Filmmakers have been inspired by Japanese manga, which has led to a number of adaptations of the stories in real life over the years. The goal of these movies is to bring well-known manga stories to the big screen and please people who liked the originals. They often have parts that are both Japanese and Western because they want to appeal to both Japanese and foreign audiences.
Many live-action remakes have been criticised for being too different from the original story to capture its essence. However, many have done a great job of transferring the story. Manga-turned-live-action movies are becoming more and more popular, and fans in Japan and all over the world are always excited for new ones. Here are the 13 best live-action movies based on manga that came out of Japan.
Table Of Content
- 1 Attack on Titan (2015)
- 2 Blade of the Immortal (2017)
- 3 Bunny Drop (2011)
- 4 From Me to You (2010)
- 5 I Am a Hero (2015)
- 6 Ichi the Killer (2001)
- 7 Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler (2019)
- 8 Kingdom (2019)
- 9 Lady Snowblood (1973)
- 10 Nana (2005)
- 11 Orange (2015)
- 12 Our Little Sister (2015)
- 13 Rurouni Kenshin: Origins (2012)
Attack on Titan (2015)
Attack on Titan is a popular manga that has been turned into a two-part live-action film in Japan. The movies take place in a world after the end of the world, where huge creatures that look like people and eat people are called Titans. The movie is about Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, three friends who join the military to fight the Titans and protect people.
In this movie, some really amazing special effects were used to make some great action scenes that were a perfect match for how intense the manga was. Both parts tend to move away from the source material, but they each have their own visually stunning way of telling the story in a way that is different and exciting.
Blade of the Immortal (2017)
The manga series by Hiroaki Samura is brought to life in the movie Blade of the Immortal. In the story, Manji is a samurai who is cursed to live forever after killing 100 men to protect his sister. He wants to be forgiven, so he takes on jobs to protect other people. When he meets Rin, a young girl who wants to get even with the Itto-ryu for killing her parents, he agrees to help her. They go on a dangerous journey together to find the group and its leader.
Takashi Miike, who is known for making violent and strange movies, is in charge of this one. When it came out, it got mixed reviews from critics, who liked the graphics and action but didn’t like the way it moved or how shallow it was. But fans of the manga liked how true the movie was to the story and characters.
Bunny Drop (2011)
The beloved manga series is brought to life in a sweet and heartwarming way in Bunny Drop. The movie is about a thirty-year-old man named Daikichi, who takes care of a six-year-old girl named Rin after his grandfather dies. As he rises to the challenge, you really want him to do well.
This movie captures the heartwarming and bittersweet parts of the original story. Some fans of the anime series might not like how the movie changes and leaves out parts of the series. But the live-action version is still a beautiful and touching story about the power of family and the joys and challenges of raising a child. This live-action remake is a fun and moving movie that will appeal to both fans of the original series and people who have never seen it before.
From Me to You (2010)
From Me to You is an emotional short movie about how people connect with each other and how important it is to reach out to others. It’s about a young woman who writes letters to strangers without their knowledge, hoping to make their day better and make them feel less lonely. Through her letters, she talks about her own problems and experiences, which helps the person she is writing to understand and care about her.
The movie’s message is strong because it is so simple. It shows how human connection can change things and how even small acts of kindness can make a difference. The upbeat and relaxing mood of the movie is helped by the use of soft, warm colours and a soft soundtrack. This movie is a beautiful reminder of how important it is to reach out to others and connect with them. It’s a must-see for anyone who needs a little inspiration and hope.
I Am a Hero (2015)
The Japanese horror movie I Am a Hero is based on the same-named manga series by Kengo Hanazawa. Hideo is an assistant who is trying to make a living as a manga artist. He gets caught up in a zombie outbreak in Tokyo. Even though Hideo isn’t very strong, he becomes a hero and protects the people around him. The movie is a thrilling and scary take on the zombie genre. It focuses on how a zombie apocalypse affects the minds of the people who survive it.
Some viewers might find the pace slow at times, but the movie’s focus on character development and emotional depth makes it more powerful overall. It’s an exciting and interesting horror movie that will please both fans of the manga series and fans of the zombie genre.
Ichi the Killer (2001)
Takashi Miike’s Japanese crime-horror movie Ichi the Killer is controversial and has a lot of gory scenes. Kakihara is a sadomasochistic yakuza enforcer who is looking for his boss and meets Ichi, a mysterious killer who seems to be unstoppable, while doing so. When you see how intense it is, you will be on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end.
This movie has a lot of very violent and disturbing scenes, which is why it has been banned in some countries. But Ichi the Killer is more than just a shocking movie on the surface. It is a well-made and stylish film that looks at power, violence, and the nature of evil. This live-action remake of the animated film is hard to watch and makes you think. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s a good movie that makes you think.
Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler (2019)
The live-action version of the popular manga series Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler is beautiful to look at and interesting to watch. The movie, which was directed by Tsutomu Hanabusa, has the same basic plot as the original story. It looks at the strange world of a prestigious school where students gamble for big money. The movie is a faithful and interesting adaptation of the manga. It has a colourful cast of characters, stylish visuals, and intense gambling scenes.
Some fans might like the original manga better, but the live-action version is a great example of a good adaptation that stays true to the original. It is a thrilling and fun movie that will appeal to anyone who wants to get lost in a good manga adaptation.
Kingdom (2019)
Kingdom tells the story of a young orphan boy named Shin who wants to be a great general in the Kingdom of Qin. When Shin’s village is attacked by the enemy, he joins with a group of soldiers to get revenge for his fallen comrades and defend his kingdom.
This movie is exciting and full of action, with beautiful visuals and great fight scenes. The characters are well-developed, and the movie does a great job of capturing what manga is all about. There are a lot of twists and turns in the writing that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Fans of the manga series and people who like epic action movies with a touch of historical drama should definitely check it out.
Lady Snowblood (1973)
Toshiya Fujita’s classic Japanese revenge movie Lady Snowblood is about a woman who kills her husband. The story is about a woman named Yuki who is born in prison and raised to be a skilled swordswoman and killer so she can get revenge on the people who killed her family. It’s the kind of movie where everyone steps up to the challenge, and you really want revenge to be won.
This remake has a lot of stylized violence that is done well, beautiful cinematography, and a striking visual style. Several other movies, like the Kill Bill series by Quentin Tarantino, have been said to have been influenced by Lady Snowblood. It is still a Japanese film classic and a must-see for anyone who likes stylish and well-made revenge movies.
Nana (2005)
Nana is about two young women named Nana who meet on a train to Tokyo and decide to live together. Nana Komatsu, also known as “Hachi,” is a sweet and naive girl who wants to find true love. Nana Osaki, on the other hand, is a punk rock singer with a troubled past. As their friendship grows, they help each other through problems in love, at work, and in their personal lives. Even though they were raised in different ways, the two Nanas become close and help each other through good times and bad.
The movie talks about identity, friendship, and trying to find happiness. Nana, which was directed by Kentaro Otani, was praised by critics for its strong acting, interesting story, and emotional depth. It is still a well-known and loved version of the manga series.
Orange (2015)
The live-action remake of the manga Orange is a good adaptation that stays true to the original story’s emotional depth and complexity. The film, which was directed by Kojiro Hashimoto, has the same basic plot as the original manga. It looks at regret, memory, and the power of human connection. The movie is a great example of a successful live-action version of a beloved manga. It has great acting, a heartfelt script, and beautiful visuals.
Even though some fans might not like how the original story was changed, the movie is still a moving and powerful look at what it means to be human and a powerful reminder of how important it is to live in the moment and enjoy the time we have with the people we love. The live-action film Orange is a must-see for anyone who likes manga, and it’s also a very interesting movie on its own.
Our Little Sister (2015)
In the real-life version of Our Little Sister, three sisters live together in Kamakura, Japan. When their father dies, they find out they have a younger half-sister named Suzu. They invite her to move in with them. As Suzu gets used to living with her three older sisters, the movie looks at family, love, and being able to forgive. All of the actors do a great job, but Suzu Hirose as the title character gives a particularly heartfelt and nuanced performance.
The movie is a moving and touching story about sisters and family ties. It has beautiful cinematography and a soft, sad soundtrack. It’s a great movie for people who like drama that’s close to home and has a lot of heart.
Rurouni Kenshin: Origins (2012)
Rurouni Kenshin: Origins is an exciting and beautiful retelling of the popular animated series. It tells the story of a former assassin who wants to make up for his past mistakes by using his unique swordsmanship skills to protect the innocent.
The best parts of the movie are the action scenes, which are both exciting and shot beautifully. The main character also grows and changes in a great way, as he tries to make sense of his violent past and his desire to live a peaceful life. Even though the movie shortens and simplifies some of the source material, it stays true to the original story’s spirit and gives viewers a satisfying and emotionally moving experience. It’s a must-see for anime fans and anyone who likes well-made action movies with a lot of heart.
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