Commentary: ‘Super Crooks’ Highlights A Different Kind Of Anime
by Frank Martin
The manga-to-anime pipeline runs like a smooth machine at this point. Japanese comics are released in droves, many of which go on to become anime. It’s a far higher number than Western comics that go on to become Western animated series. It’s even rarer for a Western comic to become an anime because there’s just so much Japanese material to choose from. However, it’s not impossible. Netflix has a strong anime connection as it features several original programs. And with its acquisition of the Millarworld publishing line, it sought to create an anime adapted from Mark Millar‘s Super Crooks.
The story takes place in the same universe as Jupiter’s Legacy, which Netflix also adapted into a live-action series. The plot follows a criminal named Johnny Bolt (Jonah Scott), who wanted to become a hero as a boy until he accidentally electrocuted everyone at the community pool. Falling into a life of crime, Johnny seeks to form a gang of other super villains and commit the heist of a lifetime while also taking down the Praetorian (DC Douglas), a superhero who secretly works for a criminal organization.
The program is undoubtedly an anime from start to finish. Between its animation style and storytelling, it’s hard to mistake it for a Western production. Netflix features other anime based on Western properties such as the X-Men and Terminator franchises. These shows, including Super Crooks, differ significantly from something like Invincible, an American comic book produced in an American style. Although Invincible is certainly influenced by anime, it is very distinctive from Super Crooks, which has a Japanese style of pacing to its episodes. Deciding what style to use when adapting a comic book is never easy, and it’s interesting to see Netflix take the anime route with this series as opposed to something American audiences are a bit more familiar with.
Super Cooks is now streaming on Netflix.
