Impact of Monty Oum’s Continued Involvement on RWBY Series

Many fans have wondered how the RWBY series would have progressed had Monty Oum remained alive. This thought experiment is particularly intriguing given Oum's unique role in the production and his specific contributions to the series. While Monty Oum's influence on the series has been often scrutinized, it is important to consider the actual extent of his impact on the storytelling and the series itself.

Monty Oum's Role in RWBY

Monty Oum was primarily known for creating the "package" fight scenes for RWBY. These were not only high-energy battle sequences but also pivotal moments in the series that often carried significant narrative weight. Oum's involvement in these fight scenes was direct and hands-on, with little to no direct influence on the overall narrative of RWBY. His main job was to ensure these exciting and thrilling segments were well-integrated into the scripts.

Impact on Storywriting

While Monty Oum had a defined and specialized role, his interaction with the story writing itself was limited. It is crucial to understand that the majority of the writing was handled by others, with Oum's involvement primarily revolving around the fight sequences. This separation of duties meant that even if he had remained alive, his contributions might not have significantly altered the direction of the story.

Series Polarization with Oum's Involvement

One of the most discussed aspects of RWBY is its polarizing nature. The frequent inclusion of fights, as mandated by Oum's presence, could have actually made the series even more polarizing if he had continued to be a part of the project. Many of the writing choices that were seemingly baffling could be better understood with the knowledge that Oum's fight scenes were to be included, yet the script writers sometimes struggled to reach these moments in a timely manner.

It is important to note that the issue of these fight scenes being well-integrated into the story was not solely Oum's responsibility. Other factors, including the writing team's competence and the production schedule, played significant roles in the quality of the series. A more competent writing team and a more organic production schedule might have mitigated some of these issues, leading to a more cohesive overall experience for viewers.

Balancing Fights and Narrative

The ideal balance in a series like RWBY would involve integrating high-quality fight scenes with a well-crafted narrative. If Monty Oum had remained involved, he might have contributed to a higher concentration of well-executed fight scenes, as seen in earlier episodes. However, this does not necessarily equate to an improvement in the overall story. The series was at its best when it served as a collection of trailers for these fight scenes, rather than a complete narrative experience.

The kicker is that even without Oum, RWBY faced significant challenges in maintaining a consistent and engaging story. The focus on fight scenes rather than character development or complex narratives often led to criticism. When Oum's presence continued, the series trended towards this style, which might have worked for some viewers but alienated others who preferred a more in-depth character-driven story.

In conclusion, while Monty Oum's continued involvement might have resulted in more exciting and well-organized fight scenes, it is unlikely that this alone would have significantly improved or salvaged the core storytelling issues of RWBY. The series would still face similar critiques, and the fight scenes, essential as they are, would not overshadow the broader narrative shortcomings.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, RWBY would still face significant challenges in preserving a consistent and engaging story, regardless of whether Monty Oum continued to be involved. The focus on high-energy fight scenes, while entertaining, might have even hurt the overall story by overshadowing crucial character development. As viewers, it is important to appreciate the unique contributions of Monty Oum but also to recognize the broader narrative challenges faced by the series.