Ok, while I hadn't planned to post a picture from the train wreck that is Black Clover anytime soon, this outright statement of Asta's character motivation is the perfect visualization of intent. In this single line, repeated ad nauseam, we get a clear statement of intent regarding both who Asta is and what his show is going to express. What that driving character statement also does, however, is offer a glimpse into the intention behind the show itself, especially when evaluated in relation to current trends and recent events. Not to mince words, this statement expresses the feeling that this show is intended to be little more than a derivative cash grab. Stealing a number of common ideas, motivations, and terms from other shounen titles, it is a show that is intended to be both familiar and generally easy to make so long as it follows the tried and true shounen battle anime formula. Most notably, it is likely intended to fill the Naruto or Bleach-shaped hole in our weeaboo hearts, since those titans of the industry have functionally ended. It is worth stating, however, that just because the show is derivative doesn't mean the intent behind it is necessarily bad. In spite of the show's shallow intentions, Black Clover at least knows what it wants to be and that's worth some modicum of praise because intention is, like character establishment, one of those unseen necessities.
While it would be naive to claim intention is indicative of quality, even though I could probably make a solid argument, I really don't think it can be argued that going into production without some goal or grand scheme in mind isn't a horrible idea. Even if it's just to make money or faithfully adapt a pretty good manga, intention is necessary. Intention is the heart and soul of every anime. It is the execution of that plan that I, more or less, gauge through my Classic Scale that asks one simple question: "Did this anime do what it set out to do?". Of course, my perception of what that intention might be will likely be highly influenced by my own desires for the show, but I'd like to think I can usually puzzle out the reason why a show exists.
What inspired me to bring this issue to bear you might be asking, particularly when I've actually kinda defended Black Clover from being called wholly worthless (if you can call damning with slight praise "defending")? Well, it was recently drawn to my attention that the remake of one of my all-time favorite shows was basically created without any real intention put behind it. More specifically, the stories told in this season's Kino's Journey were chosen purely from a fan poll of what stories they wanted to see animated. While one could argue that "appealing to the fans" would then be the intention behind this show, it seems to even be failing those fans in spite of their involvement. Worse yet, the new show is actively driving newcomers to the franchise away because this "designed by committee" format simply isn't doing the original material or previous iteration justice.
Since there was no real plan to the show's flow and presentation of characters, there's no reason for anyone to grow attached to Kino. Rather than laying out the groundwork to establish Kino's guiding principals and nuance as a character, the new show has done little more than make them (as in gender neutral, not plural) appear to be little more than a sociopathic murderer. The same can also be said of the show's secondary main character, Shizu, who essentially functions as a more masculine stand-in Kino. As much as I appreciate that this character is getting his time in the sun, since he only appeared for a two-episode arc in the original show, I find little reason to care or even notice the significant differences between him and Kino. Unfortunately, the show only really shines when it isn't focused on these two figures because the characters of Photo and Shishou are meant to be one-shot characters--beings who can have their arcs and characters fully expressed within the span of a single episode. Since we never got the establishment for Kino, like we do for these one-shot characters, there's no reason to be invested in their adventures. Then, because of that lack of establishment, it becomes more and more difficult to be invested in the show's other reoccurring characters. In other words, this show quickly became a nearly irredeemable mess that only older fans can enjoy, because they already know who Kino is and why they are on a journey. I'll reiterate though, in spite of being an old fan, this show is still hard to watch at times.
Had this new iteration of Kino's Journey gone into production with a solid plan that could hook fans both old and new, I honestly think it would have been a contender for best anime of the year. Instead, they decided to build it on an idea that lacked any kind of cohesion, tonal consistency, or personal merit--likely certain that the show could survive on the predecessor's laurels alone--which functionally killing any chance at the show being considered "good." Honestly, I get kinda depressed when I consider how I'm going to have to review this show. But I guess that's what's going to happen when a show lets the fans' hype serve as its backbone, rather than some grand intention that would have likely kept it standing tall until season's end.
Allow me to be clear on one thing before I close this personally frustrating rant out of the way. While I'm probably going to end up tearing the new iteration of Kino's Journey to shreds, I have to say I can't recommend the older series enough. It might be a tad dated and doesn't look nearly as good as the new version but it's got a lot of heart, soul, and thought put into it. And, in my opinion, that's what really matters when making a "good" show.