Latinx Narratives in Anime: Alita: Battle Angel, a Cultural Adaptation Without Erasure

The Global Rise of Anime (and the pitfalls)

Anime has long been a global phenomenon, captivating audiences with its storytelling, vibrant visuals, and creativity. In recent years, anime’s global popularity has surged, especially during the pandemic, when audiences had more free time and live-action productions were halted. Now, as we move into a post-pandemic era, Hollywood has intensified its attempts to bring anime live-action. However, these attempts have been met with criticism, sparking conversations about representation, authenticity, and cultural sincerity. 

When it comes to adapting these beloved series into live action, Western studios have repeatedly missed the mark. From Dragonball Evolution (2009) which stripped away Goku’s optimism and reduced him to a generic Americanized teen, to Ghost in the Shell (2017) that white-washed its lead form Motoko Kusanai to Mira Killian, the track record is littered with misfires that left both fans and critics scratching their heads. 

Goku from Dragonball Z anime (left) adapted into Dragonball Evolution film (right).

Makoto Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell anime (left), adapted into film (right).

The core issue isn’t just bad filmmaking—it’s the erasure of cultural identity in the pursuit of mainstream Western appeal. This raises an important question: Is it even possible to adapt anime into a different cultural context while staying true to its essence?

Many skeptics argue that the cultural nuances in anime are so deeply rooted in Japanese society that any attempt to adapt them outside of that context inevitably distorts the story. This reinforces the perception that Japan and the West are two entirely different worlds—each with distinct cultures, languages, and social norms. As a result, some believe that Westernizing anime by imposing foreign ideals will inevitably strip it of its authenticity and ultimately ruin what makes it special. 

But not all hope is lost. Amid the sea of missteps, there have been glimmers of success—adaptations show that it is possible to translate anime across cultures in a meaningful way. 

Glimmers of Hope: When Adaptations Work 

Enter Alita: Battle Angel (2019), a rare triumph in the rocky history of Western anime adaptations. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by James Cameron, the film brought Yukito Kishiro’s Gunnm to life with breathtaking visuals and a heartfelt performance by Rosa Salazar as the titular cyborg heroine. 

So what makes Alita stand out? Rather than erasing its cultural essence, the film expanded upon it. It stayed true to its source material while seamlessly weaving in a Latinx narrative, adding depth without erasing its roots. Iron City’s architecture, inspired by the favelas of Brazil and Latin American urban landscapes, established a setting that felt both lived-in and reflective of real-world cultural influences. The vibrant, layered world mirrored the social disparities often explored in Latin American cinema, reinforcing Alita’s themes of resilience, class struggle, and empowerment.

Alita: Battle Angel's Iron City mirrors the vibrance and the disparity of Latin American urban landscapes.

Furthermore, Alita’s Latinx coding enhances the story. Her journey of self-discovery remains faithful to the Gunnm manga’s core themes. Alita’s quest for self-identity closely resonates with both Japanese and Latinx culturally specific narratives. Her amnesia, which was a central element in the original Gunnm, remains true to its source material and reflects Japanese storytelling themes that explore existential identity in the Post War Era. At the same time, it  parallels the themes of constant renegotiation of Latinx identity and the sense of displacement felt within Latinx communities. 

Alita raises her sword against Zalem.

Additionally, the film carefully integrates Latinx social issues into its dystopian setting. The film highlights hyper-specific forms of violence, such as femicides and systemic violence against women in Latin America, demonstrating an awareness of real-world struggles within a speculative framework.

Alita's determination to carve out her own destiny, despite being underestimated and discarded by the upper society, Zalem, mirrors the struggles of many Latinx protagonists in media and real life. These elements feel authentically layered rather than a token gesture of diversity. 

The faithfulness of the adaptation was further reinforced by Gunnm creator Yukito Kishiro himself. In a 2018 interview with Kodansha Comics, Kishiro expressed his confidence in the adaptation:

2018 Kodansha Comics interview with Kishiro on Alita: Battle Angel 2019 film adaptation.

This endorsement highlights an important point: cultural adaptation does not have to mean cultural erasure. Instead, it can be a negotiation of both cultural elements, balancing faithfulness to the source material with an expansion of its themes for a broader audience. 

Visually stunning and emotionally resonant, Alita: Battle Angel successfully captured the cyberpunk aesthetic and core themes of the manga.

While some fans debated its CGI-heavy approach, changes to character arcs, and abrupt ending, the film demonstrated that anime adaptations don’t have to erase or dilute cultural identities to succeed. Instead, they can embrace and enrich them, creating a deeper, more meaningful viewing experience for audiences worldwide. 

The Future of Anime Adaptations Through a Latinx Lens 

The conversation around adapting anime into new cultural contexts, particularly through a Latinx perspective, continues to evolve. Alita: Battle Angel offers a compelling example of how these adaptations can be both faithful and innovative, weaving Latinx cultural narratives in a way that enhances the story rather than detracting from it. As Latinx representation in global media grows, Alita serves as a crucial case study in how anime’s themes—identity, resilience, and self-discovery—can resonate within Latinx cultural experiences without sacrificing their original intent.

With anime’s themes of resistance, found family, and perseverance echoing in Latinx storytelling traditions, there is great potential for further exploration of Latinx narratives within anime adaptations. 

With each small victory like Alita, the future of anime adaptations appears more promising. However, the real challenge lies in whether Hollywood will continue to embrace cultural sincerity and expand on the success of adaptations that honor both the original work and the cultures they intersect with. The opportunity to bridge anime and Latinx storytelling is vast—if handled with care, respect, and a commitment to meaningful representation.