No.11：The Kingdom
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
The Kingdom” is an action manga set in ancient China.
It features Kento Yamazaki in the lead role, as well as Ryo Yoshizawa and Kanna Hashimoto. Looking at the cast alone, it’s tempting to think it’s another gorilla push. In fact, not a few people said it was a failure when the cast was announced.
However, the film that has been released disappoints in a good way. It’s no exaggeration to say that the action scenes are at a level of perfection that will go down in the history of Japanese movies.
It is a piece of work that will satisfy the fans of the original work, and it would be a shame to criticize the film based on the cast alone without watching it.
No.12：Ushijima the Loan Shark
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
Yamada Takayuki stars in this live-action adaptation of “Yarikin Ushizima-kun,” which depicts the human condition surrounding the yakin money.
The drama series was produced up to season 3 and became so popular that it was made into four live-action movies. In addition to the high level of perfection of the characters, the performances of the actors in this film convey the horror of the black money more than the manga.
It has received high praise from the fans of the original work for its high level of reproduction, so if you have any doubts, I recommend you to watch it at least once.
It is a pity that the live-action series was completed before the original manga was completed. Now that the original manga has been completed, I would like to see a live-action adaptation starring Takayuki Yamada again.
13：Gokusen
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
Gokusen”, starring Yukie Nakama, is actually a live-action adaptation of a manga.
The drama series has been produced up to season 3 and has also been made into a movie, a very popular work. Because it is famous for its live-action adaptation, there are many viewers who do not know that it is based on a manga.
One of the charms of “Gokusen” is of course the action of Yukie Nakama, but also the handsome actors who play the students.
There are other aspects to enjoy in addition to the story, such as the appearance of successful actors who were just starting out in their careers.
For those who are familiar with “Gokusen” from the drama series or the movie, I would recommend reading the original manga at least once.
No.14：Thermae Romae
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
Thermae Romae” is set in ancient Rome and Japan.
Although the original story is a six-volume work, it is a very popular book that has received numerous awards. At the time of the announcement of the live-action adaptation, there were many concerns about whether a Japanese actor would be able to play a Roman with a strong face.
However, those concerns were overlooked.
The Romans were played by a group of actors such as Hiroshi Abe, Masachika Ichimura, Kazuki Kitamura and Kai Shishido, who are among the best in the entertainment industry. They are all veteran actors, so their acting ability is perfect.
It became a hot topic of conversation that Japanese actors could play the role of a Roman without any discomfort, and it became a popular work that was produced up to the second film.
No.15：Umizaru
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
Starting with a drama series, four movies were produced for “Umizaru”.
The original manga is only 12 volumes in length, and most of the content of the live-action version is original.
Although live-action adaptations with all original elements are often criticized, the opposite is true for “Umizaru”. Despite the fact that it is a live-action adaptation with only original elements, it became a huge hit every time it was released.
The activities of the Japan Coast Guard, depicted on a grand scale, are not only harsh, but also cool, making us yearn for them.
Like “Gokusen”, this is a rare example of a live-action film that is more famous than the manga it is based on.
16：『花より男子』
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
シーズン2まで制作されたドラマシリーズのほか、映画化もされるほどの人気を誇った『花より男子』。
ヒロインには井上真央を迎え、M4には松本潤・小栗旬・松田翔太・阿部力の4人のイケメンを起用しています。漫画から飛び出してきたかのような高い完成度でキャラを演じていました。M4の中で誰が1番好きかという話題は『花より男子』を見た人なら1度はしますよね。
ドラマシリーズでは実写化で見てみたい原作のエピソードを応募するなど、原作ファンが喜ぶような企画も開催。ドラマからの新規ファンはもちろんですが、原作ファンにも嬉しい実写化となりました。
No.17：『ROOKIES』
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
A live-action version of “ROOKIES” that was serialized in “Weekly Shonen Jump”, featuring a splendid cast. Starring Ryuta Sato, famous actors such as Hayato Ichihara, Yu Shirota, Kenta Kiritani, and Takeru Sato, the film is a live-action adaptation of the manga on which the film is based.
Since the original manga is based on a storybook, the fact that there was no discomfort in the live-action version is also a key to its success.
The high level of perfection of the drama series has made it so popular that it has been made into a movie with original development. The movie was the top grossing Japanese and foreign film released in 2009, making it an undoubted success in terms of both popularity and box office receipts.
No.18：My Love Story
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
A live-action adaptation of Ore Monogatari (Ore Monogatari) starring Ryohei Suzuki, which became a hot topic as a funny girl’s manga.
It was said that the main character Takeo Goida could not be made into a live-action movie without any discomfort, but Ryohei Suzuki played the role with an overwhelmingly strong performance.
Not to mention his physique, his personality, his voice, and even his movements could have come out of a manga. There is no difference between the two.
The heroine, Yamato Rinko is played by Meiku Nagano and her best friend, Sunagawa is played by Kentaro Sakaguchi, and it can be said that one of the reasons for the success of the film is that the two actors are able to recreate the characters with the same level of perfection as Ryohei Suzuki’s passionate performance.
Although it is a romantic movie, it will make both men and women laugh and cry.
No.19：『HK Hentai Mask
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
HK Hentai Mask also stars Ryohei Suzuki.
The main character wears female panties, boomerang pants and net tights.
Rather than being difficult to make into a live-action film, it was a work that had been thought to be ethically impossible to make into a live-action film.
However, Ryohei Suzuki gives a physical performance as the protagonist. The film is full of story elements, but he didn’t compromise on his role and spent a year reforming his body and training his mind.
The title and visuals make it hard to get close to, but I recommend watching this highly accomplished film at least once.
Along with the aforementioned Ore Monogatari, I have nothing but respect for Ryohei Suzuki’s ability to create the role.
No.20：Detroit Metal City
出典 : Amazon.co.jp
Detroit Metal City, about a young man who becomes the guitar vocalist of a death metal band, is adapted into a live-action film starring Kenichi Matsuyama.
He plays a character with a gap between a fresh young man who is a pop musician and a disastrous vocalist in a death metal band, and he does a great job.
The distinctive features of the character’s white-painted face and death metal outfits have been fully recreated. The costumes were created by JAP Kobo, the same company that created the costumes for “Saint Hungry Monster II”.
They usually make costumes for death metal bands, so the result is on par with the costumes from the manga.
Matsuyama Kenichi, who also gave a monstrous performance in “Death Note,” is the star of this live-action film, so it’s a live-action work that won’t hurt to watch.
Summary
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 20 live-action adaptations that have been highly rated and successful by fans of the original works.
Some fans may decide not to watch the live-action films after seeing the casts and visuals.
However, these 20 films are all films that even fans of the original work would be happy to see. If there is a film that you haven’t seen, I recommend you to give it a try.
