The upcoming Netflix anime series, ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft,’ offers a fresh and exciting take on the iconic character of Lara Croft, distinct from the original 1996 video game series. As fans eagerly await its October 10, 2024 premiere, it’s worth exploring how this new series diverges from its predecessor regarding format, storyline, character development, and visual style.
This comparison highlights the evolution of Lara Croft’s adventures and the innovative approach of the new series in bringing her legendary exploits to life in a new format. We already published an article with detailed information on the Cast, Production, Plot and other important details you might be interested in.
Format and Medium:
- Original 1996 Series: The original ‘Tomb Raider’ was a video game series that introduced players to the world of Lara Croft through interactive gameplay. It was a pioneering action-adventure game for its time, focusing on puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat.
- The Legend of Lara Croft Series: This new series is an anime show on Netflix, bringing Lara Croft’s adventures to life through animation. It offers a different way to experience her story, focusing on narrative and visual storytelling rather than interactive gameplay.
Storyline and Continuity:
- Original Series: The 1996 game series followed Lara Croft as she explored ancient tombs and solved puzzles. It was more episodic, with each game presenting a standalone adventure.
- The Legend of Lara Croft Series: This series continues the story from the more recent Tomb Raider video game Survivor trilogy. It delves deeper into Lara’s character development and her personal journey, particularly focusing on her solo adventures and the challenges she faces when a valuable artefact is stolen from Croft Manor.
Character Development:
- Original Series: Lara Croft was introduced as a strong, independent adventurer, but the early games offered limited character development due to the technological and narrative constraints of the time.
- The Legend of Lara Croft Series: This series promises to explore Lara’s evolution more deeply. Viewers will see her growth, struggles, and self-discovery, providing a more nuanced and emotional portrayal of the character.
Visual and Artistic Style:
- Original Series: The original games featured early 3D graphics, which were groundbreaking at the time but are now considered quite dated.
- The Legend of Lara Croft Series: The anime series utilizes modern animation techniques, offering visually stunning scenes and dynamic action sequences that enhance the storytelling.
Voice Cast and Production:
- Original Series: The early games had different voice actors for Lara Croft over the years, with Shelley Blond being the first to voice her.
- The Legend of Lara Croft Series: Hayley Atwell voices Lara Croft, bringing her star power and acting skills to the role. The series also features a notable cast, including Allen Maldonado and Earl Baylon, and is produced by a team of experienced industry professionals.
Target Audience and Accessibility:
- Original Series: The games primarily targeted gamers and were more accessible to those who played video games.
- The Legend of Lara Croft Series: As a Netflix anime series, it targets a broader audience, including both longtime fans of the franchise and new viewers who enjoy animated adventure series. It’s more accessible to those who may not play video games but enjoy watching animated shows.
How much are you excited to watch this upcoming anime series, Let me know in the comments below.
