Terminator Zero is the latest example of a major live-action franchise 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 eight-episode initial run (hopefully more to come) is an encouraging example of how an anime adaptation of a classic live-action franchise can be done with quality and taste without sacrificing any medium's strengths . It sets a solid template for future anime adaptations to come.
Since then, Hollywood has often tried to adapt popular anime franchises into live action, with mostly poor results Dragonball Evolution in 2009. Big and small screen adaptations, incl Ghost in the Shell, One pieceand Cowboy Bebop experienced varying levels of success, though none of them managed to fully capture the spirit of their source material. However, audiences should brace themselves for the streaming space to be flooded with the reverse trend. Critically acclaimed projects such as Blade Runner Blackout 2022, Scott Pilgrim takes offand exciting upcoming titles like Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim there are evidences. Terminator Zero, Now watched by millions on Netflix, it's the latest example.
What is Terminator: Zero about?
Terminator Zero feels like a welcome return to the franchise's roots. terminators they are refreshing, from T-800 from finished to T-1000 in T2: Judgment Day. Zero is clearly inspired by James Cameron's legacy of terrifying robotic antagonists. The show is also in many ways unlike any other entry in the terminator franchise thus far. This first season alone introduces new elements such as canon-changing events that could alter established Terminator lore, a host of new technology and world design, and a fascinating moral dialectic between Malcolm Lee's characters and his AI creation Kokoro. They explore the idea that Skynet is justified in destroying humanity – not just for its own safety, but for the planet's.
Bringing an ambitious anime like this to life is a painstaking, time-consuming and expensive process. Online fan concept art images are often the closest fans will get to seeing their favorite live-action franchises rendered in anime form. There is clearly a strong desire among fans for such projects. However, before the creative directors at each streaming service rush to greenlight their own service Terminator Zeroshould first consider whether an anime adaptation of a particular intellectual property will bring something new and interesting to the franchise in question. They should also consider whether their concept for an adaptation is worthy of an animation studio with the pedigree of Production IG or MAPPA.
Converting the essence of an iconic live-action property into a medium like anime gives creators the ability to explore different parts of these fictional worlds in unprecedented detail. It's a chance to shine a light on unexamined bits of news while expanding the look and feel of an established universe.
The series that arguably proved the creative potential of live action to anime adaptations is Star Wars Visions. Both seasons of this show allowed numerous animation studios around the world to form their own take on the film 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 franchise universe. A worthwhile anime adaptation should include the trappings of its source material, but present them with an entirely new look, pace, or perspective.
Possibilities for live-action-to-anime adaptations
Here are just a handful of possible franchises that are ripe for the anime adaptation treatment.
Mad Max
George Miller said he originally conceived Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga as an anime feature film 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 vast and most of the storytelling is already visual. Mad Max's inimitable vibe—the saturated orange tones of the desert, the cool blue of the sparkling night sky, the sickening violence, the flying engines, and the burning smoke of the war platforms—all lend themselves naturally to the anime aesthetic. The adaptation might even explore other parts of Miller's post-apocalyptic world beyond the sprawling Australian Outback.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Gore Verbinski's pirate saga has become increasingly absurd and outlandish in tone, scope and sense of humor/drama. The franchise has lingered in pointless sequel territory with ever-diminishing returns. These elements, along with the breathtaking tropical beauty and infectious spirit of adventure that the Pirates of the Caribbean setting provides, make this world perfect for a major anime adaptation. After all, One piece (a show about pirates) is still the best selling manga of all time.
Blade
Marvel's upcoming Blade movie has (allegedly) been struggling with pre-production for years at this point. Kevin Feige and co could go to “What if…?” route and do a sort of dry run on adaptation Blade in anime form. Both the martial arts and vampire aspects have already proven viable genres for an epic anime narrative. A mixture of Samurai Champloo and Castlevania fans would be lining up.
The Karate Kid
Martial arts anime is a well-established tradition in the genre and The Karate Kid would bring a great addition to the tradition. Some fans would argue the exceptional Cobra Kai it's already on Netflix. Why is another spin-off necessary? It's a fair point, though The Karate Kid it is and always has been a shōnen battle at heart. It would be incredible to see Daniel-san that Crane launch in a gorgeous 4k cell-shaded animation.
Indiana Jones
This anime could cover young Indy's life in a multi-season prequel arc inspired by its 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 objects. Viewers got to enjoy archeological fun with Sallah, Marian, Brody and the gang. Instead of using digital de-aging technology and making questionable decisions with the faces of aging or deceased actors, Disney would be smart to take the franchise in an animated direction.
It's in how it's used
The list above could go on, getting wider and weirder. Consider a modern fantasy titan as Harry Potter. There is already a popular video game and Fantastic animals he has no plans to return. The universe has endless news and history worth tapping into. Game of thrones, with its expansive world and deep history, it also seems like an obvious candidate. Even a popular drama like Bearwhich at first glance seems to be the furthest thing from anime, could be successfully adapted into anime. If Delicious in the Dungeon proves anything, it's the fact that people love an ongoing soap opera that follows an eclectic group of work friends who prepare delicious meals under life-threatening pressure. Letting one's mind run away with this concept can lead to a multitude of interesting ideas.
What ultimately matters are the creative intentions behind each individual case of a live-action property being adapted into anime. The adaptation explores the themes of its franchise while remixing and recontextualizing core features of the source material, such as Terminator Zero? Are creators trying to squeeze every last drop out of a beloved property in the age of IP everywhere? Or do they have a burning creative vision for an anime adaptation, a story they're dying to tell that honors the legacy of its predecessors while adding something fresh? The good news is that Terminator Zero is a compelling example of the latter, and it's available to stream right now on Netflix.
