Reviews WesternAnimation / Pac Man And The Ghostly Adventures

It's Pac-Man, an iconic videogame who is beloved by many since the 80's. Since Pac-Man hasn't had an adaptation since the old original animated series, this show's kinda both a nostalgic and fresh take on the character. Sure, this depiction is kinda a Broken Base but considering there isn't really much to him apart from the old show and some form of storyline in some games.

While it is a Wake Up Go To School Save The World series, what other possible premise could they use for Pac-Man for this series. The original game had no storyline. The creators could've have gone the route the original show had, a Flintstone-like family facing enemies in a similar way like the Smurfs, but that might be seen as too recycled. They could've gone dark or super actioning but that would have destroyed the spirit of the original game. So the series' current premise, Wake Up Go To School Save The World, at least tries to be new while still keeping the game's original spirit.

The show is also apparently geared to younger audiences so lame jokes might be a given. The jokes do however have a light child-like sense that may not be found in most other shows of the same show. Some of them though can be genuinely funny at times. The character designs while debatable, are at least an attempt at depicting characters whose original in-game designs were overly simplistic. I mean Pac-Man's original in-game design was just a pizza with a slice missing, and the ghosts were just simple bedsheets. Some of the new character designs from the show though do have a breath of originality and diversity. I mean before this, most Pac-Man characters other than Pac-Man and the ghosts were usually simply either Pac-Man with a bow or glasses, or a ghost with a different shade of color.

As for every single cliche of the genre is abused here, Tropes Are Not Bad. I guess tropes found in a Wake Up Go To School Save The World setting could be overused here but then it really isn't all that bad. Besides the show is based on a game that had a very simple premise. The creators are at least giving a simple enough plot with tropes based on a game with almost nothing to work with.

The main issue I have with the show is that it has no reason to exist. Why in the world did someone think taking that old "Wake Up, Go to etc." plot and plonk Pac-Man into it? It just smacks of desperation and attempts at relevancy. And the fact that it has a huge fanbase of stupid children makes it all the worse for me.

Really? While it does scream Were Still Relevant Dammit, you have got to admit that there is a market. Pac-Man games are still being made and being sold. Proof that he is still popular even to this day. An updated readaptation of a popular character like Pac-Man may seem dorky but when you got a character whose original game had little to no backstory, he's kinda open for reinterpretation.

Besides what basis do you have that the fanbase is comprised solely of stupid children. It's not exactly a purely stupid show that caters to stupid children. Two of the show's main writers are Tom Ruegger and Paul Rugg who worked on shows like Western Animation/Animaniacs which had a lot of jokes which are genuinely funny even by adult standards. The third main writer, Ken Pontac, wrote for Re Boot and Generator Rex, shows that weren't exactly catered to stupid children. People who enjoyed the previous works of these writers are most likely to be amongst the fanbase.

It being Pac-Man also means that at least some of the fanbase is going to be gamers over 30 years old. The way show is also presented feels like the old video game adaptations like The Super Mario Bros Super Show, Donkey Kong Country, and even Sonic Sat AM to an extent. Video gamers and cartoon lovers who liked those types of show would probably be in the fanbase for this show.

Then there is the voice cast. If you look at who's voicing who, then it won't be a surprise who else might be a part of the fanbase of this show.

Just because some writers on the show did better things doesn't make everything they have a hand in solid gold.

And as far as I know, most of the older people who know of the show detest it.

Also, I should say that the Super Show was really bad in hindsight, only kept alive by adults with a severe Nostalgia Filter.

It doesn't matter if the writers did something awesome before, this show is derivative and cliched, adding nothing. and It doesn't matter if Pac-man had almost no characterization and this show adds some, it's done badly and having characteriztion is NOT inherently better then having none especially when done badly. (Example: That Zelda animated show and link's character) and Nostalgia Filter is certainly not a valid argument when discussing merit and purpose. and Comparing the show to super show does not help.

Tropesofknowledge you and Elfkaiser are good people.

^^ ...What? I don't know if you're against me or for me.