7 Worst Live Action Anime Adaptations, Considered Failures and Flooded with Criticism

Kapanlagi.com - Adapting anime to live action is indeed a great temptation. The source material is strong, the fanbase is huge, and the potential is extraordinary. Some live actions have received positive responses, such as One Piece and Gintama. But.. not all live action projects are guaranteed to succeed.

Some live actions adapted from anime end up being classic examples of 'it would be better if it wasn't produced at all'. Now, let's discuss a series of live actions that are considered failures and criticized for their execution being deemed less than optimal.

1. Dragonball Evolution (2009)

This film attempts to loosely adapt Dragon Ball. Goku is portrayed as a high school teenager trying to confront the evil power of Piccolo while searching for the Dragon Ball. The story uses basic elements from the original series but is made very differently; a 'Hollywood teen action' version that tries to be modern.

As a result, fans unanimously say that this film hardly has any Dragon Ball feel at all. The characters are completely changed, the lore is simplified to the point of losing its identity, and the visual effects feel cheap for a big movie. There are many stiff dialogues, fight scenes that lack impact, and Piccolo's design leaves people confused about whether he is a villain or just a random alien. Even the screenwriter himself has apologized to the fans.

2. Death Note (Netflix, 2017)

Live Action Death Note Poster (Credit: IMDB)

This adaptation moves the setting of Death Note from Japan to America. Light Turner discovers the death note and begins using it to 'cleanse the world'. L is on the opposing side, but the direction of the story is made more haphazard and filled with teenage romance that is not present in the original version.

The biggest problem: the characterization is far off. The original manipulative genius Light Yagami appears impulsive and easily panicked. L also becomes overly emotional. The chemistry between characters is lacking, the pacing is rushed, and many plot changes are considered unnecessary. Some fans have described this adaptation as 'fanfic with a Hollywood budget'.

3. Attack on Titan (Japanese Live Action, 2015–2016)

Live Action Attack on Titan Poster (Credit: IMDB)

These two Japanese live action films attempt to adapt the early arc of Attack on Titan: humans living behind giant walls to avoid Titans, then Eren, Mikasa, and Armin struggle against this terror. However, many details of the world are changed, from character relationships to the story background.

However, the visual effects of the Titans are considered less convincing, especially compared to fans' expectations of the very intense anime visuals. Characters change drastically, for example, Mikasa and Eren lose their original dynamics. Some fans complain that the films feel more like a generic monster movie rather than a complex story about freedom, trauma, and politics like the anime/manga version.

4. Fullmetal Alchemist (Netflix/Japan, 2017 & 2022)

Live Action Fullmetal Alchemist Poster (Credit: IMDB)

Following the story of Edward and Alphonse Elric who seek the Philosopher's Stone after a failed alchemical experiment leaves their bodies shattered. The film attempts to condense many important arcs into one or two films, including presenting characters like Mustang, Hughes, and Homunculus.

Although the costumes are nice and the studio's effort is evident, the film is criticized for forcing the complex FMA story into a narrow duration. The plot feels rushed, character interactions seem shallow, and some iconic scenes lack emotion. The CGI for Alphonse is actually quite good, but other effects, especially for Homunculus, often look choppy.

5. Tokyo Ghoul (2017–2019)

Live Action Tokyo Ghoul Poster (Credit: IMDB)

Adapting the early arc of Tokyo Ghoul, this live action follows Ken Kaneki who transforms into a half-ghoul after an incident with Rize. The conflict between the human world and ghouls is presented through battles and personal drama.

Although the cast is quite fitting, many fans feel the tone of the story is too 'safe'. The darkness and psychological nuances of the manga-anime are not fully conveyed. The CGI kagune (the organic weapons of the ghouls) looks stiff, and the pacing of the story lacks flow. The end result feels more like an adaptation that is hesitant to take risks.

6. Bleach (2018)

Live Action Bleach Poster (Credit: IMDB)

This adaptation covers the 'Substitute Shinigami' arc when Ichigo Kurosaki gains Soul Reaper powers from Rukia and fights the Hollows attacking the city.

Actually, this is not the worst adaptation, but it is still criticized for failing to capture the epic scale of the Bleach world. The fights feel 'small', the Hollow effects look less natural, and the character backstories are shallow. For some fans, this movie is 'fairly good' but still falls far below the expectations of a major series like Bleach.

7. The Last Airbender (2010) – Adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Still Live Action Avatar (Credit: IMDB)

(Not a Japanese anime, but often considered part of the discussion because its vibe is very anime and it serves as an example of a total failed adaptation.)

Adapting Book 1, Aang returns after a hundred years and tries to stop the Fire Nation while learning other elements.

The acting is considered stiff, the dialogue heavy and unnatural, and the bending visuals are slow and lackluster. Many character names are mispronounced, costumes and cultures change without reason, and the plot feels like a summary of 20 episodes condensed into a 90-minute film.

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