5 Anime That Should be Adapted to Movies
There are so many anime and manga that ripe for the picking.
Within recent years anime and manga have become much more common to western audiences. The newest anime will become available in America in less than an hour after it airs in its home land of Japan. Live-action adaptations of Japanese animations aren’t anything new in japan, but recently America has started showing interest as well. This year alone had one full theatrical release and one Netflix release of American live-action movie adaptations of two well-known anime, “Ghost in the Shell” and “Death Note.”
Unfortunately, “Ghost in the Shell” was a box-office flop, and “Death Note” was met with heavy criticism for changing characters and story elements in a negative way. While the American anime remake market is off to a rough start, there is still hope. With the right directors that will understand and respect the base material, it is still possible to make great adaptations of classic Japanese anime.
These are five anime that should be made into films.
5. “Berserk”
Set in a dark fantasy where all forms of demons and monsters roam the lands and humanity is struggling just trying to survive. It follows the story of a lone mercenary named Guts, and the leader of a mercenary group named Griffith. In such a dark and violent setting, it questions every character’s humanity and the choices they make. This anime shows the best and the worst of humanity pushed the limit of sanity. Whenever a game, movie, or TV show comes out that’s set with a dark fantasy setting, “Berserk” is usually the inspiration.
4. “Mobile Suit Gundam”
Humanity has expanded itself into giant space colonies spread throughout the galaxy. When the colonies farthest from Earth decide that they’re not being treated fairly, they band together as the Principality of Zeon and start an all-out war against the Earth Federation. Zeon develops giant battle mechs called Mobile Suits and it turns the war in their favor. The Earth Federation has secretly been developing its own Mobile Suit to turn the tides called the Gundam. This anime is what revitalized Japan’s love for giant robots and helped kick off the giant robot genera in anime.
3. “Outlaw Star”
Basically, the wild wild west in space, “Outlaw Star” follows a colorful cast of characters on board a spaceship led by Gene Starwind, a reckless but caring man who tries to accomplish his goals with minimal effort. It’s basically as if “Guardians of the Galaxy” was an anime, but with more space samurai, wizards, and fist-fighting spaceships.
2. “Fullmetal Alchemist”
In an alternate history, alchemy is the most common practice. When two young brothers, Edward and Alphonse, lose their mother to the plague, they attempt to bring her back using alchemy. It goes horribly wrong with Edward losing an arm and leg, and Alphonse losing his entire body. Edward goes to the government to become a state approved alchemist to research a way to recover Alphonse’s body. “Fullmetal Alchemist” is a well known anime in both Japan and America.
1. “Cowboy Beebop”
One of the original deep space dramas, “Cowboy Beebop” was the first anime shown on Cartoon Networks late night segment, “Adult Swim.” Like “Outlaw Star” but with a much more adult take to it. Main character Spike Spiegel is a one of many bounty hunters contracted by the government to hunt down the ever-growing numbers of criminals throughout the galaxy. Action packed with a cast of characters that are easy to fall in love with, it’s an anime that everyone should watch. Being such a critical and commercial success both in and out of Japan, there is already word of production starting on a live-action movie.