I wasn't a big fan of "Harry Potter" like all my other friends until I watched "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," which made me appreciate the concept and the worldbuilding behind "Harry Potter." However, I found "Fantastic Beasts" a lot better than the original "Harry Potter" series. Here are the reasons why.
1. I prefer Newt Scamander over Harry Potter
For some reason, I find the "Magizoologist" far more interesting than "The Boy Who Lived." Newt Scamander shows us that he is an outsider with a deep and profound interest in magical creatures. What's interesting is that he is the author of one of Hogwarts' future textbooks which also carries the same name as the 2016 film itself. Also, Newt isn't some nosy kid like Harry Potter. In fact, Newt is the type of guy who doesn't choose sides and stays neutral, especially in politics, making Newt more relatable than Harry himself.
2. The romance in "Fantastic Beasts" is much more appealing than the original
Compared to "Harry Potter," I was never really into Harry and Ginny or Ron and Hermione. I actually thought Harry is supposed to end up with Hermione at first. Unlike in "Fantastic Beasts," the movie clearly shows who is going to end up with who. I adore watching Tina and Newt getting together as much as Queenie and Jacob. Another promising couple to look at in "Fantastic Beasts" is Credence and Nagini, whose relationship is very interesting to explore.
3. Jacob Kowalski makes "Fantastic Beasts" even more enjoyable to watch
The plot of the original "Harry Potter" series grows darker and darker in every film, which makes it hard for the audience to enjoy a few laughs. In "Fantastic Beasts," however, Jacob Kowalski never fails to make us laugh with his witty remarks. Although he is a "Muggle," I tolerate him a whole lot more than Hermione for some reason. His love for Queenie along with his dream of opening up his bakery makes me root for him. Not to mention, his on-screen friendship with Newt is always nice to watch. If I have to choose Jacob Kowalski and Hermione, I will choose Jacob Kowalski.
