Few live-action adaptations of anime are as infamous as 2009’sDragonball: Evolution. That movie, which currently sits at 14% on Rotten Tomatoes, was critically washed upon release both by fans of the franchise and by professional critics who didn’t necessarily care whether the film was faithful to the source material or not.Evolutionwas so poorly received thatDragon Ball’seditors worried it would kill the franchise. That’s why it’s so surprising that another live-action anime adaptation has an even worse reception.
Directed by Ralph Ziman,Kiteattracted little attention when it was released in 2014. The film stars India Eisley as a young woman named Sawa whose parents are killed. With the help of her father’s partner in the police, Samuel L. Jackson’s Karl Aker, Sawa goes on a quest for revenge that sees her becoming an assassin. The film was a South African and American co-production that met with a disastrous critical reception, as evidenced by its rating of 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. What many might not realize, however, is thatKiteis actually adapting a quite infamous anime.
The Worst Anime Adaptation According To Rotten Tomatoes is Based On An Infamous Film
Kite’s Source Material Is No Stranger To Controversy
Released in 1998, the originalKiteanime was written and directed by Yasuomi Umetsu, an animator who has worked on critically acclaimed anime such asMadoka Magica. Umetsu’s style is recognizable and can be seen in anime such asMezzo Forteand theupcomingVirgin Punk. The series he creates tend to focus on young women working as mercenaries or assassins. His work is also infamous for being outright pornographic in places, and that’s what makesKiteso controversial.
Kite’sanime has a sequel, 2008’sKite: Liberator.
The extended edition ofKitecontains scenes depicting its young protagonist, Sawa, being assaulted. The relationship between Sawa and her father’s former partner (Akai in the film), is explicitly sexual in the anime, making an already violent and tense movie that much more uncomfortable. Though there is a cut of the film that removes the explicit scenes, they are still notable for being there in the first place.
Still, despite the controversy, the film’s fluid animation and over-the-top action have earned it a degree of notoriety. Quinten Tarantino, for instance, actually recommended aKill Billactress watch the anime to prepare for her role. Given the anime’s reputation as a top-tier action thriller, it’s no wonder that someone would try and adapt the film into live-action.
Kite’s Live-Action Adaptation Took Controversial Source Material And Made It Into A Mess
The Film Fails To Capture The Anime’s Unique Action
WhileKite’sanime might be controversial, the live-action adaptation somehow has a worse reputation. According to critics, the film is bland, has unclear action, and is ultimately just plain boring. DespiteKite’sattempts at creating its own visual style, it ends up looking uninspired, with action scenes and performances that fail to leave an impact. The end result is a film that lacks the punch of its anime inspiration.
It is unfortunate, too, that the end result was so poorly received. Samuel L. Jackson is an incredible actor and is, apparently, an anime fan himself, so it’s a shame that even his genuine charisma failed to bring the film to life. Fans may claim that Netflix’sCowboy BebopandDeath Noteare theworst live-action anime adaptations,butKiteshows how much worse a live-action anime adaptation can get.
Still, despite its poor reputation and critical reception, it’s not clear whetherKitetruly deserves its ranking on Rotten Tomatoes as worse thanDragonball: Evolution. WhileKitemight be bland and unfocused,Evolutionis on a whole different level. Regardless of which deserves the crown of worst live-action anime adaptation though, bothDragonbaall: EvolutionandKiteoffer differing takes on how not to adapt anime into film.
