Turning anime into live-action movies and TV shows is increasingly popular in both Japan and North America. Japan has even expanded this trend to include live stage plays. While many popular anime like My Hero Academia, Naruto, and One-Punch Man are currently being adapted, some stories just don’t seem suited for live-action. Here are seven anime that we think would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to bring to life in a real-world format.
7.) Berserk
Even though Berserk has been popular for decades through its manga and anime, no one has ever tried to make a live-action version. This is surprising, especially since its story shares similarities with Game of Thrones, HBO’s hugely successful series. The series is known for its intense violence and demonic creatures, which would be very challenging and expensive to bring to life on screen. Currently, there’s no news about a new Berserk anime either, making a live-action adaptation seem unlikely anytime soon.
6.) Dandadan
Since its debut, Dandadan has quickly become a popular anime, captivating audiences with the supernatural adventures of Okarun and Momo. The series features a unique and often bizarre love story, filled with supernatural creatures and otherworldly beings, and showcases the incredible powers both characters develop as their lives become anything but ordinary. While Chainsaw Man, another similar action-packed anime, was adapted into a live stage play, Dandadan might be better suited to the manga and anime formats to truly capture its essence.
5.) Kill la Kill
Ryuko Matoi’s battles in Kill la Kill aren’t against supernatural creatures, but that’s not why a live-action version is unlikely. The show features many characters with revealing outfits, which could be a problem for viewers. Plus, the incredibly energetic and fast-paced animation style of Studio TRIGGER makes it hard to envision this anime realistically adapted for TV or film. Interestingly, Kill la Kill isn’t the only series from this busy animation studio facing similar adaptation challenges.
4.) Akira
Out of all the anime on this list, Akira has come closest to being made into a live-action movie, but every attempt has ultimately failed. Even director Taika Waititi tried and wasn’t able to make it happen. Though Kodansha announced plans last year to adapt more anime for live-action, Akira seems particularly difficult. Fans are now so discouraged by the repeated failures that a live-action Akira movie may never actually be made.
3.) Neon Genesis Evangelion
You know, it’s wild to think about how close we almost got a live-action Neon Genesis Evangelion movie! Just like with Akira, Hollywood really tried to make it happen back in the mid-2000s, aiming for a Western take on Hideaki Anno’s incredible series. They even got WETA Workshop – the guys behind the effects in Lord of the Rings – to start designing stuff for it! While a kabuki stage play is coming out this year, I honestly don’t think we’ll ever see a full live-action version, and that’s a little sad, but maybe for the best.
2.) Made in Abyss
Bringing the world of Made in Abyss to life in a live-action format would be incredibly challenging. Not only are the characters and creatures visually complex and often disturbing, but recreating the anime’s beautiful yet dangerous environments would be very difficult and expensive. While a live-action adaptation might be possible someday, it would likely need to deviate significantly from the original story to work.
1.) Gurren Lagann
Similar to anime like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Kill la Kill, it’s incredibly difficult to imagine a live-action version of Gurren Lagann. The series features epic mech battles across space, and translating that scale to a realistic setting feels nearly impossible. While Gurren Lagann‘s story is ideally suited for animation, and despite the success of live-action adaptations like One Piece, we believe it’s a story that just can’t be adapted well to live-action.
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2026-02-18 23:17