Anime that could work as an American television series
- Thread starter The Smoking Bun
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BeatResetsTheWorld
Banned
Cowboy Bebop was basically a cooler Firefly
Death Note could definitely work well. I bet even with a TV budget the shinigami would look better than the japanese movie
GITS could be an awesome show. Not sure I'd make it a procedural and dumb it down though...
Durarara/Baccano could work, maybe with a slightly older cast in DRRRs case
GTO
Death Note could definitely work well. I bet even with a TV budget the shinigami would look better than the japanese movie
GITS could be an awesome show. Not sure I'd make it a procedural and dumb it down though...
Durarara/Baccano could work, maybe with a slightly older cast in DRRRs case
GTO
Angelus Errare
Banned
- Revy the sexy blonde with the deadly guns, known as two hands! Played by random blonde girl from your favorite CW show
- Rock the computer nerd who escapes America after his company sells him out! Played by pretty boy brunette from your favorite CW show
- Dutch, the American-Dutch leader of the group. Played by that one super buff guy who's on all the CW shows as the fatherly figure!
It all takes place in a seedy little place known as Roanapur (shot in Toronto) *camera pans throughout the city to show savage black, Asian and Hispanic thugs*
I love how Dutch is literally just an American dutch actor lol
The rough side of Toronto tho? :Whoo:
broncobuster
Banned
Kino's Journey isn't a leap from Doctor Who or Star Trek's format.
ReturnOfTheRAT
Member
Black Lagoon. It would be a reason to watch Cinemax.
TheVampire
Banned
Sounds like a case Sam and Dean would investigate on Supernatural.
D-Frag would be interesting to see on TV. They use board games so costs shouldn't be that high.
Code Geass is the sci-fi thriller to end all sci-fi thrillers.
Aldnoah Zero would be epic.
Spice and Wolf wouldn't be too difficult plus everyone could learn about economics.
Yowamushi Pedal would be crazy. It could reinvigorate interest in cycling.
BECK Mongolian Chop Squad works because it involves music and every kid's dream to join a band.
Code Geass is the sci-fi thriller to end all sci-fi thrillers.
Aldnoah Zero would be epic.
Spice and Wolf wouldn't be too difficult plus everyone could learn about economics.
Yowamushi Pedal would be crazy. It could reinvigorate interest in cycling.
BECK Mongolian Chop Squad works because it involves music and every kid's dream to join a band.
Death Note seems like a sure hit, honestly. It's the best example I can think of in any regard. It feels like the perfect balance between attracting "experienced" and "inexperienced" (as in, those who don't really follow series) viewers. A good mix of suspense and cleverness.
How were the live-action movies, though? Bad directing could probably kill Death Note, or any manga and anime live-action adaptation in a flash, as live-action doesn't allow for the same type of cuts. Just imagine Akiyuki Shinbo's (director at Shaft (Madoka Magica, Zetsubou Sensei etc)) style on American television. It wouldn't work.
Or it would be the most amazing thing ever.
How were the live-action movies, though? Bad directing could probably kill Death Note, or any manga and anime live-action adaptation in a flash, as live-action doesn't allow for the same type of cuts. Just imagine Akiyuki Shinbo's (director at Shaft (Madoka Magica, Zetsubou Sensei etc)) style on American television. It wouldn't work.
Or it would be the most amazing thing ever.
+1 for Death Note.
I told 3 friends to watch the show, none of them are into anime and they all got really hooked on it. One of them watched it all in 3 days! She loved Ryuk to death (heh!), the other 2 loved it a lot too and one of them told me she thought it was a great experience and wished she could watch it again without knowing the plot.
I told 3 friends to watch the show, none of them are into anime and they all got really hooked on it. One of them watched it all in 3 days! She loved Ryuk to death (heh!), the other 2 loved it a lot too and one of them told me she thought it was a great experience and wished she could watch it again without knowing the plot.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
I don't know if some of the antics that happen in GTO would carry over well. I mean, the first thing you see him to is try to look up skirts. lol
Back when K-On aired, I saw it as basically a Disney channel show. But making a show about four girls starting a band probably isn't an idea you really need to license.
GaGaGariya
Banned
Hataraku Maou-sama.
Fate/Zero.
Fate/Zero.
Space Brothers Americanized wouldn't work because part of the appeal is the momumental achievement for Japanese astronauts and JAXA.
A series about NASA in the same mold wouldn't have the same impact and we've seen this story many times in American TV, film and literature already. Also NASA is usually the butt of many jokes typically sadly nowadays.
And Space Brothers being brought as is to American TV would be a tough sell to a mainstream audience.
Don't get me wrong I like the series and watched the prequel movie in theatres here in Japan last year, but it wouldn't work the same.
Yes I know the brother dynamic is the other key theme but the JAXA stuff is also very important. Hell, there's many co promotions with Space Bros and JAXA here.
A series about NASA in the same mold wouldn't have the same impact and we've seen this story many times in American TV, film and literature already. Also NASA is usually the butt of many jokes typically sadly nowadays.
And Space Brothers being brought as is to American TV would be a tough sell to a mainstream audience.
Don't get me wrong I like the series and watched the prequel movie in theatres here in Japan last year, but it wouldn't work the same.
Yes I know the brother dynamic is the other key theme but the JAXA stuff is also very important. Hell, there's many co promotions with Space Bros and JAXA here.
If they were to adapt it as a live action American TV show, certainly, the whole Japan/America focus would not work well... but I would argue that the large majority of the story could be adapted without that, even though it would lose some of its motifs.
And honestly, some of the cultural humor in the series is rather stupid in the first place.
Elfforkusu
Member
Witch Hunter Robin would own so much.
jhmtehgamr20xx
Banned
He just needs to sell back the rights. He said something that came off as a sly attack on others too, kind of in relation to BAA, about "I'm not going to adapt other people's stories for them" or something like that, it really rubbed me off the wrong way.
At this point I think he has motivation dipping into the negatives for a BAA adaptation, but there are a few other people I'd like to see give it a try. Plus Cameron was only focusing on the motorball stuff, easily the weakest part of the original story.
NipplesAndToes23
Member
Isn't there supposed to be a live-action Ghost in the Shell movie in the works?
I'd rather that Americans try and push the conceived motions of animation here in the states. It's funny that The Legend of Korra was the only dramatic animated show on TV during the last couple of seasons. There have been others in the past, but most studios don't want to take a chance on those. I wouldn't be surprised if the Avatar series was put on Nick, because other stations, sans maybe Cartoon Network, wouldn't put it on their station.
I want to make a primetime animated show in my future and I now it will probably be a struggle considering those preconceived ideas. I don't want to have to water it down because only stations like Nick and Cartoon Network will take it, I won't the most faithful adaptation of my vision to be available and to compete with stuff like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones.
I'd rather that Americans try and push the conceived motions of animation here in the states. It's funny that The Legend of Korra was the only dramatic animated show on TV during the last couple of seasons. There have been others in the past, but most studios don't want to take a chance on those. I wouldn't be surprised if the Avatar series was put on Nick, because other stations, sans maybe Cartoon Network, wouldn't put it on their station.
I want to make a primetime animated show in my future and I now it will probably be a struggle considering those preconceived ideas. I don't want to have to water it down because only stations like Nick and Cartoon Network will take it, I won't the most faithful adaptation of my vision to be available and to compete with stuff like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones.
SigmasonicX
Member
Full Metal Panic would be very easy to do if you just remove the mechs. There are people around the world with alien knowledge implanted in their brains, and a young soldier is assigned to protect one of them, a high school girl, acting undercover as a student. You have wacky shenanigans, romance, drama, and even potential for story arcs if desired. Hell, there was even a Hindi movie starring Sharukh Khan with a similar premise.
Though I don't like the anime and think the manga's decent at best with a bad conclusion, Rosario + Vampire could actually work pretty well, as long as it stuck to the smaller scale of the first part of the manga. A guy ends up enrolling by accident in a school for monsters that teaches them to blend into human society and befriends a vampire girl who turns into a badass fighter when a rosary seal is removed from her. He proceeds to get into various harem shenanigans, with more serious storylines mixed in. Insert more love polygons that aren't just directed toward the main guy, and you get something that could pass for a teen drama.
And come to think of it, any card game anime could be really easy to make, though I can't imagine people would want to watch that. Then again, I suppose Wizards of the Coast was saying that about Yu Gi Oh when it first aired.
Though I don't like the anime and think the manga's decent at best with a bad conclusion, Rosario + Vampire could actually work pretty well, as long as it stuck to the smaller scale of the first part of the manga. A guy ends up enrolling by accident in a school for monsters that teaches them to blend into human society and befriends a vampire girl who turns into a badass fighter when a rosary seal is removed from her. He proceeds to get into various harem shenanigans, with more serious storylines mixed in. Insert more love polygons that aren't just directed toward the main guy, and you get something that could pass for a teen drama.
And come to think of it, any card game anime could be really easy to make, though I can't imagine people would want to watch that. Then again, I suppose Wizards of the Coast was saying that about Yu Gi Oh when it first aired.
Upsidedown Fuji
Member
I think Gunsmith Cats would work well as a mini series.
TheVampire
Banned
Wouldnt it cost a shitload for something like Code Geass because of all its mechs?
Regret Upon Approval
Member
Not many, animation style lends itself to many quirks and offers greater control of the picture than live action. Anime takes advantage of this and translating it to live action would involve essentially stripping the touches, flourishes, and additions so carefully placed.
Himself of course.
Starring ________ as... Himself!
Himself of course.
Starring ________ as... Himself!
Vicetrailia
Banned
Gungrave would be interesting up until it gets all Sci-Fi.
Blade of the Immortal.
Blade of the Immortal.
unholyrevenger72
Banned
Mezzo Forte by Michael Mann
Going over a few listed.
Series like AoT and Berserk won't work. AoT would cost too much and Berserk would definitely have to be changed around too much.
While I love them, shows like Baccano wouldn't work either. I don't think the characters would translate very well to a live action. Issue many anime to live actions have. The characters are in that cartoony yet series tone and most TV shows are going to have to pick which way to follow.
Black Lagoon is another. It works as a Cartoon, but I don't think the audience for 80's action films are here anymore. I still think it would be a fantastic show, but it would lose its charm.
Jormungand on the other hand I could see working extremely well. Like ridiculously well. They'll definitely cut back on goofy antics, but the material and character motives are ideal I think for a good show. Something that would gravitate people towards. Koko would definitely be the "Hannibal" style antagonist, where the kid would be the moral lead. The ideas behind arms dealing would probably take off well too given this time. It would work on a weekly episodic basis, yet something granduer. And also the fact the action doesn't need to be over the top and nothing was on grand scale. Everything was small and personal for the most part. I think concept is ripe.
Monster is another. The material screams adapt me.
Thinking about Scifi ones that would work. Crest/Banner of the Stars would be a strong contender. The issue I see with ones like Bebop and Outlaw Star would be budget. Bebop is one I could see going either way since it is still modern, but Star no chance. With Crest, it's adaption would be closer to one like Star Trek. It is intensive with a few sets, but doesn't require constant changing. Build the main ship and have their stories of the worlds uniting and the problems arising from it.
Series like AoT and Berserk won't work. AoT would cost too much and Berserk would definitely have to be changed around too much.
While I love them, shows like Baccano wouldn't work either. I don't think the characters would translate very well to a live action. Issue many anime to live actions have. The characters are in that cartoony yet series tone and most TV shows are going to have to pick which way to follow.
Black Lagoon is another. It works as a Cartoon, but I don't think the audience for 80's action films are here anymore. I still think it would be a fantastic show, but it would lose its charm.
Jormungand on the other hand I could see working extremely well. Like ridiculously well. They'll definitely cut back on goofy antics, but the material and character motives are ideal I think for a good show. Something that would gravitate people towards. Koko would definitely be the "Hannibal" style antagonist, where the kid would be the moral lead. The ideas behind arms dealing would probably take off well too given this time. It would work on a weekly episodic basis, yet something granduer. And also the fact the action doesn't need to be over the top and nothing was on grand scale. Everything was small and personal for the most part. I think concept is ripe.
Monster is another. The material screams adapt me.
Thinking about Scifi ones that would work. Crest/Banner of the Stars would be a strong contender. The issue I see with ones like Bebop and Outlaw Star would be budget. Bebop is one I could see going either way since it is still modern, but Star no chance. With Crest, it's adaption would be closer to one like Star Trek. It is intensive with a few sets, but doesn't require constant changing. Build the main ship and have their stories of the worlds uniting and the problems arising from it.
Sneaky Gato
Member
Thinking of series featuring Mecha (since they are an anime staple that would also be prohibitively expensive to film in liveaction) Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor were the one I cameup with the most. Ghost since it primarily revolved around cyborgs, small action operations, intrigue, and investigations meaning that any sort of special effects could minimal. The series trademark HUD elements I feel would be easy to film since they could be in first person with out needing to interact with other people on screen. Simply have an overlay over the camera. For the more intensive action scenes there are the invisibility suits which the Tachikoma also have access giving a good excuse to minimize costs. The hard part of course is getting across the hightech environment but there are plenty of areas that are reliant on more traditional settings such as the refugee, business, and residential areas.
For Patlabor the mecha simply aren't the focus. They are background props in what can be easily made into a scifi police procedural. And even when the mecha are used they are slow and don't do anything fancy. There is very little high tech environmental stuff to display meaning that it can be more easily filmed.
While I would love to see Black Lagoon made into a series I simply cannot see it happening. Studio executives would balk at series that features so many women that kick ass and wield serious political power in comparison to the physically weak male protagonist. Nevermind the character or mental prowess that protagonist had. Or if they could set it in such a seedy rotten place as ninties Thailand. And lets not even talk about some of the content. No studio would dare go within ten feet of (serious second season spoilers)
On other topics where would Hollywood even get a Chinese actress to play Revy? Though that could be an opening since HW so desperately wants to appeal to China these days... They'd have to get rid of Shensua Taiwanese connections though.
For Patlabor the mecha simply aren't the focus. They are background props in what can be easily made into a scifi police procedural. And even when the mecha are used they are slow and don't do anything fancy. There is very little high tech environmental stuff to display meaning that it can be more easily filmed.
While I would love to see Black Lagoon made into a series I simply cannot see it happening. Studio executives would balk at series that features so many women that kick ass and wield serious political power in comparison to the physically weak male protagonist. Nevermind the character or mental prowess that protagonist had. Or if they could set it in such a seedy rotten place as ninties Thailand. And lets not even talk about some of the content. No studio would dare go within ten feet of (serious second season spoilers)
the Vampire Arc given it featuring Child Rape, Child Incest, child crossdressing, children covered in the blood of another child they have just murdered, having a child get their leg and arm blown off and watching them slowly bleed to death, a child groping a women, a child stripping and sexually offering themselves to the hero, or a child getting head shot on screen. To this day I'm surprised that it got on air uncensored.
UnluckyKate
Member
brickarts295
Member
With a great budget and visual effects I could see Full Metal Alchemist working.
Dare I say *gulp* Clannad might also work...
Dare I say *gulp* Clannad might also work...
I think Monster could work for sure. However it would be a shame if they relocated it to a North American setting, as its German setting was one of the best parts about the anime in my opinion.
Death Note would similarly work fine. Hell, I could see that being pretty successful if done right.
That's about it as far as animes I've seen. The rest just have too much stuff in them that only really works in the anime medium, or would be out of the question in terms of TV budgets.
Berserk probably wouldn't work very well. I mean, maybe the one arc they show in the anime, but in the manga things get pretty fucked up after that arc and they would have to seriously neuter the source material. I'm also just not convinced you could do a good adaptation of that series for television. The scope is just too big.
Death Note would similarly work fine. Hell, I could see that being pretty successful if done right.
That's about it as far as animes I've seen. The rest just have too much stuff in them that only really works in the anime medium, or would be out of the question in terms of TV budgets.
Berserk probably wouldn't work very well. I mean, maybe the one arc they show in the anime, but in the manga things get pretty fucked up after that arc and they would have to seriously neuter the source material. I'm also just not convinced you could do a good adaptation of that series for television. The scope is just too big.
grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
Toradora would be a great pilot episode for a terrible sitcom. Though you would probably have to age them up to being millenials living in New York City.
Drilbit777
Member
Steins Gate would be perfect for an adaptation, thought they would have to change the otaku stuff but it would be very doable. Though they might have to change Ferris alot to accommodate for the moe and anime culture being cut out. Also the setting would have to be changed but the characters could almost remain the same aside from a few changes, hell they could have Kurisu be visiting from Japan instead of the U.S like in the anime.
Other than that the show wouldn't really demand a high budget and could actually appeal to a mainstream audience though at the same time stay close to the source material .
Other than that the show wouldn't really demand a high budget and could actually appeal to a mainstream audience though at the same time stay close to the source material .
Glass Rebel
Member
It's scary how accurate this is.
I'm a huge fan of Hell Girl, but I don't think it would work. There was a live action series in Japan and it just isn't the same because the animation allows for fantastic horrific imagery during the comeuppance scene.
I am also a huge Parasyte fan but I wouldn't want to see a live-action series unless it used practical effects.
I think Witch Hunter Robin would be great (STNA?). I think Screaming Lessons would be cool if they took a Goosebumps or Are You Afraid of the Dark approach.
I am also a huge Parasyte fan but I wouldn't want to see a live-action series unless it used practical effects.
I think Witch Hunter Robin would be great (STNA?). I think Screaming Lessons would be cool if they took a Goosebumps or Are You Afraid of the Dark approach.
FrostuTheNinja
Member
As long as he plays Jagi, I'm down.
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