Scott Pilgrim is the BOB-OM!

Read the first comic. Loved it.

Watched the movie, L.O.V.E.D. it. Seriously, it's awesome-and-a-half.



It got me thinking that it would be cool to have a "Pilgrim's Precious Little RPG" but what system to use? My mind drifts often to old-tyme Marvel's FASERIP, which is a nice system for handling lots of powers and the ridiculous. But then I remembered this crazy RPG I have somewhere (buried, I'm sure, under a stack of mix tapes from the same era) a copy of Teenagers From Outer Space. (Not to be confused with the incredibly campy 50s flick of the same name.) No, this is firmly planted in the 80s with strong streak of Japanese cartoons.

I fell in love with the theme of this game because it reminded me of one of my guilty pleasures as a kid growing up in the 80s--Galaxy High!


It's a fun little show with a catchy opening jingle sung by a robot. Which, BTW, is on DVD now, and YES, I bought BOTH disks. And NO, my wife still doesn't understand the fascination. I tend to think of it as Ferris Bueller in space, but whatever.

Two DVDS contain 13 episodes

Anywho, I can't recall the TFOS rules much, but I do remember them being fairly wacky and light. I remember you could set your class schedule, pick hobbies, instruments, and try and get a job so you could buy gadgets like personality (and gender!) swapping ray guns, hover cars, and ghetto blasters (an early predecessor to the zookatube!).

As it turns out, I'm the only one with unrequited RPG sighs. Dr. Rotwang has expressed similar pangs.

First Edition, 1987

The current incarnation (not pictured) strikes me as some sort of anime fanboy's wet dream, which I find to be a little disappointing. If I can track down my copy, I'll post some pics. For now you'll have to be appeased with the accompanying, teeny, tiny image. All you really need to know that all three properties are filled with zany comedy, coming-of-age-awkwardness-raised-to-deliciously-embarrassing levels, and a shared genetic heritage with Japanese sci-fi. 

First of 6 volumes

All of this is a long-winded way of saying--GO SEE Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. And read the books. They're filled with more heart and imagination than they let on. Okay, that trailer gives a pretty good idea, but you get my point. No, you don't need to love Nintendo, punk rock, or slackers to love it. Not even a precious little.


But if you already do, it will kick you in your brain. And you'll love it!


Oh, and don't be surprised if you want to go get your game on afterward.