Anime has been growing dominant in the public consciousness that it is impossible not to know just one anime show in one’s lifetime. Among the most popular subgenres is the magical girl. Japanese animators and creators know a thing or two of how to make compelling heroines and give them poignant stories.
With many magical girl anime out there, there are some shows that fans and viewers wish had a Hollywood live-action adaptation. But there are also those that would not fit as a movie. With that, here are 6 magical girl anime that need a live-action movie (and 4 that do not).
Need A Live-Action Film: Day Break Illusion
Day Break Illusion is a 2013 anime series about a group of girls who receive powers and personalities based on the major arcana of tarot cards, and are tasked to fight monsters that are conceived from humans. The girls include the upbeat Akari (“The Sun”), the cold Seira (“The Star”), the modest Luna (“The Moon”) and Ginka (“Temperance”).
For fans of supernatural-themed TV shows, this one should appeal to their tastes. While there are free-spirited moments from each of the girls, the supernatural tone is consistent that it is cinematic.
Don’t Need: Shugo Chara!
From manga author duo Peach-Pit, Shugo Chara! Tells the misadventures of elementary schoolgirl Amu Hinamori who discovers three colorful eggs that hatch into three Guardians Characters: the confident Ran, the cool-headed Miki and the sensitive Su. Together, they help Amu gain her courage to be reborn as her would-be self.
Shugo Chara! had the hallmarks of every magical girl anime, yet it was able to subvert them with its bright humor and Amu’s likability. Even with those merits, its fantastical elements may be impossible to interpret for a Western adaptation.
Need A Live-Action Film: Magic Knight Rayearth
Speaking of creations from an all-girl group, Magic Knight Rayearth comes from the manga artist group Clamp about three girls (the willful Hikaru, the no-nonsense Umi and the intelligent Fuu) who gets suddenly immersed in another world named Cephiro. They are tyhen given the opportunity to bequeath the powers of the Magic Knights to rescue the Princess Emeraude.
In the age of female-empowering media, this show will easily resonate (and work as a movie) for the young female demographic with the girls’ rapport, the absorbing action and the enthralling adventure.
Don’t Need: Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch
Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch is what happens if The Little Mermaid was crossed with Powerpuff Girls and Charmed. This anime series centers on a girl named Lucia, who finds the boy that she saved from a tsunami. She is followed by her friends Hanon, Rina and penguin companion Hippo to fight off water demons from the surface people.
There have been many mermaid-themed TV shows that are aimed to the younger demographic. And Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch may not work as a full-length feature with its niche elements.
Need A Live-Action Film: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
From the manga collective Magica Quartet, Puella Magi Madoka Magica centers on two girls, the happy-go-lucky Madoka and the strong-willed Sayaka, who received an offer by the mysterious creature Kyubey to become magical girls and fight witches that plagued their world. They are assisted by fellow magical girl Mami Tomoe, who helps them grow as full-pledged magical girls.
Unlike the entries on this list, this acclaimed anime is darker in nature, both visually and thematically. And when given necessary tweaks for a realistic modern-day context, this is good film material.
Need A Live-Action Film: Little Witch Academia
On the lighter side, there is Little Witch Academia. This creation by Yoh Yoshinari tells the coming-of-age shenanigans of Akko, Lotte and Sucy as they go through their tenure in Luna Nova Magical Academy to become witches and, specifically for Akko, to follow her idol’s footsteps.
This anime is a cross between Hocus Pocus, The Craft and Soul Eater, since it involves witchcraft delivered in the most hysterical fashion. With witches having a comeback in the small screen, Little Witch Academia has Harry Potter/Booksmart material to work as a movie.
Don’t Need: Tokyo Mew Mew
Catgirls are one of the most plentiful archetypes present in anime. Thus, there is an anime centered on them. Tokyo Mew Mew is a magical girl anime about five girls whose DNA are imbued with those of endangered animals, granting them powers to become “Mew Mews”. They then have to guard the earth from alien adversaries who want their powers.
This show definitely delivered on the girl-powered humor and its bizarre nature. However, it has yet to work as a live-action film when there is a crossover appeal over catgirls.
Need A Live-Action Film: Cardcaptor Sakura
Aired on 1998 from the Clamp team, Cardcaptor Sakura is a classic magical girl anime about a girl named Sakura Kinomoto who suddenly acquires magical powers after freeing a deck of magical cards into the real world. It is her mission now to retrieve the cards before they are misused by darker forces.
The anime’s appeal comes from the character of Sakura, whose wholeheartedness and chipper nature amplifies the adventure. Along with supportive cohorts, like her friend Tomoyo and guardian Kero, her heroic moments are truly earned. This could work as the female-centered Doctor Strange.
Don’t Need: Pretty Cure
Pretty Cure (or PreCure) is a long ongoing franchise that has fifteen series incarnations to this day. But going back to the very start, the first Pretty Cure series, Futari wa Pretty Cure, sets the template for the others to follow, wherein best friends Nagisa and Honoka are granted powers to be the emissaries of light, Cure Black and Cure White, respectively.
In just the first series, Pretty Cure elevates on the friendship between Nagisa and Honoka, and their frequent exploits. However, interpreting it as a live-action film will be tricky for its magical-girl trappings.
Need A Live-Action Film: Sailor Moon
Finally, here is the O.G. of magical girl anime. Sailor Moon is the creation of Naoko Takeuchi, centering on the adventures of a schoolgirl named Usagi who receives the powers of the guardian Sailor Moon from a cat named Luna. She is soon joined by her friends Ami (Sailor Mercury), Rei (Sailor Mars), Makoto (Sailor Jupiter) and Minako (Sailor Venus) to defend the Earth from evil.
It was through Sailor Moon’s crossover success that many magical girl anime were produced. And it is easy to see it from its charm, characters, action, themes and girl-power spirit. So, a Hollywood film adaptation is an appealing no-brainer.