Netflix and other streaming platforms are on a mission to release more and more anime and manga adaptations. This includes creating live-action remakes of fan-favorite novels and shows. While most of the already existing live-action remakes of these novels and shows are made into movies, there are some instances when a full multi-season show is built upon the foundation of these stories.
Some of them are lesser-known foreign projects that are sadly underrated, and others are well-known worldwide. And because these series are massively successful, more are on the way to mass audiences. While not all of these shows hit the mark, the following adaptations are worth watching.
6 The Prince Of Tennis
Since 2019, Netflix's repertoire includes the Mandarin Chinese language series The Prince of Tennis. The story, naturally, focuses on tennis, as a young boy travels to China in order to beat his tennis pro father once and for all. Excellent acting performances accompany an exciting and action-filled plot.
The manga series of the same name ran from 1999 to 2008 and was written by Takeshi Konomi, and later it became a well-known anime series as well. While there are some differences in the plot, the story is built on the same foundation, and all remakes revolve around the love of the sport.
5 Switched
Switched premiered on Netflix in the summer of 2018, and is based on the manga series Sora wo Kakeru Yodaka by Shiki Kabawaka. The series shows the underbelly of depression and social anxiety through the eyes of teenagers. When Ayumi witnesses her peer Umine committing suicide, their souls switch bodies, forcing them to see the world through each other's eyes.
The manga's story revolves around the same plot, as a suicidal teen switches bodies with the most popular girl in school. The main conflict of the story revolves around Umine's refusal to switch bodies again, as she always wanted to see the world from the perspective of Ayumi, a popular socialite.
4 Erased
Satoru Fujinuma is a manga creator and pizza delivery person, who occasionally experiences so-called "revivals." Through these, he's sent back in time to prevent something horrible from happening. In one of these "missions," he gets wrapped up with a series of child murders, which ultimately leads to the death of his mother. In order to change the future that lead to his mother's passing, he must go back to where the series of murders started — finding himself back in elementary school.
The plot of the anime almost completely coincides with the synopsis of the live-action remake, and fans aren't disappointed in the results. Most of the cast do an excellent job bringing their roles to life. The only truly negative feedback after the release of the live-action was aimed at the visuals of the series and the wardrobe choices of the characters.
3 Alice In Borderland
The Netflix original live-action series received mixed feedback from critics, but was a raging success among audiences worldwide. The visuals, the direction, and the writing of the series were very polished, but the character development and a few acting performances left something to be desired.
The story is based on a manga of the same name and tells the story of Arisu (known as "Alice"), a high school boy who has no prospects and is bored with his life altogether. While wishing to be someplace else, a firework goes off in front of Arisu and his two friends, and they're transported to an alternate-universe Tokyo. They soon find out that they're stuck in "Borderland" where people are forced to play a deadly game.
2 Death Note
The 2015 Japanese TV drama focuses on the story of Yagami, who after finding a mysterious notebook that has the ability to kill anyone whose name is written in it, finds it his duty to create a utopistic world. He does this by filling the book with people he finds unworthy of living, becoming a sort of vigilante.
The manga — also called Death Note — tells the same story, ultimately leading to a cat-and-mouse chase between the protagonist (or rather anti-hero), and a detective investigating his crimes. It has become a wildly popular anime series as well, with all versions of the story exploring the idea of what it would be like to become God.
1 Cowboy Bebop (Scheduled To Be Released On November 19, 2021)
The world-renowned Cowboy Bebop is being made into a live-action series by Netflix. The story revolves around "intergalactic bounty hunters" called Cowboys, or a spaceship called Bebop. The team travels through space performing their duty, while getting wrapped up in all kinds of adventures and personal revelations.
The main story arc focuses on Spike Spiegel, and his rivalry with his partner-turned-criminal named Vicious. It's still mostly unknown how the live-action remake will turn out, but thus far, it looks promising. Considering the almost endless possibilities of short stories revolving around the team, it could turn into the next Star Trek Enterprise. Fans are curious aboutis how the characters and main conflicts will be represented in the remake — only time will tell.