Anime- what can you make out of it?  Apparently, the answer is 'a lot of live-action films.'  As such, let's examine some of the weirdest films ever adapted from anime.  You'll see some absolutely crazy stuff here.  Did you ever think that you would see the dude from Battle Royale talk to a death spirit?  Did you ever think that you would see a sword that can kill ghosts?  How about the poison bat called Poison Bat?  If you want to know more, read on...

12. Crying Freeman: Keep your pants on!  This anime series is most notable for the titular hero taking his clothes off before fighting.  Thankfully, this adaptation was one that chose to change things.  As a bonus, Marc Dacascos stars in this film, so we all know what the secret ingredient is- cheese!

11. Cromartie High School- The Movie: This is...just something.  The anime is a comedy and involves a wacky High School that includes a robot and an ape.  Apparently, the live-action film retains all that.  Of course, if it is exactly the same, I have to wonder what the point of the movie is...

10. Fist of the North Star (yes, that one!): Did you not expect the Mad Max rip-off anime to turn out to be a Mad Max rip-off film?  The anime is famous for its biker style, kung-fu action and insane violence level.  The live-action film retains the first and second aspects, but is marketed as a PG-13 film.  It's kind of like making a cartoon version of Last House on the Left & just having the guys leer at the women in the beginning.

9. Dragon Ball- The Legend Begins: No, this is not the American DBZ film!  Long before that cinematic abomination, there was the 1991 film based on the original series.  On the plus side, it nails a lot of the aspects of the original series (Master Roshi being a horn dog, the goofy action, etc).  On the negative side, it nails a lot of the aspects of the original series.  If the series is so popular, aren't you exploiting the audience by making them pay to see a lesser version of it in theaters?

8. Death Note/Death Note 2: Make love, not death.  The anime is a famous and beloved.  Surprisingly, the two live-action films are too!  Honestly, I can say that I got a lot out of them- even without seeing all that much of the series.  As for Death Note: L, however, I cannot speak.  It sounds odd though, right?

7. Mechanical Violator Hakaider: That just sounds really dirty!  The anime is a bit violent and features some convoluted plotting.  The live-action film retains the crazy plot and violence- yea?  It all involves a rogue android breaking into Jesus Town to fight a guy who appears to be some sort of evil angel.  As a bonus, it ends with a shot stolen right out of the ending of Mad Max.  Kudos.

6. Sky High: I guess I shouldn't have expected differently.  In either version, the plot is just weird and confusing.  Without Spoiling too much, it involves human sacrifices, ghosts kung-fu fighting and a door to Hell.  By the way, Satan is apparently a giant eyeball leaning against the entry to Limbo.  The high-point, of course, is a sword designed to be able to kill ghosts.  Wow- just wow!

5. Cutie Honey- The Movie: In hindsight, I shouldn't be surprised by this.  Cutie Honey is a weird anime- plain and simple.  The live-action film is more of the same.  I've tried to block most of the film from my memory, but I do recall reanimated objects, flying and Power Rangers-style villains.  It won't be the last you see of those guys...

4. Shinobi- Heart Under Blade: For what it's worth, the movie is awesome!  I can't speak much for the anime, but I can tell you about the live-action film.  It is essentially X-Men, but in a Wuxia style.  All of the 'ninja' characters have a special power which comes into play.  One guy can morph into other people, another can use his super-long sleeves as a weapon & yet another one is immortal.  Actually, he simply says that he is 'really bad at dying.'  No, that's actually the line he uses.

3. Guyver/Guyver- Dark Hero: I welcome your debate!  The anime is notable for its freaky tone and violence.  The first live-action film ignored all of that made a fun, goofy film featuring actors from Re-Animator, monster suits and Mark Hamill's kick-ass mustache!  Made years later, Guyver: Dark Hero is a complete, atonal shift into a dark, violent action film.  On the plus side, fans will at least get a choice between films!

2. Battlefield Baseball: I love the Poison Bat called Poison Bat!  The anime is weird, I'm sure.  I mean, the plot involves an evil baseball team who kill all of their opponents.  However, they bring their own referee with them, who simply declares all of this to be legal.  The law in Japan sure is weird!

1. The Story of Ricky: Could it be anything else?  The anime and manga are violent, violent, violent.  The live-action film is, well, violent, violent, violent!  The plot involves lots of fighting, burning fields of pot and a girl playing a male character.  Oddly, there are some omissions that, I guess, were deemed too weird for the film.  How about a plot involving Ricky fighting his evil twin?  Crazy!

For more movie talk, go to my blog.  It's practically made out of Subtitles!

Up next, I want to highlight some of the greatest mind-!#*% moments of all-time.  Prepare your mind-cigarettes for the after-glow.  Stay tuned...