Why Naruto Deserves A Live-Action Adaptation More Than One Piece or Bleach

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Despite being one of the most acclaimed manga and anime series globally, Naruto stands out for not having a live-action adaptation up to now, which is quite surprising given its massive fanbase. The story revolves around Naruto Uzumaki, a young and ambitious ninja who hosts a powerful fox spirit within him. His ultimate goal is to climb the ranks of the ninja world and become a distinguished Hokage leader. The narrative is divided into two parts: the initial run, Naruto Shippuden, which follows Naruto’s adolescence, and Boruto, set many years later with Naruto’s son as the main character.

Naruto occupies a prestigious spot alongside other manga series with animated versions that significantly impacted the shōnen anime genre in the 2000s, collectively known as the “big three”. These include One Piece and Bleach. Unlike its counterparts, however, Naruto has yet to receive an authorized live-action adaptation, despite its immense popularity. It’s worth noting that even the most successful live-action anime adaptations often struggle to match their source material’s brilliance. Nevertheless, given its unique characteristics, a live-action version of Naruto seems particularly fitting for traditional filmmaking techniques.

Naruto Was Better Suited To A Live-Action Adaptation Than One Piece Or Bleach

Which Makes It All The Stranger It’s The Big Three Manga To Not Have One

The 2018 film adaptation of “Bleach” was the initial one among the big three to be brought to life as a live-action production. Similar to many live-action anime films, “Bleach” was created in Japan, but with Warner Brothers overseeing it. The movie mainly confines its storyline to the first arc of the manga, where the protagonist Ichigo is introduced to the realm of Soul Reapers and the fearsome Hollows they hunt. Concluding at this point, however, didn’t fully utilize the strengths of “Bleach,” as the most visually stunning moments from the early story occur later in the Soul Society Arc.

Stepping into the limelight as a passionate movie critic, let me express my awe at Netflix’s audacious attempt to breathe life into the enchanting world of “One Piece” in live-action form. Even for a manga with its distinctive cartoonish flair, this has been quite an uphill battle, but Netflix seems to have pulled it off remarkably well.

In contrast to the disappointing “Bleach” movie, Netflix’s “One Piece” stands tall thanks to its serialized episodic format and a more authentic adaptation of the source material. However, given the sprawling nature of the manga, vast chunks of the story had to be trimmed for time, as there is simply too much richness to condense into a single film or series. Nonetheless, I am eager to see how Netflix will continue to navigate this challenging yet exhilarating journey through the world of “One Piece”.

In contrast to the other three popular anime series (One Piece and Bleach), Naruto appears more adaptable for live-action adaptation. While all share impressive magical aspects that strain budgets, the focus on martial arts in Naruto makes it possible to compensate for costly CGI through carefully planned fight scenes. Furthermore, the numerous filler episodes in Naruto provide clear markers for potential cuts, reducing concerns about omitting crucial moments or plot points during adaptation.

What’s Going On With The Planned Live-Action Naruto Movie?

Naruto Is Close To Finally Realizing Its Live-Action Potential

Although a live-action version of Naruto hasn’t been released yet, it’s definitely on its way. At Lionsgate Studios, a feature film is being developed, with Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, taking charge as the writer, director, and producer. The original creator of Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto, is also actively participating in this project, which suggests that the upcoming Naruto movie will strive to steer clear of the typical mistakes often found in Hollywood adaptations of anime.

There are doubts about whether Lionsgate’s usual blockbuster scale and budget would adequately bring the Naruto series to life, given Destin Daniel Cretton’s previous criticism over his adaptation of The Glass Castle. Moreover, the script for Naruto has spent a long time in development limbo before being finalized in 2024, indicating that the film’s production is still uncertain with no official production or release dates as yet. Nonetheless, among the big three anime from the 2000s, Naruto holds immense potential to excel in live-action adaptations.

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2025-06-07 23:09