Scott Pilgrim Takes Offhas a much better storyline for Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), one that rectifies many problems with the character fromScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldand Bryan Lee O’Malley’sScott Pilgrimcomics. Released on Netflix in 2023, theScott Pilgrimanime told a different version of the story. Scott vanishes in episode 1, leaving Ramona and Scott’s friends to find him. With Scott Pilgrim not present throughout most ofScott Pilgrim Takes Off,Knives Chau is given a new character arc, one that portrays her much more positively.
The relationship between Knives Chau and Scott Pilgrim inScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldwas incredibly problematic. Knives being 17 and Scott being 23 made her obsession with him, and his indulgence in it for his own ego, uncomfortable in retrospect over the years since the 2010 movie was released. This is why theScott Pilgrimanime was such a breath of fresh air when it came to Knives Chau, as it finally madeEllen Wong’sScott Pilgrimcharacteran individual in her own right (which also makes it a shame thatScott Pilgrim Takes Offwas canceled before season 2).
It’s Over. Netflix Just Canceled Its Best Original Anime
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was one of Netflix’s best anime series, and unfortunately, the series' creator has now confirmed its cancellation.
Knives Chau Was Problematic In The Scott Pilgrim Movie
The Treatment Of Knives Hasn’t Aged Well
It’s been over a decade sinceScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldarrived in theatersin 2010. While Edgar Wright’s live-action adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’sScott Pilgrimcomics has become a cult gem with a devoted fanbase, some aspects haven’t aged well.The wayScott Pilgrim vs. The Worlddepicts Knives Chau is one of the most problematic elements of the movie, and there are several reasons why rectifying this was important forScott Pilgrim Takes Off.
While the movie doesn’t portray Scott’s behavior towards Knives positively here, it also doesn’t fully address just how problematic it really is.
Firstly, the romance between Scott and Knives has a lot of problems. Scott Pilgrim is 23, whereas Knives Chau is 17.While various characters inScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldmake fun of Scott for dating a high schooler, none of them take him aside and point out that a man his age dating a teenager simply isn’t appropriate.Even though their relationship never became sexual, it’s still incredibly creepy in retrospect. Moreover, given Knives Chau’s age, Scott’s treatment of her isn’t just emotionally immature as the movie suggests, but actively manipulative.
Scott leaving Knives for Ramona clearly deeply impactedEllen Wong’sScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldcharacter.The 17-year-old has to navigate complex feelings as she tries to reconcile with her adult boyfriend becoming emotionally distant, eventually leaving her to pursue a relationship with Ramona (a woman Scott’s age who he would be physically intimate with).At 17, Knives shouldn’t have had to be exposed to this. While the movie doesn’t portray Scott’s behavior towards Knives positively here, it also doesn’t fully address just how problematic it really is.
There’s also the fetishization of Knives Chau’s race.Knives is Chinese-Canadian, and several male characters inScott Pilgrim vs. The Worlddescribe the idea of dating an Asian woman as a goal. This, for many obvious reasons, simply isn’t OK. It may be a product of cultural sensibilities at the turn of the 2010s, but it’s yet another aspect of Knives Chau thatScott Pilgrim Takes Offdesperately needed to fix.
The Scort Pilgrim Comics Didn’t Handle Knives Chau Well Either
The 2010 Movie Isn’t The Source Of The Uncomfortable Knives Chau Elements
While Edgar Wright’sScott Pilgrim vs. The Worlddidn’t portray Knives Chau well, the live-action adaptation isn’t fully to blame.Bryan Lee O’Malley’sScott Pilgrimcomicsalso have issues when it comes to Knives Chau as a character.Just like in the movie, Knives is mostly depicted as a Sex Bob-omb groupie. The problematic elements of how Scott treats Knives are still present, too.
Knives was smitten with Scott, and he used her feelings for him as an emotional crutch with no regard for her own emotions (or, at times, respect for her as a human being).
For the most part,Knives Chau in theScott Pilgrimcomics is a one-dimensional character.She’s depicted as being completely obsessed with Scott. In other words, a stereotypical 17-year-old with a crush on a member of a band. This wasn’t fair on her character in retrospect, given how Scott treated her. It also makes his relationship with Knives Chau seem all the more manipulative. Knives was smitten with Scott, and he used her feelings for him as an emotional crutch with no regard for her own emotions (or, at times, respect for her as a human being).
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off Gives Knives Chau A Proper Story Arc
The Scott Pilgrim Anime Fixes Many Problems With Her Character
TheScott Pilgrimanime seriesScott Pilgrim Takes Offarrived on Netflix in 2023, and presented an alternate take on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s story and characters. UnlikeScott Pilgrim vs. The World, Scott Pilgrim Takes Offfeatures an entirely new narrative. Scott vanishes at the start of the first episode, and the story instead focuses on Ramona as she tries to find him.This means manyScott Pilgrimcharacters are shown in a different light - including Knives Chau.
This is whereScott Pilgrim Takes Offis the best thing to happen to Knives Chau as a character, as it fixes many of the problematic issues with her portrayal in bothScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldand O’Malley’sScott Pilgrimcomics.With Scott seemingly dead, Knives is forced to grieve and process her pain completely differently. Initially, this leads her once again into a confrontation with Ramona, but she soon finds herself befriending her former rival.
Knives has much more autonomy as a character in theScott Pilgrimanime since she’s no longer portrayed as being fixated on Scott.
As the show progresses, Knives Chau finds herself flourishing without Scott Pilgrim. Knives has much more autonomy as a character in theScott Pilgrimanime since she’s no longer portrayed as being fixated on Scott. She becomes accepted by Kim and Steven in her own right, not just as ‘Scott’s high school girlfriend’.It’s then that the best reveal about Knives Chau inScott Pilgrim Takes Offemerges - she’s a musical genius.
Knives Chau becomes a full member of Sex Bob-omb inScott Pilgrim Takes Off,mastering the bass and piano in mere minutes.With Knives as part of the line-up, Sex Bob-omb reaches new heights, far beyond how much success the band sees inScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldand the comics.Knives even helps manage Sex Bob-omb, and makes a deal with Matthew Patel to get a musical version of Scott’s battle against the Evil Exes (written by Young Neil) given the green light for a stage show.
Knives Chau inScott Pilgrim Takes Offis a much more two-dimensional and fleshed-out character than she is in theScott Pilgrimcomicsand 2010’sScott Pilgrim vs. The World.The 2023 anime fixed many issues with her portrayal. No longer is she a 17-year-old Asian high schooler in an incredibly problematic relationship. Instead,Knives Chau is now treated as a young musician with her own goals, achievements, and potential - none of which are tied to Scott Pilgrim.
What Ellen Wong Has Said About Knives Chau
The Scott Pilgrim Star Is Thrilled With The Character Changes
Ellen Wong played Knives Chau inScott Pilgrim vs. The World,and returned to voice the character again as part of theScott Pilgrim Takes Offcast. Wong is well aware of the problematic aspects of Knives Chau’s character in the 2010 movie, and it’s this awareness that had her interested in reprising the role for the 2023 anime.
Speaking to Screen Rant in 2023,Ellen Wong spoke in depth about the changes to Knives Chau inScott Pilgrim Takes Off,and why it was so important for her that herScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldcharacter was finally given her own voice:
It started off that way because I wasn’t confident about it, but then, as we started to play the songs and I got into it, I started to sing and do all these things that were outside of my comfort zone, but also [were] about Knives finding herself and finding her voice. It was interesting to go on that journey with her as well, and then it was just really fun. It just flowed.
That was the part that I was the most nervous about; I was like, “I know Knives can do it, but how can I do it?” and “Can I do it?” I just kind of let it go, and I was like, “Knives doesn’t care. She’s just letting it flow, and she’s just letting herself ‘be’ now,” and so I did [too]. It was really special, and the music is incredible in the anime, and it was really cool to be part of that.
It was just cool for Knives to be part of the band because I think that’s what her true love was from the beginning. She was in love with Scott playing music; she didn’t need Scott. It wasn’t about Scott, it was about what he was making, and how he was expressing himself, and I think she’s on that journey too.
Sadly, Netflix has canceledScott Pilgrim Takes Offbefore season 2. However, there have been rumors ofnew stories set in theScott Pilgrimuniverse.If there are more shows planned, a spin-off based on Knives Chau would certainly be a viable option.As Ellen Wong pointed out in her comments, Knives has found her voice. She’s gone from being a 1-dimensional presence to one of the most interesting characters inScott Pilgrim.Exploring her story further would be an interesting avenue to take, and could help further rectify her problematic portrayal inScott Pilgrim vs. The World.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
Cast
Based on the famous graphic novel by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is an animated adaptation of the comedic action-adventure series. The series will see the titular Scott Pilgrim living a routine life until he falls for a delivery girl named Ramona Flowers - but before they can date, he’ll have to battle with her seven evil exes. The series will see several returning talents, such as the cast of the 2010 film by Edgar Wright, all reprising their roles, and musical partners Joseph Trapanese and Anamanaguchi.
