Shaman King is the latest in a trend of older anime getting reboots. Series like Fullmetal Alchemist, Hellsing and Fruits Basket are just some of the titles that have had OVAs or full series reboots in recent years. But why is this a thing, and how will Shaman King's new series compare to the original anime?
Many series receive anime adaptations while their source manga is still ongoing, and because anime episodes usually span about 30 minutes, they can easily cover a lot in a single episode. Eventually, the anime will catch up to the manga, whether it's completed or not. This was the case in series like Fullmetal Alchemist, where the manga had not concluded its storyline so the animation studio had to come up with its own ending or create filler to stall for time. There's only so much filler a series can have before fans get bored, though, so oftentimes studios will just make up their own ending that seems plausible. Sometimes this works, other times, like in the case of Hellsing, it's lackluster and depressing.
Looking at the Fullmetal Alchemist anime, the ending was bittersweet. Ed is sent to a version of our reality, while Al is revived in his human body but as a 10-year-old with no memories beyond the day the two attempted to revive their mother. However, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood fixed this by following the original manga canon more closely without the need for filler or major plot changes, giving it a second chance in the eyes of fans. The animation was also slightly changed to have cleaner lines.
With the release of the first full trailer, it seems that Shaman King is going to be getting the Brotherhood treatment. Not only will the animation be more crisp and clean, but the storyline will follow the manga canon more closely since the series has concluded after 35 issues. While the original series had input from creator Hiroyuki Takei initially, he had to leave soon after it started because he was still working on the manga. Unlike many anime that catch up with their manga counterparts, he had a hand in creating the anime-only material for the latter half of the series, mainly due to pushing from the original publisher, Shueisha.
Slated for a 2021 release, the new Shaman King anime will definitely be a great entry point for new fans, and a treat for fans of the original. Not only will it allow them to enjoy their favorite fights in updated animation, but it will help revive a fandom that has been laying dormant for several years.
While not completely dead, the fandom will most likely see a renaissance, with new fans joining and old ones reliving the excitement they had when the original series aired. While the debate around whether manga should get anime adaptations only after they've concluded or while being published is a hot topic among anime fans, the excitement around seeing an old favorite receive a reboot is undeniable. Shaman King is just the latest in a long line of reboots that more beloved, classic series should get.