Anime is just plain weird!  This is a pretty simple fact that I think that most of you can agree on.  The only thing odder than a Genre built around girls fighting demons while dressed as sailors or giant robots fighting wars in space is the series of Live-Action Films made based on them!  A lot of Anime-to-Live-Action Films have been made over the years and very few are what most people would consider to be normal.  This Sub-Genre includes such films as Riki-Oh, Battlefield Baseball and Hakaider.  These films are pretty strange, but what about all of the Anime shows that haven't gotten films yet?  Let's take a hypothetical look at them, shall we?  We're going to discuss stories of detectives turned into children, aliens that turn into yellow monkeys and shows where people are revealed to be robots...but only for one episode.  Incidentally, if there is an actual Live-Action Film for any of these, I'll just say a preemptive 'My bad.'  Let's begin...

Note: I'm not including any Hentai here.  For the record, however, Bible Black and La Blue Girl would make for freaky, live-action films.  Ew.

12. Hellsing/Vampire Hunter D: How are neither of these films already?!?  Both of these involve vampire hunters, monsters and lots of gore.  Is this a hard sell?  I don't think so.  Seriously, how has nobody made these films yet?  You guys already did Blood: The Last Vampire.  Hello!

11. Case Closed: I think I'm a kid now!  This odd series is about a Detective who ends up in the body of a kid...and just keeps on working.  While I was never 'into' this show, it is a premise that would make for an odd film.  Of course, it has no giant robots, so demand is probably low.

10. Dragon Ball GT: You've already made bad movies out of the rest of it, why not this one?  The black sheep of the Dragon Ball series- which says a lot, really- is GT and it's hard not to see why.  The show sought to restore the 'fun, frantic' pace of the original...by turning Goku into a little kid again.  However, they also upped the powers and stakes, which seems like the opposite of the first part.  If you want to see a film where people grow 6 feet of spiky hair and turn into giant, yellow apes, go bug the people over at Funimation to get on this one!

9. When They Cry: It apparently haunts my friend's nightmares.  This odd series is about murder, intrigue and deception.  There is not a lot that's strange on the surface, but it is a subtle kind of crazy that you only get in Japan.  Hey, if Death Note could be adapted, there's hope...

*Note: This was made in Japan, but not released here.  It still kind of counts...*

8. Ah, My Buddha: Nudity sells.  This odd, comedy Anime has been sitting in my Netflix for a while.  As far as I can tell, the plot involves a guy who gets magical powers when women flash him.  This seems like an easy sell, provided that Japan starts making films exclusively for Cinemax.  Speaking of which...

7. Ranma 1/2: Yeah, this one.  Aside from being an obscure SNES game that my friend owns, Ranma is famous for it's plot involving gender changing.  Insert Chastity Bono joke here.  Moving on.

6. Hunter x Hunter: Random powers meet professional killers.  The plot of this show involves groups of assassins who have a bizarre mix of powers.  One guy can control your body via a cell phone, while another can shape memories into bullets and fire them into you.  That power alone makes a trailer that would sell the movie!  While a lot may be lost in the transition, this one begs for the Live-Action treatment.

5. Bastard!: Blood, nudity and magic- sign me up!  It is pretty hard to explain the plot of this Anime, but involves an evil wizard who has to save the world...but is still a prick.  With a look similar in many ways to Lodoss War, this show is full of giant spells, loads of blood and a little bit of nudity.  What are you waiting for, Japan?!?

4. One Piece: Yar, me maties!  This Shonen Jump favorite is all about goofy pirates trying to get treasure and...I think you already know this part.  Can the crazy characters be translated into real people?  I don't know, but I want to see the guy holding six swords- sue me!

3. Full Metal Panic/Fumofu: Comedy or action- take your pick.  This show revolves around a guy protecting a girl from danger, even if a lot of it is not actually dangerous.  The appeal of this is the crazy action...or is it the humor?  The series is famous for alternating between a serious, action-packed stories and crazy, humorous ones.  Which one would make the better film though?  Who cares- make them both!  

*Side-Note: A Live-Action Film was planned, but scrapped in 2009*

2. Shin Chan: Do I even need to explain this one?  Whether the show is dubbed for comedic relief or in the original language, it's still insane.  The big question: can anyone be made to look like the lead character?  I guess you could cheat and make him CG a la Scooby-Doo, but I want to see you try- dammit.

1. FLCL: Logic- where have you gone?  This show is a favorite of someone I know, but it's also completely insane.  There is no consistency in the plot and they have fun with that.  The plot involves robots- big shock- but that's not really the appeal.  The draw here is the bizarre and random humor.  Hey Japan, if The Asylum can make giant robots, so can you!

For more film talk (but less Anime talk), go to my Blog.  It too believes that Cosplaying is a way of life!

Next up, I take a look at a whole slew of films centered around comedians you may or may not remember.  Way to leave an impression!  Stay tuned...