Now Reading
5 Best Live Action Adaptations Based on Anime

5 Best Live Action Adaptations Based on Anime

Spread the love

If you cringe at the thought of your favorite anime being adapted to the big screen or roll your eyes every time Netflix acquires a new anime IP, you’re not alone. The general consensus among anime fans is: Hollywood just can’t seem to get it right. 

The excitement of seeing our favorite shonen heroes brought to life has now been replaced by skepticism as time and time again we subject ourselves to whitewashed cash-grab atrocities that make a mockery of its source material (looking at you Dragonball Evolution) begging the question: Is nothing sacred? Well, fear not weebs! The calvary is here! 

Here is a selection of the best live-action remakes the silver screen has to offer after searching high and low for adaptations that truly do their anime predecessors justice. 

Alice In Borderland

    Where to Watch: Netflix

    The Netflix original series Alice in Borderland premiered in 2020 and has since been renewed for a second season with a third season rumored to follow. This sci-fi thriller — based on the anime of the same name — follows Arisu, a down-and-out gamer who’s forced to participate in a deadly survival game in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. Its gut-punching action, constant twists, and brutal challenges give it Squid Game vibes, with critics declaring it the “best anime/manga adaptation” they’ve ever seen. Alice in Borderland gets major props from the fanbase not only for its picture-perfect casting (Tao Tsuchiya kills it as loner bad-ass Usagi), but also for staying true to the anime’s original ending, a small detail that fans of the anime can appreciate.

    Rurouni Kenshin Franchise

      Where to watch: Netflix

      The Rurouni Kenshin IP has gone through many phases. It’s an epic tale of a wandering swordsman who struggles to leave his violent past behind. Rurouni Kenshin has been slicing its way into our hearts and leaving its “X” mark on viewers since the late 1990s. However, the series took off with the introduction of the Rurouni Kenshin film franchise. 

      Rurouni Kenshin, Part I: Origins premiered in Japan on August 25, 2012, and was received well by anime fans and moviegoers alike. Its success sparked an entire franchise consisting of five films, making it the longest-running adaptation on this list. The Rurouni Kenshin franchise is not only considered some of the best adaptations to date, but its cinematic style paired with its immaculate casting make it a great samurai series overall. Although the film quickens the pace of the story, swapping out villains and side stories from the anime in exchange for fast-paced action, the franchise’s ability to capture the essence of its source material while simultaneously standing alone as good quality samurai cinema makes it a must-watch for the fandom.

      Nana

        Where to watch: viki.com

        Nana is an early 2000s gem that swept audiences by storm and swiftly left its mark on pop culture. It came out of the woodwork and charmed American audiences with its charming characters, punk rock fashion (real-life Vivienne Westwood pieces oh btw), messy love stories, addictive soundtrack, and never-ending line-up of anime punk rock zaddies ripped straight from the pages of a teen magazine.

        The combination of its re-emergence on streaming services like Hi-Dive and its popular social media presence helped it catapult its way to iconic status, solidifying its title as one of the most influential anime in recent history. Needless to say, any project that follows in its footsteps will have huge shoes to fill and the live-action film proves itself a worthy adversary. Although the film does its own thing at times — like aging up one of its major characters and ending the story a lot sooner — Nana is praised for its fun, touching story of love and friendship as well as its authenticity, breathing life into the most vital aspects of the original story (including fashion, which is a popular theme in Nana). 

        ALSO READ
        Amelia Vidal Explains Body Diversity Is at the Forefront of Her 'X-Men '97' Character Designs

        Alita: Battle Angel

        Where to Watch: Prime Video

        A lot of star power went into bringing Yukito Kishiro’s Battle Angel Alita to life, including Guillermo del Toro who allegedly put producer James Cameron onto the story. The result is a full-length feature film that not only captures the essence of its source material but also stands alone as a bad-ass sci-fi action film. Then again: do we expect anything less from the guys behind classics like Avatar and From Dusk Till Dawn

        Alita: Battle Angel premiered in theaters on February 14, 2019, and has been receiving praise ever since. Its achievements in cinematography and strong attention to detail (like the opening scene, which is reportedly a frame-by-frame remake of 1990s anime) have fans begging for a sequel to this day. Alita: Battle Angel combines big-budget special effects, state-of-the-art film-making, an enriching story, and a star-studded cast — which includes the likes of Mahershala Ali (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds) — to deliver a live-action anime adaptation that’s so good, it’ll leave you wanting more.

        Erased

        Where to Watch: Netflix

        Erased is a gripping mini-series that takes you on an emotional roller coaster. Its heroic tale tugs at your heartstrings while its constant twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat. Erased follows Satoru, a mangaka who’s granted time-traveling abilities after the sudden death of his mother. He travels back in time to his childhood in an attempt to fix his fate and investigate the mysterious deaths of his three classmates. 

        Since its 2016 premiere, there have been two attempts at live-action adaptations. However, the fandom unanimously agrees that the TV series is exponentially better than the film. With Erased, Netflix managed to produce a binge-worthy thriller/mystery/drama that’s every bit as heartfelt and enjoyable as its source material. Fans have described Erased as addicting, stating that the Netflix original series manages to make improvements to major plot points, including the show’s ending. Just be sure to have a tissue nearby.   

        Although live-action adaptations tend to be hit or miss, projects like Rurouni Kenshin and Alita: Battle Angel show us that it’s possible to create a project in good taste that appeals to the masses and pleases the fandom, giving us hope for future projects (like the up-and-coming live-action One Piece series coming soon to Netflix). In the meantime, you can check out more anime recommendations here at Black Girl Nerds. Be sure to follow us on social media for more content!


        Spread the love
        What's Your Reaction?
        Angry
        0
        Excited
        2
        Funny
        0
        Happy
        0
        In Love
        0
        Not Sure
        0
        Silly
        0
        Scroll To Top