Some stories are just too big, too ambitious, or too expensive for traditional live-action adaptations. Whether due to complex visual effects, or sheer creative freedom, animation can often achieve what no other medium can. Some of the most popular and enduring anime series, like Ghost in the Shell or Case Closed, have proven that bold concepts and intricate storytelling thrive in the medium, making it the perfect place for certain stalled franchises to pivot.

From science fiction epics and fantasy sagas to beloved comedies and even reality TV-inspired thrillers, many franchises can find new life in anime. Whether it's Animorphs, which demands a level of visual transformation that live-action has never been able to pull off, or The Hunger Games, which could expand its rich world beyond the limitations of its films, anime offers a unique opportunity to explore these stories in ways never before possible. Perhaps to escape development limbo, reach their full potential, or tap into a medium that could finally do them justice, some franchises should just pivot to anime.

10 Animorphs

A Different Spin on Five Teenagers with Attitude

Published between 1996 and 2001, K.A. Applegate’s Animorphs remains one of the most intense and thought-provoking Young Adult series ever written. A group of teens gains the ability to morph into animals to fight the Yeerks, parasitic alien slugs capable of controlling human minds. The series spans over 50 books, tackling war, morality, trauma, and the psychological toll of violence.

From grotesque transformation sequences to brutal battles against the razor-limbed Hork-Bajir, live-action has always struggled to do Animorphs justice. Nickelodeon’s failed 1998 TV adaptation toned down the horror, proving that a faithful adaptation needs an unrestricted medium like anime. Series like Parasyte and Attack on Titan demonstrate how anime can capture both visceral horror and deep philosophical themes. With Animorphs’ themes of resistance to imperialism more relevant than ever, an anime adaptation could introduce the franchise to a whole new generation.

9 The Traitors & Survivor

Reality TV Like Never Seen Before

At first glance, adapting a reality show into anime sounds dubious, but the psychological warfare of The Traitors and the cutthroat gameplay of Survivor are perfect for anime’s intense storytelling. Imagine The Traitors as a Death Note-style thriller where players manipulate and deceive each other to survive. Or Survivor as an action-packed survival anime akin to Kaiji or Btooom!.

A scripted anime version of The Traitors could take creative liberties by adding more extreme betrayals, psychological mind games, or actual life-or-death stakes. An OVA could be structured around a singular mystery, where the Faithful, and the viewer, must identify the Traitors before it’s too late. With reality shows enjoying unprecedented global success, an anime adaptation would be a fresh way to expand their appeal.

8 Captain Planet

The World Desperately Needs a New Generation of Planeteers

Captain Planet and the Planeteers ran for six seasons in the ‘90s, teaching kids about environmentalism through five teens wielding elemental power rings to summon Captain Planet. Now, as the global climate crisis accelerates, a reboot is long overdue, especially as an anime, which has a history of tackling environmental themes. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Shangri-La are some of the best-known examples of this angle working in the anime medium.

Unfortunately, in today’s political climate, any environmental message risks backlash, which may explain why Captain Planet has remained dormant.

Anime would allow for more dynamic, stylized action sequences while exploring deeper themes of corporate greed and ecological collapse. A modern Captain Planet could be a mix of Shaman King’s elemental battles and Psycho-’ dystopian world-building, balancing superhero fantasy with grounded activism. Unfortunately, in today’s political climate, any environmental message risks backlash, which may explain why Captain Planet has remained dormant.

7 The Hunger Games

Dystopia Is at Our Doorstep

Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games captivated readers with its dystopian world where children fight to the death for the entertainment of the elite. The film adaptations were mostly successful but struggled with pacing and world-building. An anime anthology similar to Star Wars: Visions could explore Panem’s history from the Dark Days, to the early Games, the rebellion and its aftermath.

Suzanne Collins' next novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, releases on March 18, 2025, with a film adaptation scheduled for release the following year.

Anime’s flexibility would allow for deeper character exploration, from Snow’s rise to power (Code Geass-style political intrigue) to the daily life of residents in the Districts not featured in the mainline books thus far. With the fifth novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, on the horizon, an anime adaptation could capitalize on renewed interest while delivering a more unrestrained version of The Hunger Games.

6 John Carter of Mars

The Original Isekai Deserves a Second Chance

Despite inspiring countless sci-fi epics, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter remains one of the most overlooked franchises, largely due to Disney’s 2012 live-action flop. The story follows a Confederate soldier transported to Mars (Barsoom to the native Martians), where he becomes a warrior in an alien civil war. It’s shocking that John Carter hasn’t been adapted more, as Burroughs’ Barsoom Saga was first published over a century ago and spans eleven novels.

While its original premise might need modern adjustments, John Carter is tailor-made for anime’s grand sci-fi storytelling. The series would be comparable to Mushoku Tensei or The Twelve Kingdoms, where an outsider navigates a foreign world and reshapes it. Anime’s visual freedom could finally do justice to Barsoom’s sprawling landscapes, bizarre creatures, and high-energy battles.

5 Fourth Wing & A Court of Thorns and Roses

Romantasy Is a Perfect Fit for Anime

Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses and Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing have taken the fantasy book world by storm, but their massive scope and complex lore make them difficult to adapt into live action. These series blend romance, politics, and intense action, which are perfectly aligned with anime’s dramatic storytelling. Not to mention the series’ faeries, dragons, and gratuitous sex, which would certainly be at home in the anime realm.

An anime adaptation could bring their magical worlds to life with breathtaking animation, similar to Fate/Stay Night or The Ancient Magus’ Bride. With the ongoing popularity of romantic fantasy anime like Yona of the Dawn, a Fourth Wing or ACOTAR adaptation could dominate both anime and book fandoms alike. For now, the books’ dedicated audience patiently await the long-gestating live-action adaptations.

4 Austin Powers

It's Been 23 Years Since His Last Groovy Adventure Co-Starring Beyoncé

Michael Myers’ Austin Powers movies spoof 1960s spy films with absurd humor and over-the-top characters like Alotta Fagina and Fat Bastard. With spy-themed anime like classic Lupin the Third and breakout hit Spy x Family thriving, an Austin Powers anime could take the franchise’s retro aesthetic and comedic action to the next level. Given the film franchise has been dormant for over 20 years, it’s about time for the character to return.

Beyond the groovy visuals, an anime could introduce fresh, culturally relevant humor while expanding the Austin Powers universe. The films’ exaggerated villains, such as Dr. Evil and Mini-Me would translate perfectly into anime’s flamboyant character designs. Given Hollywood’s current nostalgia wave, a well-done anime adaptation could reignite interest in the franchise and prod Mike Myers to finally deliver that long-rumored fourth movie.

3 Prometheus 1.5

Justice for Dr. Elizabeth Shaw!

One of Alien’s biggest missed opportunities was skipping over Dr. Elizabeth Shaw’s journey between Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. As it stands, the decision to kill Shaw off-screen halts the momentum built in the first film, and sabotages the latter film’s cohesiveness as a sequel. An anime prequel, focusing on Shaw reassembling David en route to the Engineer's supposed home world, could finally fill in this narrative gap.

With anime’s ability to explore cosmic horror, like Parasyte and Ergo Proxy, an animated Prometheus could lean into its Lovecraftian roots. Most critically, the series could delve into the Engineers’ origins and the story behind the original film’s mysterious Space Jockey. Alien has yet to break into animation officially, but a high-budget sci-fi horror anime could reinvigorate the franchise.

2 Metroid

The White Whale of Adaptations

Samus Aran, Nintendo’s iconic intergalactic bounty hunter, is long overdue for an adaptation. Despite years of rumored live-action attempts, nothing has ever materialized, but the continued success of the games keeps hope alive. Metroid’s blend of alien horror, exploration, and minimal dialogue makes it ideal for a cinematic anime in the vein of Made in Abyss or Blame!.

Live-action would struggle with the isolationist tone and surreal environments required to do Metroid justice, but animation could easily capture the eerie, otherworldly atmosphere achieved in the games. With Metroid Dread most recently sparking interest in the franchise, and an sequel to Prime, Metroid is sure to be trending for a while to come. Adding an anime to her repertoire could finally establish Samus as a household name.

1 High Potential

Adapted in Six Different Countries, Why Not One More?

ABC’s hit procedural dramedy, High Potential, stars Kaitlin Olsen as a custodial worker with high intellectual potential who charms her way into a consulting position with the LAPD. Pulpy primetime cop shows rarely get anime adaptations, but High Potential’s unconventional detective format actually makes it a great fit. Similar to Case Closed, an anime adaptation could turn the protagonist’s extreme eye for detail and intellectual quirks into a visually engaging detective thriller.

High Potential is actually a remake of the 2021 Franco-Belgian series, HPI, which has been remade in five different countries. A female-led detective anime with a mix of humor and mystery would stand out in a genre typically dominated by male protagonists. With the series’ growing international success, an anime version could help High Potential reach its full potential.