Spoiler Alert
After watching the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch (movie review link), I needed a palate cleanser—so I turned to both the American and Japanese animated series. Of the two, Stitch! The Series offers much more to appreciate than the live-action take. It better explores the meaning of family (Ohana), and even when the latest adaptation strays from canon, just hearing Jumba boast about his evil genius was enough to win me over.
Overall, I found the Asian series much better. A few episodes break away from the usual formula. The U.S. version follows a “gotta catch ‘em all” approach, with Lilo finding and giving homes to the 625 loose experiments with Stitch’s help. Fans will admire her perseverance, especially after this fuzz ball talks about family a lot, and misses it. That’s because all these genetic creations, the experiments, share a bond and the more popular ones have a recurring role. Jumba, as their creator, is like a father who must accept responsibility for them.
Continue reading “All Stitch! All The Time. On Why The Animated Takes Matter.”