KPop Demon Hunter is arguably one of the best things that has come out in 2025, with the movie dominating the charts as well as box office collections. Being a Netflix original film, the creator revealed to the BBC their plans for a live-action adaptation of the animated film.
Maggie Kang, the creator of KPop Demon Hunter, revealed that there would actually be no adaptation of the animated film into a live-action one because the elements and the comedic tone were too much.
There’s so many elements of the tone and the comedy that are so suited for animation. It’s really hard to imagine these characters in a live-action world. It would feel too grounded. So, totally it wouldn’t work for me.
Being an animated film that crossed millions at the global box office collection, several fans often cl assified the film as ‘anime’. However, Kang also revealed her take on why the film cannot be considered ‘anime’.
KPop Demon Hunters Creator Does Not Consider the Film Anime Either
Although deriving several elements that may make the film look like an anime film, the creator of KPop Demon Hunters revealed that it is most certainly not anime, since their definition of anime is quite different.
As the interview continued, Maggie Kang revealed to the BBC that they aren’t big enough anime fans for their film to be considered as an equivalent.
I don’t think we are big enough anime fans to be that inspired from it. The anime we like are very old school, like Cowboy Bebop and Sailor Moon.
Anime or not, one thing’s for certain is that KPop Demon Hunters took cinemas by storm, and despite being a Netflix film, it topped the U.S. domestic box office collection (the sing-along version). Even the reviews tell a tale of glowing reviews and worldwide fame.
Kpop Demon Hunters Will Go All In for Oscars 2026
Being one of the biggest films of 2025, which was even released in theaters, it seems that KPop Demon Hunters is eyeing at least one Oscar Win in the upcoming Awards Season.
According to the reports, it seems that the film is being considered for the award of ‘Best Animated Film of 2025″ alongside competition including Zootopia 2.
The other award that KPop Demon Hunters could potentially win is an award for Best Original Song. The film’s anthem Golden is a strong contender for the Oscar alongside two other songs titled Your Idol and What it Sounds Like.
However, what remains to be seen is whether the Oscars pick up on this wildly successful animated film, which is not an anime.
Do you think KPop Demon Hunters have a shot at making it big in the Oscars? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
