With the release of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the “Cowboy Bebop” anime, it seems like the company hasn’t quite learned its lesson when it comes to live-action versions of classic anime. Despite the poor critical reception that these adaptations have received from both fans and critics alike, Netflix still seems insistent on pushing out more of them, with live-action series based on “One Piece” and “Yu Yu Hakusho” still in the works.
While live-action, western adaptations of anime and manga are nothing new, the subgenre became the subject of ridicule in 2017 with the release of “Ghost in the Shell” and “Death Note”. While they received criticisms of their perceived whitewashing, character inconsistencies, and pacing, most of fans’ complaints boiled down to the fact that the adaptations were simply an inferior way to experience these great stories.
Despite the fact that live-action adaptations of anime and manga usually butcher their source material, I don’t necessarily adhere to the purist opinion either. Great live action manga adaptations do exist, and sometimes, they’ve even eclipsed their source material in popularity. “Oldboy (2003)”, “Ichi the Killer”, and “Rurouni Kenshin” all provide an experience equal, or superior to their manga originals.
The difference between these quality adaptations and those pushed out by Netflix is the design philosophy behind them. While the good adaptations borrow from dramatic, human stories, Netflix seems to adapt based on what’s popular. What they fail to understand, is that animation as a medium is often the cause of a show’s popularity, and the change to live action can often ruin this appeal.
The biggest franchises in the anime/manga industry usually have something visually unique that cements itself into the minds of audiences. “Bleach”, “Soul Eater”, and “Death Note” are all anime-styled, but they each have a unique artstyle that’s expressive and recognizable.
The freedom artists get in designing their own characters and backgrounds gives them infinitely more control over the visual style of a work than any makeup artist or set designer can ever have. That’s why merchandise of popular anime sells; they’re visually captivating designs.
For some of the most popular anime, directing is also very different. In the transition from anime to live action, Netflix sucked away the film-noir style of “Cowboy Bebop” and the gothic imagery and biblical gravity of “Death Note”.
A criticism of acclaimed anime that I often see from non-fans, is “why was it necessary to animate this.” The answer is simple: it was the creator’s choice. Criticisms like this seem to stem from a bias against animation as an inferior medium for storytelling.
This line of reasoning has led to a slew of live-action anime adaptations that seem to conform to Hollywood conventions rather than offer anything unique.
While the original “Cowboy Bebop” didn’t offer much special in terms of plot or character development, the show’s animation and music still hold up especially well in the modern age when so many other series look completely homogenized. Without the budget or creativity to capture this with a camera, Netflix’s version has a certain cheap look to it in terms of costumes, sets, and lighting. The high-quality animation of the original has been replaced by cheap effects.
If Netflix (and other American companies) wish to tap into the anime market, third-rate revamps of popular franchises won’t cut it. With enough budget and marketing, original content is a far better investment than remakes.