Top 10 most disappointing live-action adaptations of all time

Several beloved anime series have been adapted into live-action shows, but not all have been successful. Adapting a beloved series is always a difficult task, and capturing the over-the-top themes, vibrancy, and characters of anime can be especially challenging.

Here are some successful live-action anime adaptations in recent years, such as One Piece and Alice in Borderland, which stand out as exceptions to the rule. However, the majority of live-action adaptations, such as Dragon Ball and Death Note, have fallen short. Here are our top 10 worst live-action anime adaptations of all time.

Top 10 worst live-action anime adaptations of all time

If you're looking for live-action adaptations that are so bad they're hilarious, you've come to the right place. So let's not waste any more time and get started.

10. Attack On Titan

Attack On Titan is one of the greatest anime series of all time. However, the same can’t be said for the 2015 live-action adaptation.

Hajime Isayama's dark-action fantasy manga was the inspiration for the feature film, but unlike the beloved anime series, it fell short in capturing the thrilling action sequences, emotional depth, and engaging characters that fans adore.

Receiving a modest 5/10 rating on IMDB (for a live-action adaptation), the film is unintentionally humorous. With questionable pacing and over-the-top acting, it can be seen as a parody of Attack On Titan rather than a faithful adaptation.

Available to watch on: Apple TV

9. Avatar: The Last Airbender

Let's face it, Avatar: The Last Airbender is no longer just a regular anime. The 2010 live-action film, Avatar: The Last Airbender, once held the title for the worst live-action adaptation of an anime. (Hopefully the new Netflix series can erase the damage done by this film).

The film is set in a world filled with elemental magic, and it loosely follows the plot of the TV series – but with poor pacing and questionable acting. Aang, the Avatar, discovers his ability to control the four elements and, with the help of Katara (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka, sets out to restore harmony and take on the fire nation.

Avoid this whitewashed, poorly written, and emotionless live-action adaptation of the original series, unless you want to see it for yourself. Stream it on Netflix now.

8. Dragonball Evolution

Dragon Ball is undoubtedly one of the most beloved anime franchises of all time, so it was only natural that it would be adapted into a live-action film. Unfortunately, like many before it, the live-action adaptation of Dragon Ball was unable to escape the curse that often plagues such projects.

Dragonball Evolution is famously terrible. When it was released in 2009, it not only bombed at the box office, but also failed to win over fans. Why? Because the movie strayed so far from the original story that it left many die-hard franchise fans feeling let down.

The movie tells the story of an 18-year-old Goku who is given a magical Dragonball on his birthday. But when a dark force causes a devastating event, Goku and his friends must set out on an incredible journey to find the seven Dragonballs and save the Earth.

If you're in the mood for a film that changes the characters' personalities, such as making Goku an angsty teenager and relegating everyone else to side characters, then this one-hour and 40-minute movie is sure to bring some heartbreak. Watch it now on Disney+!

7. Cowboy Bebop

Classic anime series, Cowboy Bebop was loved for its iconic soundtrack, neo-noir plot and well-developed characters. It’s 2022 Netflix remake, however, provided anything but.

The Netflix adaptation of Cowboy Bebop, while set in the not too distant future and following the adventures of a gang of bounty hunters across the Solar System, failed to capture the original charm of the series. Fans have criticized the series, arguing that the creators seemed unfamiliar with the original show. It may be worth watching the original series and forming your own opinion.

Available to watch on: Netflix

6. Fist of the North Star

This entry on the list dates back to 1995, making it the oldest. However, its age does not make it any better. It is based on the 1980s Japanese manga series and follows the story of a warrior named Kenshiro in a post-apocalyptic Earth. With his deadly martial art skill, Hokuto Shinken, Kenshiro is able to brutally defeat his opponents using secret pressure points.

Creating an anime adaptation like this one might seem like a simple task. After all, the 90s were filled with martial arts films and the storyline of Fist of the North Star isn't particularly unique. However, fans believe that the 1995 film damages Kenshiro's original "badass" character. In addition, the subpar acting and comically unsuccessful efforts to portray high-speed martial arts scenes make Fist of the North Star worth watching for a good laugh.

Stream on: Amazon Prime Video

5. Parasyte: Part 1

Parasyte’s live-action adaptation appears in the middle of this list, mainly because it’s not the worst, but definitely not the best live-action film out there.

Scoring a 6.8/10 on IMDB, the film shares a similar premise with the Parasyte manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki. Released in 2014, the movie tells the story of Izumi Shinichi, a high school student whose right hand is replaced by a parasite. As brutal murders plague the world, Izumi, armed with his parasite, may be the only hope to solve them.

While the film is an acceptable horror flick, fans of Madhouse’s anime argue that the characters have deviated so much from the source material that they are unrecognizable. Additionally, the fight scenes are lackluster and poorly choreographed, making the film easily forgettable.

Available to watch on: Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video

4. Black Butler

After watching this film, the only question that anime fans have is: why? It's quite a feat to ruin the legacy of one of the most popular anime series of all time, and yet this 2014 live-action adaptation somehow managed to do so. Directed by Kentaro Otani and Keiichi Sato, and based on Yana Toboso’s manga of the same name, Black Butler is set in a quasi-Victorian world with two major powers: The West and the East. The story begins with an orphaned aristocrat who sacrifices her soul to summon a demonic butler to serve her every need. However, it differs significantly from the anime and manga, including changing the genders of beloved characters and altering their personalities.

Is this movie worth watching? It has a 6.1/10 star rating on IMDB, but it may not be worth it for anime fans due to the pain it caused. You can find it on YouTube Movies, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video (location dependent).

3. Ghost In The Shell

Apologies to Scarlett Johansson, Rupert Sanders, and all the other top Hollywood actors who chose to be associated with this disaster. The live-action remake of Ghost In The Shell will never be able to match its original source material.

The beloved series Ghost in the Shell, widely regarded as one of the greatest anime of all time, had a significant influence on the cyberpunk genre and even inspired cult classics such as The Matrix. When the Hollywood live-action remake was announced, it generated a lot of excitement and featured a star-studded cast.

Despite its substantial budget, the remake ultimately fell short of capturing the innovative style and iconic characters of the original. In addition, many fans criticized the film for whitewashing the original Japanese characters, and the casting of Scarlett Johansson sparked further controversy that still lingers.

In a post-apocalyptic future, the story centers around a cyborg super soldier who delves into her own mysterious past. Despite receiving praise for its visuals, the film was criticized by both viewers and critics for its focus on repetitive action rather than character and story development.

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV

2. Death Note

Death Note captivated audiences with its gripping battle of wits between protagonist Light Yagami and the enigmatic L. The premise is straightforward: high schooler Light Yagami stumbles upon a notebook owned by the bored Shinigami Ryuuk.

However, there is a catch: With this notebook, he is able to cause the death of anyone whose name is written in its pages. Intoxicated by his newfound god-like abilities, he sets out on a mission to eliminate undesirable individuals from the world. Naturally, law enforcement will attempt to thwart his plans.

Netflix's live-action adaptation of Death Note lacks the moral depth of the original series and strays far from the beloved source material, resulting in a comical imitation of the anime that made a significant impact on the global stage.

Available to watch on: Netflix

1. Devilman

What is the worst anime live-action adaptation ever made? It might come as a surprise (although not if you’ve seen it) that Devilman tops the list. Go Nagai’s Devilman manga has been adapted into various anime series, including the original 1970s version and Netflix’s 2018 Devilman Crybaby. While Netflix's take was not exceptional, it pales in comparison to the 2004 live-action adaptation's butchering of the anime.

The plot is straightforward: Akira Fudo, a mild-mannered teenager, merges with a demon to fight against others. Despite the seemingly foolproof premise, the 2004 film received a dismal 3.9/10 rating on IMDB, with Japanese fans particularly critical of its underwhelming visual effects, awkward use of CGI, unnatural pacing, and questionable casting. Essentially, Devilman 2004 embodies the worst aspects of early 2000s action-fantasy movies, making it a nearly unbearable viewing experience. However, if you're up for a challenge, feel free to give it a try.

You can watch Devilman on Amazon Prime Video. And with that, we wrap up our list of the worst anime live-action adaptations. Were any of your guesses featured?

While you recover from watching or reading about any of these so bad they’re almost funny films, you can check out our other anime coverage here.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have grown up watching and loving anime. I have seen many live-action adaptations of anime, and I have to say that most of them have been disappointing. The ones mentioned in the article, such as Attack on Titan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dragon Ball, and Cowboy Bebop, are some of the worst offenders.

These adaptations often fail to capture the essence of the original anime. They often change the characters' personalities, the plot, and the overall tone of the story. This can be very frustrating for fans of the original anime, who feel like their favorite stories are being butchered. In addition, these adaptations often have poor acting, directing, and special effects. This can make them even more difficult to watch.