Every Live-Action Anime Adaptation In the Works Right Now

Akira

As arguably the most influential anime movie of all-time, it is shocking that Akira hasn’t gotten a live-action film yet. Well, that is because Warner Bros. has kept it in limbo since acquiring the rights in 2002. 

Hope emerged in 2017, as Taika Waititi became the project’s director. The film is once again up in the air, though, as Watiti juggles all of his current projects.

Cowboy Bebop

After years of speculation, Netflix revealed the Cowboy Bebop live-action Netflix series is in production. 

Netflix’s Cowboy Bebob stars John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda, and Alex Hassell, following the ragtag group of bounty hunters trying to survive the chaos of space.

Your Name

Even though it just released in 2016, Your Name is already getting a live-action movie. 

The film is going to be produced by Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot, telling the story of two strangers that share a magical connection via swapping bodies.

Attack on Titan

Yes, you do read that right: Attack on Titan is getting another live-action movie. The first attempt, shot in two-part, bombed horribly when it released in Japan in 2015, joining the list of terrible anime movie adaptations. 

There is hope for this time around, though, as Andy Muschietti is directing the movie. He is best known for his work adapting Stephen King’s IT in 2017, so he already has a solid track record.

One Piece

While it may seem odd that a fantasy story about a stretchy pirate and his eccentric band of misfits is getting a live-action series, the success of One Piece as an anime and manga speaks for itself. 

Even though information is sparse, all 10 episodes have scripts, and filming is set for Cape Town, South Africa.

Death Note Sequel

Regardless of how you feel about Death Note’s live-action adaptation compared to the original anime, the 11 million views garnered in three days proves a sequel was merited. 

The sequel continues where the first let off, exploring Light and Ryuk’s dealy journey with the Death Note. It’ll be interesting to see how much more the movies branch off from the source material, as there is a lot of difference between the two already as of the end of the first installment.

Naruto

The greatest Ninja that ever lived is finally getting his own live-action movie. As of 2018, Michale Gracey (The Greatest Showman) will direct the film, though it is still in the scripting stages of things. 

Naruto tells the story of an orphan ninja with a destructive power hidden within. With the help of his friends and teacher, he must use this power to save the world.

One Punch Man

One Punch Man is the story of a man so powerful that he kills everything he fights in one punch. Being that powerful makes pretty much everything dull, though, as Saitama struggles to find his purpose in life after accomplishing his goal to attain power.

Sony is developing the film adaptation of One Punch Man, written by Venom’s Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner, with Avi and Ari Arad producing. 

Battle of the Planets

While it may be one of the lesser-known titles on this list, anime fans should definetly be excited for the film adaptation of Battle of the Planets.

Like the 100+ anime series from the 70s, the movie follows five young orphans, known as G-Force, that train from a young again to protect the earth from invading forces. If that synopsis doesn’t sell you, the fact that it is produced Acclaimed Marvel directors Joe and Anthony Russo certainly will. 

Mobile Suit Gundum

Pacific Rim’s critical success in 2013 proves that, when done right, movies about giant robot battles still have a place in the current climate. Mobile Suit Gundum is the perfect series to prove that statement correct, combining awesome fight with well-written stories. 

While not much information is known about the movie’s status, Brian K. Vaughan is said to be penning the script.

Robotech

Another somewhat obscure anime from the 80s, Robotech follows a world where a huge scientific discovery advanced Earth’s technology immensely. The only problem is that the alien’s responsible for that technology are invading. 

Andy Muschietti is directing the live-action Robotech movie, with Wonder Woman co-writer Jason Fuchs in charge of the script. 

Sword Art Online

When the creator of a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Sword Art Online, traps players inside the game, it is up to Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya to help get everyone out. 

For the live-action Netflix version of the story, Altered Carbon creator Laeta Kalogridis is in charge of scriptwriting.

Star Blazers

Credited with being the anime that paved the way for arc-based, plot-driven epics, Star Blazers is about a raging war between Earthlings and the aliens who destroyed their planet. The show delt with more mature themes than most anime of its era, meaning it will fit in to the current landscape well.

Zach Dean is in charge of writing the live-action version of Star Blazers alongside director Christopher McQuarrie. The two work together on the Mission Impossible franchise, showing they know how to make a thrilling action movie. 

FMA sequel

While the first Full Metal Alchemist movie may not have lived up to the expectations of anime fans, Netflix is still going forward with a sequel. As of 2017, it was announced that Part 2 was currently in production.

The story will pick up with the Elric Brothers, continuing their journey to uncover the secrets of the philosopher stone.

The Last Airbender

While M. Night Shyamalan’s 2010 adaptation of The Last Airbender is heralded as one of the worst of all-time, there is still hope for the fans when it comes to getting a proper live-action series.

Unlike the movie, creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko will be executive producers and showrunners for this version of Avatar retelling the story in live-action. The series is still in the early stages of pre-production, but it has a lot of potential.