After Netflix’s live-actionOne Pieceand the announcement of the live-actionNarutomovie,Hollywood’s next anime adaptation should already be obvious. Live-action anime adaptations have gotten a bad reputation over the years, mostly thanks to projects likeDragonball EvolutionandDeath Note.To be fair, it’s difficult to capture the complex narratives and stunning visuals of an anime in a live-action format.Netflix’sOne Pieceproved it could be done, though, and several other impressive adaptations have followed.
The success of the live-actionOne Pieceshowed that such adaptations could be popular, and it’s little surprise that aNarutofilm from Lionsgate was announced shortly after. There will bechallenges to adaptingNarutoin live-action, but if it’s successful, Hollywood will likely pursue similar projects in the future. And withOne PieceandNarutoboth accounted for,there’s an obvious anime to tackle next:Bleach.
Live-Action Bleach Would Complete Hollywood’s “Big 3” Anime Adaptations
A Hollywood Adaptation Would Round Out The Classics
Anime fans often refer to the three most popular classic anime as the “Big Three,” and those series areOne Piece, Naruto,andBleach.There’s been much debate about whatthe new Big Three animecould be, but Hollywood should adapt the classics before diving into newer series. AsOne Pieceis already approaching season 2, andNarutois in the works,it makes sense for Hollywood to tackle a live-actionBleachadaptation next. This would round out the Big Three — and givenBleach’s popularity, it would likely prove fruitful for whatever studio adapts it.
If there’s interest in the live-actionOne PieceandNarutoprojects, there’s sure to be an audience forBleach.
Bleach’s length, large cast, and extended fight sequences would make for a solid television show, though a movie could work if it’s done properly. Seeing how Netflix condensedOne Piece,the same could be done forBleach.And the anime has fewer arcs, meaning it’d be even easier to adapt to a new medium. If there’s interest in the live-actionOne PieceandNarutoprojects, there’s sure to be an audience forBleach.There’s a reason the Big Three have the reputation they do, and successful live-action adaptations will only gain them a greater viewership.
There’s Already A Live-Action Bleach Film (But Not From Hollywood)
The 2018 Film Got A Decent Response
Perhaps the biggest proof thatBleachneeds a live-action adaptation is that it already has a relatively successful one— just not from Hollywood. In 2018, Warner Bros. produced a live-actionBleach,but it was a Japanese production rather than a Hollywood one. Directed by Shinsuke Sato, the adaptation proved a solid take on the classic anime. Compared to other live-action adaptations, the 2018 film did an impressive job with the source material. It’s no wonder it was well-received, earning a 71% critic score and 75% audience score onRotten Tomatoes.
8 Live-Action Anime Adaptations That Actually Respected The Source Material
Live-action anime adaptations can be hit or miss, but the most successful ones tend to respect the source material that they’re based on.
2018’sBleachproves it’s possible to recapture the magic of Tite Kubo’s story in live-action, and a project that goes beyond the anime’s first arc could be even more compelling. IfBleach’s creator is involved, a Hollywood production could be just as successful as Netflix’sOne Piece. It would also give fans the opportunity to see a live-action adaptation of the anime in theaters, which unfortunately didn’t happen with the 2018 iteration. That movie only had a theatrical run in Japan, but a new adaptation playing worldwide would make up for this.
What The Ideal Live-Action Bleach Adaptation Should Be Like
A TV Show Would Be Preferable To A Movie
The ideal live-action adaptation ofBleachshould consult the creator, as well as respect the beloved source material. Ideally, it would also be a TV show, asthat would give the adaptation more time to flesh out the story arcs and characters that makeBleachso great. Although there are a handful of movie adaptations that work, television tends to produce more faithful takes on books, anime, and video games. TV shows have a longer runway to explore the many elements of their source material, while movies are often forced to cut important details to fit into a certain runtime.
The perfectBleachadaptation would also have the budget to depict the anime’s epic fight sequences, as well as the impressive power of the Soul Society. It would be nice to see all the anime’s canon arcs adapted, including the Thousand-Year Blood War. This might mean creating a more mature, dark adaptation ofBleach.That would fit the source material well, though, and it would appeal to the viewers who grew up watching the anime — many of whom are well into adulthood now.
Bleach
Cast
Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager with the ability to see ghosts, whose life changes after meeting Rukia, a Soul Reaper. As he gains spiritual energy, Ichigo embarks on a journey to protect humans and spirits from malevolent entities known as Hollows.
