When Books Become Screens: Why Some Adaptations Fail and Others Shine
Whether it’s a novel being turned into a movie or a game or manga adapted into anime, changes to the original work are almost inevitable. A perfectly faithful adaptation is extremely rare—and understandably so. After all, every medium has its own storytelling strengths.
Novels tend to focus on building atmosphere and exploring characters’ internal thoughts. For example, a fight scene in a novel may involve pages of emotional buildup, delving deep into the protagonist’s mindset. The action itself is often left to the reader’s imagination. In contrast, film and anime prioritize visual storytelling—action, choreography, and cinematic flair. You can’t exactly pause an anime fight to display a paragraph of inner monologue!
In that sense, novels, games, and anime can complement each other beautifully. That’s why most fans don’t mind adaptations—in fact, seeing beloved characters come to life on screen is often thrilling. But this brings us to the core issue: how faithful should an adaptation be?
Personally, I don’t believe fans are opposed to change itself. A well-done adaptation, even with differences, feels like discovering a whole new layer of the story. What we truly oppose are butchered adaptations—ones that gut the spirit of the original or rewrite it beyond recognition. These not only disappoint loyal fans but also confuse and alienate new audiences.
Take the anime adaptation of Rewrite, for example. It’s a textbook case of what can go wrong when an adaptation is both overly censored and radically altered.
The original Rewrite visual novel is often considered a masterpiece. In contrast, the anime feels like a messy jumble of disconnected scenes. New viewers are left bewildered, wondering what the plot even is, while fans of the game can’t help but scream in frustration: “How did you manage to remove all the good parts and keep only the worst?!”
The original game featured multiple distinct storylines—routes for characters like Kotori, Chihaya, and Akane. Each of them could’ve easily stood alone as its own anime. But instead of respecting that structure, the anime crammed everything into a single chaotic narrative. The result? Characters behave inconsistently, plot transitions feel forced, and the emotional beats fall flat. At times, you’re left wondering: whose side is Kotarou even on?
By comparison, look at how Fate/stay night handled things.
That series also began as a game with multiple routes. But the anime adaptations were done smartly: Fate/stay night focused solely on Saber’s storyline, giving her the spotlight she deserved. Rin’s story came later in Unlimited Blade Works, fleshing out her tsundere charm and the complex dynamic with Shirou. Finally, the Heaven’s Feel route was turned into a cinematic trilogy, delivering emotional depth and a fresh perspective. Each route got its own breathing room, yet the whole narrative remained interconnected and cohesive.
The Rewrite anime, on the other hand, was a missed opportunity. It never quite captured the heart of the original, and because of that, it never gained much traction. A gem of a story ended up buried under poor execution. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend playing the original game—it’s worth it, even if you follow a walkthrough.
To wrap things up, here’s my favorite girl from Rewrite, Kotori, to bring some healing vibes:
When Anime Characters Gain (or Lose) Weight… The Transformations Are Shocking!
In the world of anime, characters are known for their iconic looks—but sometimes, those looks change drastically. Whether it’s due to life events, emotional trauma, or just seasonal fluctuations, some characters undergo body transformations that leave fans stunned. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most dramatic fat vs. skinny character contrasts in anime!
Taro Sakamoto
From: Sakamoto Days
Once known as the most feared and respected hitman, Taro Sakamoto was a living legend. Criminals trembled at the mention of his name, and fellow assassins idolized him. But everything changed when…
He fell in love.
He got married, settled down, and became a father. With a peaceful life came a little extra weight—and the once sleek and deadly Sakamoto became, well, a lot rounder.
But don’t let appearances fool you—he may look like a friendly shopkeeper now, but his skills are still razor-sharp. Underneath the dad bod is the same elite assassin, now fiercely protecting his family in everyday life. His story proves that even a chubby dad can be an unstoppable force when it counts.
Choji Akimichi
From: Naruto
Choji is a sweet, kind-hearted ninja who values friendship and food in equal measure. He’s easygoing and gentle—but call him the “F word” (fat), and you’re in serious trouble. His shirt even proudly displays the character for “food”—a statement of love and identity.
Despite his size, Choji is a powerful shinobi, and his body isn’t just for show. He comes from a clan that uses their weight as part of their combat technique. In Naruto Shippuden, his outfit gets a more armored upgrade, and his silhouette shifts from “chubby” to “muscular tank”—all while keeping his signature snack bag in hand.
Kae Serinuma
From: Kiss Him, Not Me
Kae is a hardcore fujoshi—a BL fangirl who spends more time fantasizing about fictional guys than engaging with the real ones. She starts the series as an overweight high school girl, but everything changes when her favorite anime character dies. The grief causes her to stop eating, and within a week, she transforms into a slender beauty.
Suddenly, all the boys at school are into her. But Kae remains the same eccentric, anime-loving girl underneath, which creates a hilarious contrast between her outer appearance and her inner world. She just wants to be friends with everyone—romance is the last thing on her mind!
King (Harlequin)
From: The Seven Deadly Sins
King, the Fairy King, may look like a lazy kid most of the time, but don’t be fooled. When he’s not in his youthful form, he transforms into an older, heavier version of himself—complete with thick lips, facial hair, and a slightly funky smell.
After passing the trial of the Sacred Tree, King grows wings and takes on a new, elegant appearance with butterfly-like wings and a confident demeanor. His transformation symbolizes emotional growth and unlocked power—but it’s quite the glow-up!
Kirio Hikifune
From: Bleach
Kirio is a member of the Royal Guard and the matron of the “Palace of the Womb.” At first glance, she’s a plump, cheerful woman with a warm smile and a love for food. But don’t underestimate her.
She explains that her body accumulates massive energy reserves to sustain her spiritual pressure. When she burns through that energy, she sheds the weight—revealing a stunning, slim figure with flowing purple hair and a curvaceous body that stuns even Ichigo and Renji.
Tamako Inada
From: Silver Spoon
Tamako is often overlooked by her classmates due to her plump, egg-shaped figure. But those who really look can see her beauty—her skin, features, and even her hair are all top-tier.
Despite her size, Tamako is an excellent athlete. After a bout of heat exhaustion in the summer, she slims down dramatically, leading one classmate to mistakenly think she’s a completely different person. This seasonal shape-shifting becomes something of a running gag.
Isami Aldini
From: Food Wars!
Isami is the younger twin brother of Takumi and a fellow culinary student. He’s tall and stocky most of the year, but his body naturally slims down during the summer—revealing a surprisingly dashing and cool appearance that shocks everyone, even his brother’s rivals.
Come winter, though, he returns to his rounder, mushroom-faced self. It’s almost like watching two completely different characters in one body, depending on the time of year!
Whether it’s caused by love, loss, food, or seasonal changes, body transformations in anime always surprise us—sometimes with humor, sometimes with shock, and sometimes with heartwarming growth. These characters remind us that appearance is just one layer of identity. Whether fat or thin, their core personality and inner strength remain the same.
Which transformation shocked you the most?