Some stories are just too big, too ambitious, or too expensive for traditional live-action adaptations. Whether due to complex visual effects, or sheer creative freedom, animation can often achieve what no other medium can. Some of the most popular and enduringanimeseries, likeGhost in the ShellorCase Closed,have proven that bold concepts and intricate storytelling thrive in the medium, making it the perfect place for certain stalled franchises to pivot.
From science fiction epics and fantasy sagas to beloved comedies and even reality TV-inspired thrillers, many franchises can find new life in anime. Whether it’sAnimorphs, which demands a level of visual transformation that live-action has never been able to pull off, orThe Hunger Games, which could expand its rich world beyond the limitations of its films, anime offers a unique opportunity to explore these stories in ways never before possible. Perhaps to escape development limbo, reach their full potential, or tap into a medium that could finally do them justice,some franchises should just pivot to anime.
10Animorphs
A Different Spin on Five Teenagers with Attitude
Published between 1996 and 2001, K.A. Applegate’sAnimorphsremains one of the most intense and thought-provoking Young Adult series ever written. A group of teens gains the ability to morph into animals to fight the Yeerks, parasitic alien slugs capable of controlling human minds.The series spans over 50 books, tackling war, morality, trauma, and the psychological toll of violence.
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From grotesque transformation sequences to brutal battles against the razor-limbed Hork-Bajir, live-action has always struggled to doAnimorphsjustice. Nickelodeon’s failed 1998 TV adaptation toned down the horror, proving thata faithful adaptation needs an unrestricted medium like anime. Series likeParasyteandAttack on Titandemonstrate how anime can capture both visceral horror and deep philosophical themes. WithAnimorphs’ themes of resistance to imperialism more relevant than ever, an anime adaptation could introduce the franchise to a whole new generation.
Attack on Titan
Attack on Titanis a globally successful manga and anime franchise created by Hajime Isayama. The story is set in a world where humanity lives inside walled cities, threatened by giant humanoid creatures called Titans. The series follows Eren Yeager and his friends as they fight to uncover the truth about the Titans and the world. First serialized in 2009, the franchise has expanded into anime series, films, video games, novels, and live-action adaptations.
9The Traitors & Survivor
Reality TV Like Never Seen Before
At first glance, adapting a reality show into anime sounds dubious, but the psychological warfare ofThe Traitorsand the cutthroat gameplay ofSurvivorare perfect for anime’s intense storytelling. ImagineThe Traitorsas aDeath Note-style thriller whereplayers manipulate and deceive each other to survive. OrSurvivoras an action-packed survival anime akin toKaijiorBtooom!.
A scripted anime version ofThe Traitorscould take creative liberties by adding more extreme betrayals, psychological mind games, or actual life-or-death stakes. An OVA could be structured around a singular mystery, where the Faithful, and the viewer, must identify the Traitors before it’s too late. With reality shows enjoying unprecedented global success, an anime adaptation would bea fresh way to expand their appeal.
8Captain Planet
The World Desperately Needs a New Generation of Planeteers
Captain Planet and the Planeteersran for six seasons in the ‘90s, teaching kids about environmentalism through five teens wielding elemental power rings to summon Captain Planet. Now, as the global climate crisis accelerates,a reboot is long overdue, especially as an anime, which has a history of tackling environmental themes.Nausicaä of the Valley of the WindandShangri-Laare some of the best-known examples of this angle working in the anime medium.
Unfortunately, in today’s political climate, any environmental message risks backlash, which may explain whyCaptain Planethas remained dormant.
Anime would allow for more dynamic, stylized action sequences while exploring deeper themes of corporate greed and ecological collapse. A modernCaptain Planetcould be a mix ofShaman King’s elemental battles andPsycho-Pass’ dystopian world-building, balancing superhero fantasy with grounded activism. Unfortunately, in today’s political climate, any environmental message risks backlash, which may explain whyCaptain Planethas remained dormant.
7The Hunger Games
Dystopia Is at Our Doorstep
Suzanne Collins’The Hunger Gamescaptivated readers with its dystopian world where children fight to the death for the entertainment of the elite.The film adaptations were mostly successfulbut struggled with pacing and world-building. An anime anthology similar toStar Wars: Visionscould explore Panem’s history from the Dark Days, to the early Games, the rebellion and its aftermath.
Suzanne Collins' next novel,Sunrise on the Reaping,releases on July 26, 2025, with a film adaptation scheduled for release the following year.
Anime’s flexibility would allow for deeper character exploration, from Snow’s rise to power (Code Geass-style political intrigue) to the daily life of residents in the Districts not featured in the mainline books thus far. With the fifth novel,Sunrise on the Reaping, on the horizon, an anime adaptation couldcapitalize on renewed interestwhile delivering a more unrestrained version ofThe Hunger Games.
6John Carter of Mars
The Original Isekai Deserves a Second Chance
Despite inspiring countless sci-fi epics, Edgar Rice Burroughs’John Carterremains one of the most overlooked franchises, largely due toDisney’s 2012 live-action flop. The story follows a Confederate soldier transported to Mars (Barsoom to the native Martians), where he becomes a warrior in an alien civil war.It’s shocking that John Carter hasn’t been adapted more, as Burroughs’Barsoom Sagawas first published over a century ago and spans eleven novels.
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While its original premise might need modern adjustments,John Carteris tailor-made for anime’s grand sci-fi storytelling. The series would be comparable toMushoku TenseiorThe Twelve Kingdoms, where an outsider navigates a foreign world and reshapes it. Anime’s visual freedom could finally do justice to Barsoom’ssprawling landscapes, bizarre creatures, and high-energy battles.
5Fourth Wing & A Court of Thorns and Roses
Romantasy Is a Perfect Fit for Anime
Sarah J. Maas’A Court of Thorns and Rosesand Rebecca Yarros’Fourth Winghave taken the fantasy book world by storm, but their massive scope and complex lore make them difficult to adapt into live action. These series blend romance, politics, and intense action, which are perfectly aligned with anime’s dramatic storytelling. Not to mention the series’faeries, dragons, and gratuitous sex, which would certainly be at home in the anime realm.
An anime adaptation could bring their magical worlds to lifewith breathtaking animation, similar toFate/Stay NightorThe Ancient Magus’ Bride. With the ongoing popularity ofromantic fantasy anime likeYona of the Dawn, aFourth WingorACOTARadaptation could dominate both anime and book fandoms alike. For now, the books’ dedicated audience patiently await the long-gestating live-action adaptations.
4Austin Powers
It’s Been 23 Years Since His Last Groovy Adventure Co-Starring Beyoncé
Michael Myers’Austin Powersmovies spoof 1960s spy films withabsurd humor and over-the-top characterslike Alotta Fagina and Fat Bastard. With spy-themed anime like classicLupin the Thirdand breakout hitSpy x Familythriving, anAustin Powersanime could take the franchise’s retro aesthetic and comedic action to the next level. Given the film franchise has been dormant for over 20 years, it’s about time for the character to return.
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Beyond the groovy visuals, an anime could introduce fresh, culturally relevant humor while expanding theAustin Powersuniverse. The films’ exaggerated villains, such asDr. Evil and Mini-Me would translate perfectly into anime’s flamboyant character designs. Given Hollywood’s current nostalgia wave, a well-done anime adaptation could reignite interest in the franchise and prod Mike Myers to finally deliver that long-rumored fourth movie.
3Prometheus 1.5
Justice for Dr. Elizabeth Shaw!
One ofAlien’s biggest missed opportunities was skipping over Dr. Elizabeth Shaw’s journeybetweenPrometheusandAlien: Covenant. As it stands, the decision to kill Shaw off-screen halts the momentum built in the first film, and sabotages the latter film’s cohesiveness as a sequel. An anime prequel, focusing on Shaw reassembling David en route to the Engineer’s supposed home world, could finally fill in this narrative gap.
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Withanime’s ability to explore cosmic horror, likeParasyteandErgo Proxy, an animatedPrometheuscould lean into itsLovecraftian roots. Most critically, the series could delve into the Engineers’ origins and the story behind the original film’s mysterious Space Jockey.Alienhas yet to break into animation officially, but a high-budget sci-fi horror anime could reinvigorate the franchise.
2Metroid
The White Whale of Adaptations
Samus Aran, Nintendo’s iconic intergalactic bounty hunter, is long overdue for an adaptation. Despite years of rumored live-action attempts, nothing has ever materialized, but the continued success of the games keeps hope alive.Metroid’s blend of alienhorror, exploration, and minimal dialoguemakes it ideal for a cinematic anime in the vein ofMade in AbyssorBlame!.
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Live-action would struggle with the isolationist tone and surreal environments required to doMetroidjustice, butanimation could easily capture the eerie, otherworldly atmosphereachieved in the games. WithMetroid Dreadmost recently sparking interest in the franchise, and an upcoming sequel toPrime,Metroidis sure to be trending for a while to come. Adding an anime to her repertoire could finally establish Samus as a household name.
1High Potential
Adapted in Six Different Countries, Why Not One More?
ABC’s hit procedural dramedy,High Potential, stars Kaitlin Olsen asa custodial worker with high intellectual potentialwho charms her way into a consulting position with the LAPD. Pulpy primetime cop shows rarely get anime adaptations, butHigh Potential’s unconventional detective format actually makes it a great fit. Similar toCase Closed, an anime adaptation could turn the protagonist’s extreme eye for detail and intellectual quirks into a visually engaging detective thriller.
High Potentialis actually a remake of the 2021 Franco-Belgian series,HPI, which has been remade in five different countries. Afemale-led detective animewith a mix of humor and mystery would stand out in a genre typically dominated by male protagonists. With the series’ growing international success, an anime version could helpHigh Potentialreach its full potential.
