Top 10 Ways X-Men '97 is Different than Original Animated Series

One of the best parts of “X-Men: The Animated Series” was its electrifying title sequence. Full of rock n' synths and guitar riffs, it introduced the show's lineup of mutant heroes. While “X-Men ‘97” opted to keep this intro sequence, it noticeably revitalized it. The theme is essentially the same, albeit enhanced, but the order in which the X-Men appear is altered. Bishop and Morph get headlined this time around, as does Magneto - starting in the second episode. Plus, the villains in the final shot have changed slightly. Also changed is the show’s end credits theme. “X-Men ‘97” uses an orchestral arrangement to close out its episodes instead of reusing the 90s rock banger that opened it. The popular character bios remain, however.

Seeing as how the OG series ended some 26 years ago, it was expected that “X-Men ‘97” would update the show’s character designs. The question was ‘how much?’ As it turns out, the answer is ‘just enough!’ For the most part, the series maintains the X-Men’s iconic looks, but makes a few subtle alterations by way of hairstyle, facial features and costume touches. Also, Jubilee has ditched the more “mature” costume she donned in the later episodes of the OG series and reverted to her trademark bright yellow fit. However, Magneto’s look took on a major transformation. His costume now sports a big “M”– matching his portrayal in the comics. All in all, the new designs do a nice job of keeping the nostalgia while adding some modern style.

Fans of “X-Men: The Animated Series” will notice that some of their favorite mutant heroes sound different in “X-Men ’97.” That’s because a handful of the show’s main roster has new voices behind the legendary characters. The OG voices of Jean Grey, Bishop, Jubilee, and Gambit have all been replaced. Meanwhile, the passing of voice actors Norm Spencer and David Hemblen meant new voices were needed for Cyclops and Magneto respectively. Alison Sealy-Smith, who took over the voice of Storm in season 2 of the original series, is back. Plus, the previous voice actors for Beast, Rogue, and Wolverine have returned also. We’ll take it bub!

As previously mentioned, Bishop now has a signature spot in the show’s opening title sequence. And the reason for this is simple – he’s a full-fledged member of the team now. Yep, the time traveler character has been upgraded to be a key player in the group. Bishop is certainly no stranger to the series. In fact, his appearances have always been memorable, not to mention beloved among fans. He took part in many classic story arcs like “Days of Future Past” and “Time Fugitives.” However, his adventures always ended with him returning to his own “time.” Not any more though. X-Men ‘97” has secured the mutant for the long haul!

Seeing as how “X-Men: The Animated Series”aired on the Fox network, episodes took on the traditional 20 to 22-minute runtime. With “X-Men ‘97” streaming on Disney+ however, its episodes can (and do) run longer. Averaging 30 minutes in length, the extra time goes a long way in adding intricate storyline details and enhanced character development. Unfortunately, “X-Men ‘97’s” episode count is not also extended. In fact, it’s quite shorter. While “X-Men: The Animated Series” featured anywhere from 13 to 21 episodes per season, the reboot will only have 10 episodes - at least for this first season.

Scott Summers, or Cyclops, has always been a fan favorite among X-Men fans. And so, those fans should be quite happy about the character’s depiction in “X-Men ’97.” You see, Cyclops has been given a larger leadership role, at least in the premiere episodes - and in such, has been featured fairly prominently. The character has especially impressed in battle sequences, showcasing some bad-ass variations on deploying his signature optic blasts. Many are also praising the series for portraying his powers accurately. While it’s often assumed it is heat vision that Scott possesses, it’s in fact a “kinetic force optic blasts.” And as we’ve witnessed thus far, it can be used to do some pretty cool things!

As with the character designs, it was also expected that “X-Men ‘97” would update the show’s animation style. And not only did they update it - they elevated it! The overall look is much sleeker and more refined than the original. The animators clearly put modern day animation tools and techniques to good use. The visual splendor is almost cinematic at times, greatly improving the quality seen in the original series. Despite all the changes however, they still manage to maintain the broad strokes “look and feel” of the 90s cartoon. This thanks to the classic hand drawn animation and the many OG crew members who were brought back to help reboot the series.

Fans of “X-Men: The Animated Series” were likely shocked to see the revelation of the, shall we say, controversial romance between Rogue and Magneto. While not referenced in the original series, the union was something seen in the comics. “X-Men ‘97'' makes it clear that they definitely had a past together prior to Rogue joining Xavier’s team. It also shows Magneto’s immunity to Rogue's power. In short, they can touch – and she won’t kill him. Making things even more intriguing is Gambit’s discovery of the pair. Unlike Magneto, Gambit’s bond with Rogue was a big part of the 90s series. Nothing says X-Men drama quite like a good old fashioned love triangle. Right Wolverine?

Morph was an important part of “X-Men: The Animated Series.” The character’s tragic arc in the show’s earlier seasons are favorites among critics and fans alike. The original series finale saw the fan fave character return to the team. So, it was no surprise that Morph was announced to be part of the continuation series. However, in “X-Men ’97,” Morph emerges with a completely new look - one that reflects their “fluid identity.” X-Men has always been about tackling themes around inclusion and discrimination. And so, Morph’s character changes shouldn’t be all that surprising, as they serve as yet another example of the X-Men’s stance on authenticity and inclusion.

The biggest thing that sets “X-Men ‘97” apart from “X-Men: The Animated Series” is its more mature tone and overarching narrative approach. Don’t get us wrong, the original series was fantastic at exploring complex themes and executing intricate storylines. But, it remained a kids cartoon that, well, was geared towards kids. This reboot series has upped the action and takes on a grittier approach. It still embraces the fun of the original but has no problem going darker. Also significant is the way “X-Men 97” delivers a continuous storyline across its episodes. The interconnected plot threads are more in line with a long-form drama series than a Saturday morning cartoon. The result is a more compelling experience for older audiences.

Are you watching “X-Men ‘97”? What do you think is the biggest difference? Let us know in the comments below?