Live-action adaptations of anime have developed a bad reputation throughout the years. It's almost impossible not to associate them with poorly made films with bad acting, cheap effects, and a butchered version of the original storyline. But despite their infamy, not all live-action adaptations are bad. In fact, some even turn out pretty good.
Shonen anime probably has the biggest library of live-action adaptations, and many of them have actually been a big success. They manage to capture the spirit of the anime while still catering to general audiences' preferences. While they may still not be as good as the anime they're adapting, they still treat the source material with respect and keep fans happy.
10 Bleach Translates Well Into A Live-Action Film
As one of the famous Big Three of shonen, it's only natural that Bleach would get a live-action adaptation. Premiering back in 2018, it's the first of the trio to get the live-action treatment, and it's a prime example of an adaptation done right. With such a long series like Bleach, the idea of translating it into a live-action film is rather daunting.
But this adaptation manages to capture the spirit of the original series and gives audiences enough insight into the overarching plot while still maintaining a coherent script for a theatrical release. The characters are all well represented and the pacing works for a singular film, making the Bleach live-action movie an overall success.
9 Hikaru No Go's Live-Action Adaptation Reignites Interest In A 2000s Classic
Hikaru no Go was once one of the biggest shonen series around. However, after its completion, it slowly faded from most fans' memories and is all but irrelevant now. Thankfully, the series has sparked interest once again, all thanks to the live-action drama series that was released in 2020.
Though the series was modified for a Chinese audience, it remains faithful to the original anime, and it's become a big hit among Chinese and international fans. Hikaru no Go's live-action drama is a great treat for old fans of the original series, and it's the perfect gateway for new fans who've never heard of the series until now.
8 The Prince Of Tennis Drama Series Stays Faithful To The Manga
Many were wary at first when they discovered that Prince of Tennis was getting a live-action adaptation. Luckily, those worries were quickly put to rest when the series premiered. Unlike many infamous adaptations out there, the Prince of Tennis live-action series stays very faithful to its source material.
Fans praise it for getting much of the plot and characters right, combining bits of both the anime and manga. The drama series has renewed interest in the original series among fans, and many have gone on to watch the anime after catching this live-action version.
7 The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K. Makes For A Surprisingly Good Live-Action Film
When an anime gets adapted into a live-action movie, the film often takes a lot of creative liberties with the source material. However, that's far from the case with the live-action version of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., which instead stayed as authentic to the original as possible.
This film absolutely nails everything, from the looks of the characters to the overall tone. It's honestly one of the most faithful adaptations out there, surprising many with its almost cartoony approach. While the bizarre premise and visuals of this film didn't sit well with everyone, there's no denying it's a well-done and accurate portrayal of a very unique series.
6 Assassination Classroom's Live-Action Films Capture The Spirit Of The Anime Perfectly
It's hard to believe that a series like Assassination Classroom would get one good live-action adaptation, let alone two. This beloved series was adapted into a two-part live-action movie that surprised everyone with its accuracy.
From the visuals to the characterization, just about everything in these films matches the source material perfectly. Even its humor and writing mirror the quirky energy of the original series. The films' format and storytelling closely follow the manga, making for a satisfying watch for long-time fans of the series, all while keeping newcomers up to speed.
5 Death Note Has Many Live-Action Adaptations, But The First Is The Best
There have been countless live-action adaptations of Death Note over the years, and most of them have been not so impressive. Most now take a Death Note adaptation with a grain of salt, but there was actually an early live-action version that accurately portrayed the series.
The 2006 film is probably the best live-action remake of the series so far. It focuses on the popular dynamic between Light Yagami and L, and it faithfully translates their characters into live-action in ways that many adaptations since have failed to manage. Its closeness to the source material and dark tones perfectly captured the feel of the original, leading to much success among fans.
4 Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Chapter I Accurately Covers A Beloved Arc In The Popular Series
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure has been around for a long time now, but it's gained more popularity than ever in recent years. During the peak of its hype, a live-action film, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Chapter I, was released, and fans were all here for it.
Despite how incredibly difficult a series like Jojo's is to translate into live-action, this film beautifully portrayed one of the most popular story arcs in the entire series. It's been praised to no end by fans and critics alike, and it's easily one of the best examples of a good live-action adaptation out there.
3 Speed Racer's Live-Action Movie Draws In A New Generation Of Fans
It's easy to forget that Speed Racer is an anime, but it's one of the earliest popular shonen series and has stood the test of time, even after many decades. While many new fans haven't seen the original series, many have been exposed to it through the success of the live-action Speed Racer film.
While it does take some liberties with the source material, it has the same spirit as the old dub that many know and love, complete with all the camp and clichés. It's a fun and exciting take on an old classic, and it introduces the franchise to a new generation of fans.
2 Attack On Titan's 2015 Film Changes A Lot, But It's Still Enjoyable
Many fans have mixed feelings when it comes to the 2015 live-action Attack on Titan two-part film. In a lot of ways, this remake stays true to the source material, capturing much of the original story and tone. Nevertheless, it's not afraid to make changes when it needs to, but not all of these changes have been well-received by fans.
A lot of the characters' backstories, personalities, and relationships have been altered to suit the needs of the big screen, disappointing some. Despite this, the Attack on Titan live-action movie is still a fun and enjoyable watch that maintains the heart of the original.
1 Rurouni Kenshin's Series Of Films Are A Big Hit
When Rurouni Kenshin's first live-action movie came out, it was immediately met with positive reviews. From there, more films were released until the live-action adaptation became a franchise of its very own. Fans don't normally give such praise to remakes such as this, but the Rurouni Kenshin films pay careful attention to all the details of the story.
It's an accurate and completely respectful interpretation of both the anime and manga, taking the best of each and making them even better. With their high-quality effects, exciting action and choreography, and compelling storytelling, the Rurouni Kenshin movie series has set the standard for anime live-action remakes.