Japanese live action movies tend to be a hit or miss. Depending on the directorial take, emotional balance of the script, and the actors cast, it can be worthy of endless praises and awards such as the recently concluded “Rurouni Kenshin” trilogy. Otherwise, it can end up as a movie better forgotten such as the infamous Hollywood adaptation of a widely popular series, “Dragonball Evolution.”
While news of live action films may make some of us cringe in their anticipated cheesiness and possible inferior quality, the chances of seeing our beloved manga and anime characters come to life are often slim. That's why today, we present you with three upcoming live action films that we believe are potential hits!
Bakuman
“Bakuman” comes from the creators of “Death Note.” It revolves around a student artist, Mashiro Moritaka, and his author friend, Takagi Akito as they traverse the path to becoming acclaimed manga artists and getting a serialization in major publisher, Shueisha's “Weekly Shonen Jump.”
The film adaptation, to be released sometime this summer, will be helmed by Hitoshi One, the director of “Moteki” and “Koi no Uzu.” The actor roster will be led by Takeru Satoh as Mashiro and Kamiki Ryunosuke as Akito, both of which have starred in the latest “Rurouni Kenshin” installments as Kenshin Himura and Soujiro Seto respectively. Other actors to star in the movie include Kenta Kiritani, Sarutoki Minagawa, and Shota Sometani, who will play the protagonist duo's primary rival, Eiji Nizuma.
Attack on Titan
“Attack on Titan,” otherwise known as Shingeki no Kyojin, pits humans against titans—gigantic creatures typically ranging between 3 and 15 meters in height who instinctively devour humans on sight. Fearing for their lives, humans have created a safe haven, divided by three fortified walls. However, after centuries of peace, the titans were able to break through the first wall, eating many of the residents and forcing those who were left to flee. One of the victims is the mother of the protagonist, Eren Yeager. Having witnessed his mother's miserable death, he vowed to eradicate all the giants with his own hands.
Finally finding its way to the big screen, the manga's two-part movie adaptation to be released this summer will be directed by Shinji Higuchi. Starring are Haruma Miura as Eren, Kiko Mizuhara as Eren's adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman, and Kanata Hongo as Armin Arlert. Yes, we know how depressing it is to think that the cast is completely comprised of Asians when Mikasa is supposed to be the only Asian left in the walled city, but with a reputed director and strong actors behind it, we believe the movie will pull itself through.
Assassination Classroom
A yellow octopus-like creature has destroyed 70% of the moon and is now threatening to destroy Earth. That is unless class 3-E of Kunigagaoka Junior High School, the so-called bottom rung whom he ordered to be under his guidance, is able to eliminate him with the specially-crafted anti-Koro-sensei weapons. If you're part of the class like Shiota Nagisa, what would you do?
The film adaptation of this quirky manga will be released on March 21. Directing is Eiichiro Hasumi and leading the cast are Ryousuke Yamada as Nagisa, Masaki Suda as Karma Akabane, Kippei Shiina as Tadaomi Karasuma, and Ji Young Kang as Irina Jelavic.
Get a peek at this funny but action-packed movie with the extended trailer below:
attack on titan .. live action??? is that for real?
some animes should stay animes
You forgot Parasyte 2.I don’t know whether it belongs to this category or not, but I love these Japanese movies, I am not a fan of anime, as I haven’t been living or having contact with the animes, anyways got bored with the Hollywood movies. yeah some kids should stay as kids, and some should be grown up kids. ;)
Yeah heard the parasyte movies are pretty good
I have seen these movies and they were all great. Yes Parasyte should have been on the list because it was shown during that year. Anyway, it was a good movie and it was pretty much loyal to the original material (at least to its anime version, cause I haven’t read the manga).
Indeed, Parasyste surprised me actually – didnt really expect much from the film but its one of the best live action manga’s i’ve watched. (although i’m yet to watch part 2)