Obviously a key problem is that the story designed for a Nintendo GBA game isn't necessarily going to translate well to anime form. Some of the most satisfying moments when playing the first two games (the games this one adapts) are figuring out a key piece of evidence through deep thought. Sometimes your own "genius" shocks you when playing the game lol, but this isn't the case when watching the anime obviously. It's comical to say but in this series Phoenix seems way more competent than he does in the original games. Being kinda clueless but just going with whatever bluff he can make up adds to the humour of the original series, but those key moments of wit and frankly genius on the a part of Wright make for an interesting and well rounded character. This element doesn't completely fail in the adaptations but again, it just doesn't have the same spark. Figuring out an objection and having Phoenix scream object, without that damned background music playing anymore, was ample evidence that you had just kicked ass and found a contradiction. Such a satisfying thing. But I digress.
It's a decently enjoyable show. The suspense isn't really there so the extent I would like it to be, it was way more enjoyable in the games. The story is paced well enough, with longer cases in the games being adapted over more episodes. It is a tad faster than it should be however, they fixed this in the second season. A key issue I have is how this show handles tone. There are some pretty serious moments in the original DS games, but this adaptation seems to gloss them over like they're no big deal. It's true that Phoenix and Maya were often light-hearted towards pretty dark things in the games but this anime takes it to a new level. The animation style just seems kinda generic, the intro songs are meh in my opinion as well. I guess I liked how the potential romance thingy between Phoenix and Maya was explored a little more here, even if comedically. Just my inner shipper I suppose.
Ehh pretty mediocre show, but occasionally the great elements of the original games shine. 6/10.
