Anime to Live-Action Movie?
Anyone who knows me knows that I love me some anime. For those who don’t know what anime is, it is “Japanese animation”. Anime has slowly been making its way into American television over the years and today has a number of shows that appear on TV here in the states or have influenced shows here. “Dragon Ball”, “Dragon Ball Z”, “Pokemon”, “Naruto” are just some of the shows that you’ve probably heard about.
Well, if you are any kind of an anime fan than you’ve heard of “Akira”, “Ghost in the Shell”, and “Ninja Scroll”. “Akira” was released back in the 90s and was the forerunner for bringing anime to the forefront in the West. At the time, it revolutionized how anime was done. “Akira” along with the other two titles I mentioned are globally the most popular titles in the genre.
I’m writing this blog entry because I am worried. Anime films, like most animation movies for that matter, tend to do things that cannot be done in a live-action film. Films like “The Matrix” and “Kill Bill” have started hinting at the idea that it could be possible, but unfortunately they did not come close to delivering. You can duplicate the general style of some of the shots but you fail miserably at trying to recreate the action sequences, and this is something that sets anime apart from everything else. The action sequences are so crazy intense and stylized that it will be some time before it could be duplicated into live-action or even at all for that matter.
The latest news is that Alex Tse is set to write a live-action adaptation of “Ninja Scroll” for Warner Bros. Pictures. This news is in addition to the previously announced “Akira” and “Ghost in the Shell” live-action adaptation announcements earlier this year. It almost brings a tear to my eye to hear this news. I’m all about adapting into the visual or animated medium (i.e. “moving medium”). Adapt books all you want, but cartoons and animes or even video games, as far as I’m concerned, you are looking for trouble. Stories should be done visually in one medium - unless they can be made better. However, in almost all cases, live-action is not the route to go to tell a story better.
Take a look at the video game adaptations (”Resident Evil”, “Max Payne”, “Hitman”). They are failing at the theater. As far as I am concerned, the same is going to happen to the anime adaptations as well. And, in all honesty, it has already started. Case in point: the new “Dragon Ball” movie. Are you serious? Have you looked at any of the promos yet. I might actually have to have someone pay me to go see it.
Another example is the “Star Wars” universe. Now “Star Wars” is in a unique position because it was originally presented to us through live-action. It has since then branched off into a number of other mediums including books, comics, and video games. However, in “Star Wars” case, those other mediums added to the story. The books and comics were able to bring more depth to the characters and the stories due to the story-telling. In the video-games, you are able to do countless additional things that were never even seen in the films. Now, let’s say that “Star Wars” was first introduced to us in the game of “The Force Unleashed” (see review). This game allows you to throw your lightsaber like a boomerang, pull a Star Destroyer out of the sky and crash it into the ground, and toss numerous enemies to the side like they were nothing. Now, did you see anything like that in any of the movies? No…not at all. Now if you look at the movies like a video game adaption, wouldn’t you be a little disappointed at the result. The Anakin and Obi-Wan duel at the end of Episode III was suppose to be this grand and epic battle; full of amazing things, especially since it involves the “chosen one”. Yet there was nothing grand or epic about it and when compared to what Jedi and Sith are capable of doing in the video games, the movie pales in comparison.
Bottom-line, “Akira” and “Ghost in the Shell” might be able to be pulled off in a live-action movie if done right and given the right writer(s) and attention. “Ninja Scroll”, like the “Dragon Ball” series, should not be done until the technology to do it properly is developed. The action scenes are just too epic and grand in order the pull off in a live-action film. Until that happens , Hollywood is wasting their money and my time.