X-Men '97 Episode 5, Remember It, was one for the books. Considered one of the first season's best episodes, it has received significant praise for its emotional depth and strong character development that put Gambit front and center. Hence, it’s no surprise that Episode 5 has received a major Emmy Awards 2024 nomination for Outstanding Animation Program. So, to address this big nod, X-Men '97 director Emi/Emmett Yonemura shares their reaction to this major victory for the animated series.
Yonemura directed X-Men '97 Episode 5 and rightfully earned the heaps of praise that Remember It received. In an interview with Screen Rant, they revealed how they unexpectedly learned about the show’s nomination for Best Animated Program at the 2024 Emmys.
“I was on vacation. I was sitting on a boat, wishing that my parents didn't have any kind of connectivity,” they said. “Because when you're on vacation, I have to stop myself from working.”
However, Yonemura received a text message from one of the animated series’ producers and writers, Charley Feldman, asking if they had seen the good news. At the time, Yonemura was on a boat, completely disconnected from the world, which left them puzzled by Feldman’s message. When they finally learned what Feldman was referring to, they were simply “blown away.”
“I was really happy. It felt really good because I know that the whole team worked so hard on it, and I know that, like, the audience loved it, and that just felt really good,” Yonemura continued. “I'm honored and flabbergasted.”
Emi/Emmett Yonemura Talks About Directing X-Men '97 Episode 5
X-Men '97 Episode 5 had viewers on the edge of their seats by featuring the tragic deaths of several major characters. Gambit sacrificed himself in a battle against a Sentinel to save Rogue, a moment many have described as one of the series’ most visceral scenes. When Rogue said, “I can’t feel you,” while hugging a lifeless Gambit, it added even more emotional weight to the episode. Following the dramatic execution of the massacre on Genosha, Yonemura discussed directing the episode.
“It was such a tough episode in the best ways,” they told The Nerds of Color. “We were working really closely with Beau, with the voice actors, and the whole team.”
Yonemura admitted that the entire team behind the series were fans themselves, and they were all bawling their eyes out while making Episode 5. As a “crew of fans,” they hoped they were doing the right thing and wouldn’t incur the fans' ire after killing Gambit. However, after breaking people’s hearts and highlighting the horrors of genocide—especially given the global context—they knew their approach had worked.
“We want people to feel what that’s like, especially if you’re coming from a place of privilege and safety,” they explained. “This is what discrimination feels like, and to be on the ground level with our heroes, we just want to pull on everyone’s heartstrings.”
Episode 5 focused on the Genosha massacre, with Yonemura admitting they had forgotten about other events in the episode, such as Cyclops’ interview and Jean and Wolverine kissing. With the deaths of Gambit and other characters and the emotional turn of events, everyone just began mourning.
“And it meant a lot to get the nomination because it felt like we touched a lot of people,” they continued. “And that just feels good.”
Though X-Men '97 has garnered a new generation of fans, it’s important to note that it continues the story of the 1990s X-Men: The Animated Series, which already has a cult following. Seeing Gambit’s death 30 years after the original show was devastating for fans who have followed Remy LeBeau from the beginning. Beyond Gambit’s fate, Episode 5 also highlighted how society hated mutants, reflecting the prejudice marginalized people face in real life. This adds a layer of emotional depth to the episode, making it deserving of an Emmy.
All episodes of X-Men '97 Season 1 are available on Disney+, while Season 2 and Season 3 are now in the works.
