Summary

An AI-generated video reimagines The Lord of the Rings as a retro-style anime, complete with a theme song. The AI art features anime versions of characters like Frodo and Sam, who resemble their live-action counterparts, but Gollum ends up looking more like Yoda from Star Wars. The epic story, memorable characters, and rich world of Middle-earth make the franchise a great candidate for an anime adaptation, and one is set to be released next year called The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

The Lord of the Rings becomes an anime in an AI-generated video, and Gollum ends up looking quite different from the films. Based on the beloved fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson’s first movie in the franchise was released in 2001, bringing Middle-earth to life in live-action. The director would go on to helm two acclaimed sequels as well as the more divisive The Hobbit trilogy, with Tolkien’s world now living on in the form of The Rings of Power, a Prime Video TV show.

Now, a new video shared by AI Artistic Official on YouTube imagines what The Lord of the Rings would look like as a retro-style anime. Check out the video below:

The video recreates a number of iconic The Lord of the Rings characters and locations, many of which resemble their live-action counterparts. Gollum, however, ends up looking a little too much like Star Wars’ Yoda.

Related: War Of The Rohirrim Explained: What Lord Of The Rings’ Anime Movie Is About

Would Lord Of The Rings Work As An Anime?

Tolkien’s novels present a truly epic story, made so by memorable characters like Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, and Gandalf, but also because of the vast world of Middle-earth that he created. The world of the story is occupied by numerous different races, including Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits, and is rich with lore, all of which could presumably work in an animated medium.

The story, on the surface, is one that could be effectively translated into anime. Key themes of the story, like the power of ordinary folk to do great deeds, for example, are universal. Frodo’s quest, too, is one that doesn’t need to be told in a specific medium in order to be impactful. Animation would also allow for an interesting reimagining of Middle-earth and its dramatic locations, capturing the spirit of Tolkien’s world while presenting it in a totally different way.

Magic also plays a key role in the story, with Gandalf putting his powers on display on several occasions. Anime would allow for the stylization of these sequences, possibly resulting in a portrayal of Gandalf that is even more epic. While it remains to be seen if Frodo’s story will ever get an anime adaptation, The Lord of the Rings is set to venture into the world of anime next year with The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

Source: AI Artistic Official/ YouTube