Netflix's Next Live-Action Anime Wants to Bring a New Kind of Adaptation to Life, But Will It Land?

It wasn’t that long ago that Western adaptations of anime and manga seemed destined to fail. Ever since Dragonball Evolution stumbled out of the gate in 2009, a string of disappointing films and TV shows followed, frustrating both fans and critics. This list includes titles like Ghost in the Shell (2017), Death Note (2017), and Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop (2021). But in 2023, something shifted. Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece became a surprise hit, proving that it was possible to bring anime to life on screen without losing the heart and spirit that made the original so beloved. Now, a new live-action adaptation is set to debut on Netflix starting May 15, 2025: BET, a series based on the Japanese manga Kakegurui by Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura. At first glance, BET might seem like an unusual choice for a live-action remake. Unlike global franchises such as Cowboy Bebop or One Piece, Kakegurui is an over-the-top gambling manga that has been a proven success in Japan but remains relatively niche overseas. Will BET join the small but growing list of successful live-action anime adaptations—or will it end up among the many that failed to translate across mediums? From Page to Screen: The Rise of Kakegurui A School Where the Stakes Are Everything Kakegurui first appeared as a manga in Monthly Gangan Joker magazine in 2014. It quickly caught readers' attention with its intense psychological drama and unique focus on high-stakes gambling, aligning it with other cult gambling titles like Kaiji and Akagi. Kakegurui was successful enough to inspire multiple adaptations, including an anime (now streaming globally on Netflix) that aired in 2017, followed by a second season in 2019. Set at Hyakkaou Private Academy, an elite school where status is determined by gambling ability, the story centers on Yumeko Jabami, a new transfer student who shakes things up with her fearless approach to risk. What makes the original series stand out is its bold visual style—characters' expressions are often wildly exaggerated to match the tension of their bets. The cast is full of memorable personalities, each with their own twisted motivations, creating a layered story that blends strategy, drama, and unpredictability in every match. Capturing the Chaos: The Real Challenge for BET Will BET Beat the Odds or Bust? Netflix’s upcoming BET adaptation isn’t the first time Kakegurui has made the leap to live-action. Back in 2018, a Japanese TV drama brought the manga to life, though reactions from fans and critics were mixed. While some viewers found fault with the story’s pacing and character development, one aspect consistently earned praise: the cast’s bold, exaggerated performances. As one reviewer put it, “It was more outrageous than expected and genuinely entertaining. The cast did a great job conveying the original's excessive elements through theatrical overreactions.” Related Which Kakegurui Character Are You Based On Your Zodiac? From Yumeko, Ryota, and Kirari to Mary, Sayaka, Runa, and more, discover the Kakegurui characters' zodiac signs and how they relate to your personas. If BET is going to succeed, it needs to capture the over-the-top drama and exaggerated expressions that made Kakegurui so distinctive. It’s a delicate balance—push too far, and it veers into parody; pull back too much, and the manic energy that gave the original its edge disappears. The show’s challenge is to embrace the absurdity without losing its sharp sense of tension and character-driven intensity—a task that falls to Warrior Nun’s Simon Barry as showrunner and director, and to Miku Martineau, who takes on the high-stakes role of Yumeko. Early social media reactions show a mix of cautious optimism and concern. While some viewers are intrigued by BET’s bold visual style and fresh approach, others question whether it can truly capture the chaotic brilliance of Kakegurui. As Netflix continues to explore what live-action anime can become, BET may end up being a defining test—because when it comes to adapting Kakegurui, it’s one heck of a gamble. Kakegurui Saori Hayami Yumeko Jabami Tatsuya Tokutake Ryota Suzui

View Original Article