Anime fans live in a world of their own. And their happiness usually erupts when a new series gets announced or their favorite anime returns with another brilliant season. But when it comes to a live-action adaptation of an anime, fans are either excited or anxious. On one hand, there is a pride in seeing the creative spirit of Japanese animation extend towards Hollywood. But on the other hand, there’s the fear that the creators may alter the source material and ruin a beloved story with a remake.
Because if we’re being honest, Hollywood hasn’t had an entirely radiant past in adapting anime. The Western audience may be hungry for the art as well, but there’s an authentic flavor that needs to be retained. For every Bleach or Rurouni Kenshin live-action adaptation that ends up decent, we get a Death Note or Ghost in the Shell that falls flat. Amidst the flurry of source materials, where really does Netflix’s growing catalog fall on the broad spectrum? Does it end up being creative or does it embarrass? This year is scheduled with promising versions of One Piece and Avatar: The Last Airbender, but before that, let's quickly place the already existing Netflix adaptations from worst to best.
10 Full Metal Alchemist: The Final Alchemy (2022)
In order to bring the beloved manga series to life, this final installment should've paid more attention towards its production and ambition rather than just using all its creativity towards special effects and excessive body horror. Full Metal Alchemist: The Final Alchemy continues the young brothers' journey to regain what was lost at pretty much the same pace as the anime. They face a formidable opponent, learn more about their father's past, and break taboos. While the creators try to hold the core theme of loss, hope, and sacrifice together, the live-action adaptation suffers from a slow plot, poor dialogue, and rushed fight sequences. For devoted fans of the anime, the movies are simply disappointing, and this epic finale just proves why.
9 Death Note (2017)
Despite placing some genuinely talented stars like LaKeith Stanfield, Margaret Qualley, and Willem Defoe, this adaptation stripped away much of the mystery, intrigue and nuance that made the Japanese anime an internationally acclaimed genre-defining classic. The premise is similar: Light Turner is a high school student who stumbles upon a mysterious notebook that allows him to kill anyone if he wrote their name on a page. Transfixed, he begins to eliminate his foes one by one.
The Netflix movie really messes up the characters, and the cat-and-mouse game between Light and L is devoid of a motive and feels shallow. Adam Wingard’s direction also appears to be one dimensional because this version lacks the psychological complexity that made the protagonists incredible in the source material. Overall, Death Note fails miserably.
8 Cowboy Bebop (2021)
Leaving fans conflicted as to whether or not to appreciate the efforts, Cowboy Bebop works in some places. Like the anime, the story of this Netflix series centers around Spike Spiegel and his ragtag crew getting aboard a spaceship and chasing bounties and criminals across the cosmos. While retaining the style and spirit of its characters, the adaptation falls flat in recreating the quirky yet lovable dynamics within the crew. After all, the anime gave rise to a culture and it deserves to be honored. Spike remains a cool loner and Jet remains wise, with the cast resembling the original characters in the anime. However, their complex backstories weren’t given much attention, their experiences felt rushed, and the overall plot didn’t seem fully developed yet. The first season was so badly received by the audience that Netflix ended up canceling the live action Bebop.
7 Fullmetal Alchemist (2017)
Under the meticulous direction of Fumihiko Sori, the first Netflix live-action adaptation was brought to the small screen in 2017. By this time the anime had become very popular, so it was easy to draw attention. Even though Fullmetal Alchemist was heavy on CGI to recreate alchemy scenes, the movie’s main idea is to tap into the core journey about brotherly love and finding the Philosopher’s Stone so they can restore Al’s body. The child actors that portray young Edward and Alphonse infuse the characters with a pinch of innocence and ambition. As they grow, so do their hardships. But what makes the adaptation somewhat compelling is the arc about the shadow government because it allows us to look at the dilemmas faced by the Elric brothers. Not entirely a win, the film manages to pick the familiar beats of the original and breathe new life into it.
6 Rurouni Kenshin Part One: Origins (2012)
Adapted from a beloved Japanese period action-adventure anime featuring spectacular fights and brilliant martial arts sequences, this one captures both the spirit and energy of Kenshin’s journey. Tapping into its already massive fanbase, Rurouni Kenshin Part One: Origins retells the incredible story of an assassin who is trying to redeem himself by swearing to never kill again. But now, he’s being tested by the presence of enemies and the threats they pose. Set authentically in medieval Japan, the movie recreates Kenshin’s elegant and deadly sword style. You can properly see the transformation from the animated art form to something visceral. Staying humble on the special effects, the 2012 movie makes sure to use the emotional anchor of its main character and still balance the action and drama. So far, this becomes the high point of Netflix’s anime adaptations.
5 Kakegurui (2019)
Kakegurui, the anime that was released in 2017, stunned fans by being wildly original and fascinating in its premise. It was mad stylish and bizarre, with the setting of gambling school being envisioned for the first time. The main character, Yumeko, was a truly vibrant teen using her psychotic obsession with gambling as an excuse to use violence, inflict pain, and dominate those who crossed her and to take down the student council president.
When Netflix adapted the anime and turned it into a live action movie, the characters became fully realized personalities. It held the grace of the anime gently and explored school hierarchy, made social commentary, and handled the unequal power dynamics with the same flair. As for the pacing and the drama, some viewers announced mixed reviews.
4 Bleach (2018)
While this Netflix live-action adaptation tries earnestly to replicate the fights, characters, and moments that fans have grown to cherish, Bleach takes a step back on special effects. Centered around Ichigo, who was born with the unwilling ability to see ghosts, the movie follows the same arc as the anime. Ichigo’s journey to becoming a Shinigami to fight against evil spirits and help the broken souls find peace resonated through Sota Fukushi’s grounded performance. In less than two hours, the live-action Bleach manages to fill in all the important events from the manga, like Ichigo’s life before Rukia Kuchiki entered his life, his practice for becoming a Soul Reaper, as well as his fight with the fearsome Hollow. In a way, the film felt like a visual checklist of iconic scenes without bothering to recreate the complex emotions and focus on development. Yet, it became one of the most successful Netflix adaptations and gained massive viewership.
3 Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part II - The Beginning (2021)
Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part II - The Beginning is a prequel film but it does a fantastic job at bringing the epic adaptation series to a conclusion. It just proves that even live-action can get better with each installment. While Kenshin is shown as a fully-realized assassin in the earlier films, this one sheds more light into his past and how he came to be one. We witness Kenshin's tortured past and the origins of his pacifist samurai spirit. Also, it explores the relationship between Kenshin and Tomoe Yukishiro, which provides a much needed relief from the emotional storyline. Being set in the Bakumatsu period in Japan, the movie also reveals a profound sense of realism. The action sequences showcase an entirely different level of finesse and fluidity that rivals the anime in all aspects. Overall, the live-action film only makes the anime timeless.
2 The Ingenuity of the Househusband (2021)
At 10 episodes long, this recent Netflix project is a testament to the fact that even the most simplistic, unassuming source material can thrive when given the right treatment. The Ingenuity of the Househusband isn’t heavy on action or violence, but rather portrays the lighthearted, feel-good aesthetic that anime is beloved for. The show digs into the subtle comedy of the manga and spins genuinely adorable gags out of its protagonist. It centers around a tough-as-nails gangster and his attempt at making a home and snuggling into family life. Household work and chores aren’t for everyone but Kenjiro Tsuda is so precise, it is almost fascinating to watch. The scenes of delivering bento lunches, doing laundry, and dealing with frequent mishaps paint a lovely picture of a life that is totally different from the main character’s past.
1 Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part I - The Final (2021)
In 2021, Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part I - The Final became the highest grossing live-action adaptation. And for good reason. The movie showcased sword fighting at its best as Kenshin's story advanced. After the brutal death of his sister, Shanghai mafia leader Yukishiro Enishai unleashed wrath upon our hero in the name of vengeance. The battle choreography was on point, and the visuals were killer, making each scene a thing of beauty. From the beautiful action sequences to Kenshin's final confrontation with his strongest enemy, the film does not leave any stone unturned. For once, an anime adaptation understands just how to do justice to the source material and deliver nuanced characters as well as core themes that made the original a classic.