed that when Scott beats the exes they respawn in their rooms. That's an author confirmed fantasy element that can't exist without the world being less grounded. And there are far out there stuff that happens even in scenes where Scott is entirely absent, which wouldn't work if they're all in his head. It's more likely that Scott only misremembers some things from his past to make himself look cooler and to make him seem less in the wrong for his past relationships because deep down he knows he sucks but doesn't want to confront it. Besides that I just don't think Scott Pilgrim imagining everything adds enough to justify it. The universe is so creative and feels so lived in yet everyone is so casual about it. I can see the appeal of the writing mechanic of Scott imagining to cope, but that doesn't feel like what's going on, doesn't really make sense, and just takes away from a lot of the fun of the world, for me at least.

7 years since I first read thr comics. Times sure fly.

This was a good analysis. I'm still new to Scott Pilgrim, but I have so far enjoyed everything. I can see why the movie would feel lackluster by comparison, but, and this might be because I played the game and read the books first, I still think it's worth watching for anyone who's interested, even if I think it would be better to read the books first. It's not a faithful adaption true, but it still felt fun to me. It made me go back and re-read the final book to see how different the endings where and if the movie's ending influenced anything since the series wasn't complete by that point. All of this just makes me more excited for the anime. It somehow managed to get elements from all three Scott Pilgrim mediums involved in it, and with the idea that something's might get expanded on? That's makes me even more interested. I defiantly picked a good time to start the series.

great video my guy, don't read alot but the movie is one of the very VERY few moments in my life where i liked it so much i actually went and read comics and its 100% better than the movie, i still think the movie is great though

really great video, im from italy, so nobody has read scott pilgrim, but i try to convince my friends because it's too special

If you’d ever been to the real Honest Ed’s in Toronto you’d understand that segment lol. It really does just feel like that

That's honestly why I was so sad about the new show that came out. I was really hoping that they were going to release a frame for frame animated version of the books and give people the digestible version of the books so that we could all enjoy the full story. When I sat down to watch it I was so hype until it 180d into these new stories and it cut me pretty deep. I heard people love the new show and I haven't seen it yet but I'm working my way back. I love the movie cast and I'm pretty sure they won't ever come together to do the actual story in cartoon form which sucks, but at least I got the books.

I first watched the anime, and I loved it. then I went to the book and I also loved it. both have their own flaws and strengths. the anime and the comic focuses more on different characters to the point that I was kind of disappointed when the comics went very little into the exes, but glad when they went more into scott. I think the series as a whole (at least the comics and anime) is a very rewatchable series to the point that you almost need to go through it twice in order to fully understand what is happening.

Man, i love your video. I have to mention something about that Scott vs Todd stuff... Todd is vegan (kinda) and Scott eats vegetarian empanadas with his friends. That's it, even in that Todd is superior

I think some details that people skip over are 1. No one in this comic know what the hell their doing, this is shown in Lisa's whole ark, with her portraying as someone shes not as a job and in actuality (can also see this in kims retreat) 2. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH SCOTT AND RAMONA ARE TERRIBLE PEOPLE - but they realize that they cant keep avoiding natural change, as Scott would ignore it and ramona would be terrified of not controlling the change in her life (love that you pointed out her hair because that something that can mark change in many people and I think it gets overlooked) I'm also a stern Ramona defender because I can relate to her fears, but like she said at the end "Change is what we get"

I’ve recently read the comic books, it’s not the best in terms of action, but the story and backstory of characters is interesting for sure. I really recommend reading them, you can literally read all of the comics under like 4+ hours maybe if you don’t stop reading and you can read fast

I've never heard anyone compare Scott to Goku

Can’t wait to read all the books I’ll come back once I’ve finished them

OMG ITS SO TRUE THE THING ABT THE MOVIE i liked the movie but i loved the books its not the same like i rlly wanted a lot more of things in it and they also like switched so many things because i realized they did switch around one of the dialogue scenes (scott in the books explains to Ramona that for her to fight envy she has a weak spot in her like thigh or something but in the movie its scott fighting roxy and ramona telling him her weak spot) its such a tiny detail that rllly confused me also the ending felt very diferent like scott had to still chase ramona and in the books it felt like ramona finally dint run away scott dint have to chase her they where just together together idfk im a loser thats a lil bit too into this series

The title is so funny to me, it is modern and art. Argument won

You really mentioned spoilers ahead and immediately showed one of the games endings lol

I need to reread the books after seeing this video.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I was hoping Scott and Ramona would break up at the end of the books. That theyd acknowledge all the problems they’ve been shoving aside and make serious efforts to grow. Or even an implication that they were taking a break to process all they just went through. Maybe that’s me projecting as well, but I’ve found it a lot easier to learn about yourself when you’re not in a relationship.

So I was introduced to the series because oneeyedwolf or something like that put it in his top things of 2023 I started with the movie then watched the new show after that I watched an iceberg video and ordered the entire book set should be arriving in a few days I can't wait to read them

From rereading it I realized…(be it, it was in front of our faces) why they even went out in the first place. 1. Scott doesn’t like Ramona, he’s obsessed with her, he’s infatuated by her. And it’s not something Scott can control. Because of the subspace he constantly sees her in his dreams. It’s because of this subspace that they go out. Romona feels sorry that she caused this boy to be obsessed because he sees her in his dreams through the subspace and decides to just see where it goes without trying to complicate things. And he’s just obsessed. It isn’t until later on down the volumes. I feel like it’s after volume 3 with envy that he understands that’s it’s more than obsession now and it’s something more. And when Lisa pops back up he’s face with comfort or confrontation in fighting to be with Romona.

I really like anime with the same name. I like your opinion. Although I haven't read the comic yet, I have decided to read it.

That FF7 and Danganronpa music...I love those franchises and Scott Pilgrim so much. Such a great combo!

there was a dub of the comics but the channel head was a groomer, now there's another dubber (subspace studios) but they haven't done it all

I like both of them the movie and the books

I watched the movie before reading the comic book, at first I loved the movie, and I still do, but in comparison to the comic book there is no match between them, the comic book is way better, calling it a masterpiece is an insult, it's way more for me personally, and I can't wait to see what they'll do with the new anime

i love your love for that ninja girl

I want someone to create a fan show with a ridiculously long name like “Scott Pilgrim VS TATATAATOARC (the animation the awesome the action and the otherwise a rom com)”

Kim is love kim is gust kim.

Over time I've found alot of people find the movie to be the definitive version, most being completely unaware of the comics. I know alot of people who dislike the Netflix series because they think it's disrespectful to the film and ill have to remind them its adapting the comics while referencing the movie. When I finally got around to buying and reading the comics i was dumbfounded by how the movie seriously misrepresents them. I mean I still like the movie but it's a completely different breed of animal compared to the comics.

Name of song that starts at 10:53 ?

I remember being really confused by the Scott Pilgrim anime as I had no idea what was going on. And I felt like I was missing a huge part of the story.

i always prefer Kim over Ramona and i don't know why

I love the movie, but after rereading the books and watching Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, it's my least favorite version of the story. The books (and Takes off, to a lesser extent) lets you just live with the characters in their world in a way that makes these flawed characters so much more likable, even when they aren't being good people.

Man that caption, r u ok?

Too bad the anime isnt the original story.... if they wanted to change it, why not do a season 1 and 2? It would work for the story still.

Finally, someone with brains speaks up

ah a fellow dane, I apploud u

songs in the background?

It was alright.

What do you think about the anime?

Why u didnt talk abt gideon the cat?

I read the books recently. I would have read them earlier if they werent 60 dollars combined

As Bryan said he doesn't mind any different interpretation of his story: I like to think that Scott Pilgrim world IS the real world but Scott fighting is way worse than it seems and in high school he was just pathetic and he very well over romanticizes the past as much forgets it. I feel like that's much more interesting then just: "It's all in his head" or "he actually a fucking murderer!" It can still be a metaphor but outside the world of Scott, this is just how the world works. Side note; the murderer ending sounds interesting... On paper, how the movie is structured making the ending a twist like that will just be a hard ass slapped in the balls for those who were invested in the world and I feel the movie wouldn't have been as beloved if that was the ending. It can work if it was more hinted on but as it is... Glad they didn't do that.

I would call Scott Pilgrim a campy film/comic/game/anime. It is flawed, but that doesn’t make it not entertaining. Would I call it a masterpiece? Absolutely fucking not. We have different opinions, but on a personal level it’s up there for sure. I think I would call it a stretch to say it’s one of the best things I’ve read. My comics list is probably different from yours. I love comics with grit, like my favorite The Maxx(Go read it holy shit), a story about a homeless superhero. It’s kind of goofy, kind of like Scott Pilgrim. But where is stands out is its very, VERY horrific and serious topics it discusses in a way I haven’t seen before now or since. Topics like rape, living in a dark place, and coping with pain. It’s insane how good it is, with the villain being so entertaining and such a bastard at the same time.

4:19 seven evil exes! (not boyfriends)

Did you watch the show?

I just started watching this video and already want to read this book series

The anime was good though

Hey what do you think about the anime

I think that you should watch the movie and the series before reading the books

i still have ps3 and i still play the game

why did you call roxy an "ex boyfriend"? twice? roxy is a girl. she is an ex girlfriend not ex boyfriend.

U didnt like the anime did u?

More ads next time buddy, one every 5 min was not enough. Nice video tho

*_YEAAAAAAQAAAAH*_!! MATPAT RULEZ!! LIKE SCOTT! :D

I dont wanna be that guy, but saying the movie is meant to be a faithful to the comics is asinine since they were made cuncurrently and brian o'malley was heavily involved in the making of the movie. All of the scott pilgrim pieces of fiction are their own thing and I wouldn't have it any other way