'Ghost in the Shell' and 4 Other Live-Action Adaptations of Anime, Ranked by IMDb
Is the live-adaptation of Attack of Titan worth watching? Well, it's controversial.
Adapting anime for live action is one of the riskiest genres in modern cinema. For every successful project like One Piece, there are dozens of failures that fans prefer to forget.
We've compiled a list of five very different live-action anime adaptations – from Ghost in the Shell, starring Scarlett Johansson, unexpected Japanese hits to Hollywood blockbusters.
5. 'Attack on Titan Part 1', 2015
IMDb Score: 5.0/10
In 2015, Attack on Titan Part 1 premiered. Based on the manga and anime of the same name, the movie was directed by Shinji Higuchi, who was one of the screenwriters of the cult classic Evangelion. However, replicating the title's success proved to be an impossible task.
The movie's plot differs little from the anime's. Centuries ago, Titans appeared on Earth. After their first encounter with the monsters, the survivors built a massive wall to protect themselves from the carnivorous creatures.
While the adaptation of Attack on Titan is inferior to the original in every way, it still manages to entertain with its grotesque action scenes.
4. 'Ghost in the Shell', 2017
IMDb Score: 6.3/10
Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell was published in 1989. The story of the crime-fighting cyborg Motoko Kusanagi has had a profound impact on global culture.
The first adaptation, directed by Mamoru Oshii, premiered in 1995 – it instantly gained cult status and is still considered a prime example of cyberpunk.
The plot follows the 1995 script almost verbatim: a police officer investigates a cybercrime case. A powerful hacker hacks robots' minds and forces them to attack police officers. Throughout the case, the Major attempts to regain her long-lost identity and determine whether she is human or cyborg.
3. 'Pokémon: Detective Pikachu', 2019
IMDb Score: 6.5/10
As a child, Tim Goodman dreamed of becoming a Pokémon Master. However, family problems forced him to abandon his plans. Many years later, he unexpectedly meets Pikachu, his father's loyal friend, who is grumpy.
After his parents' death, the cute little creature finds Tim and persuades him to help investigate it.
Rob Letterman's movie is not a direct adaptation of the cult classic. Detective Pikachu is more of a standalone, anime-inspired work with charming monsters and a nostalgic feel.
2. 'Cowboy Bebop', 2021
IMDb Score: 6.7/10
Cowboy Bebop is a rare example of a successful anime based not on a manga, but on an original script. Created by Shinichiro Watanabe, this title about bounty hunters traversing the vastness of space revolutionized Japanese animation.
The director skillfully blended Eastern and Western cultures, drawing on global film traditions: Bebop references classic Westerns, 1940s film noir, and Bruce Lee action movies.
In 2021, Netflix released an adaptation with the same name, but it failed to replicate the original's success. The series followed the original's plot verbatim, offering nothing new. Ultimately, the show was canceled after an unconvincing first season.
1. 'Sakamoto Days', 2026
IMDb Score: 7.6/10
The first two issues of the manga Sakamoto Days, written and illustrated by Yuto Suzuki, were published in 2020. The plot centers on Taro Sakamoto. In his youth, he was a professional assassin, but he abandoned his dangerous profession after the birth of his daughter.
Years later, Sakamoto has gained weight and become the owner of a modest grocery store. However, his past catches up with him, and he must reclaim his professional skills to protect his loved ones.
The new iteration was directed by Yuichi Fukuda. Sakamoto Days is a spectacular action comedy that stays true to both the original manga and the anime series.
