Monster
Monster is a slow-burn thriller that feels like one of those intense European crime dramas. The anime follows the story of Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a rising star in neurosurgery in Germany. He saves a young boy’s life, but years later, he finds out that this kid has turned into a psychopathic serial killer. Weighed down by guilt, Tenma loses his position as the leading surgeon and goes on a journey across continents to stop the killer he once saved.Â
This anime is very realistic, so its cinematic adaptation into a live-action series will be quite easy, compared to other genres. The story could fit right in with the kind of stuff we see on HBO or Netflix. The live action would require a stellar star cast to play the role of Tenma, and especially Johan Liebert, the antagonist.
Psycho Pass
Psycho-Pass is a sci-fi and psychological thriller anime set in a technologically advanced Japan, monitored by the Sibyl System, a powerful computer network that scans the brain to identify a person’s criminal potential through an algorithm called the Crime Coefficient Index. If the assessment, aka Psycho-Pass, indicates a potential threat, the Enforcers get access to their special weapons to capture or kill the culprit.
23. Psycho-Pass – Opening 1 [Abnormalize] pic.twitter.com/5M37tSfSmw
— Retro Anime (@retro_twt) June 10, 2024
The series digs into some deep questions about how people are dependent on technology to get justice. The way it looks kind of reminds you of movies like Blade Runner and Minority Report, which would make it perfect for a slick, high-budget live-action show. If the production team nails it and they write a smart, thoughtful script, Psycho-Pass could turn out to be a clever and visually stunning show like Altered Carbon or Westworld.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
One of the top-rated anime of this year is not your typical fantasy. The story of the anime starts after the hero party has defeated the Demon King, which is usually where most fantasy tales wrap up.
The main character, Frieren, is not a warrior but a female elf mage, who has a long life span, unlike the mortal humans. After completing the mission, the party disbands, and the elf decides to follow a new path. On her journey, she starts to think about how short life is for her mortal friends and what it means to bond with others.
This anime doesn’t contain a lot of epic battles, but it focuses on the emotional factors involved while journeying with friends. A live-action version would benefit from atmospheric cinematography and a strong lead performance. Done right, it could resemble a Tolkien-style fantasy film or limited series.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling, the best anime of the year, really nails the modern action fantasy vibe. The story follows Sung Jin-Woo, who starts off as the weakest E-class hunter in a world where dungeons and superhumans exist. Our hero has a wild run-in in a dungeon that changes everything. After that, he gets this amazing ability to level up. From there, it’s all about his epic journey to get stronger, and he ends up being this crazy powerful necromancer who can control a whole army of shadows.Â
Solo Leveling is super exciting and full of awesome fight scenes, making it perfect for a live-action movie. The whole leveling system, epic monster showdowns, and dark vibe would be amazing on the big screen, kind of like a mix of John Wick and The Witcher. With how far CGI and fight choreography have come, a live-action Solo Leveling could really deliver a wild and visually stunning ride for both fans and those who are new to it.
