Top 10 Highest-Quality Anime Live-Action Adaptations

Live-action adaptations are often criticized for their quality, but there are exceptions to this rule. Here are 10 adaptations that stay true to the source material. Popular anime have been adapted into live-action in recent years, with Netflix’s One Piece finally changing fans' concerns about the faithfulness of these adaptations. However, it is worth noting that good adaptations have been around for decades.

Balancing the essence of the source material with the transition to a more realistic medium is no easy feat, as evidenced by the numerous adaptations that have been panned by critics and fans alike. It’s likely that you already have in mind a live-action adaptation that fell short of expectations (Netflix’s Death Note, for example). But here, we'll focus on 10 that got it right.

Best 10 anime live-action adaptations

Push the anime live-action adaptations that feature in your nightmares out of your mind, because these are ten of the best films and TV series out there.

10. Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)

Based on the popular Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Detective Pikachu offers enjoyable and lighthearted entertainment for audiences of all ages. The film, loosely based on the 2016 video game, boasts a talented Hollywood cast, including Ryan Reynolds, Suki Waterhouse, and Ken Watanabe.

Watch the plot unfold as Tim Goodman, a young man who abandoned his dream of becoming a Pokémon trainer after his mother's death, embarks on a quest to find his missing father. Assisting in his search is none other than Detective Pikachu. Stream now on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

9. Gokusen (2002)

The Gokusen series, based on Kazueko Morimoto’s manga from 2000-2007, is a rare case where the live-action came before the anime. And, in my opinion, it’s actually much better (apologies to Madhouse). The plot may seem familiar, with an idealistic young teacher entering an inner-city school and connecting with unruly students, but Gokusen adds a unique Yakuza twist to the formula.

You can stream the series on Amazon Prime Video, where it follows the story of Yamaguchi Kumiko, the homeroom teacher of Shirokin Gakuen’s class 3-D. Despite facing a class filled with delinquent and poor performing students, Kumiko wins over her students and the hearts of fans using her martial arts skills and positive personality. The series spans three seasons and even has a movie.

8. Nana (2005)

Similar to Gokusen, Nana (2005) predates the anime adaptation, likely contributing to its high quality.

Live-action adaptations tend to thrive when the source material is firmly rooted in reality, and Ai Yazawa's beloved slice-of-life shojo manga Nana certainly fits that bill.

Two young women, Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu, are at the center of the story as they relocate to Tokyo to pursue their respective dreams – Osaki is after fame and Komatsu seeks love. A fateful meeting on a train sets off a chain of heartwarming and heart-wrenching events that will resonate with many viewers.

Available for streaming on: Netflix and Viki

7. One Piece (2023)

Naturally, the One Piece adaptation on Netflix is a must for this list. Since its announcement, the series has been the subject of much speculation and anticipation, with fans worried that it wouldn't live up to Eiichiro Oda’s shonen masterpiece. However, to almost everyone's surprise, the series has proven to be one of the best anime adaptations of all time. Just like the manga and anime, the series follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the legendary "One Piece". But they're not the only pirate crew on the quest. Experience their journey in a whole new way in live-action – this is definitely a show worth watching.

Available to watch on: Netflix

6. Blade of the Immortal (2017)

From 1993 to 2012, Hiroaki Samura’s successful seinen manga, Blade of the Immortal, captivated audiences, leading to a highly popular 2008 anime adaptation of the same title. And the excitement didn't end there.

Renowned director Takashi Miike, acclaimed for his work on 13 Assassins, has reimagined the anime series for the big screen to create an action-packed masterpiece that maintains the dark atmosphere that fans of the anime have come to adore.

Following in the footsteps of the anime and manga, the story centers around Manji, a skilled swordsman cursed with immortality. Striving to atone for his past and break the curse, Manji embarks on a mission to assist Rin, a young girl seeking revenge for her family's tragic demise.

Available to watch on: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+

5. Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

The world of Hollywood is not particularly famous for its success in producing anime live-action remakes, but Alita: Battle Angel stands out as a rare example of a live-action adaptation that surpasses the original anime.

Based on Yukito Kishiro’s manga series Gunnm, the movie Alita: Battle Angel is set in a dystopian future. The story follows Dr. Ido as he discovers the broken body of a young cyborg girl with a fully working human brain while searching for spare parts. He fixes her up and names her Alita, after his deceased daughter. The film depicts her journey as she explores a new world, living beneath the dark shadow of Zalem city. You can watch it on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+.

4. Speed Racer (2008)

The Wachowskis adapted the classic anime series Speed Racer for the big screen. This sports action comedy film, based on Tatsuo Yoshia's manga series of the same name, boasts an all-star Hollywood cast with Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci.

The plot of the anime and manga centers on an 18-year-old "speed racer" who enters the competitive world of car racing and discovers hidden truths about his family and his brother's tragic death. The anime is recognized for its dynamic action scenes and vibrant characters, all of which are expertly depicted in this impressive adaptation by the Wachowskis.

Available to watch on: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV

3. Inuyashiki (2018)

Adapted from Hiroya Oku’s 2017 manga and anime series of the same name, this 2018 superhero film is one of the highest-rated entries on our list.

The story centers around a middle-aged office worker leading a mundane and unsatisfying adult life. He lacks friends, feels unloved by his wife, and unappreciated by his family. Everything changes when he is accidentally crushed by an alien spaceship, leading them to transform him into a cyborg as a form of apology. Both the anime and live-action adaptations have received high praise, leaving fans often torn between which version they prefer. However, in our view, the live-action version slightly surpasses the anime.

Available to watch on: Netflix (Japan)

2. Alice in Borderland (2020)

Alice in Borderland’s live-action TV series is one of the most well-known exceptions to the “anime is always better” rule.

Building off the 2014-2015 anime, the 2020 live-action series kickstarted a wave of Netflix adaptations. Even non-fans of the original manga or anime can appreciate this immersive death game sci-fi thriller set in an alternate version of Tokyo. In this world, ordinary people are forced to compete in lethal games in order to extend their "visa," or their remaining lifespan.

Available to watch on: Netflix

1. Rurouni Kenshin (2012-2021)

Rurouni Kenshin is one of the most iconic samurai anime series of all time. So its no surprise that it got its very own amazing live-action adaptation.

The live-action adaptations consist of five movies released between 2012 and 2021, providing a detailed portrayal of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga. While the classic anime holds nostalgic appeal, the Rurouni Kenshin film series offers a vibrant display of action, gore, and poignant emotion within a historical context.

Watch the story unfold in Japan's Meiji era, as the former assassin Hitokiri Battosai becomes Himura Kenshin, a reformed swordsman who has sworn off killing. Stream now on Netflix.

Explore the numerous live-action anime adaptations available. However, these 10 films offer a refreshing reminder that the original isn't always superior. Don't forget to take a look at our other anime content while you're here.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of anime, I am always excited to see how my favorite shows and movies will be adapted into live-action. While there have been some disappointing adaptations in the past (looking at you, Dragonball Evolution), there have also been some truly great ones.

The top 10 list of highest-quality anime live-action adaptations includes some of my all-time favorite shows and movies. From the heartwarming and hilarious Gokusen to the thrilling and suspenseful Rurouni Kenshin, these adaptations have truly captured the essence of the original anime and brought them to life in a new way.

I am particularly impressed with the way that these adaptations have been able to stay true to the source material while also making changes that are necessary for a live-action adaptation. For example, the One Piece adaptation on Netflix does a great job of capturing the spirit of the original manga and anime, while also making some changes that are necessary to make the story work in a live-action format.

Overall, I am very excited about the future of anime live-action adaptations. With the success of shows like One Piece and Rurouni Kenshin, it is clear that there is a demand for high-quality adaptations of anime. I can't wait to see what other great adaptations we get in the years to come.