Is the anime live-adaptation curse finally lifting?
Director Destin Daniel Cretton will helm a live-action "Naruto" film—and we're cautiously optimistic
Naruto Uzumaki in "Naruto"
Viz Media
Words by Daniel Anderson
The long-running hit manga Naruto is getting a live-action film adaptation…Believe It! But folks (including us) definitely have mixed feelings following the announcement that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton was helming the project with Lionsgate.
Naruto is my favorite anime series of all time. It’s an internationally beloved series about ninja and follows namesake protagonist Naruto Uzumaki as he tries to become an acknowledged and respected leader of his shinobi village. He’s unfortunately cursed with a malicious nine-tailed fox demon sealed inside of him, ostracized by his village and an orphan in a world where bloodlines often come with significant advantages in ability.
It’s an underdog story, one that has made me and fans cry on many occasions. Since its serialization from 1999-2014, Naruto has sold over 250 million copies across the globe, received a beloved anime adaption, a sequel series in Boruto and countless video game and merchandising sales. Just last year, Naruto released a trailer for 20th anniversary special episodes and series creator Masashi Kishimoto created a one-shot manga story for fan favorite character, Minato Namikaze. Needless to say, the fandom’s fire for the franchise are like the black flames of Amaterasu, inextinguishable.
There has been plenty of debate in fandoms whether animated classics need a transformation into live-action. Historically, it hasn’t gone well. From Disney remaking their films like The Lion King, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid to Netflix’s recent Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA). Some adaptations have been universally panned, such as Dragon Ball: Evolution which sits at a 14 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and the 2010 Avatar: The Last Airbender movie with the abysmal 5 percent critic score and 30 percent audience score.
Presumably, these remakes keep getting greenlit not only for the potential money, but because animated work in general has long been written off as childish. In reality, this incredibly time-intensive art form is pure magic, not bound by the limitations of physical constraints. Animation can feel alive in ways live-action can only dream of. It’s the painstaking toils of animators, voice actors, and other crew whose craft erroneously get maligned as lacking depth because it’s “for kids.” It’s a beautiful medium that deserves respect. Maybe recent releases like Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, can change people’s minds. It became the first non-English film to win best animated movie at the Golden Globes.
However, the curse of terrible adaptations seems to be lifting, too. Netflix’s ATLA was received somewhat well by fans. It currently sits at a 75 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 61 percent critic score, just shy of “rotten.” Many have praised some of the performances, special effects, costume, and set designs. Another Netflix hit was One Piece, part of the “Big 3” hits of Shonen Jump alongside Naruto and Bleach. One Piece has over 1000 animated episodes and counting, but was successfully adapted and renewed for a second live-action season. Even video game series like Pokémon, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Mario have all received acclaim for their recent movie adaptations.
When it comes to Naruto, one encouraging factor is director Cretton earning Kishimoto’s blessing. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Kishimoto said, “When I heard of Destin’s attachment, it happened to be right after watching a blockbuster action film of his, and I thought he would be the perfect director for Naruto. After enjoying his other films and understanding that his forte is in creating solid dramas about people, I became convinced that there is no other director for Naturo. In actually meeting Destin, I also found him to be an open-minded director who was willing to embrace my input, and felt strongly that we would be able to cooperate together in the production process.”
Open-mindedness is a central tenet in the Naruto series. Naruto himself overcomes his circumstances and often sways antagonists to change their beliefs about him. Maybe Cretton has all the right jutsus to convince the fans that his Naruto can rise above the odds too. May it serve as another success story for live-action remakes.
Published on February 27, 2024
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.