So io9 is under the impression that “after Akira blows everyone’s mind” that Hollywood should tread further into ‘manga territory’.

First off, since we still know absolutely nothing about the live action Akira and what little was do know was less then encouraging…. I’d hardly say we’re at the mind blowing stage just yet… if ever.

Second, they drum up a rather interesting, if not impractical list.

(Main Article)

Macross: This is the one thing on their list I can totally see being done and done well. Macross has interesting undertones and concepts that even ‘Americanized’ could turn out really well. And we haven’t had a nice Sci-Fi space story in a while and why not Macross?

Parasyte: Interesting concept but would required impressive special effects and even more impressive acting to pull it off. The first I think could happen, the second not so much. With movies that are adaptations of another medium(manga, anime, comics, cartoons, etc…) you hardly get impressive acting. While comic book movies(The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Hellboy, etc..) are getting better in this respect, I don’t see this new breed of ‘manga’ movies being up to that par yet.

FLCL: The comparison to Otomo in this makes me realize one thing… the folks who wrote this are Akira fanboys… they compare everything else to American work yet the first time they compare Japanese to Japanese its back to Otomo. Anyway, much like Cowboy Bebop, I can’t even see where to get started with casting let alone anything else. Realize… FLCL is a COMEDY! Yes, there is action and a fair share of it. However, you reach this barrier that separates those with a familiarity with anime and those who don’t… that will kill it faster then Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.

20th Century Boys: Something a little more recent at least. It has this supernatural thriller bordering on horror aspect on it, and we all know how well America handles Japan’s supernatural, thriller or horror movies… rewritten and ‘Americanized’ shock value. Out of the list I’d say this is the other series that I think could be handled correctly depending on who’s involved and what kind of acting that can be put out.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind: Yes, lets offend the greatest anime director of all time by taking one of his most classic and iconic pieces of work and giving it a live action spin. There are just some things that should be classified under anime and some things that are not. Nausicaä is such a feature. I also would argue that FLCL is a part of that list as well, though there are different reasons for why live action is inappropriate. I feel like an adaption like this while deserving of a Lord of the Rings style of story telling will get a Golden Compass treatment if live action.

Let us know what you think, hit the forums and the email!