Blood

The story of Saya, the human-vampire hybrid destined to rid the Earth of the blood-sucking undead, has a near cultish following in the manga and anime world. And so, it’s no surprise that her hunt for Onigen, the strongest and perhaps progenitor of the modern vampire, has finally been translated into a live-action Hollywood flick.

Dragonaut

The Earth’s solar system has encountered an unwelcome guest: a deadly asteroid called Thanatos. But the threat isn’t so much its trajectory toward Earth, but its inextricable link to the emergence of dragons on Earth. Some are out to ravage the planet, others are used by specially trained humans for defense. Called “dragonauts,” these female pilots are as sleek and sexy as their tight outfits! Now, in the midst of this prehistoric, interstellar conflict, Jin Kamishina meets Toa, an intergalactic hottie with super powers and an intense attraction for him. Time is running out on Earth, and the mysterious connection between asteroid and dragons must be solved. What is a boy to do?

Evangelion: 1.01

So, the past is indeed resurrected. 1.01 is essentially a transformation of the first six episodes of the original anime. In the now familiar post-apocalyptic Tokyo-3 the Earth is still under attack by the otherworldly Angels. Shinji Ikari is summoned by his father to pilot the Eva Unit 01, a towering biomech unit capable of defeating these enigmatic creatures. The Fourth Angel has descended, and the distantly cold Rei Ayanami is too injured to assume her pilot duties. Shinji may be only fourteen, but the world is now thrust into his hands.

Full Metal Panic

In an alternate world where the Cold War is not over and China is divided like post-war Germany, the para-military outfit Mithril utilizes their bio-mech suits to play the role of international police. Whether it is the desert of North Africa or the streets of Hong Kong, they defend human rights and battle the rogue organization called Amalgam.

Eureka Seven

Okay, in case someone out there doesn’t know the story of Renton Thurston, here it is. Flash forward 10,000 years. A sentient being has merged itself with the Earth, forcing humanity into space. On a terraformed planet teenage Renton dreams of lifting (surfing invisible waves in the air caused by a substance called trapar) and achieving a bigger, better life, like the kind his lifting hero Holland and the surfing, subcultural crew Gekkostate live everyday. All that changes when the Nirvash, an advanced bio-mecha unit, and its pilot Eureka crash into his life. 

Honey and Clover

The much beloved Honey and Clover is the story of Takemoto, Mayama, Morita, Hagu, Ayumi and their transition from art school to post graduate, adult life. I say much beloved because this manga and anime series is immensely popular in Japan.  The manga, created by Chica Umino, won the Kodansha Manga Award, and then sparked not only an anime series, but also a live-action feature film and dramatic television show.

Nabari

The warring states period and the age of the samurai may have ended long ago, but the ninja are alive and kicking, working in the shadows. They call their world “Nabari.” And the men and women of Iga are at war amongst themselves to control it. Unfortunately, all hope rests with Miharu Rokujou, a teenager more interested in running a restaurant than the fact that a secret art, one containing all ninja knowledge, resides inside him. 

Magikano

Haruo Yoshikawa is not an exciting guy. In fact, the only thing he excels at is being average! School, family, social life, it’s all one big daily rut. Nevertheless – in true anime style – all that comes to a screeching halt when Ayumi comes riding into town on her broom. Yes, I said broom! This Lolita is a witch.