(This review could be seen by some as a joke. The fact that I’m publishing a review about this could very well be a joke in on itself. But the things I say in this review are very much genuine. I decided to do it because 1) It’s as an exercise of writing and 2) Wow turns out I have a LOT to say about this video! Anyway, please don’t remove this kthx)
Mitchirineko March was a HUGE phenomenon back then. Originally uploaded in 2013 and garnering almost 20 million views on Youtube. It is an animated video of a marching band of cats, with their adorable looks and silly little quirks. A video so simple, being able to incite joy and heal wounded hearts in this world with its adorableness. This video could very well bring world peace. Okay I may be exaggerating here, but hear me out. The main point is, this is a video so simple, cute, memorable, and able to brighten up your day when you watch it, every time.
A HD version was then uploaded on to the official Mitchirineko Channel in 2020 (this is the version linked on Anilist). Aside from its now high-quality graphics and changed background color, it is pretty much shot by shot perfect recreation of the original. Up until today, the video has garnered a little over 250.000 views. There could be many factors to this, like I’d imagine people who like the original video would just revisit the original. I doubt many people even realize this HD version exist. It would also be difficult to gain the same momentum the original video did, especially when an exact same version with much higher viewcount exists. Still though, I am glad this version exists. It's nice to be able to see these cute kitties in HD. As for this version we’re about to talk about though, I’m not so certain.
It would be impossible to talk about this video without comparing it to the original, especially since it is described as a sequel "Deluxe" edition to the original Mitchiri Neko March. Of course, I am not demanding a perfect 1 to 1 recreation of the original, I don’t mind change. But I cannot fathom it when every change present is for the worse. This is a major step down from the original in almost every way, that I’m left wondering why this was even made at all.
The first, and the most glaring change is the shift from frame-by-frame animation to flash animation. As someone with little experience in animation, I understand that flash animation is faster and less burdensome to make. It would be easier on the budget as well. I don’t mind the method itself. It could look good when done well. Which I feel like they did not do, sadly.
The original march has the movement of the cats matching the beat of the music. They look snappy and organic. This synchronization is one, if not the most important key element that makes the original so delightful to watch. I don’t even know how to logically and scientifically explain it, it just looks cute ok?? But in this “Deluxe” edition, they decided to make the movements slower? And not match the beat… at all? They just move in this stable, almost robotic movement. No snappiness, which takes out a huge chunk of the charm, in my opinion.
Let’s compare and contrast. Pay attention to this orange accordion player:
Original Version (HD) - "Deluxe" version
In the "Deluxe" version, not only they move a lot slower, but the accordion seems to be repeating that monotonous motion by itself with no regards to the song or the cat's step. You see what I’m getting at here?
The second change that i notice and perhaps the most egregious to some, is they decided to remove some of the characters. There's no more Spaghetti Cat, Ninja Cat, Juggling Cat, Upside Down Guitar Cat, Broom Guitar Cat and more!! Again, i'm not demanding a perfect recreation, and these quirky characters have some new characters as their replacement in the "Deluxe" version, like Pizza Cat, Ice Cream Cat, and Reading Cat. But there's just not enough... they omitted more than they added. Makes the video a bit lifeless in comparison. I noticed that they removed characters that moved with a slight deviation from the template (like the cat that spins the stick before hitting the drum.They even removed a whole dance segment!) which I assume for budgetary reason, or maybe they just couldn't be bothered? Again, why was this even made?
Of course by the end of the day, it is still the same video with the same main concept. I can’t hate on silly little cartoon marching band cats! And i appreciate the addition of things that are not present in the original, like the confetti and the added impact of the bass drum. But as someone who has the original version so near and dear to me, I can’t help but feel a bit sour by how this version was handled. If anything, the existence of this version might expose people to the original version who might not have seen it already, so at least there’s some merit to it. In fact, why don’t you go and watch it right now? Both versions! Spare five minutes and thirty seconds of you life and see how you feel about it, if you agree or disagree with me. Either way, I hope your day gets a little bit brighter by watching them.
