Fans of Fullmetal Alchemist were treated to Netflix's live-action adaptation with a trilogy of movies, with the third and final installment only just recently released on the streaming service. But despite the filmmakers' and the stars' attempts to end the feature-length series with an explosive finale, it currently holds 5.3/10 on IMDb as of writing.
Throughout the years, there have been countless movies and television shows that tried to bring some of the most iconic anime and manga to life, some finding more success than others. Whether they tried to be faithful or create something new from the source material, they at least attempted to offer something exciting for the fans.
Cowboy Bebop - 6.7
Regarded by many as one of the greatest anime series of all time, Cowboy Bebop has continued to entertain fans and newcomers alike with its brilliant animation, talented voice cast, and jazzy soundtrack. Set in the distant future, a group of bounty hunters attempts to stop some colorful criminals across the solar system.
Despite the criticism it received and its cancelation after the first season, Christopher Yost did attempt to recreate the show's tone faithfully while adding some new ideas into the mix. It may not have been the final product that fans may have hoped for, but it at least tried to repackage the anime's many highlights for the unfamiliar.
Parasyte: Part 1 - 6.9
Taking the best body horror movies in an interesting direction, Parasyte saw the unlikely friendship between high schooler Shinichi and an alien who failed to take control of him. With the two now stuck together, they are forced to stop the rest of the aliens from taking over the human population.
The movie was split up into two parts in order to deliver the story without having to cut any material, which worked in its favor as it meant more time to introduce and explore the strange partnership between human and alien. While the anime does have a higher score on the website, the filmmakers were still able to deliver a movie that received some praise and attention.
From Me To You - 6.9
Fans of Komi Can't Communicate and High Score Girl shouldn't miss the anime that inspired the movie. The series follows the blossoming relationship between Kuronuma, a shy girl who unintentionally imitates her classmates, and Kazehaya, the popular boy at school who helps to bring her out of her shell.
Released in a market filled with many romantic comedies, it was refreshing to see the anime adapted for audiences young and old who love a good romance. Furthermore, it was refreshing to see an anime rnot filled with violence or focused heavily on action receive its own theatrical version.
Nana - 7
Another anime series that was adapted from the pages of a shojo Manga, Nana follows the journey of two young women as they try to pursue their dreams in Tokyo. Despite their different tastes and goals in life, they develop a close friendship that goes through its ups and downs as life gets in the way.
Another grounded anime and Manga that got the cinematic treatment, it hit a chord with audiences as it reflected what it was like to be a young adult in Tokyo during the mid-2000s. It may not be the flashiest movie, but it's a great retelling of some of the best on-screen anime friendships ever seen.
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final - 7.2
Aired in the '90s, Rurouni Kenshin told the story of a young wandering swordsman who turned his back on his former life as an assassin to protect those who need it. Since its release, it has spawned countless video games and merchandise featuring the iconic heroes and villains that made it a major franchise at the time.
This last movie in the series was split in two to tell the epic story surrounding the final arc of the manga and wrap up a nearly 10-year-long theatrical journey. The anime may not have continued after the '90s, but fans of the classic animated show can rediscover what they loved about it and see how it all ends for the heroes, with some explosive and high-octane action.
Death Note: The Last Name - 7.2
Despite their attempts, Netflix couldn't quite hit the same level of success with adapting Death Note as well as Shusuke Kaneko's theatrical trilogy. The anime became a groundbreaking hit as it told the story of a promising and intelligent student named Light Yagami and how he used the power of a deadly notebook to try and change the world, all while avoiding capture by L, the world's greatest detective.
Taking the infamous storyline where Light s L, fans got to see how different things would play out for one of anime's greatest detectives. Even with the change, people still enjoyed the story the movie told and the tense mind games that Light and L do throughout to trick one another to see who is the smartest Death Note character of them all.
Bunny Drop - 7.2
Based on a josei manga series of the same name, the one-off anime followed the comedic antics of a single man who suddenly finds himself looking after his grandfather's illegitimate child after his funeral. What starts out as a series of comedic situations blossoms into an anime that tells the story of love and responsibility.
Despite its brief run on television, it proved to be effective source material for a movie and worked really well, delivering enough drama and heart to make anyone feel warm inside. While the original manga continued to see Rin growing up, the anime and movie made the right decision to focus on the simple yet effective story of their first year together.
Alita: Battle Angel - 7.3
Battle Angel Alita was a futuristic sci-fi action manga that followed the adventures of a cyborg who tries to rediscover her lost memories while using her unique combat skills to work as a bounty hunter. While it didn't create a long-running series, there was a two-part anime that attempted to recreate the look of the illustrations that caught the attention of some talented Hollywood filmmakers.
Despite the lack of anime adaptations from American studios, Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron were able to craft a visually stunning movie that any sci-fi fan could enjoy. There may have been some changes from the anime, but it relied on a simpler approach to the story and there's no denying that the talented filmmakers didn't try to make one of the best live-action manga adaptations of all time.
Rurouni Kenshin: Origins - 7.4
The first of what would become a successful movie series, Rurouni Kenshin: Origins introduced a new generation to Himura Kenshin and the world of Rurouni Kenshin. With a new anime series set for a 2023 release, fans can only hope that it will be better than the original show from the '90s.
But until its release, those who have yet to discover these movies are in for a treat, as director Keishi Ôtomo has created a historical adventure series that went beyond the expectation of prior anime and manga adaptations. Those with fond memories of the original anime will find plenty to love about this movie, which might satisfy them until the new show is unveiled.
Death Note - 7.5
Since its release in 2006, both the Death Note movie and the anime series have become some of the best in their mediums and they captivated as much as terrified their audiences. Brilliantly adapting the manga, the anime saw how corrupted Light Yagami became with the Death Note in his possession and how far he was willing to go for the sake of justice.
Bringing the supernatural thriller to the big screen was no easy task, but Shusuke Keneko was able to do it and with the young, talented leads, they effectively introduced Light to a new audience. And it looks as though their work paid off, as it still holds an impressive rating on IMDb that can hopefully someday be replicated.
