Okay, I need to rant…
Yuukoku no Moriarty
The discrepancies between the manga and the anime have some inherent controversy
I am not that far into the manga yet but in my re-watch of the anime (the Eng Dub is on crunchy roll) I‘m at the backstory episodes and
I want to say my piece, I actually think there are two main things these episodes do better than the manga.
First I want to say I feel the manga does a better job overall with the backstory, that it’s Albert’s agency and his drive and decision
But the scene where the original William is getting killed… I actually prefer the anime version in such that it establishes the dynamic between Albert and Will
"[Albert will] tell us what he wants himself. Though if this were a horse race, I'd be ready to place my bet now."
In the manga, it’s Will attacking/ killing the original William, in the anime it’s Albert
The dynamic I’m referring to is as such: in the anime our Will is the instigator, the mastermind. He offers Albert to rid himself of his brother. He provides the plan and the means of execution. But Will doesn’t interfere.
In my opinion that’s a double proof of trust, because Albert trusts in Will’s planning while Will gets proof that Albert is willing to walk the walk.
It’s more impactful, symbolically, because it shows their further dynamic.
I realise and am aware that Albert is just as cunning and just as much the mastermind behind James Moriarty – that’s how he is portrayed in the manga and I think that’s the correct way. It feels more natural than his just being the outside face we get in the anime.
However he has to proof to himself – and to Will – that he is capable of what it takes. That’s why Albert stabbing his brother is more significant than Will doing it. We know Will isn’t above getting his hands dirty. But establishing Albert’s own agency, showing his own drive as strong enough? Yes!
Especially with our Will thanking him after the fact. Because Will provided him with a chance and that better returns what Albert did for him, I think. Because as Will said, it is about exchanging debts and favours. So Will providing chances and the agency still being inherently Albert’s own is meaningful.
So I think that was/ is better in the anime compared to the manga.
The second thing I preferred from the anime over the manga is the house fire. Not the outcome or anything but the method itself.
Obviously both work, sure. But a gas explosion? Making sure the air is too hot to breath even if the inhabitants don’t immediately die from the explosion. It’s more efficient and elegant, in my opinion.
I understand both methods are valid and work well but the gas explosion, flooding the entire mansion with gas before setting up a timed trigger? That’s efficient, brutal, elegant.
I acknowledge accumulating the wax in the lamps took more long-hand planning but I still prefer the anime version.
Overall the manga is obviously better, I fully agree. Albert gets more agency, we get a different perspective on their entire dynamic. Albert founding the MI6 for the sole purpose of sharing those reigns with Will. It’s beautiful and it’s the superior version of the story.
I just have opinions on Will vs. Albert killing the original William and the way the house fire was set-up/ triggered
