The transition from vivid descriptions on paper to colorful frames on screen results in changes to the light novel’s story, especially in tonality.
The process of adapting any sort of media into a new format is laden with changes and reformations. This stands true in the case of anime adapted from light novels, a media format known for its extensive volumes and vivid descriptions. Due to time constraints and censorship issues, several aspects of light novels tend to bear the brunt of the transition, leading to deviations in their adaptations.
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Since it’s impossible to condense the sheer number of volumes and chapters into a handful of episodes, anime studios are forced to implement a few creative liberties of their own. These deviations are commonly visible in the tonality and pacing of the original story, leading to the adaptation turning into a thoroughly unique experience for viewers.
7 Chronicles of an Aristocrat Reborn in Another World
Akin to every other Isekai series, Chronicles of an Aristocrat Reborn in Another World follows a somewhat absurd narrative of reincarnation in another world. Luckily for Cain von Silford, his rebirth takes him to a place of aristocracy and nobleship. The anime adaptation features a comedic plot line and the events in the show seem to have little to no gravity.
The light novel, on the other hand, takes the narrative a bit more seriously. While hints of comedy and absurdity are present throughout the light novels, the characters tend to take the antagonistic threats more seriously. The tonal shift becomes quite obvious as the anime adaptation is nowhere near as consequential and pressing as the light novels, making both mediums quite differing in their tonalities.
6 Baka and Test
Since adaptations of light novels primarily serve as a marketing source to draw in new readers, these anime tend to stray from the source quite often. Baka and Test is a prime example of this phenomenon, with almost the entirety of the first season being a filler arc. The actual aspects of the light novel tend to get sidelined and several characters and events are entirely skipped over.
The adaptation rarely remains faithful to the light novels and most parts seem highly convoluted. While the anime version is still a fun watch, fans will have to read the light novels from the beginning to grasp the entire story, especially since the difference in tonality and pacing becomes quite apparent.
5 Sound! Euphonium
Music-based narratives tend to do poorly on paper, since the only way for music to come alive is through an on-screen rendition. Sound! Euphonium’s anime adaptation does the light novel justice, albeit not in the way fans might think. Instead of staying faithful to the original source, the anime deviates considerably and introduces several creative liberties.
However, these changes in-turn improve the story as the anime delves into the life of every other side-character, something the light novel lacks entirely. These fleshed-out characters make the anime adaptation a bit more profound and relatable, shifting the storyline away from the usual protagonist-focused tone.
4 The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten offers a wholesome story with a slow-paced, slice-of-life setting. However, the anime adaptation fails to remain faithful to the light novel’s characterizations. Amane and Mahiru are much more fleshed-out in the light novels and their relationship is properly explored.
The poorly-done adaptation could be attributed to the fact that almost five volumes were crammed into 12 episodes. This led to several crucial events and moments of growth to be left out entirely, turning the anime into a story with little to no profundity.
3 High School DxD
High School DxD is the hallmark anime that defined the harem genre, yet many remain unaware of its actual roots. The show tends to be categorized as a harem anime with little to no depth, largely due to the hasty adaptation that defined the entire franchise. The light novels surprisingly feature an actual storyline with proper characterization and fleshed-out characters.
Most characters suffered the fate of comedic relegation, and the harem aspects of the story took center stage in the anime. The tonal shifts turned the entire franchise into nothing more than a raunchy pastime.
2 The Pet Girl of Sakura Hall
With a slow-paced slice-of-life setting at its core, The Pet Girl of Sakura Hall is an amusing rom-com with a novel story. The anime adaptation, however, features a more toned-down version of the characters.
The light novels crank up the absurdity with perverted antics and degrading scenes. The characters take on a much cornier approach to their relationship, and Sorata becomes a perverted fiend, desperate for a woman’s touch. Overall, the tonal shift makes the light novel seem quite crude and risqué.
1 The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady
The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady is another case of condensing too many volumes into limited episodes. Much of the actual story and character building gets slashed for the sake of fitting the main story into the limited time slot.
Despite being a Shoujo Ai (lesbian romance) story, the romantic scenes tend to get sidelined in the adaptation. The light novels, however, stay true to their Shoujo Ai roots and vehemently depict the romantic scenes between Anisphia and Euphyllia. These tonal changes make the anime adaptation less preferable to the original source.
Fuente: successacademy.edu.vn
Categorías: Anime
