For filmmakers, the rich literary past of Japan has been an endless amount of inspiration. The writings of Japanese authors include a wide range of topics, from comics to historical journals to dramatic epics to modern science fiction masterpieces. The number of popular films based on Japanese novels, both live-action and animated, is far greater than many spectators believe. Given below is the list of movies that were adapted by novels. The films below are whimsical, scary, and sexy, and they all tackle common themes and histories that influence us all.
1. Rurouni Kenshin (2012-2014)
The Rurouni Kenshin trilogy — Rurouni Kenshin: Origins (2012), Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014), and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2014) – is set in the turbulent early Meiji era and follows two fan-favorite arcs from the manga, the Tokyo and Kyoto arcs. These three live-action films are a faithful reproduction of the original manga, with some fans hailing them as the finest Japanese manga-to-movie adaptation ever. They have great sword-fighting choreography, action-packed sequences, and acting that the manga author himself commended. Many people have commented that the adaptation is well-made thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures (Japan) and Firm Swan, the Japanese production studio in charge.
If you like the previous Rurouni Kenshin films, we have a new one for you- two more movies will release in 2021.
2. Parasyte (2014-2015)
Unlike the similarly called Parasite, Parasyte is more about sci-fi action and horror than it is about class problems. Aliens penetrate civilization by working their way into human minds, devouring them from the inside out, and taking over their bodies in this video. Shinichi Izumi, a high school student, is startled to find one of these aliens worming its way into his arm in the middle of the night. While Shinichi's head has not been taken over by the extraterrestrial, his arm has. Shinichi quickly befriends the extraterrestrial, giving it the name Migi, which means "correct." The aliens attempted to assassinate the couple and began infiltrating many levels of society, including Shinichi's school and the government.
This two-part series was taken from a popular manga that was broadcasted from 1989 to 1995. A popular anime was also based on it that aired from 2014 to 2015.
3. L DK (2014)
After her parents departed to work in another city, Aoi Nishimori is a high school girl who lives alone in an apartment in Tokyo. Her best buddy confesses to Shusei Kugayama, the most popular boy in school, one day. He, on the other hand, rejects her confession, and Aoi resents him as a consequence. Shusei and Aoi became neighbors. While Shusei's room is being repaired, he moves into Aoi's flat. As the two get to know each other, Aoi finds herself falling in love with Shusei, a kid who is notorious for never responding emotionally. L DK, the film's title, is an abbreviation for "living room, dining room, and kitchen," as well as the Japanese term "love dokyo," which means "cohabitation."
4. Orange (2015)
Naho Takamiya, is a second-year high school student, who receives letters from herself ten years in the future in the spring of 2015.Initially skeptical, Naho comes to trust the letters as they precisely foresee future events. Future Naho writes in the letters that she misses transfer student Kakeru Naruse, who will commit suicide later that year. Naho tries everything she can to avoid this from happening. Orange was one of the top-grossing Japanese films of 2016, based on manga of the same name.
5. Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler (2019)
The rank of students at the famous 122-year-old Hyakko Private Academy is completely decided by their gambling wins. The academy bestows reputation and money on expert gamblers. Yumeko Jabami, a transfer student, enters and enchants everyone with her attractiveness. However, underneath her lovely exterior hides an avid gambler with a voracious desire for high-stakes games. Kakegurui was adapted into an anime and a live-action drama, both of which can be accessed on Netflix, and is based on a manga series that lasted from 2014 to 2015.
6. Tokyo Ghoul (2017-2019)
Ghouls stalk the streets of an alternative Tokyo, feasting on their primary source of food: human flesh. These ghouls have the appearance of humans and have dual identities as Tokyoites and man-eating monsters. Ken Kaneki is an introverted adolescent who enjoys reading. He meets Rize Kamishiro, a lovely woman, in a cafe and sets up a date with her. Rize exposes her actual nature as a ghoul towards the end of the date, much to the dismay of Kaneki. The film was based on the same-named manga series, which lasted from 2011 to 2018. The sequel, Tokyo Ghoul S (2019), continues the Gourmet Arc, in which a ghoul that eats humans for the pleasure of eating them catches Kaneki because of his wonderful aroma.
7. Psychic Kusuo: The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K. (2017)
The coffee-obsessed jelly-obsessed Kusuo Saiki was born with extraordinary psychic powers, but after a traumatic childhood incident, he is hesitant to demonstrate them. Saiki is now a 16-year-old high school student. Despite his best efforts to remain a safe distance from everyone and live a normal student life, his eccentric and loving classmates refuse to leave him alone. Watch how Saiki uses his telepathic skills to avoid his well-intentioned peers and the hilarity that ensues. This science-fiction comedy is based on a manga that was published from 2012 to 2018. Netflix has an anime adaptation of the same.
8. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Chapter 1 (2017)
Josuke Higashikata, a high school student, is endowed with odd supernatural abilities. His superhuman skills, known as a Stand, are shown to be inherited from the Joestar lineage, allowing him the capacity to manifest them. Josuke is called to investigate a spate of killings in his hometown of Morioh. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a popular manga series that began in 1987 and is recognized for its famous over-the-top stances, dramatic scenarios, and outrageous haircuts. This film, which is based on the fourth arc of Manga, pays to respect the characteristic look of the manga, which explains the lead actor's absurd pompadour.
9. Assassination Classroom (2015-2016)
The Japanese military swears to catch the monster, dead or alive after a mystery tentacled entity has devastated 70% of the moon. However, he requests to be the homeroom teacher for Kunugigaoka High School's Class 3-E pupils, and the government is obliged to acquiesce. Class 3-E, which is comprised of delinquents, misfits, and oddballs, is the laughingstock of the school. Killing the creature is not as simple as it appears, for Koro Sensei possesses a variety of extraordinary abilities, like super speed, indestructible skin, and brilliant intelligence. The class decides to assassinate Koro Sensei. Assassination Classroom is a lighthearted and enjoyable film, much like its source manga. In 2015 and 2016, it was one of the highest-grossing films in Japan. A sequel, Assassination: Graduation was released in 2016.
10. Battle Royale (1999)
The 1999 novel by Koushun Takami served as the inspiration for the cult horror film and manga series of the same name. Battle Royale is set in an alternate universe in which Japan is ruled by a totalitarian regime. Middle school kids are forced to battle to the death in a survival of the fittest scenario on this planet.
The next year, a Japanese film adaptation was released, which used humor and gore to tell the narrative. The film was prohibited in various countries due to the degree of violence featured in it, as well as the indicated age of the protagonists. Despite this, it generated a slew of imitators and even developed a new genre centered on characters who are ordered to kill each other till they die.
