Animorphs vs. The Hunger Games Trilogy

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

So I finally finished Mockingjay the other day...I remember reading a F!S a while back (when I still read them, lol) that claimed The Hunger Games trilogy was just like Animorphs--which is still kind of a ridiculous claim, but I admit that with this comparison on the mind as I finished this last book, I did see several parallels between both series in terms of events, themes, moral quandaries, gritty realism, etc--all of which just show why both series are memorable and a cut above the average YA series...I wrote a short meta about the parallels (especially between Katniss and Jake) if anyone is interested. MAJOR spoilers for Mockingjay and the last Animorphs book, #54, ensue:

Follow the Fake Cut...

I definitely think that I was not quite as outraged as some other THG fans over the end, lol, since controversial and sad series endings are old hat for Animorphs fans...;)

Comments

[spiletta42.livejournal.com]

Well, since they're the same genre and in fact the same subgenre, it's not surprising to see similarities. However, Katniss is initially fighting for her own family within the status quo of her society, while Jake et al are fighting to prevent a negative change in theirs. That makes for significant differences in the character arcs.

As for the endings, Mockingjay ended on a much more hopeful note than did #54, and that's really saying something.

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

However, Katniss is initially fighting for her own family within the status quo of her society, while Jake et al are fighting to prevent a negative change in theirs. That makes for significant differences in the character arcs.

True! And yes, I agree, Animorphs still wins as Most Depressing Series Ending Ever, lol! ;)

I suppose they are in the same subgenre, even though Animorphs was meant to be for a younger age group initially...(although it had a lot of gore still, now that I think about it...)

[spiletta42.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I tend to ignore target age groups. The marketing people make those kinds of calls, and they're often less right than one would hope.

I think some of the things we take from these books as readers share more similarities than the books themselves, because while Jake and Katniss have very different world views, individual readers will carry their own personal world views into both literary experiences.

[quatredeathlady.livejournal.com]

You know, I never really thought of the similarities before this, and I'm a fan of both series! XD But your meta post was very interesting and I do see the parallels now.

Although all the Animorphs were less annoying to me as narrators than Katniss. Don't get me wrong, I liked her, but girl was DENSE sometimes (and I understand that some of that was intentional because the books are for young adults, but sometimes it was just too much). I thought all the Animorphs, even when I disagreed with their opinions, were much more...I don't want to say intelligent, because that's not exactly right...maybe more aware of what was going on and the greater implications? Something like that.

Also I suppose I never thought to compare/contrast the two series because Animorphs is so much longer and more involved overall, so it is inherently more complicated in my opinion. But I do see the parallels.

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

And heh, yeah, Katniss could be pretty dense/annoying sometimes in that way, I know what you mean! ;)

[a-happy-book.livejournal.com]

I did an essay for uni on this (well, the violence in them) and I just want to say: pubbed by the same house. FTW. :) (Can't remember how to link stuff here, but my essay on both of these books/violence is in the comm recently)

I always felt that I see comparisons from Animorphs to Hunger Games but they are more slight than anything. I mean, to me I see Katniss/Rachel Peeta/Tobias, but for me thats more ~obvious. I think that the Capital's hunger for power/control can easily be seen as similar to the Yeerks.

I'm also eager to see how/if Liam (the guy play Gale) can act.He was in Home & Away, aussie soap opera, and a Miley Cyrus movie.

For me, I didn't mind the endings of either 54 or THG trilogy. Both were realistic -- people grief in different ways, people re-adapt, or don't, in different ways and P/K *swoon* (Okay that last bit - just for my own heart). I think that both endings were necessary to show audiences that even in books, things aren't always perfectly tied up. Nothing is wrapped with a ribbon and placed under a Christmas tree. I mean imagine if Rachel had survived? I imagine her life would be a bit like Katniss' with the PSTD. I don't think, tbh, she could ever recover. Katniss was able to but it took years and years and years. I feel like too many children's/YA books show a dark story with a too happy ending. Like this contemp YA I just read where this total b*tch gets forgiven almost immediately by her family/ex boyfriend by just apologising for everything she's ever done

[faux-folklore.livejournal.com]

Please link to your essay! I didn't know you shared it with the comm already. Thanks : )

[a-happy-book.livejournal.com]

My essay: http://community.livejournal.com/animorphs/625414.html
Enjoy!

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Yes, lol, I remember you posting that/mentioning it (though I haven't had the chance to read it yet, actually...gotta do that!), so that also put the idea in my mind while reading! ;)

IDK, I think Gale is a lot like Rachel myself, all that rage and fire and fighting instincts, and sometimes not knowing when to stop, what crosses the line, willing to die for the cause, etc. Katniss is badass like Rachel, and can have anger issues, but she also was so apathetic before it all began...IDK, I see her more as a Jake, but I guess a mix works. And hmm, hadn't thought of Peeta as Tobias, but now that you mention it probably! The snark works...

[cleo-eurydike.livejournal.com]

I JUST SAW THE TITLE OF THIS POST AND SQUEED

I definitely think that I was not quite as outraged as some other THG fans over the end, lol, since controversial and sad series endings are old hat for Animorphs fans...;)
word.

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

:D Glad you enjoyed!

[1111-am.livejournal.com]

I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THIS SINCE I LITERALLY JUST FINISHED MJ YESTERDAY AS WELL!

I haven't read your post yet, but I will I SWEAR, I'm just too damn excited to respond right now. Any who here's some random things I just want to say.

– Anyways, I saw some people compare Rachel and Katniss, but honestly I kinda saw Gale channeling Rachel more then Katniss did. He definitely was channeling a little bit of Alloran too I thought. (Also has anyone ever read Les Miserables? He definitely reminded me of Enjolras with the whole good-looking rebel who doesn't care if he dies for the cause thing).
- Tbh there were parts in this trilogy where I just had to roll my eyes and cringe, but regardless of that whole love-triangle thing I totally swooned over both Gale and Peeta. IT'S OKAY IF YOU JUDGE ME!
– I'm skeptical of the movie. Excited yes, but skeptical. I'm really intrigued to who they'll cast as Haymitch and Cinna. Also I hope the movie good so they can make the other two. I REALLY want to see Finnick and Johanna. Especially Johanna, girl is such a BAMF.
– Not gonna lie, this whole trilogy kind of took a toll on my anxiety. I'm still digesting what happened lol,

Kay, on to read that post.

butting in to say...

[a-happy-book.livejournal.com]

I LOVE Johanna. I am dying to write a crossover of THG and Animorphs. (particularly the Drode, Crayack and Rachel :P)
LOVE HER. Such a BAMF...more so than Katniss.

Re: butting in to say...

[1111-am.livejournal.com]

How could you not?! She's just so sassy! I especially loved her when she was all "your cousin's not scared of me, are ya gorgeous?" and he's all *terrified* and she runs off laughing. Ugh, I'm so pissed about the end though. She would have kicked serious ass on the Capitol.

[lisacharly.livejournal.com]

At some point, I'ma have to read Hunger Games. I've been resisting it because I have such a hardcore nostalgic love for Battle Royale, but everything I hear about Hunger Games makes it sound like one of those teen series I just NEED to read.

[1111-am.livejournal.com]

Do it! I was hesitant too at first and it's almost impossible not to compare the first book to Battle Royale, but trust me it's still a fantastic read.

[thequest35.livejournal.com]

Wow never posed in the animorphs group just usually watch and read it. Just finished mockingjay myself this week. And I don't know why, but in my head I linked them before anyone suggested it to me. Reading the book really brought me back to myself like... 15 years ago picking up the early books especially and getting so into them JUST to find out what happens next.

Yeah. Much better ending then animorphs got laid to rest with. The movie will probably be better then the Ani-show

[daphne-23.livejournal.com]

Coming a little late to the discussion, but this came into my mind immediately when I was reading Mockingjay. The scene with the mass carnage caused by the silver parachutes reminded me instantly of the new Animorphs being murdered en mass. However, I'm not sure the parallels go too deep, as other posters have said - the clearest similarity is the realistic take on teenagers in war.