The journey of live-action anime adaptations is marked by countless challenges. Low budget, questionable casting choices and uninspired costumes are recurring problems that have accompanied this type of project for a long time. Fans of âDragon Ballâ have witnessed, for example, the slow and often frustrating evolution of these adaptations.
Netflix, seemingly against all expectations, has been a source of renewal for live-action anime adaptations. Recent examples, such as âYu Yu Hakushoâ and âOne Pieceâ, brought new life and renewed hope that it is possible to make quality adaptations. This positive trend raises an intriguing question: will âDragon Ball Zâ, one of the giants of the anime world, finally receive the live-action adaptation it deserves?
Unique âDragon Ball Zâ Challenges
The complexity of adapting âDragon Ball Zâ to live-action is notorious. Akira Toriyama, the series’ creator, has expressed his frustration with previous attempts, especially on the series’ 30th anniversary. The challenge lies mainly in translating the exaggerated designs and powers of the characters into a more realistic format. Animation allows for an aesthetic freedom that live-action struggles to replicate. âDragon Ballâ is known for its unique characters, whimsical stories and epic fights, elements that are difficult to faithfully reproduce outside of animation.
âDragon Ball Evolutionâ, a previous attempt at adaptation, is a clear example of the challenges and potential failures in this process. The film is remembered by fans more for its mistakes than its successes, despite the technical limitations of the time of its production.
Netflix: Solving Adaptation Challenges
The recent adaptations of âOne Pieceâ and âYu Yu Hakushoâ by Netflix demonstrate that the platform has learned from past mistakes. These series faced similar challenges, such as the need to translate whimsical character designs into a more realistic context. âOne Piece,â in particular, with its highly cartoonish character designs, showed that it is possible to balance fidelity to the source material with the need for live-action adaptation.
On the other hand, adapting the supernatural fights of shonen anime like âDragon Ballâ is another complex issue. Although âYu Yu Hakushoâ demonstrated that it is viable to adapt these combat sequences, the series is still more âdown to earthâ compared to âDragon Ball Zâ. Fights in âDBZâ take place on a much larger scale, often in the air and at incredible speeds, setting a standard of action that few other series can match.
The Potential of a âDragon Ball Zâ Live-Action Series
âDragon Ball Zâ (DBZ), with its immense fan base and rich history, represents one of the most recognized and beloved IPs in the anime universe. A live-action adaptation of this franchise by Netflix could, without a doubt, become one of the biggest and most ambitious projects of its kind on the streaming platform. Comparing with âOne Pieceâ, which is also a highly successful and popular series, âDragon Ballâ still stands out in terms of sales and cultural influence.
The continued strength of âDragon Ballâ is evidenced not only by its legacy, but also by the constant production of new content. With a new anime series, âDragon Ball Daimaâ, scheduled for 2024, and the continuation of the manga âDragon Ball Superâ, the franchise remains vibrant and relevant. A well-executed live-action series could broaden its reach even further, attracting those who may not be anime fans but are curious about this cultural phenomenon.
Original âDragon Ballâ: An Ideal Choice for Live-Action
While âDBZâ is extremely popular, the live-action adaptation brings its own challenges. In this context, the original âDragon Ballâ series may offer a more accessible opportunity for adaptation. With plots less focused on large-scale battles and more on dialogue and character development, the original âDragon Ballâ is a strategic choice for a live-action adaptation. Its content, with lower risks and a more contained scale of battles, makes it a more viable and less intimidating option to adapt for live-action.
The Importance of Respecting Chronology
Adapting âDragon Ball Zâ without first exploring the original series would be a disservice to new and potential fans, as it would deny them the full experience of Goku’s journey. The narrative of âDragon Ballâ serves as a fundamental foundation for fully understanding and appreciating the events of âDBZâ. Therefore, a live-action adaptation of âDragon Ballâ could not only revitalize the story for a new audience, but also establish a richer and more engaging context for future âDBZâ adaptations.
Conclusion
A live-action adaptation of âDragon Ball Zâ by Netflix could be a milestone in the world of anime adaptations, but the strategic choice may be to start with the original âDragon Ballâ series. This approach respects the franchise’s chronology and offers a smoother and more accessible transition into the âDragon Ballâ universe, setting the stage for an eventual âDBZâ adaptation. Additionally, the original series has the potential to attract a new audience while also offering existing fans a new perspective on an already beloved story.
