History Main / AdaptationalNonsapience

* In the storybook adaptation of the ''WesternAnimation/ThomasandFriends'' episode "(James Goes) Buzz, Buzz,'' the bee that stings James is changed from ''a cartoon bee'' to a realistically-drawn bee.

* In the storybook adaptation of the ''WesternAnimation/ThomasandFriends'' episode "(James Goes) Buzz, Buzz'', the bee that stings James is changed from ''a cartoon bee'' to a realistically-drawn bee.

* ''Film/101Dalmatians1996'' is a mild example: it's a HumanFocusedAdaptation and the animals don't [[AnimalTalk talk to each other]] the way they do in [[WesternAnimation/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians the animated version]], but they do have AmplifiedAnimalAptitude and clearly communicate with each other through animal sounds.

* In ''Film/Cinderella2015'', unlike in [[WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}} the animated version]], the mice don't wear clothes and don't speak. Like Iago in Film/Aladdin2019'', however, they are [[AmplifiedAnimalAptitude still smarter than average mice]] and play an important role in reuniting Cinderella with her prince.

[[quoteright:1000:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/20230908_233001.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:1000:Casey Jr. in the original ''WesternAnimation/{{Dumbo}}'' and in the remake: from talking anthropomorphic train to ordinary vehicle.]]

** The centaurs in film version of ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'' are only heard grunting and neighing and seem to be no more intelligent than the half-giant Grawp, who is only able to communicate through simple HulkSpeak. Their book counterparts are perfectly able to speak and famous for their divination abilities. In fact, insulting their intelligence or implying that they are "just animals" is a major BerserkButton of theirs, as Umbridge (who is [[FantasticRacism prejudiced against anyone and anything that isn't a full-blooded human]]) found out the hard way. Strangely enough, centaurs are portrayed as sapient in the film version of ''Film/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone''.

* In the finale of ''Series/BFighterKabuto'', [[BigBad Mother Melzard]] goes OneWingedAngel and transforms into the serpentine Jadow Mothera. In ''Series/Beetleborgs'', Jadow Mothera is adapted as Repgillian; a non-sapient {{Kaiju}} in the employ of the villains.

** The centaurs in film version of ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'' are only heard grunting and neighing and seem to be no more intelligent than the half-giant Grawp, who is only able to communicate through simple HulkSpeak. Their book counterparts are perfectly able to speak and famous for their divination abilities and in fact, insulting their intelligence or implying that they are "just animals" is a major BerserkButton of theirs, as Umbridge (who is [[FantasticRacism prejudiced against anyone and anything that isn't a full-blooded human]]) found out the hard way. Strangely enough, centaurs are portrayed as sapient in the film version of ''Film/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone''.

** In the book version of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban'', Hermione's cat Crookshanks is a fairly significant supporting character, and while not full-on capable of speech, he nonetheless had some considerable AmplifiedAnimalAptitude going on. WordOfGod would later explain that he's part Kneazle, giving him abilities beyond those of a normal cat. In the film adaptation of ''[[Film/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban Azkaban]]'', Crookshanks has [[DemotedToExtra a much smaller role]] and just seems to be a normal cat.

** In the book version of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban'', Hermione's cat Crookshanks is a fairly significant supporting character with some AmplifiedAnimalAptitude going on. WordOfGod would later explain that he's part Kneazle, giving him abilities beyond those of a normal cat. In the film adaptation of ''[[Film/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban Azkaban]]'', Crookshanks has [[DemotedToExtra a much smaller role]] and just seems to be a normal cat.

* The centaurs in film version of ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'' are only heard grunting and neighing and seem to be no more intelligent than the half-giant Grawp, who is only able to communicate through simple HulkSpeak. Their book counterparts are perfectly able to speak and famous for their divination abilities and in fact, insulting their intelligence or implying that they are "just animals" is a major BerserkButton of theirs, as Umbridge (who is [[FantasticRacism prejudiced against anyone and anything that isn't a full-blooded human]]) found out the hard way. Strangely enough, centaurs are portrayed as sapient in the film version of ''Film/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone''.

** Poe's raven form is depicted as a normal raven, unable to speak, and his transformation amounted to DeathOfPersonality.

** Poe's raven form is depicted as a normal raven, unable to speak.

[[caption-width-right:1000:Casey Jr. in the original ''WesternAnimation/Dumbo'' and in the remake: from talking anthropomorphic train to ordinary vehicle.]]

An extreme form of AdaptationalDumbass and AdaptationalPersonalityChange. Something of a reverse AnthropomorphicShift.

* The centaurs in film version of ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'' are only heard grunting and neighing and seem to be no more intelligent than the half-giant Grawp. Their book counterparts are perfectly able to speak and famous for their divination abilities. Strangely enough, centaurs are portrayed as sapient in the film version of ''Film/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone''.

* Unlike in the comics, in any animated ''[[Franchise/{{Peanuts}} Charlie Brown]]'' production, Snoopy is never seen thinking (let alone talking) in human language [[note]]although there's been a few very rare examples of him writing down what he wants to say, like in "It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown". The adaptations of the musicals ''Theatre/YoureAGoodManCharlieBrown'' and ''Snoopy!!!'' are exceptions.[[/note]]. He relies on making unintelligible noises and miming, same as Woodstock.

* Henrietta isn't sentient in ''WebAnimatgion/TheStoriesOfSodor'' due to lacking a face, and thus is only known as "Toby's coach" and plays no significant role.

* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': Metroplex and Fortress Maximus, two giant transformers who typically turn into cities in other adaptions, are seen in the show as buildings, Metroplex being the headquarters of the Autobot High Council and Fortress Maximus being the Headqauters of the Elite Guard, with no indication that either is a Transformer. In the tie in comics Trypticon, typically a similarly city sized Decepticon, is portrayed as an Autobot controlled prison, again with no implication that it can transform. Had the show had a fourth season, at least one of them would have been brought to life by [[AnimatingArtifact the AllSpark]].

* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': Metroplex and Fortress Maximus, two giant transformers who typically turn into cities in other adaptions, are seen in the show as buildings, Metroplex being the headquarters of the Autobot High Council and Fortress Maximus being the Headqauters of the Elite Guard, with no indication that either is a Transformer. In the tie in comics Trypticon, typically a similarly city sized Decepticon, is portrayed as an Autobot controlled prison, again with no implication that it can transform.