Key Takeaways:
– Sean Schemmel, noted for voicing Goku in Dragon Ball, questions the effectiveness of Hollywood in producing live-action anime adaptations.
– Schemmel considers Netflix’s One Piece to be a poor representation of the original anime that failed to capture its essence.
– The actor, despite his criticism, holds a flicker of hope for the future of live-action anime, suggesting a devoted fan could successfully steer a project.
– Schemmel points to potential difficulties in translating core stylistic features inherent to anime into live-action scenes.
Anime’s Live-Action Failings on Hollywood’s Part
Renowned voice actor Sean Schemmel, lauded for voicing Goku in the English adaptation of Dragon Ball, recently expressed his concerns about Hollywood’s attempts to adapt anime into live-action formats. Though live-action adaptations can bring an interesting nuance to childhood favorites with the glamour of Hollywood budgets, they often fall short in their delivery, Schemmel argued, with anime’s essence being lost in its live-action representation.
Hollywood’s Gaping Understanding of Anime
Schemmel’s perspectives surfaced during an interview with Bleeding Cool. He shared his frustrations, stating, “I’ve watched Hollywood try to understand anime my entire career, and they still don’t get it.” He wasn’t convinced that the unique allure and fantastical elements in anime can be effectively translated into live-action. Despite a handful of successful adaptations such as Ruroni Kenshin, Kingdom, and One Piece, which had shown promise, Schemmel remained skeptical about Hollywood’s capabilities.
Scathing Reviews for Recent Live-Action Adaptations
In his candid explanation, Schemmel stated that Netflix’s live-action One Piece was “terrible”. He ascribed its failure to capture the series’ fantastical elements to the limitations inherent in live-action adaptations. His criticism extended to Dragon Ball Evolution, another live-action adaptation of an anime series that he labeled “terrible,” pointing out the pitfalls when the directors change mid-production.
That being said, Schemmel clarified that his criticism wasn’t aimed at the quality of live-action productions per se, but rather at the inherent limitations they face while adapting anime, which are known for challenging the boundaries of reality.
A Ray of Hope for Live-Action Anime’s Future
Despite expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of recent live-action adaptations, Schemmel maintained some optimism for the genre’s future. He suggested that until people who have grown up with anime take the helm in Hollywood, a true representation might remain elusive. He cited the example of a Star Trek fanboy who successfully directed a season, arguing for a similar approach to anime adaptations.
The Veracity of Anime’s Style in Live-Action
Schemmel pointed out that the task of translating anime’s characteristic style, with its big eyes and unique elements, into live-action is a challenging one. He expressed that he’s not entirely certain if anime can truly thrive on live-action platforms. However, he remained open to the potential of being proven wrong, asserting that the test will come when a true anime fan takes the reins of an adaptation project.
In conclusion, Schemmel frames his perspective not as a dismissal of live-action anime adaptations but as a call for greater understanding and respect for the intricacies of this animated art form. The future of live-action adaptations of anime may remain uncertain, but the dialogue surrounding them continues to be an interesting discourse worth following in the animation and film industry.
