Scott Pilgrim Takes Off Anime Alternate Timeline Explained

Netflix’s anime-inspired Scott Pilgrim Takes Off premiered on November 17. Without a doubt, it surprised most fans of Scott Pilgrim. Why? Well, because they created an entirely new timeline!

Sure, they brought back the original cast from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. But they flipped everything else on its head! So, let’s dive into the story and see just how different this new Netflix timeline is.

** WARNING: THIS BLOG HAS MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR BOTH SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD AND SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF. OH, YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT SPOILERS? WHATEVER...**

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Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life

Okay, so things start off similar. The name of the episode is even the name of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s first graphic novel! And just like in the movie, Scott Pilgrim falls in love with Ramona Flowers, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Huntress in DC’s Birds of Prey, Hera Syndulla™ in Star Wars: Ahsoka™).

Except this time, there are sparks. Clearly, those sparks are meant to go the distance. Because after their first “date,” just about everything changes. Sure, Sex Bob-Omb plays at The Rockit. But then, instead of defeating Matthew Patel (Ramona’s first evil ex), Scott appears to be destroyed! That’s when things really start getting out of hand.

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The League of Evil Exes

Matthew, feeling emboldened by defeating Scott Pilgrim, challenges Gideon Graves, played by Jason Schwartzman (Spot in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse). After all, why shouldn’t Matthew run the show? Soon enough, all of the Evil Exes turn against Gideon. Everyone from Roxie Richter, played by Mae Whitman (Katara in Avatar: The Last Airbender) to Lucas Lee, played by Chris Evans (Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe). The League disbands and goes their separate ways. Ultimately, it’s Ramona who tracks them all down to search for Scott Pilgrim. She believes that, somehow, he’s still alive. And the only characters with motive are her exes!

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Relationships

Meanwhile, all of Ramona’s exes are forming relationships of their own! They’ve moved on and things have certainly changed. Gideon Graves reveals his true identity of Gordon Goose. Then, Gordon starts dating Julie Powers (played by Aubrey Plaza, another Avatar alum as well as the upcoming MCU series Agatha: Darkhold Diaries).

Just like in the live-action film, Envy Adams, played by Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), is dating Todd Ingram, played by Brandon Routh (Superman Returns). Though they’re certainly a power couple, in this version, Todd Ingram gets to meet Wallace Wells. Just like that, Todd falls head over heels for Wallace. On top of that, in one of the very last scenes of the show, it’s even implied that Lucas Lee is interested in Kim Pine! The Evil Exes are really mixing it up in this timeline.

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The World vs. Scott Pilgrim

So then, if everyone else is preoccupied with their own relationships and business ventures, who took Scott Pilgrim away from that first battle with Matthew? Well, as it turns out, it was Scott Pilgrim. Except, this Scott Pilgrim used the powers of a vegan robot in order to steal young Scott Pilgrim from the past. But, what was his motive?

Apparently, Old Scott wanted to prevent his own heartbreak. In his timeline, he ended up marrying Ramona and having a happy beautiful life until they had a big fight. Old Scott didn’t think there was any way to fix things. So instead of communicating with Ramona, he stole Young Scott to try and change his past. Luckily, our Ramona and Scott can decide their own fate. They can learn to communicate better. They can fight against the world together. And yes, in the very end, they can have their happily ever after.

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Were you expecting the twist in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off? What was your favorite episode from the new anime? And finally, what was your favorite song?

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