10 Anime Adaptations that Surpass Their Original Manga

Summary

Some anime adaptations surpass the greatness of their original manga by adding elements like impeccable animation or enhanced voice acting.

When creating an adaptation, surpassing the greatness of the original work can be incredibly challenging. However, there are some anime that actually excel beyond their manga source material. Although the original manga that inspired them remains great, these anime adaptations are often recommended as the optimal way to experience the story. The reasons behind this can vary from series to series.

In certain cases, a production team's extraordinary passion for a series drives them to pour their heart and soul into the animation, resulting in a transcendent portrayal of the manga's events. Sometimes, elements like voice acting or musical score elevate the emotions of the series. In rare instances, an anime can even address and improve upon problematic aspects of its source material. It is worth noting that this list solely encompasses instances where it is universally agreed that the changes constituted an improvement (thus, the original Fullmetal Alchemist, despite having staunch supporters, does not appear on this list). Here, we present the ten best anime that have managed to exceed the quality of their original manga counterparts.

10. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

The manga adaptation of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is flawlessly brought to life in the form of an anime. This comedic series revolves around Saiki, an immensely powerful psychic, and his amusing attempts to maintain a peaceful existence despite his eccentric circle of friends. Unlike some other entries on this list, the anime does not substantially alter the plot of the manga. However, it excels in its animation and voice acting, delivering an absolutely impeccable performance. Particularly in the second season, the rapid delivery of lines further enhances the already hilarious jokes in the series. The only reason it isn't ranked higher on this list is because the anime maintains the already exceptional source material.

9. Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter, widely regarded as one of the greatest Shonen manga ever created, unfortunately suffers from occasional instances of unfinished or rushed artwork due to the creator's health problems. However, this issue is often addressed in the volume releases. Thankfully, the 2011 anime adaptation was able to avoid this flaw as it encompassed the entire completed story. While the anime itself may not be considered fully conclusive, it concluded on such a satisfying note that fans can find contentment, even if it never returns to adapt the subsequent Succession War arc. In fact, this aspect can even be viewed positively, as the hiatuses that have plagued readers during the ongoing Succession War do not affect anime-only viewers.

8. Gintama

Gintama, an anime series, is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedy shows ever made. It follows the entertaining escapades of Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura as they undertake various odd jobs in the city of Edo. The series effortlessly transitions between sidesplittingly funny moments and heartbreakingly tragic ones. While the manga captures this essence exceptionally well, the anime incorporates additional jokes and components that enhance its overall appeal. These additions range from lighthearted original anime gags to substantial fillers, and occasionally even a brand-new opening sequence. Furthermore, the voice acting brings these lovable characters to life in an unparalleled manner, surpassing their manga counterparts. Despite its extensive length, virtually every episode of this extraordinary series is outstanding, making it an indispensable hidden gem for anime enthusiasts to explore.

7. Made in Abyss

The art style of the Made in Abyss manga and anime differs greatly, making comparison challenging. Both versions of the series are visually stunning and enhance the unsettling moments of horror. However, the anime surpasses the manga due to its decision to censor certain explicit nudity depicted in the original comic. While this may not be a significant concern for all fans, many viewers find this fanservice gratuitous and discomforting to read. Additionally, the anime boasts an incredible soundtrack that heightens the impact of the show's most emotive scenes.

6. Usagi Drop

While Usagi Drop may not be as great as some of the series lower on this list, its ranking is elevated because of how much superior the anime is compared to the manga. Usagi Drop begins as a heartwarming tale of a middle-aged man and his adopted daughter. Although this type of slice-of-life storyline may not appeal to everyone, it is undeniably adorable and soothing to witness the deepening bond between the two characters as they truly become a family. The anime maintains this endearing atmosphere throughout and concludes on a delightful and wholesome note. In stark contrast, the manga takes a drastic turn at the end of the series, depicting a romantic relationship between the two characters, which rightfully disgusted many fans and rendered everything that came before it unsettling. For anyone interested in experiencing this delightful series, it is strongly advised to exclusively watch the anime.

5. Nichijou

Nichijou is a delightful comedy that follows the amusing exploits of eccentric characters as they navigate through the world of high school. The anime stays true to the manga, faithfully capturing its best jokes. However, what sets the anime apart is its ability to take these jokes to the next level. Take, for example, a scene where Miu, one of the girls, relentlessly chases after someone who possesses a journal containing a drawing she desperately wants to conceal. The pursuit becomes so hilariously intense that the animation brilliantly breaks down. This is not merely a one-time instance of exceptional effort to deliver a powerful punchline. It is what makes the anime surpass its already outstanding manga counterpart.

4. Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer is an immensely popular manga that has even surpassed One Piece in terms of sales at one point. However, the true driving force behind this popularity lies in its exceptional anime adaptation. Rather than making major alterations to the series, the anime simply brings it to life in an incredible way. Consequently, every fight becomes a spectacular event, surpassing the original manga's relatively standard storyline. It is important to note that this does not diminish the quality of Demon Slayer's original manga; it simply highlights the fact that Ufotable's stunning adaptation offers a superior means of experiencing Tanjiro's journey to aid his sister and the enthralling demon battles that ensue.

3. Bocchi the Rock!

Bocchi the Rock! was a breakout hit in 2022 for a reason. The anime effectively captured the protagonist's anxiety through innovative animation techniques and visual metaphors, enhancing the humor compared to the manga. Additionally, the anime released real music for Bocchi's band, which topped the charts. These elements, combined with the medium of animation, elevated the overall experience beyond what the manga could achieve, making the anime significantly superior.

2. Ranking of Kings

The original art style of the Ranking of Kings is simplistic, almost childlike. However, it perfectly captures the refreshingly innocent personality of its protagonist Bojji. This is likely why the anime adaptation also adopted this art style. While the simple art in the original manga could sometimes appear unattractive or awkward, every frame of The Ranking of Kings anime is breathtakingly beautiful. And let's not forget about the fight scenes, which the anime transforms into some of the most stunning battles in all of anime. With such a stark difference in art quality, it's clear that the anime is the definitive version of the story that fans should experience.

1. Mob Psycho 100

One character possesses an incredible knack for storytelling, but their manga artwork falls short, appearing more like hasty scribbles rather than a polished creation. However, Bones ingeniously embraced this artistic style and flawlessly integrated it into their adaptation of Mob Psycho 100. What seemed messy in the manga now thrived as chaotically dynamic in the anime, incorporating a wider array of expressions and movements. This became particularly advantageous during intense battles, where the simplistic yet flexible character designs empowered the animators to construct consistently breathtaking confrontations. Coupled with a stellar ensemble cast and an exceptional soundtrack, the anime effortlessly surpassed the already remarkable manga, solidifying its place as a modern classic.

When a team fully utilizes the power of animation in an adaptation, it can result in exceptional shows like those on this list. However, such shows are rare since most adaptations simply translate the page to the screen in a mediocre manner. This is what makes these top anime adaptations, which surpass their manga counterparts, even more remarkable.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have grown up watching anime and reading manga, and I have seen firsthand how anime adaptations can sometimes surpass their original source material. One of my favorite examples is "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K." The anime adaptation of this series is flawlessly brought to life, with impeccable animation and voice acting that enhance the comedic elements of the story. The anime does not substantially alter the plot of the manga, but it excels in its execution, delivering an absolutely exceptional performance.

Another great example is "Hunter x Hunter." While the manga is widely regarded as one of the greatest Shonen manga ever created, the anime adaptation is able to address some of the weaknesses of the source material. The anime does a fantastic job of adapting the complex and intricate story, and it also benefits from the addition of voice acting and music, which bring the characters and the world to life in a way that the manga cannot.