THE Akira the live-action adaptation could end up as a TV show instead of a movie, as previously thought. Hollywood live-action anime adaptations don't have the best track record, so all eyes will be on the production of such a huge franchise. Written by Japanese author Katsuhiro Otomo, the Akira manga was serialized biweekly in Youth Magazine between 1982 and 1990. This incredible manga was extremely influential and resulted in the equally important anime film released in 1988. A live-action adaptation has been discussed for years, but it could still add a TV show to the mix.
Many different versions of Akira Adaptations have been considered since the release of the 1988 film, but none have yet gone beyond production limits. Taika Waititi is the recently hired director for a new Akira adaptation, which appears to be live action. Although the possibility of Waititi commanding Akira It's extremely exciting, there has been no news on this project for some time. However, certain confirmed details about the project make the direction for it clear. The next Akira the adaptation should probably look to TV as a medium, as it can adapt the original material.
Taika Waititi wants to adapt Akira into manga, not anime film
Akira's next adaptation could cover the entire manga
Taika Waititi wants to adapt the Akira comics rather than the previous anime film, which means a TV adaptation could be the best way forward. THE Akira the manga is too longwhile the anime is a feature film. There is no definitive standard for live-action anime adaptations in terms of looking to manga or anime for inspiration. Typically, live-action adaptations take both into consideration and use them as inspiration for an entirely new venture. However, if Waititi intends to adapt the manga, a TV show would allow him to explore it in detail.
If Waititi was interested in making 1988 Akira movie into a live-action movie, a movie would be perfect for him. THE Akira picture has already done the hard work of condensing a serialized seinen manga into a 124-minute film, creating the perfect template for studios and directors to fashion a live-action script. That would be the easiest thing to do, but Waititi isn't known for taking the easy way out. Waititi seems interested in creating a more faithful examination of Otomo's original comicstaking a completely original approach that would benefit from the TV format.
There's no way the entire Akira manga could work as a movie (even with sequels)
The Akira manga is too long for a movie
Akira was published over many years, so a TV show would be a much better fit for a live-action adaptation than a feature film. The nature of a serialized comic book follows the natural rhythm of a TV show, which is also serialized. Waititi was reportedly still working on Akira in 2023, despite the lack of concrete development, so you may consider this more as time goes on. A movie might seem like the obvious choice, since the anime took this approach, and it's much easier. However, a TV show opens many more doors.
It was wise for the anime film to not worry about covering the entire manga and instead make a shorter version, as it opened up Otomo's beloved manga to the public. This brief and consumable introduction to the story helped launch Akira on a global scale. However, Akira is now widely recognized as a classic of the genre and one of Japan's most powerful stories. It's time to Akira to get a longer format tell its original story, which is why it may well happen that a Akira live action film should not be made.
Akira Manga Is Perfect for a 6-Season Live-Action TV Show Adaptation
A live-action TV show is the perfect next step for Akira
THE Akira The manga is the perfect source for a long TV show, which can consist of around six seasons. This franchise has had stunted growth, with a live-action adaptation stuck in development hell for over 20 years. A TV adaptation features Akira with a whole new opportunity and could help relaunch the project. With films being widely debated, perhaps it's time for a bold filmmaker like Waititi to inject some original ideas into the discussion. A long-running TV show could completely revive the genre, which has sparked interest in recent years.
A TV show could set up shop in Akira fundamental graphic inspiration, exploring the dark breadth of the manga.
Akira has a unique post-apocalyptic atmosphere, having pioneered cyberpunk stories. His influence is deeply felt in Japanese manga, anime, and cinema, as well as the world at large. Without Akira, Godzilla and The Matrix both would be incredibly different franchises. A TV show could also be established Akirafundamental graphic inspiration, exploring the dark breadth of manga and allowing the world a glimpse of what makes it so beautiful. With a longer runtime, one Akira live-action adaptation has the chance to put Akira back to the science fiction frontwhich he led in the 1980s.
Waititi may be New Zealand's most renowned filmmaker, and if anyone was best placed to tackle this mammoth project, it would be him. With Waititi explicitly confirming that he is interested in looking Akirathe long-running manga for source material, Akira fans have reason to hope he can take the franchise down the TV path. The world has never been more prepared for such an undertaking, although it may seem daunting. However, it shows how Arcane and Love, Death and Robots on Netflix demonstrate the potential of a new cyberpunk series, which Akira should become.