Anime fans often wish to see their favorite manga brought to life on screen, but unfortunately, many incredible series remain without an anime adaptation. Some of these manga are highly acclaimed, with strong storytelling, unique characters, and great world-building, making them perfect for an anime. In this article, we will explore some fantastic manga that deserve an anime adaptation and why they would make amazing anime series.
1. Why Do Some Great Manga Never Get an Anime?
Before we dive into the list, let's explore why some manga never receive an adaptation:
- Lack of Popularity – Despite being well-written, some manga don't reach a wide enough audience.
- Publishing Issues – If the publisher or author has issues with licensing, an adaptation may be delayed or blocked.
- Genre Limitations – Some manga genres, like psychological horror or deep philosophical stories, are harder to adapt into mainstream anime.
- Budget and Animation Challenges – Some manga require high-quality animation, which may be difficult for studios to handle.
- Manga Still Ongoing – Studios often wait until a manga is finished or reaches a major arc before adapting it.
Now, let’s look at some manga that deserve an anime adaptation!
2. Best Manga That Deserve an Anime Adaptation
A. Oyasumi Punpun (Goodnight Punpun) – A Dark Psychological Masterpiece
Author: Inio Asano
Genres: Psychological, Drama, Slice of Life
Why It Deserves an Anime:
- Oyasumi Punpun is an emotional rollercoaster, exploring themes of mental health, relationships, and existential crisis.
- The story follows Punpun Punyama, a young boy represented as a simplistic bird, while the world around him is drawn in realistic detail.
- The manga blends surrealism with deep psychological storytelling, making it a unique anime experience.
- If adapted, it would need a serious, artistic animation style like Serial Experiments Lain or March Comes in Like a Lion.
Challenges:
- The dark and disturbing themes may be difficult to adapt into a commercial anime.
- Would require a unique and experimental animation approach.
B. Vagabond – A Samurai Epic Waiting for an Anime
Author: Takehiko Inoue
Genres: Historical, Action, Samurai
Why It Deserves an Anime:
- Vagabond is one of the best historical manga of all time, based on the life of Miyamoto Musashi, Japan’s greatest swordsman.
- It features stunning artwork, deep philosophical themes, and brutal yet beautiful sword fights.
- The anime adaptation could be cinematic, similar to Samurai Champloo or Rurouni Kenshin.
- The character development and philosophical depth would appeal to fans of series like Vinland Saga and Berserk.
Challenges:
- The manga is on indefinite hiatus, meaning it has no confirmed ending.
- Requires high-budget animation to do justice to its incredible art and action.
C. The Horizon – A Heartbreaking Post-Apocalyptic Journey
Author: JH
Genres: Drama, Psychological, Post-Apocalyptic
Why It Deserves an Anime:
- The Horizon is a short but powerful webtoon about two children traveling through a war-torn world.
- The story is deeply philosophical and emotional, focusing on survival, loss, and hope.
- It would be perfect for an artistic, minimalist anime, similar to Made in Abyss or Grave of the Fireflies.
Challenges:
- Its depressing themes might not appeal to mainstream anime audiences.
- Would need expert storytelling and direction to capture its emotions.
D. Choujin X – The Next Big Dark Superpower Anime
Author: Sui Ishida (Tokyo Ghoul creator)
Genres: Supernatural, Action, Psychological
Why It Deserves an Anime:
- Created by Sui Ishida, the same mind behind Tokyo Ghoul, so it already has a strong fanbase.
- The story follows Tokio Kurohara, a boy who becomes a Choujin (a superhuman with monstrous powers).
- It explores themes of power, identity, and morality, similar to Tokyo Ghoul and Parasyte.
- If animated properly, it could be the next dark superpower anime hit like Jujutsu Kaisen or Chainsaw Man.
Challenges:
- The manga is still ongoing, so an anime adaptation might need an original ending.
- Would require fluid and high-quality action animation.
E. The Climber (Kokou no Hito) – A Visually Stunning Psychological Adventure
Author: Shinichi Sakamoto
Genres: Drama, Sports, Psychological
Why It Deserves an Anime:
- One of the most beautiful and artistic manga ever created.
- Follows Mori Buntarou, a socially isolated climber who pushes himself to the limits of human endurance.
- Features breath-taking illustrations of nature and climbing scenes, which would be incredible in an anime.
- Themes of solitude, passion, and pushing past one’s limits make it a deep and meaningful story.
Challenges:
- Climbing is a niche theme, so it may not attract a mainstream audience.
- Requires a top-tier animation studio to capture the beauty of its landscapes.
3. Honorable Mentions
Here are some more manga that deserve an anime:
✔ Dandadan – A mix of horror, comedy, and sci-fi with insane action scenes.
✔ Homunculus – A deep psychological horror manga that would make a great thriller anime.
✔ 20th Century Boys – A mind-blowing mystery thriller that could be the next Death Note.
✔ Spirit Circle – A unique reincarnation story with great emotional depth.
✔ Mousou Telepathy – A hilarious romcom about a girl who can read people’s minds.
✔ Holyland – A realistic street fighting manga, perfect for martial arts anime fans.
4. Conclusion: Will These Manga Ever Get an Anime?
While some of these manga may never receive an anime, others have a good chance if they gain enough popularity. Many successful anime (Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man) were once underrated manga, proving that anything is possible.
Which manga do you think deserves an anime adaptation? Let me know!
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