There is something to love X-Men '97. Reboots are pretty common these days, but more often than not they don't stick to the landing. X-Men '97however, does. The show expands on the original X-Men: The Animated Seriesshowing the wider universe and delving into the complicated relationship between Magneto and Professor X with great dramatic moments. Now that the television landscape has changed, shows are not limited to episodic only. Relationships can develop and the narrative can hint at future events.
However, what fans were most excited about was the show's gorgeous animation. X-Men '97 uses a style that draws heavily from the original series, making it feel like a throwback. However, as technology has improved since the 90s, the new show uses both 2D techniques and 3D techniques that give the show a much more sophisticated look.

Relatives
Bo DeMaio criticizes Marvel after recent cuts to his X-Men '97 plans
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In contrast, Marvel's other animated shows have a more uniform look. About to happen The eyes of Wakanda and What if… both have a very similar style. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is a little more unique, with its flat style and comic-inspired imagery. However, no one was as excited about the look of these shows as they were X-Men '97. While nostalgia can be argued to be a major factor, this show is still visually unique compared to Marvel's current animated lineup. Considering how many great cartoons there are, Marvel should follow suit X-Men '97 and change things up stylistically.
X-Men '97 embraces old school character design
Animation, like any other medium, has its trends and styles over the decades. In the 70s, traditional cel animation mixed with the beginnings of realistic human characters. These cartoons had a reduced budget and limited animation. Such as Hanna-Barbera scooby doo where are you and Jabberjav are classic examples of this style.
The 1980s saw a further push in the proportion of action heroes with the intention of selling toys, thanks to the likes of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and GI Joe. Later, in the 90s, cartoons focused on authors appeared. These cartoons were made in response to the limited cartoons that came before them and were more exaggerated and fluid. Ahulki and The Simpsons are the quintessential show of the period.
Released in 1992, the original X-Men: The Animated Series was a little before this change. The show had a limited budget and largely followed the style of its 80s predecessors. Artistic choice to mimic the style of the original series X-Men '97 not only to evoke nostalgia, but also to embrace a style of animation that hasn't been widely seen in decades. Along with taking inspiration from the original show, the creative team also took some cues from classic anime from the 80s and 90s, such as Ninja scroll. As a result, viewers found it refreshing in today's landscape of animated television.
X-Men '97 embraces new techniques
However, the techniques involved in this style of visual animation have been updated over time. Instead of traditional cel animation with a limited budget, X-Men '97 uses more sophisticated 2D animation and makes full use of its Disney-level budget. Instead of mimicking the limited animation style of the original, the creative team decided to further evoke the 90s feel by using a VHS effect. (It's also a rare instance where the VHS-inspired elements aren't meant to be scary in a horror context.) This helps reinforce the illusion that this is a '90s show, not something that came out in 2024. 3D elements have also been added for layouts and more complex vehicles.
Producer and lead director Jake Castarena said the creative team was very careful in how they wanted to strike a balance between evoking the old style and keeping it fresh for a modern audience. Judging by the reaction from fans, it seems like they've been a huge success. The show is nostalgic for longtime fans, but it doesn't feel like a tired rewrite.
Just like WandaVision While experimenting with the different visual styles of sitcoms from different decades, Marvel's animation teams should also strive to create truly unique visuals for their shows. X-Men '97with its retro-inspired look, proved that viewers have an appetite for animated shows that break the norm. Other inventive shows like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaurand also to show that it is not limited X-Men '97; it's just good animation design. Marvel has a cavalcade of classic characters, many of which have been adapted many times. Why not take a bold risk and mix things up with something else? A breath of fresh air can renew the interest of longtime fans and even attract new ones.

- Release date
- March 20, 2024
- In roles
- Jennifer Hale, Ray Chase, Cal Dodd, Lenore Zahn, George Busa
- Studio
- Marvel animation
- Creator
- Bo Demaio
- Streaming service(s).
- Disney Plus