How 'Trese' creator Budjette Tan reacted to the Netflix anime adaptation of his comics

There's nothing quite like seeing the world you created be brought to life onscreen — Filipino writer Budjette Tan has recently learned this.

In an interview on "The Howie Severino Podcast," Budjette talked about what it was like seeing "Trese" come to life.

"Trese" is the hit comic book series he co-created with artist Kajo Baldisimo, which has gone on to become the first Netflix original anime from the Philippines.

Though he created the comic book, Budjette said he didn't have any veto or approval powers over any part of the anime adaptation. However, he trusted executive producer and writer Tanya Yuson and showrunner Jay Oliva to successfully carry out the project.

And sure enough, it was a surreal feeling that washed over Budjette as he watched his characters come to life before his eyes.

"There are no words to describe how I feel about it. It feels like it's a weird mix of walking in a dream and deja vu," he told Howie.

"Kasi lalo na kapag naririnig namin 'yung characters you know saying the lines that's been just on the page for the longest time (Especially when we hear the characters we know saying the lines that's been just on the page for the longest time," he added. "And suddenly, they're saying it, they're moving, they're fighting aswang."

He said he had to remind himself that it all felt familiar because he and Kajo were the ones who created "Trese."

Asked what he liked the most about the anime, Budjette said it was "how they made the city of Manila the third character as much as it was great to hear Shay Mitchell and Liza Soberano suddenly say those lines."

"And that voice I was hearing in my head, that very monotone, very serious voice of Trese and seeing the Kambal joke around and flirt and do kick-ass action scenes. It was great to see them show those moments of Manila," he said.

READ: 'Trese' aims to conquer the world: supernatural or otherwise

Budjette also loved the way the series made Manila so "magical, mysterious and looks scary, of course at certain times."

"Because du'n nanggaling 'yung inspiration ng Trese (Because that's where the inspiration for Trese came from)," he said. "It's growing up in Manila. So yeah, that's what I love about it."

Set in Manila where the mythical creatures of Philippine folklore live in hiding amongst humans, "Trese" follows Alexandra Trese as she goes head to head with a criminal underworld comprised of malevolent supernatural beings.

The series is currently streaming on Netflix. —JCB, GMA News