Terminator Zero is the latest example of a major live action series being adapted into an anime series. The show was created by Mattson Tomlin, produced by Skydance and animated by Production IG – the renowned studio behind Ghost in the Shell. This initial eight-episode series (hopefully with more to come) is an encouraging example of how a live-action anime adaptation of a classic genre franchise can be done with quality and taste without sacrificing the strengths of either medium. It represents a rock solid template for future anime adaptations.
Since then, Hollywood has often attempted to adapt popular anime franchises into live action, with mostly poor results Dragonball Evolution in 2009. Major and minor screen modifications, incl Ghost in the Shell, One pieceand Cowboy Bebop have seen varying levels of success, though none have managed to fully capture the spirit of their source material. However, viewers should prepare for the opposite trend to flood the streaming space. Critically acclaimed projects like Blade Runner Blackout 2022, Scott Pilgrim startsand exciting upcoming titles like The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohir are evidence. terminator zero, now watched by millions on Netflix, is the latest example.
What is Terminator: Zero about?
Terminator Zero feels like a welcome return to the roots of the franchise. Terminators cools, from T-800 from Terminator to T-1000 inches T2: Judgment Day. Zero clearly takes inspiration James Cameron's legacy of terrifying robot antagonists. The show is also in many ways unlike any other entry in the terminator franchise to date. This first season itself introduces new elements such as canon-altering events that could alter pre-established Terminator lore, a slew of new technology and world design, and a fascinating moral dialectic between Malcolm Lee's characters and his AI creation Kokoro. They explore the notion that Skynet is justified in destroying humanity—not just for its own safety, but for the safety of the planet.
Bringing an ambitious anime to life is a laborious, time-consuming and expensive process. Concept fan art images online are often the closest fans will come to seeing their favorite live-action franchises rendered in anime form. There is clearly a strong desire among fans for such projects. But before the creative heads of each streaming service jump on the bandwagon Terminator Zerothey should first consider whether an anime adaptation of a given intellectual property will bring something new and exciting to the franchise in question. They should also consider whether their concept adaptation is worthy of an animation studio with the pedigree of Production IG or MAPPA.
Translating the essence of an iconic live action into a medium like anime gives creatives the opportunity to explore different parts of these fictional worlds in unprecedented detail. It's a chance to illuminate bits of unexplored lore while expanding the look and feel of an established universe.
The series that perhaps demonstrated the creative potential of live action to anime adaptations is Star Wars vision. Both seasons of this show allowed many animation studios from around the world to create their own concept Star Wars universe. This kind of freedom frees animators from the constraints of tradition, continuity, and the traditional look and feel of these franchises. It also encourages them to tell their own story within the universe of the franchise. A worthwhile anime adaptation should contain elements of the original material, but offer them a completely new look, rhythm, or perspective.
Possibilities of live-action anime adaptations
Here are just a handful of possible franchises ripe for the anime adaptation treatment.
Mad Max
George Miller said he originally invented it Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga as a full-length anime that would serve as a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. This anime could take the franchise in any number of directions. The Mad Max the universe is huge and most of the storytelling is already visual. The inimitable atmosphere of Mad Max – the deep orange tones of the desert, the cool blue of the sparkling night sky, the wanton violence, the whirring engines and the burning fumes of war equipment – all lend themselves naturally to the anime's aesthetic. The adaptation could even explore other parts of Miller's post-apocalyptic world beyond the expanse of the Australian outback.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Gore Verbinski's engrossing pirate saga grew increasingly absurd and wacky in its tone, scope and sense of humor/drama. The franchise lingered in pointless sequel territory with ever-diminishing returns. These elements, along with the breathtaking tropical beauty and infectious spirit of adventure that Pirates of the Caribbean's setting provides, make this world perfect for a major anime adaptation. after all One piece (a pirate show) is still the best-selling manga of all time.
Blade
Marvel's (allegedly) upcoming Blade film has been struggling in pre-production for years at this point. Kevin Feige and company could go to “What if…?” the journey and when adapting to stay dry Blade in anime form. Both martial arts and vampire aspects have already proven to be viable genres for an epic anime story. A mixture of Samurai Champloo and Castlevania fans would line up.
The Karate Kid
Martial arts anime is a well-established tradition in the genre and The Karate Kid it would be a great addition to the tradition. Some fans would say exceptional Cobra Kai it's already on Netflix. Why is another spin-off necessary? It's fair, but The Karate Kid was and always has been a shōnen battle at its heart. It would be incredible to see Daniel-san land that Crane kick in a gorgeous 4k cell shadow animation.
Indiana Jones
This anime could span young Indy's life in a multi-season prequel arc inspired by the beginning Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, in which River Phoenix played a young Indy. He could explore every wonder of the world on different continents in search of different magical items. Viewers got to enjoy some globetrotting, time-skipping, archaeological fun with Sallah, Marian, Brody and the gang. Rather than using digital aging technology and making questionable decisions with the faces of aging or deceased artists, Disney would be smart to take the franchise in an animated direction.
It's how it's used
The above list could go on and on, wider and weirder. Imagine a modern fantasy titan Harry Potter. There is already a popular video game and Fantastic animals he has no plans to return. The universe has endless lore and history worth mining. game of thrones, with its vast world and deep history also seems like an obvious candidate. Even popular drama like Bearwhich at first glance seems to be the furthest from anime, could be successfully adapted into anime. If Delicious in the Dungeon proves anything, it's that people love the ongoing soap opera, which follows an eclectic group of work friends who prepare delectable dishes under life-threatening pressure. Letting your mind run wild with this concept can lead to countless interesting ideas.
What ultimately matters are the creative intentions behind each individual case of adapting a live-action property into anime. It explores adaptations of its franchise's themes while remixing and recontextualizing essential characteristics of the source material, such as Terminator Zero? Are the creators trying to squeeze every last drop out of the beloved property in the age of IP? Or do they have a burning creative vision for an anime adaptation, a story they want to tell, one that honors the legacy of its predecessors while adding something new? The good news is that Terminator Zero is a compelling example of the latter and is available to stream right now on Netflix.
