Live-action adaptation of cartoon can be a big gamble as a large part of them has disappointed fans of the source material. In Japan, a significant portion of animated films are based on comic books, but many are equally respected or even more acclaimed than the original literature. Capturing top-notch action, surreal themes, and visual vibrancy becomes a daunting task when translating a manga/anime story into a live-action format. This would probably explain why many One Piece fans were immediately concerned since Netflix announced a live-action adaptation of the long-running anime. After all, Netflix has previously produced pathetic adaptations like Death Note and Cowboy Bebop.
The One Piece trailer dismissed the worst concerns about the Netflix adaptation, though it will certainly struggle to match the iconic status of the original. While American productions are certainly well known for directing some of the most heavily filmed adaptations such as Ghost in the Shell and Dragonball Evolution, the Japanese case isn’t so rosy either. Whether it’s Death Note or Bleach or Attack on Titan, many popular anime have been adapted into live-action, some even starring veteran directors like Takashi Miike (Audition, Ichi the Killer). . However, most of them have received mixed reviews and are no longer famous for not recapturing the originality of the anime.
10 Attack on Titan (2015)
Breaking the cliches of shounen anime, Attack on Titan has cemented itself as a modern classic with its all-around characters and mind-blowing political narratives. The anime has raised Hajime Isayama’s dark action fantasy manga to a cinematic level to the point where a live-action adaptation feels unnecessary. In contrast, Japanese feature films quickly skim through manga plots and don’t deliver the same adrenaline rush of anime fast-paced action sequences. Many types of Titans in Attack on Titan appear but fall prey to creatures with specific tropical recipes. The deliberate B-movie visual style has opened up to mixed reactions. The 2015 film also failed to seamlessly incorporate its many genres, unlike anime.
9 Kite (2014)
Immersed in violence and trauma, the OVA (Original Video Animation) Kite of the 1990s is a grotesque yet introspective story about an orphan prepared to become an assassin. high level. Kite’s brutal impact story influenced Quentin Tarantino in creating the killer Gogo Yubari for Kill Bill. Unfortunately, no English-language adaptation can do justice to The Kite as the 2014 South African production has barely satisfied audiences. Many critics consider The Kite to be a tired, indiscriminately violent work with a forgettable twist. Even Samuel L Jackson in a supporting role couldn’t salvage this failed adaptation that received a 0% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
8 fists of the pole star (1995)
Bruce Lee’s martial arts and the Mad Max movies were the inspiration for Fist of the North Star, a post-apocalyptic manga that was adapted into an 80s hit anime. Also known as an anime favorite by wrestler John Cena, fans of Fist of the North Stars may have forgotten the little-known American adaptation that was released live on video. Fighter-stuntman Gary Daniels looks convincing as the brave hero Kenshiro but can’t play the role with the same attitude. The anime shows Kenshiro practicing a special martial arts technique that allows him to find his opponent’s weaknesses, an underrated element in the forgettable adaptation.
7 Gantz (2011)
When a group of the dead are resurrected by an ominous entity called Gantz, they must survive all odds to battle sentient aliens. With the anime’s story set in a psychologically intense battle royale, a live-action adaptation of Gantz could have subverted the familiar sci-fi genre between humans and aliens. pure. Released in two parts, the Gantz film is based on the original documentary’s journey through alternate realities but with unsatisfactory results. Despite the impressive action sequences, most of the manga’s plot is rushed and the individual character lines are also significantly shortened. Gantz’s English dub was released in non-Japanese territories and was heavily criticized for sloppy dubbing.
6 Terrain (2016)
Takashi Miike has earned cult status in Japan, having directed well-received manga adaptations such as Blade of the Immortal and animated retellings such as Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. What doesn’t make the list of Takashi Miike’s best films, however, is his adaptation of Terra Formars. The anime’s bizarre premise of human astronauts battling mutant cockroaches on Mars is tailored to Miike’s over-the-top filmmaking style but the end result is a compelling addition to the series. the legend of the anime. From the astronauts being compared to Power Rangers to the audience discovering the problem with uneven pacing, Terra Formars was a commercial and critical disappointment in Japan.
5 Bebop Cowboys (2022)
Cowboy Bebop is a sleek and stylish anime, beloved for its neoclassical adventures and iconic soundtrack. As is evident from the jazz genre mentioned in its title, Cowboy Bebop was a heavily Americanized anime during its one-season run. But when Netflix decided to direct an American live-action film adaptation, the new Cowboy Bebop failed to capture the appeal of the original. Much to the disappointment of anime fans, there’s a lot that Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop has missed from the anime. Despite incorporating hour-long episodes, the lack of indie adventures disappoints many. The family equation of Spike Siegel’s bounty hunter team is also significantly missing.
4 Death Notes (2017)
Death Note has become immensely popular thanks to the intense cat-and-mouse game between the villain Light Yagami and his eccentric enemy L, along with the supernatural undertones associated with the main notebook. And then there’s the English Netflix adaptation. Fans were annoyed by the lack of moral complexity and drastic changes to the original material such as a side story involving Light’s lover Mia. It’s therefore especially unfortunate that the live-action Death Note failed as it made room for sequels and featured another talented group led by Nat Wolff and Oscar contenders LaKeith Stanfield and Willem. Dafoe takes the lead. The shounen anime was later referenced in a Simpsons episode even though The Simpsons adapted Death Note better than Netflix.
Ghost Cover 3 (2017)
Ghost in the Shell is a cinematic classic in its own right, having influenced the cyberpunk genre and future hits like The Matrix. A Hollywood live-action production with an increased budget failed to replicate the original’s creative style. Even before it was actually released, the fact that Scarlett Johansson was cast as the cyborg super soldier Major caused controversy with many seeing it as a vindication of the Japanese characters. Upon release, the 2017 sci-fi thriller received some praise for its visuals but was largely criticized for prioritizing repetitive action over any significant character development. important, and examine the theme of modern technology that other Ghost in the Shell movies have explored.
2 Devils (2004)
The Devilman comic series has spawned cartoons like the ’70s fantasy cartoon and a 2018 Netflix original film titled Devilman Crybaby. But if there’s one adaptation that Devilman fans want the rest of the world to forget, it’s the infamous 2004 live-action. Devilman was heavily criticized in Japan with its main complaints. is the unimpressive visual effects and some abrupt battle sequences that incorporate CGI. The casting of actors at the time who were not actors such as J-pop artist Izaki Hisato and model Ai Tominaga caused controversy. What could have been a thrilling dark fantasy adventure about the war between humans and demons turned out to be one of Japan’s worst films.
1 Evolution Dragon Ball (2009)
Setting the bar for the worst anime-to-movie adaptations, Dragonball Evolution introduced versions of its iconic characters and then drastically changed the mythology they were a part of. there. A lot goes wrong with the Evolution of the Dragon Ball with well-known deviations from mythology like the creation of the Dragon Balls and the morally gray Piccolo’s depiction of just an evil tyrant. The action sequences and visual effects also unintentionally turned out to be hilarious for viewers who missed the dramatic close-quarters combat in the film. cartoon. Even the author of the original manga Akira Toriyama told Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun in 2013 that “the result is a movie that I can’t call Dragon Ball Seven”.