13+ Anime That Should Never Be Adapted Into A Live Action Series
Anime live adaptations don’t always work. In fact they don’t work most of the time.
I’ve talked about how anime live adaptations need to die and never come back. But it’s different this time.
While a small minority of shows pull it off, or are more suited to it, there are certain ones that should NEVER be adapted.
The types that are always destined to fail because of the material, content, and elements.
Here it is.
1. Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super, or any version of Dragon Ball has NO business being adapted into a live action series.
We already seen what happened with that disaster of a Dragon Ball live adaption years ago.
The thing with Dragon Ball as a franchise is:
- There’s too many flashy lights
- Impossible manoeuvres
- Flashy techniques
- Face paced action
And other supernatural elements that makes DB a bad choice for live action adaptations.
Taking all that from an anime, and making it realistic will always be a disaster.
That’s just the way it is.
Relevant: If You Love Dragon Ball Super, You Might Love These 7 Anime
2. Magi: Labyrinth Of Magic/Kingdom Of Magic
Magi is another series with a lot of flashy lights, supernatural stuff going on, and somewhat crazy fights going on.
This is more in the 2nd season of the series than the first.
The anime is about “Magi”, a type of chosen person with immense power. And who’s purpose is to choose kings to lead countries.
They’re different to mages as they’re on another level entirely.
Making this anime series a live action series would be a bad choice, and would harm the franchise.
It’s underrated as it is, and this would only make things worse.
3. Slayers
anime series at this point. Made way back in 1995. The series pulled out 5 seasons with the last airing in 2009.
Made by J.C Staff, it influenced the “strong female character” we see in similar anime today, and other aspects.
You can think of it like the female lead version of
It has:
- OP characters and abilities.
- Strong magicians and sorcerers.
- Characters capable of destroying the planet.
And characters who are strong from episode 1, despite the progress later.
For these reasons, a live action adaptation would be awful. They wouldn’t be able to pull it off well enough.
4. Fairy Tail
Fairy Tail is a lot of things to a lot of people. But one thing that’s universal is its supernatural and magic elements.
It’s what defines
While
It’s hard to pull off these types of series and make them relevant or stellar enough to take seriously.
I can’t imagine the friendship side of this series looking too good either in a realistic setting.
We don’t need none of that!
5. Redo Of Healer
Redo Of Healer seems like an obvious choice, but it has to be said and it doesn’t qualify for a lot of reasons.
Let’s start with the savagery of the anime.
It’s about Keyaru, a guy who was an innocent teenager, abused, r*ped, tortured, and much worse for years of his life.
His powers were used against him.
Later he finds a way to get revenge against his oppressors, and it gets uglier than you can imagine.
Even if you ignore these elements, the magic, the supernatural, and of course, Ecchi wouldn’t fare too well.
The whole world would burn if it ever stood a chance to be adapted in the first place.
6. Fate Zero
Fate Zero is one of my best magic series of all time. AND best anime series of all time.
It’s an absolute masterpiece of a series, and no other Fate anime comes close to the quality that drips from it.
It’s about servants and masters, and the “holy grail war” they fight together in order to grant their wishes.
Even after so many years, Fate Zero still looks unbelievable for its animation and art, plus fighting scenes.
Seeing a live action adaptation of this series just wouldn’t cut it sharp enough.
The bar is extremely high and could never be reached.
7. Madoka Magica
cute” style.
Ironically it uses
The world in
One element that definitely wouldn’t be any good is the witches labyrinth. It’s colorful, dark, and strange.
In a realistic setting, this wouldn’t look right. It’s too artistic and too suited to anime alone.
Related: 56+ Of The Greatest Madoka Magica Quotes That Go DEEP
8. The Journey Of Elaina
The Journey Of Elaina, or “Wandering Witch” is where magic and adventure combine. It’s unique for that reason.
Elaina, the MC, wants to go on a journey. Inspired by a writer called Nike. And so after training under a mentor, she makes her way.
While not all episodes are full of action, magic battles, destruction, or anything comparable, it’s still something that wouldn’t look right.
It’s a series with
9. The Demon Girl Next Door
The Demon Girl Next Door is more of a tame series on the surface. It’s a
It’s about magical
But there are aspects to this series that just wouldn’t let it feel as
A series like Clannad is a better alternative for a live adaptation, but not something like The Demon Girl Next Door.
Relevant: Slice Of Life Anime You Need To Consider
10. Amagi Brilliant Park
Amagi Brilliant Park is a wacky series. It’s a bit nuts, with comedy comparable to something like
Different anime all together but still shares that same element.
It’s about an amusement park in danger of shutting down. And how Kanie, the MC, is asked to help prevent that from happening.
You get a lot of business aspects to this series as a result, but tons of magic and crazy comedy thrown in.
I wouldn’t look right being in a realistic setting. I can’t imagine how cringe it would end up.
Post: 15+ Kyoto Animation Series That Stand The Test Of Time
11. No Game No Life
No Game No Life is an
Besides the story, which is between a sister and brother (Sora and Shiro), the stand out feature of this anime is the visuals.
It’s colorful, vivid, bright and cheery. It’s eye candy at its finest.
It looks even better than some anime airing in 2021.
The strategy elements and gaming elements wouldn’t be hard to capture, but the visuals make this anime a no-go for a live adaptation.
It wouldn’t work. They wouldn’t be able to pull it off, not even to an acceptable degree.
12. Re:Zero – Starting Life In Another World
Re:Zero is another fantasy series that just wouldn’t cut it deep enough for it to make sense.
It’s about Subaru Natsuki, who after being reborn in another world, meets a white haired half-elf.
She becomes the source of the anime’s plots, and Subaru’s motivation in navigating the new world he’s in.
As the series makes progress, it starts to get more wild with its battles, magic, and flashy scenes.
The witches, the main characters, how each scene is portrayed… It wouldn’t lend itself well to a live action adaptation series.
Only mediocre at best.
13. Konosuba
Konosuba is considered one of the best comedy series for modern anime, especially since
It’s about Kazuma Satou, who’s reincarnated in another world that doesn’t meet his lofty expectations. And the “useless” Goddess he starts with.
Konosuba’s comedy is the type you either hate or love. That said, it wouldn’t go well in a realistic setting.
There’s magic, dramatic fight scenes, and all the other elements to focus on that would need special attention.
Even with the special attention, it would never become a major success or so good that original fans wouldn’t complain.
It’s not suited for it.
Honorable Mentions:
- Fate Stay Night.
- I’ve Been Killing Slimes For 300+ Years.
- Log Horizon.
- GATE.
- Tower Of God.
- Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear.
- Danmachi.
- Zetsuen No Tempest.
- How Not To Summon A Demon Lord.
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