My Hero Academia has become incredibly popular in the last few years, particularly among the Western demographic. Viewers all over the world have been enthralled by its gripping story, fascinating characters, and thrilling action scenes. With its popularity extending to anime, movies, and comics, My Hero Academia has established itself as a major force in the entertainment industry. Naturally, this has sparked talk regarding a possible live-action adaptation.
However, due to the poor review of the previous Netflix adaptation of Death Note, it is crucial to look out for any slip-ups. In this prospect, creator Kohei Horikoshi has an important piece of advice for any screenwriter tackling this project, that will most likely ensure the success of the live-action.
Kohei Horikoshi’s Demand for the Live-Action Adaptation
In an interview at San Diego Comic-Con in 2018, Kohei Horikoshi discussed his thoughts on My Hero Academia, along with revealing his passion for Western comics. He stated his ideation behind the character of Inko Midoriya as well as expressed his immense love for Spider-Man.
Upon asking about his take on My Hero Academia’s potential live-action adaptation, Horikoshi emphasized that the existence of All Might and his relationship with Deku should be at the heart of any adaptation of My Hero Academia.
The film would have to make sure the existence of All Might is very absolute. Also, Deku’s relationship with All Might. Deku is always looking up to All Might. So, as long as that relationship is solid, I think that should be at the core for a screenwriter for a live-action movie.
This dynamic is not just a subplot, rather it is the emotional core of the entire series. All Might serves as Deku’s mentor and idol, inspiring him to become a hero despite being born without a quirk. This relationship is essential in shaping Deku’s journey and growth as a character.
It is important to mention that, a live-action film adaptation of My Hero Academia has been supposedly in development at Netflix for more than a year now. Producer Joby Harold confirmed in 2023 that the upcoming project may have already started production.
Thus, for this live-action My Hero Academia to succeed, it must balance spectacle with substance. Character integrity, emotional care, and respect for source material are necessary to enhance its quality.
Lessons from Death Note’s Netflix Adaptation
Netflix’s Death Note live-action should serve as a cautionary tale to other live-action anime projects. The movie received a lot of flak for deviating from the original source, especially in regard to storyline and character interpretation. The intense mental battle between Light Yagami and L, as well as other substances, was ruined in the process, which resulted in a negative reception from both critics and fans.
In order to prevent making the same mistakes again, Netflix needs to put more emphasis on sticking to the core concepts of My Hero Academia. This entails maintaining the relationships and character arcs, particularly the crucial one between Deku and All Might.
All Might represent the epitome of what it means to be a hero. His bond with Deku is the vital plot point, as he passes on his legacy and quirk to his successor. This mentor-mentee dynamic adds depth to Deku’s character as well as driving much of the series’ emotional weight.
By taking note of Death Note’s live-action adaptation’s past missteps, Netflix can produce a live-action movie that pays tribute to the original work while faithfully and captivatingly portraying Deku’s heroic journey. The stakes are high, yet a successful adaptation is possible if it’s given considerable thought and a great deal of respect for the original work of Kohei Horikoshi.
You can watch My Hero Academia on Crunchyroll.
