Live-action adaptations of successful anime series and manga often tread a dangerous line, and more often than not, they leave hardcore fans annoyed, not entertained. Bringing the vivid and dynamic worlds of animations to real life is no easy feat, and adaptations are often doomed to fail.
But then came One Piece on Netflix. This remarkable live-action adaptation of the wildly popular manga does an excellent job of bringing the world of East Blue to life. Eiichiro Oda, manga creator, and series executive producer, said as much when he met with Iñaki Godoy (The Imperfects), the actor who proudly wears Monkey D. Luffy’s famous straw hat.
If you just emerged from your One Piece binge and wonder if there might be other live-action anime gems hidden out there, you’re in for a treat. This list is your treasure map, guiding you toward live-action anime movies and TV series that do justice to their roots.
Barakamon (2023 – )
- Creator: Satsuki Yoshino
- Starring: Yôsuke Sugino, Ririsa Miyazaki, Min Tanaka
Official synopsis: A fiery calligrapher, exiled to an east coast island in Japan, discovers the power of community and kindness. Witness his transformation from pride to humility in this beautiful gem of a show.
Ghost in the Shell (2015)
- Director: Rupert Sanders
- Starring: Scarlett JohanssonPilou AsbækTakeshi Kitano
Official synopsis: Step into the near future with Ghost in the Shell. The science fiction movie follows a cybernetic human with a mysterious past as she works for an anti-terrorist division while wrestling with her identity. It’s her against Kuze, in a gripping tale of technology and identity.
Cool Doji Danshi (2023 – )
- Starring: Yûta Nakamoto, Takumi Kawanishi, Maito Fujioka
Official synopsis: Dive into the funny and charming world of Cool Doji Danshi. It’s all about seemingly cool guys who reveal their clumsy sides, generating plenty of laughs along the way.
GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (1998)
- Starring: Takashi Sorimachi, Nanako Matsushima, Shun Oguri
Official synopsis: Unconventional methods take center stage in GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka. Centering on a former troublemaker turned teacher, the comedy-drama explores his unorthodox approach to reaching out to his students.
I’s (2018 – 2019)
- Starring: Amane Okayama, Sei Shiraishi, Kyôka Shibata
Official synopsis: This series is a whirlwind of high school romance, where a young boy must choose between four girls, each symbolizing a different season. Drama, laughter, and love unfold as he navigates the complex world of relationships.
Animal World (2018)
- Director: Yan Han
- Starring: Yifeng Li, Yunhe Yi, Bingkun Cao
Official synopsis: Animal World centers on a man with crushing debts who embarks on a treacherous voyage aboard a ship hosting a dangerous gambling event. With rock-paper-scissors as the game of choice, the stakes are sky-high, and every move is a gamble.
City Hunter (2011)
- Starring: Lee Min-HoPark Min-YoungSang-Jung Kim
Official synopsis: City Hunter is an action-packed series. It follows Lee Yun-seong, a man trained by a close family friend to seek revenge for his father’s unit.
The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (2023 – )
- Starring: Nana Mori, Natsuki Deguchi, Ai Hashimoto
Official synopsis: The series follows Kiyo Nozuki, a teenager in Kyoto who initially aspired to become a maiko but discovers her true talent lies in cooking. She shifts gears and becomes a caterer, preparing delicious meals to support her fellow maiko apprentice geisha in their daily lives.
Erased (2017)
- Starring: Yûki Furukawa, Tomoka Kurotani, Reo Uchikawa
Official synopsis: Erased is a gripping thriller about a boy who uses his time-traveling ability to try and prevent his mother’s murder and save three classmates. It’s a suspenseful journey through time, packed with mystery and determination.
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023)
- Creator: Yûsuke Ishida
- Starring: Eiji Akaso, Mai Shiraishi, Shuntarô Yanagi
Official synopsis: Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a hilarious zombie apocalypse tale. It follows a former office drone who takes the chance to break free from his mundane nine-to-five when the undead take over.
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
- Director: Robert Rodriguez
- Starring: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly
Official synopsis: Alita: Battle Angel introduces the titular Alita, a powerful cyborg with no memory of her origins. She embarks on a journey to uncover her past and discovers her role in stopping a cycle of destruction.
Gintama (2017)
- Director: Yûichi Fukuda
- Starring: Masami Nagasawa, Kanna Hashimoto, Wataru Ichinose
Official synopsis: Gintama is a hilarious blend of samurai action and sci-fi. It follows a young, jobless samurai and his friends take on the task of protecting the cursed sword Benizakura in a Tokyo ruled by alien invaders.
Alice in Borderland (2020 – )
- Starring: Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya, Nijirô Murakami
Official synopsis: In this thrilling series, Arisu and his friends find themselves in an empty Tokyo after a strange event. They’re forced to participate in a deadly survival game, making every choice a matter of life or death.
Hell Girl (2006 – 2007)
- Starring: Sayuri Iwata, Aya Sugimoto, Kazuki Katô
Official synopsis: When vengeful souls seek retribution, they turn to the enigmatic Ai Emma, known as the Hell Girl. She drags the tormentors into the abyss, but the clients must pay a haunting price; a cross mark on their chests.
Cowboy Bebop (2021)
- Creator: Christopher L. Yost
- Starring: John ChoMustafa ShakirDaniella Pineda
Official synopsis: Cowboy Bebop is a space Western series about Spike Spiegel and his bounty hunter crew as they chase the galaxy’s worst criminals, navigate unexpected dangers, and leave a trail of mayhem in their wake
Bleach (2018)
- Director: Shinsuke Sato
- Starring: Sôta Fukushi, Hana Sugisaki, Ryô Yoshizawa
Official synopsis: Ichigo Kurosaki is a high school student who can see ghosts. After a fateful encounter with Rukia Kuchiki he becomes a Soul Reaper. Now armed with incredible powers, he stands as the town’s guardian, protecting it from the menacing hollows.
Speed Racer (2008)
- Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
- Starring: Emile Hirsch, Matthew Fox, Christina Ricci
Official synopsis: Join Speed Racer as he revs up to conquer The Crucible, a dangerous cross-country rally while exposing corporate race-fixing plots. With his legendary Mach 5 and support from loved ones, he teams up with a former rival in a race to save his family’s business and the integrity of racing.
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (2003 – 2004)
- Creator: Naoko Takeuchi
- Starring: Jun Masuo, Miyû Sawai, Rika Izumi
Official synopsis: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon brings the iconic anime to life in this live-action reimagining. The series follows the adventures of Usagi Tsukino, a normal schoolgirl turned Sailor Senshi with the help of Luna, the stuffed cat. Alongside her fellow Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Kamen, they battle evil to find the Moon Princess.
Death Note (2006)
- Director: Shûsuke Kaneko
- Starring: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Ken’ichi Matsuyama, Asaka Seto
Official synopsis: When Light Yagami discovers a sinister notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it, he embarks on a mission to cleanse the world of criminals. But things take a dark turn when the brilliant detective L steps in to stop him.
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014)
- Director: Keishi Otomo
- Starring: Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Tatsuya Fujiwara
Official synopsis: Kenshin Himura is back to face off against the formidable Makoto Shishio in a battle to save the Meiji government. With the country’s destiny in jeopardy, Kenshin’s vow to never draw his sword is put to the ultimate test.
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