From the streets of Tokyo to the hearts of fans around the world, manga has become one of the most beloved forms of storytelling. It combines rich narratives, dynamic characters, and beautiful artwork — often rivaling even the best films and TV shows. As a long-time manga lover, I’ve read countless series that feel just as cinematic as any blockbuster movie. That’s why I believe certain manga series deserve live-action adaptations — and thanks to platforms like MangaBuddy.blog, these masterpieces are now accessible to everyone.
Live-action adaptations can be hit or miss. Some become cultural phenomena (like Death Note and Alice in Borderland), while others fall short. But when done right, they introduce manga to new audiences and offer long-time fans a fresh perspective on the stories they love.
Here’s a look at 5 manga titles that could be the next big thing in live-action — all of which you can enjoy online right now.
🎬 1. Chainsaw Man
Genre: Horror, Action, Dark Fantasy
Chainsaw Man is wild, gory, and deeply emotional. It tells the story of Denji, a debt-ridden teen who merges with his pet devil to become a “Devil Hunter” with chainsaws for arms. The manga has explosive action, gut-punch twists, and subtle commentary on loneliness and ambition.
Why it deserves a live-action:
- Stunning fight choreography opportunities
- Deep, layered characters
- Dark, Netflix-style tone — perfect for adult audiences
- It’s already built a massive global fanbase
Status: Anime adaptation successful — live-action would explode with the right director.
🎥 2. 20th Century Boys
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Created by Naoki Urasawa (master of suspense), 20th Century Boys is about a group of friends who accidentally create a doomsday prophecy as children — only to find out, years later, someone is trying to bring it to life.
Why it deserves a live-action:
- Brilliant timeline jumps (childhood to adulthood)
- Deep psychological elements
- Perfect for fans of Stranger Things or Dark
- Heavy suspense and social commentary
Status: Minor adaptations exist, but it deserves a major global reboot.
🎞️ 3. Oyasumi Punpun
Genre: Slice of Life, Drama, Psychological
This isn’t your typical action-packed manga. Oyasumi Punpun is about the emotional journey of a boy growing up in a dysfunctional world. It explores depression, identity, family, and lost dreams — all while portraying the main character as a simple bird-doodle figure.
Why it deserves a live-action:
- Deeply human and raw storytelling
- Visually unique (would be amazing in a surreal film format)
- Perfect for indie filmmakers and streaming platforms
- A gut-wrenching story about life’s darkness and hope
Status: Never adapted — a hidden gem waiting for spotlight.
📺 4. Blue Lock
Genre: Sports, Action, Psychological
Manga meets Squid Game in this high-stakes soccer survival series. After Japan’s defeat in the World Cup, a mysterious program pits the country’s best strikers against each other — and only one can win.
Why it deserves a live-action:
- Combines adrenaline with character-driven drama
- Intense visuals and strategy
- Already trending due to the anime success
- Appeals to both sports fans and psychological thriller lovers
Status: Anime is booming — a live-action film or series would go viral.
🎞️ 5. Pluto
Genre: Sci-fi, Mystery, Drama
Another Urasawa masterpiece, Pluto is a mature reimagining of Astro Boy’s “The Greatest Robot on Earth” arc. It’s a detective thriller with robots, war, and what it means to be human.
Why it deserves a live-action:
- Visually rich, dystopian sci-fi world
- Deep narrative themes
- Perfect blend of Blade Runner and Minority Report
- Ideal for streaming services like Netflix or Prime Video
Status: Recently adapted into anime — now is the best time to push for live-action.
Why Manga Deserves More Live-Action Love
Manga stories offer depth that often surpasses traditional film scripts. While anime adaptations are common, live-action opens the door to more global viewers who may not be into animation but still appreciate strong narratives.
We’ve seen how titles like:
- Death Note (Japan & Netflix)
- One Piece (Netflix)
- Battle Angel Alita (Hollywood)
have reached massive audiences. The key lies in faithful adaptation — preserving the soul of the manga while using the medium of live-action to elevate it.
Where to Read These Manga Right Now?
You don’t have to wait for Netflix to drop a teaser trailer to explore these stories. You can start reading them today — thanks to platforms like MangaBuddy.blog.
Why MangaBuddy is ideal:
- 💻 Clean & mobile-optimized interface
- 📚 Massive manga collection (thousands of titles)
- 🚀 Instant updates for new chapters
- 🆓 100% free to access
- 🔖 Bookmark system to track what you read
Whether you’re a longtime fan or completely new to manga, MangaBuddy makes it incredibly easy to dive into cinematic-quality stories.
Final Thoughts: Manga Is Ready for the Big Screen
The success of live-action manga adaptations depends on choosing the right stories — and the five mentioned above are more than ready. With the right production teams, they could become the next Game of Thrones, Squid Game, or Breaking Bad in terms of global impact.
Until Hollywood catches up, start your own cinematic journey on MangaBuddy.blog — where these stories are already waiting for you.
