When Netflix released its live-actionOne Pieceadaptation in 2023, it shocked many anime fans by actually being good. Faithful casting, well-paced storytelling, and inventive visual effects helped the series win over skeptics and draw in new audiences. ButOne Pieceis not the first anime to be brought to life in live-action form. In fact, the world of anime adaptations runs deeper than most people realize.
From action-packed fantasy epics to slow-burning romances, dozens of live-action anime projects have quietly made their way to screens big and small over the past decade. Some were big-budget films made for theaters, while others premiered on streaming platforms or as television miniseries.Whether successful or under the radar, each one offers a different glimpse into how studios reinterpret iconic animated worlds with real actors.
The live-actionAttack on Titanduology was released in Japan in 2015, just as the anime was gaining global momentum.Directed by Shinji Higuchi, the films reimagine the world of man-eating Titans with a gritty, horror-inspired aesthetic.The story follows a similar premise to the anime: humanity fights for survival behind giant walls while a handful of young soldiers confront the monstrous beings and their own inner demons.
However, the adaptation took significant liberties with characters and plotlines. Fan-favorite Levi is nowhere to be found, replaced by original characters with different motivations. The film focuses more on horror and spectacle than the complex political themes of the anime. Reception was mixed, with some fans appreciating the ambition, while others criticized the changes and CGI quality. Still, the film stands as a bold attempt to tackle one of anime’s most epic stories in live action.
Netflix quietly released a live-actionBleachfilm in 2018, covering the early arcs of Tite Kubo’s beloved supernatural shonen. Directed by Shinsuke Sato,who has since become known forAlice in Borderland, the film stars Sota Fukushi as Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who gains the powers of a Soul Reaper.The movie focuses on Ichigo’s initial encounter with Rukia and his first battles with Hollows.
While it condenses the source material heavily, the film does a surprisingly decent job capturing the vibe of the early Bleach arcs. The visual effects for the Hollows are serviceable, and the fight scenes are well choreographed. Fukushi brings a grounded presence to Ichigo, and Hana Sugisaki’s Rukia adds emotional weight. Though it did not make a huge splash internationally, it is a solid gateway for curious newcomers or nostalgic fans.
Based on the hit manga and anime,Zom 100: Bucket List of the Deadwas turned into a Netflix original live-action filmin 2023. It follows Akira Tendo, a burned-out office worker who becomes inexplicably happy when a zombie apocalypse gives him a chance to live freely. The movie leans into the absurd comedy and vibrant style of the anime, balancing gore and humor with surprising heart.
The film stars Eiji Akaso as Akira and features several over-the-top set pieces pulled straight from the manga. Visually, it plays up the chaos with energetic direction and a punk-rock tone.While it skips over some of the longer arcs from the anime, it keeps the core message intact that life is too short to waste on soul-crushing jobs.This adaptation proves that even zombie comedies can translate well into live-action with the right creative team.
Hiromu Arakawa’sFullmetal Alchemisthas long been a fan favorite, so anticipation was high when the first live-action film released in 2017. Starring Ryosuke Yamada as Edward Elric and directed by Fumihiko Sori,the movie covers the early story of the Elric brothers’ journey to reclaim their bodies.Two sequels followed in 2022 withFullmetal Alchemist: The Avenger ScarandFullmetal Alchemist: The Final Alchemy.
While not as emotionally resonant as the anime, the live-actionFullmetal Alchemisttrilogy works as a respectful and visually striking adaptation for fans looking to see the Elrics in a new form.
Though the films received mixed reviews, the trilogy deserves credit for its ambition. The effects for alchemy sequences were serviceable, and the casting mostly fit the characters well. The second and third entries dive into the meatier arcs of the manga, including the confrontations with Scar and Father. While not as emotionally resonant as the anime, the live-actionFullmetal Alchemisttrilogy works as a respectful and visually striking adaptation for fans looking to see the Elrics in a new form.
Before Netflix’s 2019 animated revival,City Hunterwas reimagined as a South Korean action dramain 2011, and it was a total reinvention. Starring Lee Min-ho as Lee Yoon-sung, this version is not a beat-for-beat remake of Tsukasa Hojo’s manga, but a loose adaptation that blends espionage, melodrama, and revenge. The character trades Ryo Saeba’s comedic flirtation for a sharp suit and a vendetta, infiltrating the Blue House (South Korea’s presidential residence) to avenge his father’s death.
While the tone is vastly different from the original manga’s mix of slapstick and detective work, the drama is great as a political thriller.Lee Min-ho plays the dual role of a genius MIT grad and vigilante hacker with surprising emotional nuance, especially as Yoon-sung grapples with moral dilemmas and budding romance.The action is sleek, the story layered, and the themes surprisingly deep. It may not be what longtimeCity Hunterfans expected, but the 2011 K-drama version carved its own identity, and won over millions in the process.
Not to be confused withThe Way of the Househusband, this 2021 live-action miniseries offers a different take on slice-of-life comedy. Adapted from the mangaThe Ingenuity of the Househusband, it stars Kenjiro Tsuda, who also voices the anime version, as a former yakuza turned meticulous domestic god. Unlike the animated show’s over-the-top antics, the live-action version opts for a dry, observational humor style.
Each short episode features the Househusband tackling mundane chores with exaggerated seriousness, like organizing the pantry or mastering laundry. Tsuda’s deadpan delivery elevates the material, making everyday tasks oddly captivating.The series is available on Netflix and serves as a cozy, minimalist watch for fans of Japanese domestic dramas.It is a rare example where live action brings a fresh and quieter perspective compared to its louder anime sibling.
4Erased (2017)
Live-Action Series by Netflix; Based on the Manga by Kei Sanbe
Erasedis a rare case where the live-action version arguably improves on its anime counterpart in some ways.The 2017 Netflix series expands on the time-travel murder mystery with a slower pace and richer emotional development.Yuki Furukawa stars as Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist who travels back to his childhood to prevent a series of kidnappings and deaths.
The 12-episode series allows the story to breathe more than the anime’s 12 episodes did. It dives deeper into Satoru’s relationships, especially with his mother and classmates. The performances are grounded, and the direction leans into noir-inspired visuals. Though it flew under the radar, this adaptation stands as one of the better examples of live-action anime storytelling done right.
Shojo fans got a treat in 2023 with Netflix’s live-action adaptationofFrom Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke.The series follows Sawako Kuronuma, a kind-hearted but misunderstood girl who begins to open up after forming an unlikely friendship with her popular classmate Kazehaya.Sara Minami and Oji Suzuka bring an earnest sweetness to their lead roles, capturing the story’s themes of empathy and growth.
Unlike the anime, which ran for multiple seasons, the live-action series is more streamlined and emotionally focused. The cinematography favors natural light and quiet moments, enhancing the dramatic tone. It retains the innocence and heartfelt emotion of the original, making it a strong entry point for newcomers to shojo romance. This adaptation is a great example of how simplicity and strong casting can carry a beloved manga story.
2My Happy Marriage (2023)
Live-Action Film by Toho Studios; Based on the Light Novel by Akumi Agitogi
This quietly haunting romance was given the live-action treatment in 2023, offering a fairy tale wrapped in historical fantasy.My Happy Marriagecenters on Miyo, a young woman born into a prestigious family but treated like a servant, who is suddenly arranged to marry a cold and powerful soldier named Kiyoka.The film adaptation leans into the melancholic tone and period drama aesthetics of the source material.
My Happy Marriage’slive-action takes its time with character development, making Miyo’s transformation feel deeply earned. Kiyoka’s gradual shift from aloof to affectionate is handled with restraint, mirroring the anime’s slow-burn appeal.
The live-action film is visually stunning, with elegant costumes and muted, painterly cinematography.My Happy Marriage’slive-action takes its time with character development, making Miyo’s transformation feel deeply earned. Kiyoka’s gradual shift from aloof to affectionate is handled with restraint, mirroring the anime’s slow-burn appeal. This version captures both the beauty and the pain of its story with care, making it one of the more underrated romance adaptations.
Arguably the gold standard for live-action anime adaptations, theRurouni Kenshinfilm series spans five movies released between 2012 and 2021. Directed by Keishi Otomo and starring Takeru Satoh as the wandering swordsman Kenshin Himura, these films set a new bar for anime-to-film storytelling. The series mixes historical drama with high-octane sword fights and complex character arcs.
What makes these adaptations so successful is their faithfulness to the spirit of the original while enhancing it with cinematic flair. The choreography is breathtaking, especially the climactic battles, which rival any samurai film. The cast is uniformly strong, and the emotional stakes hit just as hard as the anime.For anyone skeptical about live-action anime, theRurouni Kenshinsaga serves as definitive proof that it can be done, and done exceptionally well.
