Anime Live?

[TOM 002]

This is for all those who think about live action anime.

Apparently, I've found evidence of live action performances of TWO (count'em...two) very popular anime series: Sailor Moon and Pokemon. Since I've never seen them myself, I was wondering if any of you had anything to say about them. Personally, I'd prefer the former over the latter.

1. Sera-Myu!

A Sailor Moon musical? Hmm...I dunno. Then again, I've never seen the thing, it being Japanese and all. But by taking a look at those outfits and the overall style, I'd say that these people knew their stuff. Those costumes do look pretty impressive, not to mention pretty darn accurate too. From what I can tell of the storyline, this isn't a sappy-happy musical either. There are some dark themes as far as I can tell, and of course there's fighting (how they'd do those attacks is beyond me). Definately aimed at the hardcore Sailor Moon fans out there. Does this work? Maybe.

2.Pokemon Live!

Just a gruesome reminder of how popular Pokemon was way back when. A completely American production, this was an actual live performance that, at one time, was taking America by storm (or so they say). I've never seen this show, and frankly I'm glad. The costumes looked accurate, yeah, but seeing a 30-year old guy play Ash? *shivers*
Parents and otaku be warned: this is NOT for you! This is for all those young Pokemon freaks who want to see their favorite pokemon "for real" (and yes, it's completely based off the American version. Lord knows if there's an ounce of Japanese in Pokemon Live). Thankfully, there's no more of it in America, but rumor has it it's touring England. Europe beware.

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So, does anyone else know about any of these productions (or seen them)? What do you think? Any indication that live action anime has potential or is a disaster in the making?

Makes me think...maybe if done right, an anime series could pull off as a good live performance. Look at them cosplayers at the cons and how they perform. What's next? Kenshin done kabuki style? Or how about a Capcom vs. SNK ringmatch (hey, it works for Kaiju)? What other ideas are out there?

[StrangerAtaru]

"Live-Action" anime scare me, or at least what I have seen of them so far. I have this friend here at school who once tried to subject me and several others to a Sera-Myu musical, and let's just say we didn't get very far into it. It just scares me to look at a bunch of flesh and blood people dressed up as anime characters singing and just acting freaky. (then there was the Utena one at the end of this set of tapes.....scary!)

[Ultra8]

I've seen Sera-Myu! at my local japanese video store. They carry at least 5 of them. I've only seen clips of the show at conventions, but what I've seen is good. I should get one at the next convention and see it all the way through.

The only other live shows I've heard about is for
Chibi Maruko-chan, Crayon-Shin chan, and I think I saw one for Cumbersome Witch Doremi in a magazine.

And of course for everything Sentai-Ultraman.

[Zero Angel]

there is no substitute for the real thing.

i dont really understand why there would be a need for live action stage shows dealing with anime...then again i cant understand why there is a reason for Disney and Seaseme Street on ice.

[Lord Trunks]

There was also a live action Dragon Ball movie...I heard it's really strange

[Mackenzie Rainelle]

I saw clips from an Inuyasha stage production, it actually wasn't half bad.

The ultimate live-action travesty to anime is still G Saviour.

[Masamune2052]

Step back and look: live action and anime. Those two words do not go together. But I see what your saying nonetheless. Like everyone else it doesn't sound too sucessful and we should just stick to the animated anime.

Originally posted by Mackenzie Rainelle
I saw clips from an Inuyasha stage production, it actually wasn't half bad.

Shounen Sunday Poster
The stage play of Inu-Yasha was performed by the Gekidan Shinkansen group, and the original provincial tour started in Shiga on April 6th, 2000, and ended in Hiroshima on May 19th, 2000. An encore presentation then took place in Tokyo on May 22nd through May 24th, 2000. Because of the success of the play, another play was also scheduled for January 2001, also in Tokyo. The script was written by Masashi Todayama and the director of the play is Hidenori Inoue. The performers in the play are as follows:

Inuyasha Sato Atsuhiro
Kagome Toyama Kyoko
Kikyou Mabuchi Erika
Miroku Kyo Shinsuke
Naraku Nishimuta Megumi
Myouga Yoshida Cho

Sounds like it's worth checking out.

[Andy Mancini]

Originally posted by Mackenzie Rainelle
The ultimate live-action travesty to anime is still G Saviour.

I don't know about that. The movie version of Fist of the North Star with Malcolm McDowell and Leon White (aka the professional wrestler Vader) was pretty bad as well.

The only two anime that would make an enjoyable live-action film im my opinion are Hellsing and His and Her Circumstances. For the former, I would have Angelina Jolie play Integra and Marylin Manson play Alucard. (I can see the hate mail coming for that one.) Alucard just scream Manson-esque creepy to me.

As for the latter, it comes off as as one of those Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks love stories, like Sleepless in the Mail or You've got Seattle or whatever they're called. Sure, the setting of a Japanese high school can't be used if Tom Hanks is in it, but the plot can.

[SpaceCowboy]

There was a live-action Lupin the 3rd movie made back in 1974. Think Lupin in a white disco-jacket.

There was once a live-action Tenchi Muyo musical made back when the series was at its peak in Japan.

Also, there was a fan-made Card Captor Sakura movie made in Japan. The disturbing part was that it had a guy playing Sakura.

[JohnCrichton]

Jackie Chan himself did a completely cracked out live action movie of City Hunter.

[Trigger]

What about a live action GTO?

[Patchwork]

Originally posted by Lord Trunks
There was also a live action Dragon Ball movie...I heard it's really strange

Ditto. I also heard somewhere that a live action DBZ movie's gonna be releaced in the US

[stanteau]

Kite and Alita both got licensed to option a live action while Akira will officially have a liveaction counteroart