Say a new Rayman cartoon is being made.

[MisterDark'sFanClub]

People still wouldn't be too happy if Rayman's personality was ditched.

Though good point with the Animated Series. But I felt it was still recognizable as Rayman because of his aloof, upbeat attitude and tendency to make friends wherever he goes.

[Adsolution]

People still wouldn't be too happy if Rayman's personality was ditched.

Of course, but what's being said is that even if Rayman (hypothetically) weren't even in his own cartoon (for whatever reason), it would still have potential to be a good Rayman cartoon.

Indeed, I do give RtAS partial credit in that the some of the creators obviously knew Rayman well; the art direction itself is fantastic; just looking at some of these screenshots I took without any preconception as to what the Animated Series is fills me with excitement and awe:








Unfortunately, the pretty visuals and animation are just sort of there, and is brought down by mediocre everything-else. Still, I view the series as 'huh'. It's not all that bad when you compare it to some other similar attempts in this field, and especially when you compare it to how totally abysmal it could have been, but my god, when just looking at some of the effort and artistry put into these wonderful setpieces, it could have been phenomenal had they not felt the need to ham it up so much and cater to such a brainless audience.

[OCG]

Actually it does. We are talking about a cartoon here, so if the characters don't have personality and none are really interacting with one another, what's the point of having the show?

I couldn't agree more with you. I know many people disagree with this, but to me, characters are the most important aspect of media such as video games, anime and cartoons (not their design, but personality). If I don't find character personality good, I would not like that cartoon/anime or game. Just if you wonder, I like Rayman The Animated Series.

The reason why I think that is because it helps me connect better to show and get attached to them. Because of the way they are.

[MisterDark'sFanClub]

The reason the environment of RtAS looks less than pleasing is because it takes place mostly in urban territory. I take Rayman as a kind of person who is not fond of the city and prefers nature.

[Adsolution]

I couldn't agree more with you. I know many people disagree with this, but to me, characters are the most important aspect of media such as video games, anime and cartoons (not their design, but personality). If I don't find character personality good, I would not like that cartoon/anime or game. Just if you wonder, I like Rayman The Animated Series.

The reason why I think that is because it helps me connect better to show and get attached to them. Because of the way they are.

Does this mean that you don't like anything that doesn't include a consistent cast of complex characters? Some of the most admirable and thought-provoking works of fiction in existence focus solely on a single element to brilliantly convey emotion to all five of your senses. I'm not saying that that will always be the case, only that I don' t think we should be speaking in terms of "character personality = quality of show".

[OCG]

No. I like shows with silly characters even who don't have deep development, as long as I find them funny. It really depends on the show and if what they are doing is funny or annoying. Does not have to be complex.

[Adsolution]

You said that characters are the most important aspect of a TV series. What if this hypothetical Rayman cartoon didn't even have characters? It would have to be ridiculously artsy to pull that off, but I believe that all elements used to construct a fictional universe should be weighed equally, and that prioritising characters over other elements isn't a good idea.

[MisterDark'sFanClub]

Thus goes to show that it is not just any one thing that makes a show good; it's the way they all fit together.

[OCG]

You said that characters are the most important aspect of a TV series. What if this hypothetical Rayman cartoon didn't even have characters?

It would look visually beautiful, but I am still not sure how would I completely feel when watching it if something like you described existed. I know other aspects are important too, but it's just that I get attached to characters the most.

[sonicbrawler182]

I think I see where OCG is coming from - after all, characters are without a doubt, the thing we connect with the most in a lot of shows. As they can feel just like real people if done well enough, even if they LOOK like something completely surreal.

[BzzitTheMoskito]

Not James, that's for sure, he can sound evil, but not in the subtle way I'd like, his is a more refined evil voice, I think, mine's a bit sneaky, yet gruff.

I would suggest something like Slade/Deathstroke from Teen titans. Also the description fits Scar and Claude Frollo voice from the Disney movies.

EDIT: The Horned King from The Black Cauldron.

[MisterDark'sFanClub]

Not James, that's for sure, he can sound evil, but not in the subtle way I'd like, his is a more refined evil voice, I think, mine's a bit sneaky, yet gruff.

I would suggest something like Slade/Deathstroke from Teen titans. Also the description fits Scar and Claude Frollo voice from the Disney movies.

EDIT: The Horned King from The Black Cauldron.

That's not a bad idea. Do you mean exactly how he does it in Teen Titans, or just similar to it?

[Master]

Hm, characterisationwise, I think it depends on the period, Rayman has always been the straight hero in all the games, but quite a number of other aspects have always been inconstant.
Seeing as characterisation seems to be a must for some, I'd say base it on the very scenario, and reflect some of his traits upon the era the scenario itself reflects, for the pre-Mr. Dark idea Dragon, I and a few others were discussing, it wouldn't be remiss to use a personality which reflects inexperience, yet a clear emerging righteous and good natured hero, not to bring AT up again, but I could see some parallels with Finn in such a scenario.

[spiraldoor]

People still wouldn't be too happy if Rayman's personality was ditched.

What personality? All he did in the first game was say "No problem", smile constantly, cheer up Moskito, bite his nails when he's fighting a boss and cheer after beating one. He's not exactly Prince Hamlet. In the second game he talks a lot, but it's all very bland ("Globox! My friend!"). The third game makes it work for a while by playing up the vacuous characterisation and pairing him with the sarcastic meta-Murfy ("Rayman, you truly are the best..."), but of course they drop the ball by giving the spotlight to toilet-humour Globox and André after the first level.

[Adsolution]

Rayman at the moment seems like one of those characters you can just throw any staple persona onto, ranging from a flamboyant wouldn't-hurt-a-fly child to a gruff, wartorn guy. Obviously, we seem to have a general, vague idea of his character (playful, caring, determined, kind of a scaredy-cat) that show up clearly across the first three games, but it's not nearly reinforced enough for his mindlessness in Origins, for instance, to be all that surprising.

[MisterDark'sFanClub]

When the game doesn't provide as much insight or backstory as we'd like, it's exactly the little things that matter. Things like comforting Bzzit, biting his nails, doing an ecstatic victory dance, and the confident yet aloof "No problem" all fit into a bigger picture when trying to piece together his personality.

[OCG]

Educational games show a bit more of Rayman's persona.

[Adsolution]

Educational games show a bit more of Rayman's persona.

Thank God they don't tell us this on the Wiki.

[Serza5]

I see Rayman as the sort of hero type character whom only gets serious when he needs to be/when he wants to, which is why he slacks off in a good portion of most games. Like I see him being the character who'd simply reply "Eh, why not?" when asked to go save the world. But otherwise he is, as Spiral said, incredibly bland as a character. While this maybe to keep the "mysteriousness" about the character we could at least know some more minor stuff like what he does on a Saturday night. Although I bet that may involve a whole lotta drugs knowing what he gets up to in game, but I digress.

[MisterDark'sFanClub]

Not James, that's for sure, he can sound evil, but not in the subtle way I'd like, his is a more refined evil voice, I think, mine's a bit sneaky, yet gruff.

I would suggest something like Slade/Deathstroke from Teen titans. Also the description fits Scar and Claude Frollo voice from the Disney movies.

EDIT: The Horned King from The Black Cauldron.

How about the voice of Shredder from the 90's version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon?