Hollywood’s next live-action anime adaptation is not what I was expecting, but I am still curious to see how it will eventually turn out. Over the years, Hollywood has tried its hand at bringing many anime to the live-action medium. Unfortunately, even though many of these chosen anime had immense live-action potential on paper, their Hollywood adaptations have often left audiences underwhelmed and disappointed.
Considering the long history of live-action failures, it is hard not to be skeptical about every other anime adaptation lined up to be given the Hollywood treatment. At the same time, however, I cannot help but feel intrigued by some live-action anime adaptations set to release in the next few years. One of these upcoming live-action movies already seems interesting because it is adapting an unexpected anime.
A Bakugan Live-Action Movie Announcement Was Not On Anyone 2025’s Bingo Card
No One Expected Hollywood To Adapt A Turn-Based Combat Anime
Although Hollywood has not had a great reputation when it comes to anime adaptations, it seems unlikely that production houses and filmmakers will step back from traversing anime to the live-action storytelling medium. Owing to this, it will not be surprising if many well-known anime get live-action adaptations in the next few years. Since anime like Akira, Your Name, and My Hero Academia have garnered wide acclaim and fame across the globe and also seem to have live-action potential, I can see why they have been chosen for live-action adaptations.
However, I am shocked that even Bakugan is being adapted into a live-action movie, even though it seemingly goes against Hollywood’s usual criteria for picking anime for adaptations. As reports confirm (via THR), a Bakugan live-action movie has been confirmed with Brad Peyton as its writer, director, and producer. Although most other details about the live-action film remain unknown, Peyton is best known for his work on movies like Rampage, San Andreas, and Atlas, which makes him an intriguing choice for the project.
Filmmakers typically play it safe and gravitate more towards gateway anime like Death Note and Ghost in the Shell because they focus more on capturing universal themes and have the potential to captivate audiences that are not even familiar with their source material.
Hollywood’s decision to adapt an anime is driven not only by commercial potential but also by its broader cultural relevance and appeal. Filmmakers typically play it safe and gravitate more towards gateway anime like Death Note and Ghost in the Shell because they focus more on capturing universal themes and have the potential to captivate audiences that are not even familiar with their source material. While Bakugan, too, has a mᴀssive following, it does not seem to fit the traditional anime adaptation mold that Hollywood tends to favor.
Why Hollywood Is Making A Bakugan Live-Action Movie 17 Years After The Original Anime
Bakugan Is Already A Mᴀssive Franchise
The original Bakugan anime, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, started airing in 2007 before ending its run in 2008. After 52 episodes, the franchise garnered immense attention to be expanded into other media forms, including toy lines, video games, and trading card games. In 2023, Bakugan also received its second animated reboot, which had a total of 26 episodes. Although the Bakugan franchise is currently in a strange state where it is not as popular as it once was and still somehow relevant enough to draw in viewers, it remains a nostalgic touchstone for audiences who grew up watching it.
…even though turn-based combat anime have not been considered ideal for live-action adaptations, there has been a growing demand for more dynamic, action-driven shows and movies since Squid Game and Alice in Borderland‘s success on Netflix.
Similar to other anime-centered franchises like Transformers and Pokémon, Bakugan managed to create a strong foundation for itself in its early years with its original TV series and other franchise extensions. Its expansive cross-media growth makes it more recognizable than many other mainstream anime. Not to mention, even though turn-based combat anime have not been considered ideal for live-action adaptations, there has been a growing demand for more dynamic, action-driven shows and movies since Squid Game and Alice in Borderland‘s success on Netflix.
What We Can Expect From Bakugan Compared To Other Anime Adaptations
It Is Hard To Predict How The Adaptation Will Turn Out
Detective Pikachu loosely borrowed ideas from Pokémon but drifted into an entirely different genre of storytelling compared to the original anime. It had nothing to do with the turn-based duels that made Pokémon‘s original TV series, video games, and trading card games immensely successful. Owing to this, if the live-action Bakugan sets out to loyally adapt its source material, it will be the first mainstream adaptation with a turn-based combat game as its primary narrative device.
A Detective Pikachu sequel has also been in the works for a while but its future remains uncertain.
This would make Bakugan a unique live-action anime adaptation, but that may not necessarily be a good thing. Live-action anime adaptations like Ghost in the Shell and Cowboy Bebop tried to achieve something similar by taking on anime that would be challenging to recreate in the live-action medium but failed miserably. However, where Ghost in the Shell and Cowboy Bebop failed, others like One Piece and Alita: Battle Angel succeeded. This raises the possibility that even though it is hard not to be skeptical about the Bakugan live-action movie, it can succeed if taken seriously and handled carefully.
