The Ultimate Guide to the Most Epic Anime Prequels

Every story has a beginning, as countless trailers and taglines will proclaim. And within the realm of anime, some of the most captivating prequels can be found. Prequels, being a foregone conclusion, face the challenge of piquing viewers’ interest more so than sequels. However, this challenge can actually work to their advantage, as the anticipation of an impending disaster or the reassurance of hope in the future are both captivating concepts.

In most cases, a prequel will present an original story that delves into the lives of a diverse ensemble of characters, providing further exploration of the show's world and introducing new details that were absent from the main storyline. Alternatively, a prequel can also choose to extensively explore the backstory of a single beloved character, often a favorite among fans. Either way, prequels remain a beloved aspect of anime and all forms of media.

10 High Speed! Free! Starting Days (2015)

Experience the essence of summer with Free! as it follows the captivating journeys of the Iwatobi and Samezuka swim clubs. Witness their relentless pursuit of swimming excellence, while simultaneously witnessing their personal growth and development as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives. Immerse yourself in the nostalgic world of High Speed! as it delves into the formative years of Haruka Nanase and Makoto Tachibana during their time in middle school.

In the absence of Nagisa, Rei, and Rin, who are younger than Haruka and Makoto, High Speed! introduces two new teammates to the team: the fiery Asahi Shiina and the isolated Ikuya Kirishima. Together with Haruka and Makoto, they strive to conquer their personal challenges and collaborate effectively as a team. Additionally, this lays the foundation for Asahi and Ikuya to reunite with their old friends in college in Dive to the Future.

9 Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021)

Originally intended to be the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuuta Okkotsu was later replaced by Yuuji Itadori as the story expanded beyond its initial scope. However, in this prequel movie, Yuuta finally gets his moment to shine. Haunted by the curse of his deceased childhood friend, Rika, Yuuta finds himself facing execution until Gojo offers him a unique opportunity – to harness Rika's curse for the greater good.

8 Fruits Basket: Prelude (2022)

As Yuuta and Rika embrace their abilities, Yuuta's self-assurance grows, dedicating himself entirely to demonstrating his worthiness of existence. Each subsequent battle intensifies his enthusiasm, leaving him exhilarated. Moreover, he forges strong bonds with Maki, Toge, and Panda, granting these well-liked supporting characters an opportunity to shine in the limelight alongside Yuuta.

Throughout Fruits Basket, particularly in its faithful adaptation of the 2019 manga, the presence of Tohru Honda's parents, Kyouko and Katsuya, looms like ethereal apparitions within the storyline. Her emotions toward both individuals are complex, and the audience is only privy to the knowledge she possesses about their pasts. This film is an adaptation of Natsuki Takaya's prequel manga, narrating the tale of their love from its inception to its conclusion.

Tohru’s mother, Kyouko Katsunuma, escaped her abusive family background by joining a delinquent gang. However, her loneliness was eventually alleviated when she met Katsuya Honda, a kind and sensitive individual who fulfilled her desire for connection. Additionally, the animated adaptation features post-canon scenes of Tohru and her partner, Kyo, which were not depicted in the original manga.

7 The Animatrix (2003)

These short films are not limited to prequels of anime. The Matrix drew inspiration from iconic anime like Ghost in the Shell and Akira. Consequently, its spin-off anthology of shorts adopts the form of anime, with writing, directing, and animation talents hailing from the industry's finest. Some of the shorts serve as prequels. For instance, The Second Renaissance offers a comprehensive account of machines' ascent and the genesis of the first Matrix. Kid's Story delves into how Neo liberated the Kid from the confines of the Matrix, drawing from a fleeting remark in The Matrix Reloaded. The breathtaking animation alone makes the entire film worthy of exploration.

6 Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015)

In the latest installment of Gundam, called Witch from Mercury, Prospera Mercury emerges as one of the most cunning anime villains of all time, alongside Char Aznable. Char, who is already revered as one of the greatest villains and iconic characters in Mobile Suit Gundam, takes center stage in this series of OVAs that delve into his backstory before the events of the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam series.

Once known as Casval Rem Deikun, Char was raised with a single-minded determination to dismantle the oppressive Zabi family. His theft of the powerful Gundam for the Zeon forces propels him into a formidable force, ruthlessly eliminating anyone who stands in his way as he seeks vengeance. He is even willing to betray his own younger sister, Sayla, who serves as a pilot for White Base alongside Amuro Ray.

5 Dragon Ball Z: Bardock: The Father Of Goku (1990)

The ongoing debate among Dragon Ball enthusiasts regarding Goku's parenting skills will persist indefinitely. However, in one of its renowned prequels, the focus lies not on Goku's parental abilities, but rather on the father he never had the chance to know. Prior to Goku's arrival on Earth as an infant, his father, Bardock, held the esteemed position of a conquering Saiyan warrior among many others.

Initially content with a life dedicated to obliterating other planets under Frieza's command, Bardock's entire perspective is abruptly altered when he experiences a vision foretelling the devastating demise of his own people at the merciless hands of their tyrannical overlord. Driven by conviction, Bardock becomes the sole Saiyan warrior to dare challenging Frieza, albeit ultimately facing defeat. Nevertheless, a glimmer of hope remains through his son Goku, who eventually emerges as the ultimate force capable of slaying Frieza himself.

4 Fate/Zero (2011 - 2012)

In Fate/Stay Night and Unlimited Blade Works, the Fourth Grail War is frequently brought up by Saber and the other Servants. Prior to being summoned by the main series' young protagonists, they were bound to different Masters. This Grail War is a ruthless and relentless battle between rival families, all vying for control of the sacred artifact.

Kiritsugu Emiya, Shirou's esteemed mentor and Illya's absent father, faces the challenge of maintaining his morality amidst the cruel tasks demanded of him by his own family. (To be fair, however, it's not difficult to appear honorable in comparison to despicable adversaries like Zouken Matou and Kirei Kotomine). Unlike Shirou's eventual seamless alliance with Saber, Kiritsugu often finds himself in conflict with her straightforward and noble combat approach, preferring to operate covertly from the shadows.

3 The Adventure Of Sinbad (2016)

King Sinbad is an incredibly multifaceted figure in Magi: the Labyrinth of Magic, transforming from a morally ambiguous hero to a world-dominating figure with ambitions of becoming a deity. The complexity of his character cannot be adequately explained through a simple flashback arc or single episode. As a result, Adventure of Sinbad takes us on a captivating journey through his past, mirroring the storytelling style of Arabian Nights.

This prequel provides a comprehensive account of Sinbad's life, from his early years to his eventual ascension to the throne of Sindria. It adds significant depth to an already intricate character, offering insights into the world and history of Magi. Additionally, it delves into the backgrounds of Sinbad's Eight Generals, showcasing how their younger selves differ strikingly from their adult counterparts in the main series.

2 My Hero Academia: Vigilantes

Currently only available in manga form, the prequel of this series will soon be brought to life in animated form for anime-only viewers. In the main series, obtaining a hero license and pursuing a professional career is of utmost importance. However, this prequel, titled Vigilantes, delves into the secretive lives of unlicensed illegal heroes, presenting a darker and more intense perspective compared to Izuku Midoriya's idealistic view of heroism.

Although written by Hideyeki Furuhashi, Vigilantes holds the stamp of approval from original creator Kohei Horikoshi, ensuring its canonicity. The story revolves around Koichi "The Crawler" Haimawari, a young illegal hero who follows the path of his mentor, Igao "Knuckleduster" Owaro. Despite possessing what seems like a rather ineffective Quirk, Koichi is determined to utilize it for the greater good. Notably, Vigilantes also features appearances from some of My Hero Academia's most formidable teachers during their earlier years, as they confront these vigilantes head-on.

1 Kakashi Gaiden (2009)

The Whorl Within The Spiral, the latest spinoff featuring Minato Namikaze, proves to be an exceptional one-shot. However, the story of Naruto's sensei remains equally compelling to that of his father. Originally introduced as a separate prequel special, episodes 119 and 120 of Naruto Shippuden incorporate flashbacks to explore his journey further.

At the age of thirteen, Kakashi Hatake has recently achieved the rank of Jonin. He finds it difficult to openly acknowledge the budding camaraderie with his teammates Obito and Rin. However, a tragic event during a mission compels them to examine their priorities. What sets Kakashi Gaiden apart is its ability to not only showcase the development of Kakashi's moral code, which he later imparts to his students, but also unveil the origins of one of anime's most ingenious villains.

Anime prequels have the ability to enhance worldbuilding, present captivating original narratives, and offer substantial character development to often neglected figures. By delving into the past of the main story and protagonists, they not only expand the overall plot, but also deepen viewers' comprehension of the intricate world and its inhabitants.