Ever since its release on August 31, 2023, the live-action anime adaptation of One Piece on Netflix has been praised for its wonderful execution and stellar performance on the viewership charts.
Here are some of the top live-action anime adaptations that are as good as One Piece Netflix:
Top live-action anime adaptations that are as good as One Piece Netflix
1. Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012)
The 2012 live-action film Rurouni Kenshin is an adaptation of the popular manga series of the same name. It is set in the Meiji era of Japan and follows the story of Kenshin Himura. He is a former assassin who has renounced violence and now wanders the country as a wandering swordsman.
The film’s plot is largely faithful to the manga, with some minor changes. The film begins with Kenshin’s past as an assassin, and how he was forced to kill in order to survive. It then follows his journey as he tries to find peace and redemption.
The film was directed by Keishi Otomo and stars Takeru Satoh as Kenshin. It was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $100 million worldwide. It has an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
2. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
The 2017 live-action film Ghost in the Shell is an adaptation of the 1995 anime film of the same name. It is set in a near future where humans and cyborgs coexist. It follows the story of Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg public security agent, who hunts a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master.
The film was directed by Rupert Sanders and stars Scarlett Johansson as Major Kusanagi. It was a commercial success, grossing over $169 million worldwide. However, it received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics praised the film’s visuals and action sequences, while others criticized the casting of Scarlett Johansson as a Japanese character.
3. Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
It is a live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga series Gunnm (also known as Battle Angel Alita) by Yukito Kishiro. It is set in a post-apocalyptic future where humans live in a dystopian metropolis called Iron City. The film follows the story of Alita (Rosa Salazar), a cyborg who is rebuilt by Dr. Dyson Ido (Christoph Waltz) and given a new lease on life. Alita must learn to control her newfound abilities as she sets out to discover her past and her destiny.
The film was directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by James Cameron. The film has a 61% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics’ consensus reading: “Alita: Battle Angel’s story struggles to keep up with its special effects, but fans of futuristic sci-fi action may still find themselves more than sufficiently entertained.”
4. Bleach (2018)
The 2018 live-action film Bleach is an adaptation of the popular manga series of the same name. It follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student who gains the powers of a Soul Reaper after meeting Rukia Kuchiki. Soul Reapers are responsible for protecting the living world from Hollows, spirits that have lost their way.
The film was directed by Shinsuke Sato and stars Sota Fukushi as Ichigo Kurosaki. The film has a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics’ consensus as: “Bleach is a flawed but enjoyable live-action adaptation of the popular anime series, with strong action sequences and impressive special effects.”
5. Death Note (2006)
The 2006 live-action film Death Note is an adaptation of the popular manga series of the same name. It follows the story of Light Yagami, a high school student who finds a notebook called the Death Note. The notebook allows the user to kill anyone whose name is written on it.
The film was directed by Shusuke Kaneko and stars Tatsuya Fujiwara as Light Yagami. It received a positive reception from critics, with a 74% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics’ consensus reads: “Death Note is a faithful and suspenseful adaptation of the popular manga series, with strong performances and stylish visuals.”
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