www.GHOSTBUSTING.net: Curtain Call: The Anime Stage Plays We Most Want to See

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Curtain Call: The Anime Stage Plays We Most Want to See

Wed 1 Aug '12

Curtain Call: The Anime Stage Plays We Most Want to See

Because if "Cats" can run for over twenty years, why not?

These days, it seems like every anime under the sun is getting a stage play adaptation. From Code Geass to Bleach to Studio Ghibli's recently announced Princess Mononoke stage play in London next year, seeing one's favorite characters off the screen and on the stage is undeniably popular. A few anime franchises have transitioned to the stage before, mostly in musical form l ike Sailor Moon, so we're reserving judgment until we see the final result, but because that's nearly a year away, we'd like to take this opportunity to pitch 5 anime series we think would make for spectacular live theater.

X – One thing X isn't short on is transfixing beauty and although it'd be a real challenge to create the effects needed to properly represent the story, it would make a grand stage show. Hey, if they can spend $65 million to make Spider-Man swing around the audience, they can at least make some badass dragons.

Totoro – Totoro would make a fantastic musical - it already has a super-catchy theme song and a great, feel-good ending. Plus, we want to see those adorable little soot sprites in real life! Just imagining all the Susuwatari in a kick line is enough to get us through the workday.

Death Note – The manga and anime have both been smash-hits, so why not a stage show? Of course, they'll have to think of a way to make writing in a notebook look menacing from the mezzanine, but with a little smoke and mirrors, we think it'd be a hit (especially if they include a swimming lessons sequence)! Just be careful about who's autograph you get after the show.

Cowboy Bebop – Cowboy Bebop has the benefit of already having amazing (and easily recognizable) music, and the characters would play well on stage. Even with the bangin' soundtrack, it'd have to be a play – not a musical – because something about a Spike singing "See You, Space Cowboy (Reprise)" just seems wrong.

Dragon Ball Z – Now this would be a great musical. Can you imagine all the different songs they could make out of grunting and yelling alone? Add some lighting tricks and quick wig changes and it could easily win over 9,000 Tony Awards!

What anime would you most like to see head to Broadway? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!