To those who have watched the first episode, how was the pacing? Did it feel rushed and crammed or nice and smooth? Just wondering because I believe season 1 covers Shenmue 1&2.
It's a fairly brisk pace, but I think they've got it just right, personally. If they tried to match the pace of the games, it would make for an incredibly boring watch. Even as someone that loves playing through Shenmue incredibly slowly, loves watching let's plays of Shenmue etc. - watching an anime of Ryo dawdling about Yamanose, knocking on doors and all that would just be shite.
I think they've done an amazing job including so many of the familiar story beats in such a fluid, and interesting way - it really maintains the spirit of Shenmue without having to resort to showing Ryo opening drawers and going from NPC to NPC asking about the next plot point. They've also shuffled some things about here and there, and added new little details which have all enhanced the experience for me, so far.
I don't want to be pandered to as a fan if it comes at the expense of just making a good anime, and I think that's the approach that they have consciously taken. Make a good anime first and foremost, build it around the spine of the Shenmue story and include as many little Shenmue details and smaller story beats as they can where it makes sense, and fits in with the storytelling.
I just have to add as well, it's insane how many shot-for-shot recreations from scenes of the games have made it into the anime. In the first episode alone there were so many, and it all just felt
so right. Can't speak highly enough of it so far.