After Netflix's live-action Netflix's One Piece proved it could be done, though, and several other impressive adaptations have followed.
The success of the live-action One Piece showed that such adaptations could be popular, and it's little surprise that a Naruto film from Lionsgate was announced shortly after. There will be challenges to adapting Naruto in live-action, but if it's successful, Hollywood will likely pursue similar projects in the future. And with One Piece and Naruto both ed 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 are One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. There's been much debate about what the new Big Three anime could be, but Hollywood should adapt the classics before diving into newer series. As One Piece is already approaching season 2, and Naruto is in the works, it makes sense for Hollywood to tackle a live-action Bleach adaptation next. This would round out the Big Three — and given Bleach's popularity, it would likely prove fruitful for whatever studio adapts it.
If there's interest in the live-action One Piece and Naruto projects, there's sure to be an audience for Bleach.
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 condensed One Piece, the same could be done for Bleach. 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-action One Piece and Naruto projects, there's sure to be an audience for Bleach. 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 that Bleach needs a live-action adaptation is that it already has a relatively successful one — just not from Hollywood. In 2018, Warner Bros. produced a live-action Bleach, 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 on Rotten 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's Bleach proves 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. If Bleach's creator is involved, a Hollywood production could be just as successful as Netflix's One 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 of Bleach should consult the creator, as well as respect the beloved source material. Ideally, it would also be a TV show, as that would give the adaptation more time to flesh out the story arcs and characters that make Bleach so 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 perfect Bleach adaptation 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 of Bleach. 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 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.
- Directors
- Mitsutaka Noshitani, Junya Koshida, Hodaka Kuramoto, Yasuto Nishikata, Hiroaki Nishimura, Kazunori Mizuno, Akira Shimizu, Rokou Ogiwara, Kazunobu Shimizu, Akane Inoue, Hikaru Murata, Tomoko Hiramuki, Kazuo Nogami, Taiji Kawanishi, Shigeki Hatakeyama, Eiko Nishi, Takushi Kimura, Koji Aritomi, Ogura Shirakawa, Kiyomu Fukuda, Yukio Okazaki, Mitsue Yamazaki, Yasuhiro Matsumura, Eitarou Ano
- Writers
- Masahiro Okubo, Masashi Sogo, Kenta Shimoyama, Genki Yoshimura, Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, Rika Nakase, Michiko Yokote, Natsuko Takahashi, Kento Shimoyama
- Seasons
- 2
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