IfAttack on Titanever gets another live-action adaptation, it needs to avoid making the same mistake as the previous one. There are a number oflive-action anime movies on the horizon, and while such projects tend to get a bad rap, Netflix’sOne Pieceis proof they can be done well. With a decent budget and creatives who are passionate about the source material, it’s possible to do these adaptations justice. That realization could see Hollywood revisiting anime that already made the jump to live-action; in fact,Death Noteis already getting a second chancein this medium.
AndDeath Notemay not be the only anime to get another shot at a live-action movie or series.Attack on Titanalso has a failed adaptation from 2015, which has a disappointing 45% critic score onRotten Tomatoes. Even split into two films, the adaptation fails to capture what makesAttack on Titanone of thebest anime series of all time. And although another adaptation would need to fix a few things the original got wrong, there’s one fatal mistake it would need to avoid: the one that killed any hope of 2015’s adaptation succeeding.
Attack On Titan’s Live-Action Movies Made The Fatal Mistake Of Not Including Levi
The Fan-Favorite Character’s Absence Is Felt In The 2015 Adaptation
The 2015Attack on Titanmovies have quite a few issues, including their questionable effects and disregard for the story they’re based on. However,the most fatal decision the film makes is cutting fan-favorite Levi Ackerman from the narrative. Levi isn’t the only prominent character to be excluded from the live-action adaptation; Reiner Braun and Bertolt Hoover, both of whom play crucial roles in the anime, are also missing. But while the film might not have had time for the anime’s big Reiner and Bertolt reveal, cutting Levi is particularly perplexing.
While changes are inevitable in a live-action movie, this one doesn’t benefitAttack on Titanat all.
This is especially true because the film replaces the Survey Corps captain with Shikishima, a character that has the same rank and reputation as Levi — though he also proves far less sympathetic. Considering Levi is one ofAttack on Titan’s biggest supporting players — he’s often depicted alongside the main trio on posters and the merchandise — it’s strange that the live-action adaptation replaces him with an unknown newcomer. It’s certainly a miscalculation, as anime fans love Levi. While changes are inevitable in a live-action movie, this one doesn’t benefitAttack on Titanat all.
I Get Changing The Anime’s Story, But Attack On Titan Without Levi Makes No Sense
He Would Have Fit Into The Live-Action Movies' Existing Framework
Attack on Titan’s anime spans a total of four seasons — and the fourth is broken into multiple parts — so it’s understandable that 2015’s adaptation changes Hajime Isayama’s original story. There’s no way it could fit all the series' twists and turns into a feature-length film, or even two of them. This is why other characters' absences can be explained away; tackling Reiner’s arc, for example, would require far more than two films. However,Levi could easily fit into the existing framework, and cutting him makes absolutely no sense.
If You Want to Watch Attack on Titan’s Live-Action Movies, Please - Think Again
The Attack on Titan franchise includes two live-action films, but they cannot compare to the anime series, changing many pivotal details.
Levi is introduced early inAttack on Titan, andhe’s an essential part of Eren’s journey and the anime overall. He’s the adult character who plays the largest role in training and protecting the main cadets, and he’s the one who convinces Paradis' military to use Eren’s Titan powers to their advantage rather than wasting them. Some have even argued thatLevi isAttack on Titan’s true hero, as he’s one of the Survey Corps' best weapons against the Titans. Needless to say, cutting him from a live-action take on the series was never going to work out.
Attack On Titan Is The Perfect Anime For A Live-Action Adaption (If Done Right)
Its Political Storylines Are Perfect For The Medium
Although the previous live-actionAttack on Titanadaptation fails to capture the heart of the anime, the series could still work in this format. The biggest challenge to a live-action take on the story is getting the Titans right; cheap CGI and effects simply won’t do, especially given how great the anime’s action looks. But 2015’sAttack on Titanarguably handles the Titans betterthan the original series. They’re certainly scarier than their animated counterparts, and that works in the films' favor.
The human-centered drama would translate well to live-action if it’s handled correctly.
Apart from the Titans,Attack on Titanis a political story at its core, as it grapples with the cycle of violence humans perpetuate and whether it’s possible to break free from it. The human-centered drama would translate well to live-action if it’s handled correctly. In fact, the anime’s themes are prominent in other popular live-action projects. And even the Survey Corps' training and the EDM gear would work in this format. Despite falling into the fantasy genre,Attack on Titandoesn’t feature outlandish powers or characters, making it much easier to adapt than something likeMy Hero AcademiaorNaruto.
