Is [SPOILER] Really Dead In ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’?

Did you just finish watching the first episode of Bryan O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski’s Scott Pilgrim anime? Are you freaking the eff out? Is Scott Pilgrim dead??? We’re here to tell you to hold your horses. Without giving away too many spoilers, here’s a breakdown of what happens to the titular character and what to expect from the rest of the season.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, which premiered November 17, 2023 on Netflix, follows the general outline that O’Malley previously laid out in the graphic novels and 2010 cult film that preceded the new series. However, a big twist comes at the end of the first episode, one that does NOT follow the original comics.

Portrayed by Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, reprising their roles from the previous movie, the show follows Scott Pilgrim as he meets the “girl of his dreams” Ramona Flowers.

When the two begin dating, the titular character is informed that he must battle her seven evil exes before they further pursue their relationship.

The source material shows Scott defeating each ex, one by one, but the anime takes a detour. Instead, when Scott battles the first ex, Matthew Patel (Satya Bhabha), he is defeated and fades away, leaving a few coins in his place.

What does that mean? Is Scott Pilgrim dead? Well, if you stick around, you’ll quickly catch on. The first episode ends with Ramona looking at Matthew in anger, and she carries that emotion into the next episode.

“I won,” Matthew exclaims while holding Ramona’s hand. Unamused, she walks away from him, perhaps looking to avenge her fallen boyfriend. “Guys? Did anybody get the fight on video?” Matthew says as the crowd parts.

Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), Scott’s girlfriend who he was preparing to leave for Ramona, comes to her senses after passing out during the duel. “Where did everybody go? Is the show over?” she asks to nobody in particular.

“There was no show, the bass player was punched to death,” a staff member at the bar casually explains.

As expected, Knives doesn’t take the news well. “Did you say punched to death? As in ‘to death’?” she asks before screaming “nooo!” Girl, same.

The next scene zooms through Scott’s funeral, which shows his ex, Envy Adams (Brie Larson) performing an electronic rendition of “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan. The emotions are flowing, the drama is high, and the curiosity is piqued!

As the episode continues, the League of Evil Exes — comprised in Ramona’s honor — meet and reveal their vendetta. They clash and mingle, and mingle and clash, before the scene shifts back to Ramona.

Ramona, at her home, reminisces on her first date with Scott as she prepares to go to bed. Suddenly, she is swept away to a dream world, similar to Scott’s in the first episode, where she hears Scott calling her name. “Scott?” she asks in her dream. Ramona then wakes up and proclaims “he’s alive!”

All we’ll say is: yes, Scott Pilgrim is not dead. But there are plenty more twists to come. Take Ramona’s word, sit back, and watch what happens next.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is currently streaming on Netflix.