10 Ill-fated Anime Live-Action Movie Adaptations

Sep 18, 2023

By: Sahib Preet Singh

10 Anime Live-Action Adaptations That Missed The Zing

Anime, with its rich storytelling and intricate characters, has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide. However, the transition from the animated realm to live-action cinema can be a treacherous journey. In the annals of anime adaptations, some films have em...

1. "Avatar: The Last Airbender"

In the annals of cinematic history, the 2010 live-action adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is a glaring misstep. For devoted fans of the beloved franchise, this movie is often treated as a phantom creation, seldom spoken of. The film&apo...

2. "Death Note"

Netflix's attempt at bringing "Death Note" to life in a live-action film left fans worldwide profoundly disappointed. The sole glimmer of hope in this cinematic endeavor was the brilliant casting choice of Willem Dafoe as Ryuk. However, beyond t...

3. "Ouran High School Host Club"

The live-action adaptation of "Ouran High School Host Club" joins the ranks of disappointing anime-to-film transitions. It's a stark reminder that some anime are best left in their animated form and should be spared from live-action attempts. As...

4. "Parasyte"

"Parasyte" enjoys a reputation as a top-notch body horror-thriller-sci-fi anime. However, its live-action adaptation falls significantly short in several areas. The most glaring issue is the subpar CGI, which ranks among the worst in film history. Be...

5. "Black Butler"

The live-action rendition of "Black Butler" takes the beloved story and turns it into a chaotic mess. Departing from the original 20th-century setting, the film transports the narrative to the 2000s, introducing significant alterations to plotlines a...

6. "Attack on Titan"

Adapting the intricate themes of war, politics, and morality from the modern classic "Attack on Titan" to the big screen is no small feat. Unfortunately, the live-action film version faced a multitude of issues, with the casting of Japanese actors in...

7. "Dragonball Evolution"

In the ill-fated 2009 live-action adaptation of the beloved Dragon Ball franchise, "Dragonball Evolution", it was evident that the creators prioritized profit over preserving the essence of this iconic series. The casting of Justin Chatwin, a non-Asi...

8. "Fullmetal Alchemist"

In 2017, Netflix ventured into producing a live-action adaptation of "Fullmetal Alchemist", aiming to encapsulate the essence of the series by encompassing the first four volumes of the manga. While the effort was commendable, time constraints proved...

9. "Devilman"

"Devilman", a live-action adaptation of the revered "Devilman Crybaby", diverged significantly from its source material. Netflix had previously excelled in bringing the anime to life, but the live-action rendition failed to garner the same ...

10. "Gantz"

"Gantz", known for its grotesque themes and intricate character development, posed a considerable challenge for its live-action adaptation. While the anime adeptly conveyed the multifaceted plot and allowed characters to organically evolve, the two-p...