Anime and manga are more popular than ever, with series such as One Piece and Solo Leveling becoming worldwide hits that are as famous as the most popular Hollywood movies. This influence can be seen very clearly nowadays, but it has always been there, with plenty of fan-favorite films being inspired by anime classics.
If fans want something that feels like manga, but with a cinematic twist, this list is perfect for them, as it will feature ten movies that look and feel like manga based on their style, story, inspiration, editing, themes, and overall quality. Believe it or not, many beloved films have manga inspiration or just feel like it, and this list will include those movies, so fans should keep their eyes open to see anime and manga influences in everything they watch.
10
The ‘John Wick’ Franchise (2014-)
Everyone loves a good action movie, but when the genre started to feel a bit stale, the John Wick franchise blessed fans with unique fights and unending entertainment. When some punks break into his house and kill his dog, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is out for revenge, which leads the former hitman to reenter the dark and dangerous world of assassins.
On the surface, John Wick doesn’t feel too anime or manga-inspired, but looking deeper, the inspiration is clear. This franchise is made popular because of its distinct gun-fu techniques, which are extremely popular in anime, with shows such as Black Lagoon as perfect examples. Plus, when fans learn that the director of John Wick was the action director in the Lazarus anime, it is clear that there was some influence.
9
‘Creed 3’ (2023)
The Rocky franchise is a timeless piece of sports cinema, and its recent revival with Michael B. Jordan has been a blessing for fans. Creed 3 is the most recent entry, following Adonis on top of the world, only to run into a childhood friend with whom he used to box. Damian (Jonathan Majors) is now out for blood, wanting everything Adonis has.
Jordan is a known anime fan, so when he finally got to direct a film, there were bound to be anime and manga influences. Indeed, Jordan used a lot of anime-inspired visual references, including the void, which shows what the character is thinking, impact frames, which highlight a specific moment, and a cross-counter punch, where both fighters land a punch at the same time.
8
‘Kung Fu Hustle’ (2004)
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Not all the movies on this list are Hollywood productions. In fact, some of the most manga-like films are from foreign pictures, such as Kung Fu Hustle. When a gang needs to restore its name after false members lose a fight, they don’t realize that the small town they are terrorizing contains former martial arts masters.
Manga is goofy, silly, over-the-top, jam-packed with action, and hilariously epic moments, and that is exactly what Kung Fu Hustle is. If fans want a direct, manga-looking movie, then Kung Fu Hustle is the one for them, as it feels like it was ripped directly out of the page and onto the screen. The film’s exaggerated expressions, silly moments, magnificent choreography, and overall weirdness are a manga staple.
7
‘Pacific Rim’ (2013)
One of the most exhilarating action movies of the 2010s was Pacific Rim, so it’s a shame that there have only been two movies. Kaiju are overrunning the world, and not even the massive mechas known as Jaegers can stop them. However, the fate of humanity now rests on a washed-up pilot and his partner as they try to save the world.
Giant mechas fighting giant Kaiju is one of the most anime tropes imaginable, and that is why Pacific Rim is just a Hollywood big-budget manga. With top-tier action and grand-scale battles between giant robots and Kaiju, this movie is 100% anime-inspired. Pacific Rim is a masterpiece of action and entertainment, something that manga focuses on achieving.
6
‘Shaolin Soccer’ (2001)
After Kung Fu Hustle, another Stephen Chow movie makes it onto this list, proving he is the best at creating manga-looking movies. Shaolin Soccer follows a young man who has always believed in his talent as a martial artist. When he sees the prize for a soccer competition, he puts together a team of kung fu masters to transfer their skills to the sport.
There are a few soccer manga, and Shaolin Soccer feels exactly like some of them, specifically Captain Tsubasa. The overexaggerated and expressive techniques are both silly and mesmerizing with epicness, creating a visually riveting movie that feels like an anime. All these elements tell fans is that Stephen Chow needs to make more movies, as his best ones look and feel like manga.
5
‘Bullet Train’ (2022)
There were plenty of underrated movies during the pandemic, but one action masterpiece didn’t shine as much as it deserved. Bullet Train follows an unlucky assassin on a nice and easy pickup job. However, everyone on board the train seems to want the same briefcase, resulting in all-out chaos.
Bullet Train feels a lot like a manga because it was adapted from a Japanese novel by author Kotaro Isaka. With high-octane thrills, a plethora of engaging characters, intriguing plot points, and engrossing action, all coated under a heavy dose of neon lights, this movie is a wild ride from start to finish. Bullet Train is a live-action manga as it dazzles as an action comedy that is weird, vibrant, and creative.
4
‘Sin City’ (2005)
While this list obviously doesn’t feature any movies based on manga, it does feature a couple that are based on Western graphic novels, including Sin City. This famous 2005 movie is a collection of neo-noir stories, from an ex-prostitute trying to escape her pimp to a cop trying to foil the plans of a serial killer.
It is only natural that Sin City would feel like a manga series, and that is because the movie is based on a comic that it remained faithful to by keeping its black and white style. The story content is sort of similar to some manga, favoring a film noir approach to its visuals and narrative. However, the main connection is the striking visual style that looks exactly like a black and white manga series.
3
The ‘Kill Bill’ Franchise (2003-2004)
After over two decades of waiting, fans were finally able to see Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair in theaters, which combines the two Kill Bill movies into one. The Bride (Uma Thurman) is a former assassin looking to start anew with her soon-to-be husband and baby, but just when she thought she could live a happy life, her former partners in murder are sent to kill her and her child.
Quentin Tarantino is one of the greatest modern-day filmmakers, and Kill Bill is one of his best works. Besides the obvious martial arts influences, it also undoubtedly has some manga inspirations. The overly dramatic violence and spraying of blood is a staple of the medium, plus throw in ninjas and assassins, and then this movie basically becomes a bloody revenge anime.
2
‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ (2010)
The second graphic novel adaptation on this list is Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, one of the most influential and popular adaptations of this century. When Scott (Michael Cera) meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), he must first fight all of her exes that still want her back in an epic battle.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is arguably the most manga-looking movie of all time, but as it is based on a comic and follows a faithful style, it can’t be number one on this list. Still, the editing, Edgar Wright‘s directing, the acting, plot, and action are all reminiscent of manga. The comic-booky editing style also translates well to manga, creating a distinct feel that is undoubtedly manga-like.
1
‘The Matrix’ (1999)
One of the most influential and essential sci-fi movies of all time is The Matrix for its depiction of technology and profound philosophical insight that were relevant at the time. Neo (Reeves) is an expert hacker who is sucked into a plot to destroy the machines that have taken over the world.
The Matrix draws heavy inspiration from 1980s and 1990s anime, mainly Ghost in the Shell and Akira, as evident through its themes, story, and action. The feel of this groundbreaking movie is distinctly manga cyberpunk, and even the messages are similar. Everything about The Matrix feels and looks like a manga, but that is natural since it was based on one of the best-written anime series.
