TheDigimonanime franchise has been a staple of the industry for many decades. This beloved series has inspired and entertained millions of fans ever since it began airing in 1999,revolutionizing both the monster-hunter and Issekai genres. Its popularity is something that many other anime shows wish they could achieve.
Fans of this memorable franchise might be happy to know that the possibility of a live-action movie is closer than ever, thanks to the latest venture from its parent company, Bandai. After announcing the beginning of production forthe upcomingGundamlive-action adaptation, the corporation revealed that a new film studio subsidiary would open in America soon. While nothing is confirmed yet, this greatly facilitates the creation of a real-life-inspiredDigimonmovie.
Bandai Namco Filmworks America Could Create a Digimon Live-Action
The Studio Must Know of the Impact the Franchise Has on the West
On June 13, 2025, Bandai Namco released a statement in which the company revealed that the upcomingGundammovie had begun production. According to the message, the film would be created thanks to the collaboration of two studios. The critically acclaimed movie company Legendary would join forces with the Japanese giant’s newest subsidiary, Bandai Namco Filmworks America. The opening of this new studio was also included in the company’s announcement, explaining that the reason behind its creation was to make the release of American-based productions easier.
Every Digimon Movie & Anime In Order (& The Best Way To Watch Them)
Digimon has spawned almost a dozen anime and an even larger amount of movies, and this is when each one was released and how they can be watched.
It is this last statement that could signifyhope for a future live-action adaptation of theDigimonanime franchise. Out of all the franchises owned by Bandai,Digimonis one of the few considered amongthe best anime of all time. The fact that the company is willing to open a subsidiary of its film studio in America signifies that it might be looking to expand its market with new projects. As such, aDigimonlive-action adaptation might not yet be out of the question. If Gundam’s movie proves successful, the Digital World could be Hollywood’s next stop.
Digimon Could Be an Amazing Live-Action
The Plot and Monsters Work Perfectly With the Big Screen
One of the reasons why Bandia might think about exploring a live-actionDigimonproject is the fact that the series would work perfectly as a film. The idea of a group of teenagers traveling to a different and unique world where they would meet incredibly powerful creatures could work as a stand-alone movie. As is the case with the best live-action adaptations of the last few years, the premise of this film will appeal to both existing and new fans of the franchise.
The creatures themselves would be a major part of the marketing for the franchise, a concept that has already proven successful in the past. The outstanding designs ofthe original group of Digimonfacilitated the creation of toys, clothing, and other pieces of merchandise with their likeness. During the 90’s, Adventure was one of the most successful anime in the world, proving that a movie based on this amazing show would be financially viable. Moreover, olderDigimonfans have been begging for years to see such a project, going as far as to create their own independent live-action adaptations.
A Movie Could Help Revitalize the Franchise
Despite Its Current Success, Digimon Is Far Away From Its Peak
Even though theDigimonfranchise has managed to remain one of the most beloved on the globe for more than 2 decades, it is no secret that its popularity has seen decline over the years.The anime shows considered among fans as the bestwere released several years ago, and the new entries have struggled to cause hype among fans. A live-action adaptation of one of the series’ most popular seasons could be what it needs to become as relevant as it was in the past.
It is no surprise either that the inconsistent releases of manga, video games, and merchandise about the franchise in the West hurt its success over the years. By giving fans a HollywoodDigimonmovie, Bandai could bring back its popularity, giving the franchise a second chance to shine. Seeing asDigimonis still one of the most popular animes in existence, the chances of it dominating the market once again are much higher than fans might believe.
Overall, the idea of a Bandai-licensedDigimonlive-action movie is beyond exciting for fans. Bandai Namco Filmworks America has a perfect opportunity to expand the reach of this beloved franchise in the West once more, one that fans will surely appreciate.
