"Big Appetite in Little Tokyo's" concept was unlike anything ever seen before in the Scooby Doo franchise, certainly don't remember any previous episode of any Scooby Doo incarnation to have one of the Mystery Inc. Members as a dangerous monster. And this is coming from a big fan of the franchise for as long as can be remembered, as someone who really likes to loves a lot of the shows and films and who dislikes very few of them. Even a few of the panned shows aren't that bad to me.
This creative concept is executed extremely well and there is more than enough variety to the story to stop it from being too formulaic structurally. Even when first getting into 'What's New Scooby Doo' and having mixed feelings on it, "Big Appetite in Little Tokyo" struck me as one of the better episodes and one of the few that struck me as trying to do something different. It is not quite one of my favourites now, but of the five or so episodes of the franchise to have a Mystery Inc member as prime suspect it is one of the best for reasons that will be elaborated upon later on in the review.
Animation is bright and colourful with rich backgrounds and polished, but not too much so, character designs. Tokyo is beautifully depicted visually and the opening is very atmospherically animated. The music fits the contemporary style of the show while not being at odds with the action. The more action packed moments are not over scored and still have no problems with the theme song.
Voice acting is very good and there are many funny moments. Not just the classic Shaggy and Scooby humour but the gang's fake hotel names did induce a big laugh. Shaggy and Scooby are such an iconic, funny and charming duo and still love them as characters. The characters are not stereotypes and are handled tastefully, there is nothing here on the same level as that bizarre Shaggy and Scooby stereotypical gag in "Mystery Mask Mix Up."
Loved the story, with it being the franchise's most successful attempt at a member of the gang being the prime suspect. Namely because this is the one time of when this has happened where the gang member in question's innocence is doubted even by the viewer while also strongly rooting for their innocence. The monster Shaggy concept was unlike anything seen before in the franchise and executed fascinatingly with some genuine tension. Actually was not surprised by the perpetrator, but the motive was not expected and the way the plan was carried out was unique and wonderfully elaborate.
Would have loved to have seen Dogbot utilised more and that aspect of the story was not developed enough. Elliot is annoying, but luckily isn't in it much.
Overall, very good and revels in its creative concept. 8/10.
This creative concept is executed extremely well and there is more than enough variety to the story to stop it from being too formulaic structurally. Even when first getting into 'What's New Scooby Doo' and having mixed feelings on it, "Big Appetite in Little Tokyo" struck me as one of the better episodes and one of the few that struck me as trying to do something different. It is not quite one of my favourites now, but of the five or so episodes of the franchise to have a Mystery Inc member as prime suspect it is one of the best for reasons that will be elaborated upon later on in the review.
Animation is bright and colourful with rich backgrounds and polished, but not too much so, character designs. Tokyo is beautifully depicted visually and the opening is very atmospherically animated. The music fits the contemporary style of the show while not being at odds with the action. The more action packed moments are not over scored and still have no problems with the theme song.
Voice acting is very good and there are many funny moments. Not just the classic Shaggy and Scooby humour but the gang's fake hotel names did induce a big laugh. Shaggy and Scooby are such an iconic, funny and charming duo and still love them as characters. The characters are not stereotypes and are handled tastefully, there is nothing here on the same level as that bizarre Shaggy and Scooby stereotypical gag in "Mystery Mask Mix Up."
Loved the story, with it being the franchise's most successful attempt at a member of the gang being the prime suspect. Namely because this is the one time of when this has happened where the gang member in question's innocence is doubted even by the viewer while also strongly rooting for their innocence. The monster Shaggy concept was unlike anything seen before in the franchise and executed fascinatingly with some genuine tension. Actually was not surprised by the perpetrator, but the motive was not expected and the way the plan was carried out was unique and wonderfully elaborate.
Would have loved to have seen Dogbot utilised more and that aspect of the story was not developed enough. Elliot is annoying, but luckily isn't in it much.
Overall, very good and revels in its creative concept. 8/10.