Netflix’s ‘Terminator Zero’ Proves Anime Adaptations Are Superior to Live-Action Remakes — and It Has a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes

I have yet to see a live-action anime adaptation that I think should exist. I’m not saying there haven’t been good ones, but let’s be honest. Netflix’s One Piece is pretty much the gold standard for live-action anime remakes, while others like Parasite: The Grey and Yu Yu Hakusho are solid despite being fairly short. But for every surprising hit, there are at least three or four duds that make you wonder, “Did this really need a live-action version?”

Netflix, on the other hand, continues to shine with its anime remakes of popular shows. While watching the latest, excellent action thriller Terminator Zero, I was amazed at how much I was drawn in, even as someone who had never seen any of the Terminator films (I know that’s practically sacrilege).

From its very first episode, its DNA clearly draws from the pantheon of sci-fi anime hits that came before it, like Ghost in the Shell and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Which makes sense, considering it comes from Production I.G, the Japanese animation studio behind the critically acclaimed spin-off Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex , widely considered a milestone in the cyberpunk genre for its impeccable world-building and breathtaking animation.

This show has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for a reason.

The Case for More Anime Fiction Series

(Photo Source: Netflix)

When I watched all eight episodes of Terminator Zero earlier this week, I was struck by how Netflix seems to be in the 1,000s when it comes to anime adaptations. Last year, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off cleverly addressed the biggest complaint fans had about the original comic book series — Scott Pilgrim himself — by shifting the focus to the charming ensemble that played second fiddle to Scott and Ramona’s love lives.

Then there’s “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners,” which not only earned a rare 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes but also practically revived “Cyberpunk 2077” and changed public opinion after its disastrous start. “Castlevania” helped usher in a true golden age of good video game adaptations, with stunning fight scenes, sharp writing and, especially in the later seasons, political intrigue that rivaled “Game of Thrones.”

Compare that to the much-criticized live-action anime adaptations like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Death Note, Cowboy Bebop, the Fullmetal Alchemist movies… I could go on and on. Interestingly, Cowboy Bebop was such a flop that Netflix scrapped plans for a second season just a month after its premiere.

Meanwhile, all of Netflix’s anime versions of popular shows have critic ratings of 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s also worth noting that the series has found success in a wide range of source material, including video games (“Cyberpunk” and “Castlevania”), decades-old action series (“Terminator”), and cult classic films (“Scott Pilgrim” — yes, I know it started out as a comic book, but let’s be honest, the 2010 film catapulted it into its current popularity).

Thinking back even further, I can think of other examples of shows that have received anime adaptations and been well-received, from kids’ shows like Powerpuff Girls Z and Stitch! to those aimed at older audiences like The Animatrix and Supernatural: The Animation.

As far as I’m concerned, for every live-action anime adaptation we should get at least one, if not more, anime version of the movies, shows, video games, whatever. From both a critical and financial perspective, it just makes sense. So I say: Hey Hollywood! Anime-fy everything!