When source material like comics or animated series are adapted into action anime films, it’s usually an exciting and mixed experience for viewers. Often, these new perspectives are full triumphs.
As a result, here’s a list of several live-action anime flicks that won’t let you down and are well worth your time. However, anime is one medium that continues to struggle with the adaptation process.
There are very few cases where Hollywood takes on anime and has a big hit. Even if our individual assessment was mostly unfavorable, some of us remain optimistic about the long-term prospects. Many live-action anime adaptations in the United States appear doomed before they even start filming.
Live-action anime adaptations are frequently seen as exceedingly hazardous ventures, particularly in the United States. That’s why early reactions to Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron’s collaboration, Alita: Battle Angel, have been mixed.
At the very least, the reviews for Battle Angel are mixed. It serves as a reminder that bringing a fanciful anime series to life is not impossible.
Attack On Titan: Fell Flat
There are numerous flaws in this film, but one of the most vexing things for many viewers was the cast. The Titans and the series’ overall visuals were great, but the way the characters and plot were handled made this yet another ludicrous live-action anime films adaptation. The visual effects in this film were fantastic and did an excellent job of conveying the action.
Despite the fact that Attack on Titan is a Japanese program, all of the characters, with the exception of Mikasa, are European. That is one of the primary characteristics that distinguish Mikasa.
Scroll Of The Ninja
The Tokugawa Shogunate is being overthrown by a lone mercenary against an army of eight super-powered ninjas. Feudal Japan is the setting for this fast-paced action anime films. However, there’s just enough plot and drama to keep things interesting.
Many people know and love it because of the action sequences. Anyone who enjoys action movies will enjoy Ninja Scroll.
It’s a seminal anime film that continues to have an impact today. Ninja Scroll has a lot of action, but it also has a lot of mystery and beautiful art. The action scenes in the western The Matrix were inspired in part by this film.
Inuyashiki:
Inuyashiki is one of the most dramatic, emotive, and completely bizarre animes in recent memory. The film tells a straightforward story. Where an elderly guy who feels invisible and a disgruntled adolescent accidentally transforms into robots with incredible new abilities. As a result, it’s quite satisfying when Shinsuke Sato’s live-action adaptation totally nails it.
Ping Pong is a sport where players compete against each other. To be honest, making a live-action picture as visually appealing as a Masaaki Yuasa anime would be impossible.
Ping Pong is all about high-stakes table tennis matches, believe it or not.
There are a plethora of sports films available. Ping Pong, on the other hand, is up there with the finest, has a great sense of humor, and manages to give ping pong a larger-than-life visual. But Fumihiko Sori’s Ping-Pong the Animation adaption comes very close.
Such a basic area of competition shouldn’t be rewarded so generously. However, both Yuasa’s anime and Sori’s live-action versions make the encounter feel like a superhero battle. It’s a sight to behold, and Fumihiko Sori’s visual flair was instrumental in putting him on the map.
Racer of Speed:
When the film initially came out, the Wachowskis’ psychedelic rainbow-dipped Speed Racer version garnered a lot of criticism. All of the actors are skilled at exaggerating their performances without going overboard.
The film is chock-full of visually stunning sequences that rank among the greatest of the Wachowskis’ whole career. It’s a process that continues to frustrate directors, with adaptations of Ghost in the Shell, Death Note, and Dragon Ball all failing miserably.
However, it has since gained a cult following as a film that perfectly captures the spirit and energy of the kitschy original anime series. With Speed Racer, you can let go of your inhibitions and have some real fun. This is practically the only American-made anime film adaptation on the list, and the Wachowskis deserve credit for that.
Attorney at Law:
Takashi Miike has made a name for himself with gonzo pictures that must be seen to be believed. To be honest, the Ace Attorney franchise began as a video game series and evolved into an anime series. He’s had a surprising amount of success bringing these crazy worlds to life. The director jumps between genres and has created some of the most bloody films of all time as well as heartfelt children’s flicks.
Surprisingly, Miike has targeted a number of anime adaptations. Miike, on the other hand, wonderfully captures the series’ odd sense of humor and yearning for suspense.
Parts I and II of Rurouni Kenshin are fantastic. In comparison to many of the other anime films on the list, the live-action Rurouni Kenshin films are surprisingly nicely done.
All of this is topped off by the characters’ resemblance to their anime counterparts. Tell the tale well while yet emphasizing how fantastic it is.
The series consists of two films, both of which cover the anime and chronicle the story of Kenshin and Kaoru as they struggle to safeguard Kaoru’s dojo, which her father has bequeathed to her.
Formars Terra:
Takashi Miike’s DNA is all over Terra Formars. It’s a thriller set in the future on Mars, where insect body horror meets dismal combat and revenge.
The cockroaches will inevitably battle one another, and the film will just reward the audience with some bizarre bouts amongst incredible animals. The big surprise here is that these transformations aren’t depicted as horrifying, but rather as steroid-like power enhancements.
When the going gets difficult, our heroes morph into cockroach-humanoid warrior creatures. who is all continuing to evolve in their own unique ways, giving them distinct benefits in battle? But it’s difficult not to laugh at these cockroach monsters as they get bigger and bigger. Granted, Miike’s adaption is unquestionably more ridiculous than the anime.
Terra Formars has some of the best battle sequences in Miike’s oeuvre, with some of the most beautiful choreography.
