It’s arguably the most beloved film in the entire canon of anime. It’s well-regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese animation; above Ghost in the Shell and Battle Angel Alita and even Black Butler or whatever is the latest trend in the anime world now. And Warner Brothers, the studio behind it all, has made it their mission to get it made as an American, live-action version, come hell or high water.
The problem seems obvious. As George Takai and several other Japanese Americans have pointed out
, there aren’t any Japanese actors portraying the central roles in this adaptation. Which takes place in Tokyo, has 99.9% Japanese characters, and whose identity and icon-status rests on these factors. But the guys at Warners need more of a beating from lots of loyal fans, especially those pissed over the whitewashing of what is considered an Asian cultural landmark.
