It can be difficult to make adaptations of video games. The more action-oriented games don't have much story to work with, while it's difficult to adapt a 30+ hour RPG or visual novel into an anime that's 10 hours or less. The anime adaptation of Ace Attorney isn't perfect, but it does a surprisingly good job and even improves on the games in some areas.
You may have heard of the story, which involves Phoenix Wright, attorney at law, fighting to prove his clients' innocence and identify the real culprits even when the facts and the justice system seem to be against him. The anime adapts the first three Ace Attorney games; the first season adapts the original game and the second game, sans the original's bonus case and the latter's first case. The second season adapts the second game's first case and all of the third game. Unfortunately, Rise from the Ashes, the bonus case of the first game, is never adapted, most likely due to not having enough time in the first season.
The anime adds a few bonus episodes, mainly flashbacks showing the characters when they were young. It also adds an anime-exclusive case in the second season, in which Phoenix is forced to retry a past case aboard a speeding train, as a nice bonus for those already familiar with the games.
Three whole games can be a lot to cover in 47 episodes, but the anime does surprisingly well. A lot of the more extraneous parts of the games get trimmed, out, such as some of the fetch quests during the investigation, and the less critical hunts for contradictions during trials. As a result of this, as well as other changes, "Turnabout Big Top," perhaps the worst case in the franchise, ends up becoming much more enjoyable in the anime. Unfortunately, some scenes that help explain various character motivations can end up being cut(e.g. Iris talking about her relationship with her sister).
Speaking of the characters, most of them are handled well. Some of them are more competent than they were in canon, especially some of the killers, while others have their more annoying or unsympathetic traits toned down (e.g. Grossberg not only doesn't talk about his hemorrhoids, but shows more remorse for betraying Misty). Others aren't handled as well; removing Adrian's "codependency" on Celeste and making the latter her sister instead of her mentor takes away much of her character's depth.
The art isn't anything special for the most part, but it effectively goes beyond the limits of sprite animations and static backgrounds. You can see a greater variety of character expressions, places that were never visited (such as the detention center) and small details such as characters wearing gloves while handling evidence.
The Ace Attorney anime isn't perfect, but it's a fairly good way for anime watchers to experience the story of Phoenix Wright, as well as fans to see a new take on the story.
A fairly good adaptation
It can be difficult to make adaptations of video games. The more action-oriented games don't have much story to work with, while it's difficult to adapt a 30+ hour RPG or visual novel into an anime that's 10 hours or less. The anime adaptation of Ace Attorney isn't perfect, but it does a surprisingly good job and even improves on the games in some areas.
You may have heard of the story, which involves Phoenix Wright, attorney at law, fighting to prove his clients' innocence and identify the real culprits even when the facts and the justice system seem to be against him. The anime adapts the first three Ace Attorney games; the first season adapts the original game and the second game, sans the original's bonus case and the latter's first case. The second season adapts the second game's first case and all of the third game. Unfortunately, Rise from the Ashes, the bonus case of the first game, is never adapted, most likely due to not having enough time in the first season.
The anime adds a few bonus episodes, mainly flashbacks showing the characters when they were young. It also adds an anime-exclusive case in the second season, in which Phoenix is forced to retry a past case aboard a speeding train, as a nice bonus for those already familiar with the games.
Three whole games can be a lot to cover in 47 episodes, but the anime does surprisingly well. A lot of the more extraneous parts of the games get trimmed, out, such as some of the fetch quests during the investigation, and the less critical hunts for contradictions during trials. As a result of this, as well as other changes, "Turnabout Big Top," perhaps the worst case in the franchise, ends up becoming much more enjoyable in the anime. Unfortunately, some scenes that help explain various character motivations can end up being cut(e.g. Iris talking about her relationship with her sister).
Speaking of the characters, most of them are handled well. Some of them are more competent than they were in canon, especially some of the killers, while others have their more annoying or unsympathetic traits toned down (e.g. Grossberg not only doesn't talk about his hemorrhoids, but shows more remorse for betraying Misty). Others aren't handled as well; removing Adrian's "codependency" on Celeste and making the latter her sister instead of her mentor takes away much of her character's depth.
The art isn't anything special for the most part, but it effectively goes beyond the limits of sprite animations and static backgrounds. You can see a greater variety of character expressions, places that were never visited (such as the detention center) and small details such as characters wearing gloves while handling evidence.
The Ace Attorney anime isn't perfect, but it's a fairly good way for anime watchers to experience the story of Phoenix Wright, as well as fans to see a new take on the story.