Live-action Japanese dramas are an important part of Japanese television. They provide hours of entertainment and push the boundaries of what live-action shows can accomplish, especially when inspired by an anime or manga series.
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The popular live-action dramasAlice in Borderland,The Way of the Househusband,andItazura na Kiss, among others,were adapted into a series after their anime or manga counterparts. However, while it may be more common for a successful franchise to be adapted into a live-action series, there are a few original dramas that got anime adaptations or received anime cameos after making a name for themselves.
4HiGH&LOW g-sword
HiGH&LOW g-swordis a flash anime by CLAMP. It was released after their manga adaption of the action dramaHiGH&LOW: The Story of S.W.O.R.D.The drama series follows a group of five gangs as they vie for power in a previously claimed city. However, ongoing disagreements and battles over territory have to be set aside to protect their town whena yakuza groupinvades the area.HiGH&LOW: The Story of S.W.O.R.D.is known for its stunning fight scenes and the iconic designs of its gang leaders. Altogether, the series has multiple movies and other adaptations.
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Thechibi-style flash animefocuses on the Amamiya brothers, who are incredibly strong fighters and reliable couriers for a price. It establishes their relationship but takes on a much lighter tone than the drama series. Rather than fighting rival gang members or delivering weapons, they deliver talking birds and discuss what their favorite foods are. However, the short episodes could still introduce new fans to the series, especially since its cute animation style has an interesting contrast with the way that the Amamiya brothers speak to each other about their work.
3GO! GO! TOKYO MER: Kinkyuujitai to Tatakau Nakama-tachi
GO! GO! TOKYO MER: Kinkyuujitai to Tatakau Nakama-tachiis an anime series based on the thrilling medical dramaTOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Room. The original drama is about a group of emergency care professionals who save lives by bringing mobile emergency room vans to the site of disasters. The mobile emergency rooms are filled with plenty of supplies and have enough space for the doctors to operate in, unlike in a traditional ambulance. The live-actionTOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Roomis fueled by its high-stakes situations and the passion of its crew members.
The anime seriesGO! GO! TOKYO MER: Kinkyuujitai to Tatakau Nakama-tachiwas made as a celebration of the series’ first movie announcement. It was released directly to the internet in 2022 and took a more easygoing approach to the series and its characters. Most episodes are back-and-forth conversations about the team while they wait for an emergency. However, the most distinct feature of the show is that all of thecharacters are anthropomorphic animalsmeant to represent the original cast. From their fun conversations to their designs, the anime series forTOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Roomtruly feels like a celebration of the series.
2Crayon Shin-Chan: “That’s Doctor-X”
“That’s Doctor-X” is a crossover episode betweenCrayon Shin-chanand the live-action medical dramaDoctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon. Although thecollaboration might seem strangeat a first glance, the shows have a little more in common than fans might expect. Both series are considered comedies and have determined yet likable main characters.
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In the short cameo episode, the freelance surgeon Michiko Daimon meets Shin-chan shortly before successfully performing one of her classic high-risk surgeries. She also uses her most popular catchphrase, “I never fail,” to show her determination. The short doesn’t have the usual gag comedy that madeCrayon Shin-chanone of the mostwell-known comedy seriesof all time, but it does show the respect that the two characters have for each other while promoting the success of the medical drama.As part of the crossover between series, Shin-chan and his dog, Shiro, also appear on an episode ofDoctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon.
1Oshin
Oshinisan anime moviebased on a live-action drama of the same name. The publicly-broadcasted drama series began in 1983 to tell the story of Oshin, a woman who experienced tremendous hardship throughout her life before opening a successful grocery store chain. Oshin experienced poverty, struggled for her education, lost loved ones, and balanced traditional family roles even when it brought on more hard times. The show was dark yet extremely popular, and it was streamed in countries across the world. Due to the popularity of the live-action drama, the character Oshinis remembered as a symbol of perseverance.
SinceOshin (1984)was adapted from the live-action series, the animated film produced by Sanrio only follows the portion of the drama that had been released by the time the film came out. It primarily focuses on her childhood as a sharecropper who had to give up schooling in order to make ends meet and her decision to run away from home. The film ends after Oshin gets to know a deserter named Shunsaku. The success of the live-action drama may haveovershadowed the 1984 film, but its existence reaffirms the importance of the series.
