madimpossibledreamer

I also think there’s some similarity between the Evil Magistrate and the Shredder, from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (and there might be some parallels with the 2003 animation, since it’s indeed a kid’s show with plots that can appeal to adults and could be argued to have high production value).    Although I vaguely remember a redemption arc for him in one of the stories…?    But in general the Shredder works best as possibly sympathetic but definitely villain.    Not sure how far you go with that similarity with the Evil Magistrate, but he definitely should stay a villain.