Most anime fans roll their eyes when they hear the phrase “live-action anime adaptation”. It’s easy to understand why, as anime history is littered with live-action anime adaptations that failed to do their source material justice or ones that were actively embarrassed by the source material to the point that they ripped out basically everything that made the original so beloved.

However, live-action anime doesn’t have to be bad. In fact, numerous live-action anime adaptations have successfully adapted the original work in a way that pays respect to the original while creating an experience that is enjoyable in its own right. And it’s these examples that future filmmakers should pay attention to.

Gintama Captures What Makes The Original Anime Work

Released in 2017 and directed by Yuichi Fukuda, Gintama is based on the manga series written and illustrated by Hideaki Sorachi. The story is set in an alternative history version of the late Edo period, where aliens took over Japan and banned the carrying of swords in public. The tale follows Gintoki Sakata, a former samurai who makes ends meet as an odd-jobs freelancer.

However, these jobs often lead to Gintoki and his friends getting entangled in wacky situations. The 2017 movie does a good job of bringing the franchise’s trademark goofy and meta-humor to live-action. Combine this with its well-done visuals, and you’re left with a film that is sure to delight Gintama fans.

Bakuman Captures The Heart Of The Manga’s Story

Released in 2010 and animated by J.C. Staff, the Bakuman anime was based on the manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata (the team who previously worked on Death Note). The story follows Moritaka Mashiro, a middle school student with a talent for drawing. When his friend, Akito Takagi, spots these drawings, he tries to convince Moritaka to create a manga with him. However, Moritaka turns this offer down, as his manga artist uncle died from overwork.

But, when Moritaka’s crush reveals her dream of being an anime voice actress, Moritaka decides to give it a shot. In 2015, Hitoshi Ōne wrote and directed a live-action version of the story. This live-action version does a fantastic job of capturing the original story’s emotional core, leading to an enjoyable film.

Your Lie in April Shows That Romance Is Not Bound By Medium

Naoshi Arakawa’s Your Lie in April is a modern success story. Since the manga began in 2011, the story has been successfully adapted into animated and live-action versions. Your Lie in April follows Kōsei Arima, a 14-year-old piano prodigy who becomes famous after winning numerous music competitions. However, when his mother dies, Kōsei suddenly loses the ability to hear his piano.

After several years of struggle, Kōsei’s life takes a turn when he meets the free-spirited violinist Kaori Miyazono. The live-action adaptation, released in 2016, does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life and capturing the emotional rollercoaster that makes the story so memorable. It’s certain to delight long-time fans of the story and those new to it.

Cutie Honey Doesn’t Shy Away From Itself

Cutie Honey is one of the most important franchises in anime and manga history. Created by Go Nagai in 1973, Cutie Honey follows Honey Kisaragi, a seemingly regular 16-year-old girl. When her scientist father is killed by an evil organization called Panther Claw, Honey learns that she’s actually a highly advanced android.

Honey quickly realizes that, by shouting Honey Flash, she can transform into the sword-wielding heroine Cutie Honey and vows to use her powers to take down Panther Claw once and for all. In 2004, the legendary Hideaki Anno directed a live-action film inspired by the franchise. What makes the film so good is that it doesn’t shy away from the franchise’s inherent goofiness, presenting viewers with an action-packed tokusatsu film that sees Honey battle her way through a massive roster of villains.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable – Chapter 1 Nails The Original’s Style

Based on Hirohiko Araki’s legendary anime series, 2017’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable – Chapter I adapts the manga’s Diamond Is Unbreakable story arc. It follows Josuke Higashikata, a second-year-high school student who suddenly starts seeing weird creatures and learns that he has access to a magical power called a Stand. This revelation throws him into a massive battle that could have terrifying repercussions.

The film is directed by Takashi Miike, the director behind films like Audition, Ichi the Killer, and The Happiness of the Katakuris. Miike does a great job of bringing JoJo’s signature action to life. While it isn’t a perfect adaptation, as the story features obvious pacing issues, it proves that any series, no matter how strange, can be adapted to live-action if the team is willing to put in enough care and effort.

Spirited Away: Live on Stage Retains Studio Ghibli’s Wow-Factor

Spirited Away: Live On Stage is a fascinating live-action anime adaptation. Rather than a traditional film, Spirited Away: Live On Stage is a recording of the Spirited Away theater production performed at Tokyo’s Imperial Theater. Like the original anime, the story follows Chihiro Ogino, a young girl who is moving across the country with her parents. However, while on the way to their new home, the family stops at a seemingly abandoned theme park.

While exploring this park, Chihiro accidentally falls into the spirit world and is forced to embark on an epic quest to find her way home. What makes Spirited Away: Live On Stage work so well is its set design. Through clever construction and excellent puppetry, the show brings the movie’s fantastical elements to life in a way that retains the movie’s wow factor.

Speed Racer Goes In Its Own Direction

Released in 2008 and directed by the Wachowski sisters, Speed Racer is based on Tatsuo Yoshida’s legendary manga and anime series. The series follows the titular Speed Racer, a young boy who loves automobile racing and will do anything it takes to win. However, he must be careful, as the other racers will stop at nothing to guarantee they take first place.

Speed Racer strikes the perfect balance. While it respects and retains most of what made the original work, it takes things in a unique direction, making full use of modern filmmaking techniques. Because of this, Speed Racer works as both an anime adaptation and as a fun film in its own right.

Death Note Nails The Manga’s Atmosphere

Death Note has had a rocky history with live-action adaptations. However, Shusuke Kaneko’s 2006 movie proves that the franchise can work in live-action. The film follows Light Yagami, a young man who discovers a mysterious book called a Death Note that can kill anyone the holder desires.

Light uses this book to purge the world of anyone he deems unworthy of life. However, when an enigmatic detective is called in to work out who is behind this wave of death, a twisted game of cat and mouse begins. What makes the 2006 version of Death Note stand out is its atmosphere. The film does a fantastic job of capturing the tense, uneasy vibe of the manga’s early chapters, something that is only enhanced by the movie’s strong visual design.

Yatterman Is Weird And Wacky In All The Right Ways

Making its debut on Fuji TV in 1977, Yatterman is one of Japan’s most beloved series. A sequel to Zenderman, the series follows Gan and Ai, two young people who moonlight as the heroes Yatterman-1 and Yatterman-2. This pair aims to recover all the fragments of the Skull Stone before the evil Doronbo gang can find it and use it to locate a legendary treasure.

In 2009, Takashi Miike directed a live-action film inspired by the series. Like the original anime, this movie follows Yatterman-1 and Yatterman-2 as they try to stop the Doronbo gang from assembling the Skull Stone. This film does a fantastic job of adapting the original series’ trademark wacky humor and parody, making it feel like a natural extension of the series.

Rohan at the Louvre Is Made By Its Casting

Written by Hirohiko Araki, Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe is a spin-off of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. The story follows manga artist Rohan Kishibe as he travels the world helping people and solving strange mysteries to find inspiration for his stories. In 2020, it was announced that NHK would be making a live-action miniseries based on the stories.

This miniseries proved so popular that several more episodes were made, as well as a feature-length movie titled Rohan at the Louvre, which was released in 2023. One reason for this film’s success is Issei Takahashi, the actor playing Rohan. Takahashi does a great job of nailing Rohan’s personality and aura, making it feel like the character has literally jumped off the page.