10 Major Variations Between the Scott Pilgrim Anime, Movie, and Comic Books

By 2024, the Scott Pilgrim franchise has been predominantly showcased in three distinct platforms: the initial comic book series, which spanned from 2004 to 2010, the 2010 film adaptation Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and the recently released Scott Pilgrim Takes Off anime, which debuted in 2023. While they share similarities, upon closer examination, there are numerous discrepancies among them.

Each version of the Scott Pilgrim story has significant variations that distinguish them, from the condensed retelling of Scott and Ramona’s tales to the complete depiction of Scott’s exes and the improved portrayal of the Evil Exes. These differences highlight an entirely different narrative in each version.

Please note that the following article contains significant spoilers for the Scott Pilgrim franchise. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Differences between the Scott Pilgrim anime, comics, and movie

Scott’s Story

In each version of the Scott Pilgrim story, Scott begins his journey as an unemployed slacker living with a roommate who doesn’t have much patience for him and is in a relationship with a high school student. While Scott experiences personal growth in every version, the direction of his development is influenced by the specific telling of the story.

In the Scott Pilgrim comics, Scott’s backstory is revealed in volume 2 and onward. It depicts his romance with Envy, his dynamic with Lisa, and the events leading to his breakup with Kim.

Throughout the story, Scott reconciles with each of his exes. In volume 4, he secures a job as a prep chef and later moves in with Ramona. His growth in understanding others is evident in volume 6 when he acquires the Power of Understanding sword during his battle with Gideon.

Despite the hyperfocus on Scott in the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World movie, his self-centered nature is amplified. He readily abandons S*x Bob-omb, drives Ramona away after the Roxie fight, and shows a lack of empathy towards Knives.

Despite apologizing to Knives and Ramona and swallowing his pride, Scott’s problems are still viewed as a matter of self-respect rather than ongoing communication issues.

In the series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Scott’s past is not initially addressed until his reappearance in episode 6. The mystery of his sudden disappearance is finally revealed in episode 7. When Scott encounters a negative version of himself who had not grown or changed in the past decade, he is forced to reflect and make changes in himself. A crucial step in this process is apologizing to Knives and acknowledging that they were not meant to be together.

By doing this, the anime avoids depicting the heartbreak experienced by him and others in the comics.

Ramona’s Journey

Ramona Flowers recently relocated to Toronto and took on a job as a delivery person. Despite being frequently labeled as the stereotypical Manic Pixie Dream Girl, she actually defies this trope, as it is Scott who brings the excitement and eccentricity into her life. While her story concludes in a similar manner in all forms of media, she undergoes growth and is portrayed in a distinct manner.

In the third to sixth volumes of the Scott Pilgrim comics, readers are given a more in-depth understanding of Ramona’s character and struggles. It becomes clear that her fear of attachment plays a larger role in the story than Scott’s, as she has a tendency to flee when faced with difficulties in order to avoid feeling trapped. Additionally, it is revealed that being struck by The Glow only amplified her problems, causing her to act out in unpredictable ways.

The main issues with the movie adaptation of Ramona lie in its writing and the condensing of the story. Although Ramona possesses the same flaws in all three versions, her character in the movie is portrayed as being emotionally distant compared to her comic and anime counterparts. In the movie, her struggles are overshadowed by Scott’s, resulting in their relationship feeling unrealistic.

“Scott Pilgrim Takes Off deviates from both the source material and the film by placing Ramona in the role of the protagonist. This shift in focus allows for a more thorough exploration of Ramona’s character arc, as she comes to recognize her own flaws and grow as a person. By making Ramona the central character in the anime, her decision to stay with Scott, with the assistance of Future Ramona, carries even greater weight as the audience experiences it through her perspective.”

3) The Exes of Ramona

The League of Evil Exes consists of seven individuals whom Ramona had dated at different stages of her life. In the video game, comics, and movie, they all serve as “boss”characters, creating obstacles for Scott to overcome and defeat. However, the anime breaks away from this pattern by portraying the Exes as individuals with valid reasons for their resentment towards Ramona.

In the comics, the Evil Exes have significant differences compared to the movie. For example:

1. In volume 1, Matthew Patel engages in a Bollywood dance number with Scott, which was not included in the movie. Scott’s friends, including S*x Bob-omb, also join in to assist him in the fight.
2. Despite previously being interested in Ramona, Lucas Lee has moved on and now offers Scott a bribe after smoking with him and warning him about the League of Evil Exes in volume 2. He remains friendly towards Scott throughout their encounter.
3. Despite being in a committed relationship with Envy, Todd Ingram’s arrogance knows no bounds as he not only cheats on her with Lynette Guycott, the drummer of The Clash at Demonhead, but also indulges in nonvegan treats like gelato in volume 3.
4. Despite her good relationship with Ramona, Roxie Ritcher attacks Scott in volume 4 because she suspects him of cheating on Ramona with Lisa Miller.
5. The Katayanagi Twins abduct Kim in order to goad Scott into battling them. Their past is revealed in volume 5, and they engage in both robot combat and a physical 2-on-1 fight against Scott.
6. Despite his controlling nature, Gideon’s true character is exposed when it is discovered that he has cryogenically frozen several of his ex-girlfriends and implanted a part of himself inside Ramona’s head. His motive for creating The Glow was solely for personal gain and wealth, as demonstrated in volume 6.

The film adaptations of the League are exaggerated even further. Matthew charges at Scott with his summons while belting out a tune, Lucas is portrayed as an egotistical Hollywood star with a team of stunt doubles, and Todd’s ignorance reaches new heights as he mistakes chicken parmesan and half-and-half for vegan options.

Despite their relationship being treated as “just a phase”, Roxie remains openly hostile towards Ramona and Scott. The Katayangi Twins are left with nothing but a battle of the bands, while Gideon’s controlling tendencies even extend to S*x Bob-omb selling out to him.

In Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, the Evil Exes are depicted with human qualities. The dynamic between Roxie and Ramona is given weight, as Ramona takes responsibility and apologizes, and Lucas Lee experiences the downfall of his Hollywood career but ultimately makes amends with Ramona. Additionally, Matthew Patel triumphs over Gideon and fulfills his dream of becoming a musical sensation.

Scott is aided by the Twins in the future to utilize Robot-01 and witness the events of the show. After Todd betrays Envy by cheating on her with Wallace, he teams up with Roxie to revert back to his vegan lifestyle. Gideon receives a compassionate backstory and begins a romantic relationship with Julie Powers, but ultimately returns to his villainous ways with Julie by his side.

Scott’s former partners

Despite being beloved by fans, the Scott Pilgrim franchise portrays both Scott and Ramona as flawed individuals, with Scott receiving more criticism. His actions have caused heartache for those around him, a theme that is explored in the comics through his ex-girlfriends. This serves to highlight Scott’s struggles with relationships, often due to his obliviousness and inability to effectively communicate.

In addition to providing depth to Knives Chau, Kim Pine, and Envy Adams, the comics also introduce a new character, Lisa Miller, in Volume 4. Lisa, who was one of Scott’s high school friends along with Kim, is not present in any other media. Despite having feelings for Scott, she never acted on them. In volumes 4 and 5, Lisa plays a pivotal role in helping Scott by providing him with a place to stay after Ramona leaves him.

During volume 3, the complete backstory of Envy is revealed. Natalie, who was once a shy and unnoticed individual, transformed into a diva and took over Scott’s original band. A heated confrontation between Ramona and Envy occurred during this volume, but it was resolved when Ramona exposed Todd’s infidelity to Envy. Although Scott and Envy eventually make amends, it isn’t until the final volume, volume 6, of the comic.

The film completely omits Lisa Miller and fails to highlight Envy’s background or sympathetic traits, only briefly mentioning her previous identity as Natalie. Similarly, Kim’s character is not given much attention. On the other hand, Knives is given a more prominent role as a major character, but her storyline revolves solely around her attempts to win back Scott’s affections.

Despite also omitting Lisa and Envy’s backstory, the anime’s decision is understandable as Scott disappears in the first episode. Knives and Kim have a more prominent role and are given better development than their movie counterparts, with Knives joining Scott’s band and Kim aiding in the investigation in episode 6.

The story of Knives Chau

At the age of 17, Knives is in a relationship with Scott, her first love. However, when Ramona enters Scott’s life and he abruptly ends things with Knives, she is left devastated and goes on a journey to win him back. The anime presents a different take on this narrative, while the comic and movie take different approaches.

Although the movie does not fully depict Knives’ story as portrayed in the comics, there are many details that remain untold. Volume 1 explores her initial encounter with Scott and introduces her family, including her father who later attacks Scott in Volume 4. Additionally, volumes 2 and 5 show her engaging in a duel with Ramona.

Knives comes to the realization that Scott had been unfaithful to both her and Ramona. In Volume 6, she directly tells Scott that it took her more than four months to move on from him. Despite this, she chooses to move away, but not before declaring that he will always hold a special place in her heart as her first true love. This conclusion brings her more happiness than the ending portrayed in the movie.

Although the movie includes most of the major story elements from Knives, it also portrays several inaccuracies in Knives and Scott’s relationship. The rushed pace of their relationship makes Knives’ sudden change at the end seem implausible. The root of the issue in Scott and Knives’ relationship is their age difference and power dynamics, but the movie misrepresents this by placing emphasis on Scott’s infidelity as the main problem.

In episode 2, Knives mourns Scott in the anime, in episode 3, she joins S*x Bob-omb after playing bass for only four hours, and in episodes 6 and 8, she assists Stephen in providing music for Matthew Patel’s stage play and Envy Adams’ solo career.

Knives is able to establish her own identity separate from Scott and handles their breakup in a much healthier manner, even going as far as expressing her relief that he is no longer in her life. By the end of the series, she becomes a member of the band.

Kim Pine’s tale

Upon initial observation, Kim Pine appears to be the sarcastic member of Scott’s circle of friends. However, underneath her brusque demeanor, Kim is the only one who can be considered “normal”compared to the others who are either exaggerated or have hidden issues that are gradually brought to light. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that Kim serves as the grounding force amongst the group.

Despite the large ensemble cast, Kim remains a crucial character in the comics, serving as a support and guide for Scott. Her journey begins in volume 2, where readers are introduced to her family, her job at a video store, and her relationship with Scott as her first boyfriend. However, she eventually ends things with him when he abruptly disappears without any explanation.

In volume 4, she ultimately assists Scott in finding employment, moves out of her own place, and returns to her parents’ home. In volume 5, she continues to support Scott in overcoming his struggles against the Katayanagi Twins, and in volume 6, she aids him in confronting Nega-Scott and coming to terms with his feelings for Ramona. Additionally, she plays a role in helping both Scott and Ramona recognize the impact of The Glow on their relationship.

Despite being a main character, Kim is often overshadowed in the movie and portrayed as one-dimensional. This is also true for the other members of the cast, who, like Kim, have minimal involvement in the plot besides making snarky comments and playing drums. The film does not explore the reason behind Kim’s deadpan and sarcastic attitude towards Scott, as their relationship is not deeply explored.

In episodes 2, 3, and 6 of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Kim’s character is given more development. She experiences sadness when Scott appears to die in episode 2 and is given significant screen time in episode 3 to converse with Ramona, assist Knives in overcoming her depression through a jam session, and disclose that her abduction by Simon Lee took place in this particular storyline.

In episode 6, Kim makes a comeback and plays a crucial role in keeping the band’s investigation into Scott’s disappearance on track. She is genuinely thrilled to see Scott and Ramona together and also encourages Knives to join the band, believing it made them even stronger.

Other Characters

The supporting and background characters in Scott Pilgrim’s world consist of Stephen Stills, Julie Powers, Young Neil, Wallace Wells, Stacy Pilgrim, and various others who appear throughout the narrative alongside the main characters. These characters play diverse roles, ranging from providing comic relief to offering support. Depending on the format and context, their roles may have been expanded, reduced, or significantly changed.

In the comics, Wallace Wells is much more amiable towards Scott compared to the movie or anime. Instead of making his life more difficult, Wallace tries to assist Scott. In volume 5, his boyfriend Mobile makes an appearance and they end up living together. Scott’s parents also make an appearance in volumes 2 and 5, helping him find a new apartment.

Stephen Stills’ storyline in volumes 5 and 6 includes his pursuit of record deals for S*x Bob-omb and his realization of his homosexuality, leading to his breakup with Julie.

Despite featuring a variety of characters, the movie focuses primarily on Scott Pilgrim’s journey. While Wallace provides snarky commentary, Stephen appears more anxious, particularly when negotiating with Gideon. Julie’s hostility towards Scott is heightened, and his family is not mentioned except for the gossip girl Stacy Pilgrim and the background presence of Young Neil, who is known for his off-the-wall remarks.

Similarly, the anime also eliminates Scott’s parents and Stacy for the most part, but it does provide a sense of purpose for other characters. Young Neil briefly takes on the role of a screenwriter thanks to Future Ramona’s script, and Wallace experiences a complete character arc where he ends up breaking Todd’s heart and ultimately meeting Mobile.

With Stephen and Knives’ help, S*x Bob-Omb reaches new heights. Additionally, Julie Powers’ relationship with Gideon takes a romantic turn as it is revealed that she had known him since high school and was attracted to his ambitious and criminal ways.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: Nega Scott and The Glow

This entry is divided into two parts as both concepts hold significant importance in the stories of Ramona and Scott in the comics. The Glow is a type of psychological torment devised by Gideon to gain his wealth, trapping individuals within their own minds. Nega Scott is the result of this, making its first appearance in volume 4 of the comics.

The Glow is a recurring element in the comic, often appearing when Ramona is present. Whenever it manifests, she becomes emotionally distant and attempts to escape any confrontation. In volume 6, it is revealed that the Glow also affected Scott, altering his recollection of events. Contrary to the comics, it was not Simon Lee who kidnapped Kim, but rather Scott who physically attacked him after he hugged her. Additionally, instead of Scott being the one to inform Kim about his move, she learned about it from Lisa.

Nega Scott makes appearances in volumes 4, 5, and 6 as a representation of Scott’s flaws. He is not a physical being, but rather an apparition. Similar to the concept of a Persona user’s Shadow Self and other shadow archetypes commonly seen in anime and video games, Nega Scott can only be defeated by accepting him.

Despite not including The Glow in the movie, it is replaced by a control chip implanted in the back of Ramona’s head. The presence of Nega-Scott is not explicitly explained in the movie, but is hinted at in deleted scenes and through the character of the Nega Ninja in a DDR parody game. In this version, Nega-Scott is not absorbed but rather becomes a friend.

In episode 8 of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, the Glow makes a brief appearance during the fight against Even Older Scott. Gideon’s attempt to use it to defeat Even Older Scott proves unsuccessful. The toxic future version of Scott, known as Older Scott Pilgrim, is essentially Nega-Scott in physical form. He is portrayed as a selfish and immature individual who divorces Ramona after a single argument and attempts to sabotage her relationship with Scott by using time travel.

9) The Story

The Scott Pilgrim franchise is classified as a transmedia narrative due to its storytelling across multiple mediums. The film serves as an introductory experience, the comics provide a complete version of the story, and the anime offers an alternative perspective that ties everything together. While each iteration of the story begins similarly, they diverge after the encounter with Matthew Patel.

The film adaptation of Scott Pilgrim is condensed into a running time of an hour and 52 minutes, showcasing only the Evil Ex fights which occur over a span of at least one week. However, this choice results in the omission of several significant elements that were present in the original comic.

The film, in particular, fails to capture the same sense of progression and fluidity that the comic had, as well as the important moments of downtime that allow for character development for all, including Scott and Ramona.

The comic, spanning over six years, documents a complete year in the life of Scott Pilgrim. It delves deeper into the personalities of each character, including Kim and Wallace, and allows for important moments of reflection and anticipation before each battle with an Evil Ex. It also highlights the individual growth of every character, independent of Scott’s influence. While Scott remains the main character, the comics and anime portray a universe where he is not the center of attention, unlike in the film.

In an interview with Caroline Cao, Bryan O’Malley revealed that the Rebuild of Evangelion film series served as inspiration for him when creating the anime. He aimed to approach the story of Scott Pilgrim with a renewed perspective and apply his years of experience to give it a fresh take. In this sense, the anime can be seen as a “rebuild”of the original story.

In the anime, Ramona is given the recognition she deserves as a protagonist and the Evil Exes are portrayed as more complex individuals. Additionally, the story delves into the development of previously neglected characters such as Julie and Young Neil, while also revealing the truth behind Scott’s disappearance.

Endings of Words in English

Each of the three versions of the Scott Pilgrim story has distinct variations in their plot progression, character focus, and notably, their endings. As devoted fans would agree, the conclusion can greatly impact the overall perception of a work. Even if the story is captivating, a poor ending is often what remains in the minds of fans.

The comics conclude with most of the main characters finding themselves in happier circumstances or working towards achieving it. Scott and Ramona have rekindled their relationship, although they acknowledge that it may require some adjustments. Knives has departed to attend college and has also reconciled with Scott.

Envy and Scott reconcile, with Envy showing less hostility. Kim and Scott join forces to create a fresh band called Shatterband. Kim moves back in with her parents, while Wallace stays with Mobile. Lisa embarks on her journey to become an actress.

Despite Scott and Ramona being together and the Evil Exes being defeated, the movie is considered the weakest of the series due to its rushed ending. The other characters’ storylines are not fully resolved, with the exception of Knives who abruptly realizes her worth and leaves Scott after aiding him in defeating Gideon.

All of the Exes, except for Gideon and Julie who return to their villainous ways, move on to pursue better opportunities (Matthew Patel’s show receives numerous Tony awards, Lucas Lee becomes a barista, etc.).

Knives’ addition to the band improves S*x Bob-omb, while Stephen and she continue to oversee Envy’s solo career. Scott and Ramona remain in a committed relationship, and Ramona maintains her job as a stunt double.

Final thoughts

Within the Scott Pilgrim franchise, there are over 10 distinct differences. These variations can range from references only present in the anime, to changes in Scott’s swords, and the diverse applications of Subspace.

In order to fully immerse themselves in the story, fans must have all three main Scott Pilgrim products. The narrative of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off heavily depends on the audience’s knowledge of both the movie and comics. Although they all feature the same material, each product offers a unique interpretation and perspective on the story.

Viewers can watch Scott Pilgrim Takes Off on Netflix, while Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is accessible on the Max streaming platform. Additionally, the Scott Pilgrim comics can be found on Amazon, Comixology, or other platforms that sell comic books and novels.

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