Is it possible to turn your novel or comics into an animated/realistic work?

[NOOR_ASAKZ05]

We all have diverse stories, including novels and comics (manga/manhwa/etc.), but what about turning them into an anime series, for example? Or a live-action series or a movie?

For me, some stories could be turned into a movie, for example, the novel "A Week" (which I haven't published yet) could become a powerful psychological thriller. But what about the manga "Nadezhda"? Well, it won't become an anime, a live-action series, or even a movie (because its events are long).

The reasons are simply that my story is completely independent. If I wanted to partner with a production company to get better art quality and continued publication, I would have collaborated with Manga Arabia, but they are the worst at publishing and promotion, and this would kill my story instead of making it popular. Also, I don't plan to collaborate with or give the story ownership to any publishing platform because this would negatively affect the story's quality in a certain way.

Well, since the work is independent and outside of Japan, no anime studio would consider taking the story because they wouldn't gain anything. Even if a studio affiliated with a company like Netflix liked it, I wouldn't accept Netflix taking it. You might ask why? Of course, because they would distort the story, just as they have distorted hundreds of other works. They would make Victoria a victim of an economic system, Clanser gay, Evan transgender, Dieter kind, and many, many more unjustified changes. This would kill the spirit of the work. It's a heavy story and not suitable for everyone. The story can't be easily adapted to streaming platforms.

Anyway, the only solution left for me is to make one promotional episode myself using CGI (this is stronger than self-flagellation), but there remains a problem, which is the voices, and I am honestly hesitant to use AI techniques to change my voice tone because hiring a voice actor for a pilot episode is somewhat expensive, and I am not Elon Musk!

Anyway, I would like to see your opinion on the subject and whether you are actually planning to turn one of your works into a television show or something similar?

[Dashio_Sumeragi]

Correct me if I´m wrong, but there were stories posted here on Tapas that were made into anime. Sadly the number of those stories was... one.
Live action - no chance what so ever in my opinion.
Animation work - depends. If you want anime - you need to go outside Tapas to multiple platforms to get noticed in any way shape or form. And even then the question is how long, how good and how interesting that story is - not in your eyes but in the eyes of the potential audience.
Once I saw a video on YouTube about a guy who actually managed to create an anime with a pro Japanese studio. Took a very long time and at the end it was cut down to a 15 min OVA

2nd Netflix - yeah, I agree with you on that one. Big chance they would botch the story in order to "modernise it".

3rd Indie studios - might be an idea, question is the quality of the animation. On the other hand some very succesfull projects started as indipendent works. Take Vivienne Medrano as an example. Hazbin Hotel started as a Patreon project and look where it is now together with Helluva Boss. Or how Studio Glitch came to be.
And that brings us to the last option - do it yourself. But you need a catchy story, fundings, a lot of time, promotion strategy, skill and to be a bit crazy.

In other words it is not impossible, just not very likely.

[GiveMeThatBread]

Many Tapas titles have been adapted into film/shows! A notable one is Heartstopper. In terms of anime with Japanese partners, then yes, TBATE is the only one.

Adapted for Television! | Only on Tapas

It's worth noting that a partner wants to see a following, metrics, engagement, and creator activity. If someone wants a big partner outside the States, like in Japan, the creator needs a representative or agent like Tapas to pitch it. To get an agent requires pitching. Pitching needs a decent deck to prove why the agent/rep should take on the project to try to get others on board.

[NOOR_ASAKZ05]

Yes, tapas is an option, but it's not better than webtoons or others. The profits, rights, and other aspects don't suit me. Plus, my story is actually good, but it's not at the level that makes the audience gasp or expect a quick adrenaline rush. It's a seinen manga, as you know.

[tiff524]

I usually imagine my stories playing in my mind like a movie or TV show. Then, I just write down what is happening as I imagine it. Also, I'm a pantser. So, I make up characters and let them dedicate the plot. I usually have an idea where I'm going, but sometimes the characters take me somewhere else. The characters did this to me as I'm writing an epilogue episode right now. It's usually an improvement really. I like surprises from them.

Anyway, since I visualize it as I'm writing, I think my novel would adapt well for a movie or TV show. Hope someday one of my stories is picked for it. It's nice to dream.

[Dashio_Sumeragi]

You basically let your characters create the story. To live their own adventure. And you just wrote it down. Yeah... basically I did the same thing. Except for at the beginning I never had a clear target where the story should go or how long is gonna be. And at what could pass as the end of season 1 I let them take a breather. But there were still loose ends and a MacGuffin, so I made the story continue. The goal became clear, just not the road to it.

Btw @tiff524 I left you a private message, please take a look at it, thanks.

[kyupol]

I dream it all the time don't have the resources to make it an anime or live action.

For crying out loud, there's this guy who works at my local grocery store who looks like the spitting image of my OC, Jeffrey. Even the height. I swear if I was a big studio looking for ADB cast, he will be hired on the spot to play the role. No acting experience, thats OK. Jeff is an awkward character anyway.

[NOOR_ASAKZ05]

I thought I was the only one doing this

[jwabeasley]

I considered doing an animated short, and I'd like to do some short animated promos, but my life schedule just won't justify the time I'd need to do it.

I'd love it if my comic was very difficult to adapt to any other medium besides comics, that would show mastery of the artform.

The only people I think who are going from webcomic to animation are people who are already professional animators/in the animation industry and have a lot of contacts. In that case, their comics are a proof of concept mostly. They already have a history pitching shows, seeing other people's pitches, knowing what to talk about and how to present it.

Making a webcomic with the hope of somebody else making it into an animation or a tv show is like singing in the church choir hoping that a talent scout will recognize your talent. It's not that it's impossible, but it basically doesn't happen.

[Dashio_Sumeragi]

@jwabeasley I think you pretty much nailed it. The sad part is there are some really good stories that definitly would deserve a bigger audience and a adaptation, but will never make it.
And yes, considering how full the market is, in many cases it is either "do it yourself" if you are an animator with tons of free time or hire some freelancer / indie studio if you have a big pile of money for a sunk investment. And ofc there is the question: webcomics or webtoon. Comics is definitly a lot easier to do in my oppinion, but may not fit any story. Mine for example has some heavy action scenes, outbursts of emotions or comedic scenes where I think a comic wouldn´t do it justice.

[GamerPrincessXI]

You're aren't the only one. I would say once you give your rights to have your work animated ... Don't let it end up like Final Space. Your hard work could be erased in a blimp. Make sure you read and reread the contract and have to IP returned to you after a certain numbers on years.

[tiff524]

Thanks for reaching out. I sent back a message. I hope it helps.

[reapcykesart]

I wouldn't say I see myself turning Life and Twisted Dreams into a completely animated series, but I'd really like to make those manga volume trailers Shonen Jump makes out of actual panels! Like this one for Kagurabachi, for example.

Read Life and Twisted Dreams | Tapas Web Community

[NOOR_ASAKZ05]

Honestly, I love the way manga stories are animated; sometimes I find it more beautiful than anime animation.

[Dashio_Sumeragi]

There is one other aspect I need to address. I know for what I am now going to write, half of you gonna probably silently agree, the other will probably openly send me to the deepest hells. But I´m gonna say it anyway. I don't want to lead anyone into this. Take it as a neutral point of view. AI.

I just read an article about some new AI system and what it can do. I won´t go into details, but... In the last few years how much did the AIs evolve? Short answer: a lot. At this speed of development try to imagine where AIs will be in... let´s just say... 5 to 10 years from now. There is no answer for that, I leave that to your imaginations. Right now there already are animated shows made entirely using AI. But honestly, without exaggerating it could be very possible that in those 5-10 the systems will be so advanced and accessible, that normal animation studios will become obsolete and people will become a one man production crew using only a simple common AI tool.

Now don´t take me wrong. I am not saying we should all now jump to AI and create videos till the internet breaks down. A lot of us are old school creators - including me. And I know a lot of us hate AIs for very good reasons. I´m just saying that this may be how the near future may look like.

[NOOR_ASAKZ05]

I have some reservations about the idea, but perhaps it could be used as an aid, for example, creating animations using programs like Blender and using artificial intelligence to add 2D effects or motion effects, etc. However, it remains a concern because the animations might infringe on copyright.