Live Action Movies adapted from Awesome Anime Series

Basilisk (2005)

A Romeo and Juliet story told against the backdrop of two warring ninja clans. The clans are made up of unique characters with extraordinary powers and techniques. Awesome fight scenes and well developed drama make this a great series.

It was almost immediately adapted into...

Shinobi: Heart under Blade (2005)

The movie stays very true to the anime and delivers some really fun fight scenes.

Attack on Titan (2013)

This series moves effortlessly between slow, dramatic, tense, brooding scenes and some of the most dynamic, kinetic, innovative action scenes I've ever seen.

A really unique concept and a brilliant sense of mystery drive the narrative. You're left at the end of each episode with unanswered questions and a burning desire to know more.

Highly Recommended

Attack on Titan (2015)

While it takes away one of the interesting aspects of the narrative (the idea that the Asian race has been decimated and they are very rare) it does a great job of bringing the Titans and the action style to life.

Neo-Human Casshern (1973)

A classic series that everyone should watch. It's kind of a mixture between the aesthetics of Speed Racer and the narrative style and tone of Dragonball. A great watch.

Casshern (2004)

Whether or not you like this film really depends on what you're looking for. In terms of structure, plot, pace and narrative it is a confusing mess that plods along at a snails pace.

In terms of visuals however, this film is a mesmerising, frenetic spectacle. The aesthetics won't be to everyone's taste but I suggest opening up to something different in a slighty foreign visual language. It will be a unique experience guaranteed

Crying Freeman (1988 - 1994)

A really fantastic series from what I consider to be the Golden Age of anime. What makes it different for me is the real-world setting. It deals with gangsters and assassins in a very down to earth way. Absolutely awesome.

Crying Freeman (1995)

God, I love this movie. It ticks absolutely all the boxes: It borrows scenes (almost shot-for-shot sometimes) directly from the anime series, it stars Marc Dacascos at the height of his powers, the action is great and the tone is perfect.

It's one of the better anime adaptations on this list and it deserves to be much more well-known.

Guyver - Bio-Booster Armor (1989 - 1992)

This is, hands-down, my favourite anime series of all time.

A young boy stumbles upon an Alien Bio-Booster Armor suit that fuses with his body. Suddenly he finds himslef being hunted by a powerful multi-national conglomerate of shape-shifting monsters who seek to gain the suit's power.

The characters journey from normal school-children to refugee rebels, is brilliantly done. The action sequences are awesome, the animation is great and it has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard. Seriously watch this scene with the audio to get the full effect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbU9rbsf-lc

The series was abruptly cancelled, so it ends on a cliff hanger which is infuriating but you can always pick up the Manga to see where the narrative goes from there.

Guyver - Dark Hero (1994)

I watched this movie before I even knew it was an adaptation of a Manga / Anime.

It's low-budget and cheesy but it has an extremely special place in my heart.

I think the creature effects are pretty fantastic. I especially love how they've brought the Guyver Armor to life. The fight scenes can be pretty satisfying in a very stilted, 90's sort of way.

To top it all off it stars the incomparable David Hayter: Voice of Solid Snake, Writer of X-men 2 and Nerd God.

Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc: Cage of Flames (2011)

There have been so many great adaptations of this Manga that it's hard to choose. This is one of the more recent ones.

I would much prefer to include a clip from Samurai X (1996 - 1998), as it was known in the States but none of them would upload to Imgur. That series is absolutely brilliant. Slow paced and atmospheric. It's pretty high on my list.

Rurouni Kenshin (2012)

This is easily the best adaptation on this list. It was given the right budget to look good and it prioritized faithfulness to the source material. It's absolutely brilliant.