20 Anime That Hollywood Keeps Trying (and Failing) to Adapt

Hollywood studios have spent decades attempting to capitalize on the global popularity of Japanese animation by commissioning live-action adaptations. These projects often face significant challenges in translating the unique visual styles and storytelling tropes of anime for Western audiences. Fans frequently express concern regarding casting choices and changes to the source material that alter the core themes of the original works. While some attempts manage to reach theaters, many others remain stuck in development for years or fail to resonate with viewers upon release. The following list highlights notable instances where studios struggled to successfully adapt beloved anime franchises.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

20th Century Fox attempted to adapt the iconic manga and anime franchise into a live-action blockbuster with disastrous results. The film altered the story significantly by turning the protagonist Goku into an American high school student who attends parties. Fans and critics universally panned the movie for its poor special effects and lack of faithfulness to the source material. The creator of the series eventually stated that the film felt like it was made by people who did not understand his work.

‘Ghost in the Shell’ (2017)

Paramount Pictures released this adaptation of the seminal cyberpunk anime with Scarlett Johansson in the lead role. The casting decision sparked immediate controversy regarding whitewashing and distracted from the release of the film. The visual effects team successfully recreated the futuristic aesthetic of the original movie. The script simplified the complex philosophical themes about artificial intelligence and consciousness which left the story feeling hollow.

‘Death Note’ (2017)

This Netflix adaptation moved the setting from Tokyo to Seattle and changed the main character’s name to Light Turner. The director aimed to create a distinct version that would appeal to Western horror fans rather than strictly following the manga. Critics pointed out that the intricate psychological battle between the protagonist and the detective L was significantly diluted. The film failed to launch the intended franchise despite reports of a sequel script entering development.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

Netflix released a live-action series that attempted to capture the jazz-inspired style of the original anime. The show starred John Cho as Spike Spiegel and featured the original composer Yoko Kanno returning to score the episodes. Viewers criticized the series for its tonal inconsistencies and changes to character backstories that disrupted the narrative flow. The streaming service canceled the production less than a month after its premiere due to poor reception and high costs.

‘Knights of the Zodiac’ (2023)

This film represents a recent attempt by Sony Pictures to bring the ‘Saint Seiya’ franchise to international theaters. The plot focuses on a street orphan who discovers he has mystical powers and must protect a reincarnated goddess. Box office returns were disastrously low due to a lack of marketing and poor word of mouth. Critics noted that the visual effects looked dated and the story felt rushed compared to the anime.

‘Speed Racer’ (2008)

The Wachowskis directed this visually experimental adaptation of the classic racing anime known as ‘Mach GoGoGo’ in Japan. They utilized vibrant colors and unique editing techniques to mimic the look of animation within a live-action format. General audiences found the aesthetic overwhelming which led to a disappointing performance at the box office. The film has since garnered a cult following among fans who appreciate its ambitious style and sincerity.

‘Astro Boy’ (2009)

Imagi Animation Studios produced this computer-animated film based on the foundational manga by Osamu Tezuka. The movie featured a star-studded voice cast including Nicolas Cage and Freddie Highmore. The plot Americanized the origin story of the robot boy and added generic action tropes that bored critics. The film flopped financially and resulted in the closure of the animation studio shortly after its release.

‘Kite’ (2014)

This adaptation of a controversial adult anime starred Samuel L. Jackson and India Eisley. The filmmakers stripped away the explicit content of the original but failed to replace it with a compelling narrative. The movie suffered from a low budget and action sequences that lacked the kinetic energy of the source material. It was released directly to video in many territories and was largely ignored by mainstream audiences.

‘Fist of the North Star’ (1995)

This direct-to-video production attempted to bring the post-apocalyptic martial arts series to life with a limited budget. The film starred Gary Daniels as Kenshiro and featured Malcolm McDowell in a supporting role. The costumes and sets appeared cheap and the fight choreography failed to capture the over-the-top violence of the anime. Fans consider it a curiosity rather than a serious attempt at adapting the lore.

‘The Guyver’ (1991)

New Line Cinema released this American adaptation of the bio-armor manga series featuring Mark Hamill as a CIA agent. The movie leaned heavily into campy humor and creature effects that differed from the darker tone of the anime. While the suit design for the Guyver unit was praised for its accuracy, the acting and script were ridiculed. A sequel was released a few years later but the franchise never gained traction in the West.

‘Akira’ (1988)

Warner Bros has held the rights to this landmark cyberpunk film for over two decades without producing a film. Various directors including George Miller and Jordan Peele were attached to the project at different points. The project frequently stalls due to budget concerns and creative disagreements regarding the setting. Fans worry that shifting the location from Neo-Tokyo to an American city would ruin the cultural context of the story.

‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995)

A live-action adaptation of this mecha series has been in development hell since the early 2000s. Weta Workshop produced concept art that appeared online and generated excitement among the fanbase. Legal disputes between the original studio Gainax and American production companies halted progress for years. The immense budget required to faithfully render the Angels and Evas remains a major hurdle for any potential studio.

‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ (1979)

Legendary Pictures announced a partnership with Netflix to produce a live-action film based on the massive robot franchise. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts was attached to the project with a script by Brian K. Vaughan. Updates on the production have been scarce since the initial announcement which suggests internal delays. The complexity of the Universal Century timeline poses a difficult challenge for writers attempting to condense the lore.

‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)

Lionsgate has been developing a live-action film based on the ninja manga since 2015. Several directors have entered and exited the project as the studio struggles to crack the script. The challenge lies in adapting a long-running coming-of-age story into a standalone feature film. Destin Daniel Cretton was recently announced as the new writer and director but production has not yet commenced.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Warner Bros secured the rights to adapt the dark fantasy series after the Japanese live-action movies received mixed reviews. Director Andy Muschietti was tapped to helm the project following his success with horror franchises. No significant casting or production news has emerged in several years. The sheer scale of the Titans and the aerial maneuvering gear require a massive visual effects budget.

‘Robotech’ (1985)

Sony Pictures has spent years trying to launch a franchise based on this localized version of ‘Macross’ and other mecha anime. Actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and directors such as James Wan were rumored to be involved at various stages. The project suffers from a complicated web of rights issues between the Japanese creators and American license holders. Scripts have been rewritten multiple times without a final version getting the green light.

‘Your Name.’ (2016)

Paramount and Bad Robot announced an American remake of Makoto Shinkai’s body-swapping romance shortly after its release. Directors including Marc Webb were attached to reimagine the story with Western characters in a rural American setting. The original film relies heavily on Japanese traditions and spiritual concepts that are difficult to translate. Many fans argue that the story is inherently tied to its Japanese cultural identity.

‘One-Punch Man’ (2015)

Sony Pictures is currently developing a live-action adaptation of the superhero satire with ‘Fast & Furious’ director Justin Lin. Writers from ‘Rick and Morty’ were initially hired to draft the screenplay. The premise involves a hero who defeats enemies with a single blow which presents a unique challenge for building dramatic tension in a film. Fans remain skeptical about how the deadpan humor of the anime will translate to live action.

‘Bleach’ (2004–2012)

Warner Bros previously attempted to develop a live-action version of the supernatural sword-fighting series. The studio ultimately let the rights lapse after failing to produce a viable script. A Japanese live-action film was eventually released in 2018 but Hollywood has not renewed its attempts. The length of the series and its specific spiritual mythology make it a daunting property for Western adaptation.

‘Voltron: Defender of the Universe’ (1984)

A live-action movie based on the lion robot series has bounced between studios for nearly two decades. Rawson Marshall Thurber is the latest director attached to the project under Amazon MGM Studios. Previous attempts failed due to budget constraints and a lack of a cohesive script. The project aims to tap into the nostalgia of the 1980s cartoon but has yet to begin filming.

Please share your thoughts on which anime you think deserves a proper live-action adaptation in the comments.