The trend of live adaptation of anime has hit hard on anime fans. Previously, the idea of live-action used to disappoint the fans because they could not perform well. But after the release of One Piece Live Action, the fans restored their faith in live adaptations, especially on Netflix. Following the massive success of One Piece Live Action, several anime have started to follow the trend.
Popular anime like Hunter x Hunter and Naruto had already announced their live actions. But other anime are more deserving when it comes to live adaptation. Netflix should sign them up and start the project as soon as possible. Let us see five of the anime that could have done a better job instead of Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action.
5. Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is a Japanese Cyberpunk anime released in 2006 and ran for 23 episodes. It is one of the best anime of the post-apocalyptic and psychological thriller genre. The plot follows the AutoReivs using the Cogito virus to commit mass murders. It was now up to Re-l to undo the mystery of the murders. Throughout her investigations, she learns about the proxy humanoids and gets deep into the matter.
With the technological progress, it could be a great anime to be adapted into live-action by Netflix. Moreover, it only has one season, so the producers can take time and produce it without time pressure lurking on their heads. The world in which it is set is quite interesting.
4. Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell was released in 1995 and follows the neo-noir genre cyberpunk thriller. In a technologically advanced future, humans can replace their body parts with cybernetic parts and can access the internet through their brains. To avoid a bigger issue, Major Motoko Kusanagi assassinates a foreign diplomat.
But it backfires as a major issue breaks out. A mysterious individual named Puppet Master is ghost-hacking individuals and doing things as they please. Ghost in the Shell has a proper story and could be a great addition the Netflix’s list of successful live adaptations.
3. Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is one of the greatest anime of all time. It is an adventurous and fighting anime that surrounds the lives of three individuals, Jin, Mugen, and Fuu. The former two come across as enemies, while the latter befriends them. Together the three embark on a journey. Throughout their journey, they face several battles, and Fuu finds her father.
At the end of the story, the three-part ways, but instead of fighting, they become friends. Samurai Champloo could be a game-changer for Netflix. A critically acclaimed anime and the fans would have a lot of expectations from Netflix. There are only 26 episodes, and could potentially be a better choice than Avatar: The Last Airbender.
2. Monster
Monster falls in the elite-tier list of anime. Only a few anime are as good as Monster. The antagonist of the anime, Johan Liebert, is one of the best manipulators and turns the protagonist’s life upside down. The former creates an empire through fear, and the latter embarks on a journey to kill the antagonist. There is not a single moment when the audience will not have their heart thumping with tension.
Monster is a great idea for an anime live adaptation for Netflix, but it would require the best actors to portray the roles of Johan Liebert and Dr. Kenzo Tenma. It will dry up the throats, yet no one will be able to get out of their seats. Such is the level of attention given to the anime.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was released back in 2009. With a 9.1 rating on IMDb, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood ranks on the top rating-wise. The Elric Brothers, Edward and Alphonse, tried to bring back their mother from death, but the former lost two of his limbs, and the latter lost his body. After that, they go in search of the Philosopher’s Stone to revive their mother.
But everything did not go as planned, and they had to face several calamities. It could have been the best choice for Netflix to adapt into a live-action series. But there will be a lot of pressure on the producers since it is one of the most popular anime of all time, and fans would have high expectations.
