Anime fans hate live-action remakes - here's why studios still keep making them

Anime has become a global phenomenon, with millions of fans enjoying its unique stories and artistic style. One of the latest anime series to gain worldwide attention is Solo Leveling, which started as a Korean web novel before being adapted into an anime. The story follows Sung Jin-woo, a monster hunter who begins as the weakest but eventually becomes incredibly powerful. This underdog tale has captured the hearts of many viewers, making Solo Leveling one of the most watched series on Crunchyroll, a popular anime streaming platform.

Recently, Netflix announced plans to create a live-action version of Solo Leveling, using real actors instead of animation. This news has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Many are skeptical, fearing that the live-action adaptation will not live up to the original anime. Swedish fan Andre Denisson expressed his disappointment, saying he has never enjoyed live-action remakes and does not see a need for them. Spanish fan Ander Guerrero is concerned that the computer-generated imagery (CGI) will not be able to match the stunning fight scenes of the anime. He believes that important parts of the story might be left out, resulting in a less satisfying experience for viewers.

Adapting anime into live-action is a significant challenge for filmmakers. They must balance the expectations of dedicated fans with the desire to attract new audiences. Geoff Thew, an anime reviewer on YouTube, points out that dramatic and artistic elements that work well in animation do not always translate to live-action. He says that the most memorable moments from the anime might not work in a live-action format, but it is still important for these moments to be recognizable to fans.

Hollywood has a history of struggling with live-action anime adaptations. The 2009 film Dragonball Evolution was widely criticized, and the 2017 adaptation of Ghost in the Shell faced backlash for casting non-Japanese actors and failing to capture the essence of the original. Despite these setbacks, studios continue to pursue live-action projects, hoping to find the right formula for success. Legendary Pictures is working on a Gundam movie, and Lionsgate is developing a live-action version of Naruto. Emerald King, a Japanese culture expert, believes there is a strong desire to create the perfect live-action adaptation.

The anime industry is booming, with the market valued at around $34 billion in 2024 and expected to grow even more in the coming years. Netflix reports that more than half of its 300 million subscribers watch anime, and the genre was viewed over a billion times in 2024. Anime has moved from being a niche interest to mainstream entertainment, with people of all ages and backgrounds enjoying it. Parisa Haghighat, a fan from the UK, remembers when anime was considered strange, but now it is popular and widely accepted.

Some viewers are drawn to anime because it offers emotional depth, diverse genres, and unique cultural perspectives. Research shows that many people watch anime to take a break from typical Hollywood movies. With anime available on so many platforms, Netflix sees live-action remakes as a way to stand out and keep viewers engaged. Alex Cameron from Parrot Analytics suggests that live-action adaptations can encourage people to watch the original anime, increasing overall engagement.

Netflix is learning from past mistakes, as seen with its successful live-action adaptation of One Piece, which featured an international cast and stayed true to the spirit of the original. Dr. King warns that studios must be careful not to overdo their efforts to be respectful, as this can lead to exoticizing the source material. He believes that the cast and crew should understand the story they are telling and interpret it in a way that honors the original.

Fans are hopeful that the live-action version of Solo Leveling will succeed, especially since it will be led by a Korean cast and crew. Archie Moyo, a fan from Zimbabwe, thinks this will help preserve the cultural and story elements that make Solo Leveling special. He is excited for more people to discover the world of Solo Leveling through the live-action adaptation. If the show delivers exciting fight scenes and stays true to the character of Sung Jin-woo, it could win over both longtime fans and new viewers.