Sand Land is the Ideal Blueprint for Adaptation
As has been the case for many years now, the last couple of years have been riddled with announcements for Akira Toriyama related properties – typically Dragon Ball and its many anime, manga, video games and more. Recently however, we have been treated to a glut of media for the single-volume manga Sand Land, released in 2000.
Between a film adaptation, a series recutting the film and adding a whole second arc, and a video game that expands on everything that came before, Sand Land is a hot property. Despite its humble beginnings, one short manga has inspired a litany of ways to enjoy the story of Beelzebub, the Fiend Prince, suited to a variety of tastes.
Here, I reflect on the various adaptations, and the way that they can inspire adaptations of similar works – and compare Sand Land’s success with other works such as Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation (Eiichiro Oda) and Giganto Maxia (Kentaro Miura). What can we learn from the multi-pronged approach taken to Sand Land? And wouldn’t it be great to see other works given the same love and attention?
FOOTAGE USED:
Berserk (2017)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable
Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation
My Hero Academia
One Piece (Thriller Bark Arc)
Sand Land: The Series
Sand Land: The Video Game
MANGA USED:
Dead Man’s Questions (Under Execution Under Jailbreak)
Giganto Maxia
Monsters
One Piece
Sand Land
MUSIC USED:
“Demon Village”
“Desert Nighttime”
“Picchi Tribe”
“Talbo Town”
All from Sand Land: The Video Game OST
Awesome stuff Lerdy
I really enjoyed this one, the idea that creators can feel empowered to use adaptations to expand or even improve and existing property was not the default attitude I'd normally have. Thank you for this perspective!