7 Most Hype Live Action Anime Adaptations Currently in Production

7. SAMURAI CHAMPLOO Tomorrow Studios is once again attempting to adapt a work by Shinichiro Watanabe after the controversial results of COWBOY BEBOP. This time they are developing a live-action SAMURAI CHAMPLOO with Watanabe's closer involvement in the production process. This has made some fans a bit more optimistic. Unfortunately, this project is still in a very early development stage. Not many major details have been announced so far, including casting or production schedules. Therefore, the hype for this project still feels quite cautious compared to other adaptations on the list.

6. ONE-PUNCH MAN Sony Pictures is developing a live-action film ONE-PUNCH MAN with Justin Lin as the director. Writers from Rick and Morty, Dan Harmon and Heather Campbell, are also working on the script. This combination of big names immediately captures the attention of anime fans. However, so far, this project still feels very mysterious. There are no clear details about character design, shooting schedules, or who will play Saitama. Because the concept of absurd power in ONE-PUNCH MAN is very difficult to realize in live-action, many fans are still skeptical about whether this project can truly succeed.

5. SOLO LEVELING The live-action SOLO LEVELING is being developed directly in South Korea, the home country of the webtoon and its novel. This project is led by directors Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, with several big names from Korea already linked as the main cast. One of them is Byeon Woo-seok, who is said to play Sung Jinwoo. Since it is being produced directly by the Korean industry, many fans feel that this project has a greater chance of capturing the original nuances of SOLO LEVELING. Moreover, the popularity of this franchise is currently at its peak following the success of its anime adaptation. All of this has contributed to the increasing hype surrounding this project.

4. MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM Netflix, along with Legendary Entertainment and Bandai Namco Filmworks, has finally begun full production of the live-action GUNDAM this year. Jim Mickle has been entrusted as the director and writer of the project. The film also features actors such as Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo. As one of the largest mecha franchises of all time, GUNDAM carries very high expectations. Fans are also curious about how the mobile suit designs will be translated into a modern live-action format. With a substantial budget backing, this project has the potential to become one of the biggest anime adaptations in the coming years.

3. VOLTRON Amazon MGM Studios is collaborating with World Events Productions to develop a new live-action VOLTRON. Unlike other projects on the list, filming for this movie has already been completed and is now just awaiting release on Prime Video. This makes this project feel the most tangible so far. The film is directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and stars Henry Cavill and Sterling K. Brown. The inclusion of these big names has significantly increased the hype. Many fans hope this project will be a major surprise when it is released.

2. MY HERO ACADEMIA The live-action MY HERO ACADEMIA has been in development for nearly a decade with Legendary Entertainment and Toho. However, this project has started to show significant progress after Netflix acquired the licensing rights. Many fans feel that this school superhero franchise is indeed best suited for adaptation in a Hollywood style. Shunsuke Sato, director of ALICE IN BORDERLAND, has been entrusted with handling this project. With a combination of superhero action and an American school setting, MY HERO ACADEMIA seems to have very high mainstream potential. This has led to the hype for this project continuing to grow each year.

1. NARUTO The live-action NARUTO has become the project that leaves fans both curious and worried. After years in development, this project has finally started to show significant progress in recent years. Destin Daniel Cretton is now entrusted to direct the film for Lionsgate. Naruto has a huge nostalgia factor and is known as one of the most popular anime of all time. However, on the other hand, the character designs, ninja techniques, and shinobi world make this project very risky to fail if not handled properly. Because it stands between the potential for a masterpiece and a total disaster, the hype for the live-action NARUTO is the biggest on this list.