10 Ongoing Anime That Deserve a Live-Action Adaptation

One Piece Live-Action
One Piece Live-Action (Image Credits: Netflix)

In the case of live-action adaptations, anime sometimes encourages filmmakers around the globe to adapt its fantasy worlds into reality. Although certain adaptations have been contrived, others have demonstrated that anime can succeed outside the animation field as well. Specifically, ongoing anime series have a special privilege since their plots are still under development, which allows studios to experiment with new stories and attract audiences worldwide. Many of the current series being continued can be easily adapted due to their sheer popularity, variety, and visual appeal.

The 10 Ongoing Anime that merit a live-action adaptation are listed below in descending order of popularity, narrative, and the ability to attract a wider audience.


10. Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Mashle: Magic and Muscles is a humorous but action-packed ongoing anime that combines the Harry Potter theme with shonen-like narration. Mash, the main character, does not have magic powers but instead balances it out with superhuman strength. This distinct premise would lend itself well to live-action adaptation, appealing to both fans of fantasy and superhero movies. The comedy, mixed with fast-paced battles, is a potential formula that would work well on screen.

Mashle: Magic and Muscles (Image Credits: A-1 Pictures)
Mashle: Magic and Muscles (Image Credits: A-1 Pictures)

It is now in its second season, and its popularity means that a live-action adaptation would attract anime fans and general fantasy viewers. Its physical comedy is over-the-top, which might require creative direction, but by utilizing contemporary effects, the series can still be a successful adaptation.


9. Blue Lock

Sports dramas are best in live-action, and Blue Lock is one of the most exciting ongoing anime in this sector. The anime has gained global fame because it revolves around a soccer training exercise aimed at producing the perfect striker in Japan. It is no secret that with soccer being the most popular sport in the world, a live-action version would be able to attract a large number of viewers.

Blue Lock (Image Credits: 8bit)
Blue Lock (Image Credits: 8bit)

Blue Lock is highly versatile because of the psychological tension, rivalries between the characters, and the dynamic matches. The adaptation would combine real-life soccer action with the heightened drama of the narrative, making it a worldwide crowd-pleaser. Its continued success guarantees an expanding fan base willing to contribute to such a venture.


8. Undead Unluck

Undead Unluck is a supernatural comedy that merges humor and emotional narration, which makes it one of the best ongoing anime. It tells the story of Fuuko, who possesses the power to bring misfortune to anyone she comes into contact with, and that of Andy, who is immortal but wants to die. Their bizarre relationship provides not only comic but also touching scenes that are ideal in a live-action series.

Undead Unluck (Image Credits: David Production)
Undead Unluck (Image Credits: David Production)

A live-action version would be able to effectively highlight its creative world-building due to strong character designs and unusual powers. The continued anime makes viewers addicted to new arcs, allowing any adaptation to grow along with the series itself. Its action, dark humor, and emotional appeal would be appealing to a large audience.


7. Spy x Family

Spy x Family is already a cultural sensation and one of the most popular ongoing anime series today. A plot of a secret agent, Twilight, creating an imaginary family in the middle of his operation, combines both action and comedy with touching family scenes. The combination of espionage, slice-of-life comedy, and unusual dynamics is geared towards live-action viewers.

Spy x Family (Image Credits: Wit Studio)
Spy x Family (Image Credits: Wit Studio)

Compared to most shonen anime, Spy x Family is not based on superpowers that often dominate them, which contributes to its flexibility. Its universal approach to family and trust, along with the elements of an action thriller, would be of interest to those unfamiliar with anime without being offensive to its fans.


6. The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries is an ongoing anime series that combines mystery with an ancient China-inspired imperial court setting, and has already attracted viewers. It chronicles the adventures of Maomao, a young and intelligent woman who manages to unravel palace mysteries through her medical knowledge and observation. Its realistic but thrilling storyline would play very well as a live-action series.

The Apothecary Diaries (Image Credits: Toho Animation)
The Apothecary Diaries (Image Credits: Toho Animation)

The mystery, politics, and historical focus of the anime suggest that it could be easily adapted for television with a rich production design. The series is currently gaining momentum in interest, and an adaptation would help to emphasize the intricate nature of the characters and the spectacular setting of the court life.


5. Black Clover

With Asta, a boy who was born without magic in a world where magic is defined, Black Clover has continued to be among the most thrilling fantasy ongoing anime. His ambition to be the Wizard King provides a classic underdog story that may be very strong in live-action. Magical combats, guild conflicts, and personal development give the film enough action.

Black Clover (Image Credits: Studio Pierrot)
Black Clover (Image Credits: Studio Pierrot)

The anime itself is still ongoing with films and future plot lines, keeping the fans busy at all times. The adaptation would not only appeal to fantasy fans but would also compete with other adaptations such as One Piece and The Witcher. Black Clover has the potential to be a worldwide fantasy with the appropriate effects and narration.


4. Oshi no Ko

Oshi no Ko has recently become one of the most-buzzed ongoing anime, exploring the darker side of the Japanese entertainment industry. The show is a blend of drama, mystery, and reincarnation, as the storyline follows Aqua and Ruby, twin sisters with hidden lives. It is emotionally charged yet grounded, making it a good fit for a live-action drama series.

Oshi no Ko (Image Credits: Doga Kobo)
Oshi no Ko (Image Credits: Doga Kobo)

The theme of fame, betrayal, and ambition already resembles a variety of live-action series, implying that it would not need much adaptation to fit in a television or film format. Oshi no Ko would be a captivating and dramatic story to viewers due to its popularity and constant plot twists.


3. Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is currently one of the most popular shonen titles globally, and it makes a great contender in the list of ongoing anime to become a live-action version. The narrative, as Yuji Itadori enters the land of curses and witchcraft, is a balance between the serious fight and emotional narration. Its fight choreography, which is already very movie-like in animation, would translate well into live action.

Jujutsu Kaisen (Image Credits: MAPPA)
Jujutsu Kaisen (Image Credits: MAPPA)

The difference between Jujutsu Kaisen and the other series is the darker tone, mature content, and huge fan base around the world. Adaptations are successful in case of an available audience, and this anime offers it. Cursed techniques and battles could now be created with the same vigor using the advanced CGI as their animated counterparts.


2. My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia has been one of the leaders of the ongoing anime category, and its plot of superheroes practically demands a live-action version. The show, in which almost everyone possesses a superpower known as a quirk, is based on young students who become professional heroes. As superhero films dominate the world's box offices, this anime is the right one to fit into the trend.

My Hero Academia (Image Credits: Studio Bones)
My Hero Academia (Image Credits: Studio Bones)

The huge list of characters, inspirational plots, and action-oriented plots would become blockbuster material. Although it might not be easy to adapt such a large-scale narrative, My Hero Academia live-action would have an enormous audience because of the demand for superhero content.


1. Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man is among the most highly praised ongoing anime, and its uncivilized nature makes it an easy target for live-action adaptation. The series combines gore, dark humor, and emotional narration in the wake of Denji, a young man who fuses with his pet devil Pochita to become Chainsaw Man. It is gritty and contrasts with the traditional shonen series.

Chainsaw Man (Image Credits: MAPPA)
Chainsaw Man (Image Credits: MAPPA)

The urban backdrop of the anime, along with its flashy action scenes and horror-related visuals, would transition incredibly well into a live-action version with new CGI effects. Besides, its increasing fan base worldwide guarantees high demand for any adaptation worldwide. Because Chainsaw Man does not have a live-action adaptation as of yet, it is one of the most expected ones in the anime-to-live-action sector.


Live-Action Adaptation of Ongoing Anime

The ongoing anime world can be considered a treasure trove of stories that may flourish as live-action adaptations. Fantasy epics, such as Black Clover, and psychological dramas, like Oshi no Ko, allow cinematic narratives to have fan bases built right into them. Adaptation is not without its difficulties, but the rising popularity of anime around the world is a guarantee that studios are going to keep on experimenting. Having the appropriate vision, the ten anime on this list might become animation to live-action hits, with anime gaining even more popularity all over the world.

Edited by Yesha Srivastava