Anime Series That Are Better Than The Manga They’re Based On

summary

• Anime adaptations elevate beloved manga stories by adding sound, motion, and immersive visuals for a wider audience to enjoy.
• Some anime series, like Nichijou & K-On!, excel at conveying friendship, music, and poignant themes better than their manga counterparts.
• Shows like Gintama and Mob Psycho 100 use great animation and voice acting to enhance the humor, emotion, and action of the original manga plots.

Manga is known for delivering rich stories and stunning art through the pages, but it Anime Anime takes these beloved stories to new heights and brings them to life through sound and motion. Most often, studios turn to manga for inspiration and end up adapting popular web novels and comics into animated form so they can be accessible to a wider audience. However, some anime series do more justice to the story than the source material itself.

For die-hard manga fans, nothing beats the visuals, battles, and emotions that unfold as they read page after page. But for others, seeing the same worlds and characters on screen with music, voice actors, and seamless motion is a whole new level of immersive entertainment. When done well, anime adaptations can add new layers of drama, vibrancy, and heart to already popular stories. In this list, we take a look at 10 anime adaptations that are better than the manga they’re based on.

10 Nishijo – My Ordinary Life (2011)

Located in a picturesque country town, Nichijou – My Ordinary Life The series follows the adventures of high school girls Mio Naganohara, Yuko Aoi, and Mai Minakami. The three girls live their lives with three companions, including a genius, a robotic bodyguard, and a talking cat. Their days are filled with absurd and realistic situations, filled with fun and absolute nonsense, finding humor in almost anything.

It adds to the ridiculousness of the manga.

A slice-of-life anime adapted from the manga series written and illustrated by Keiichi Arawi, Nishigo This is one of the funniest and most creative comedies out there. While the source material itself is great and has plenty of funny examples, what elevates this work is its skillful use of slapstick and absurdist comedy. It takes realistic scenarios for jokes from the manga and turns them into comedic endings through well-timed laughs and clever wordplay.

9 K-ON! (2009–2010)

story K-On! The film follows Yui Hirasawa, a girl who is very excited about high school. She realizes that her excitement comes from the idea of ​​joining a club. She becomes part of the school's light music club, but realizes that she cannot play an instrument and that the club is about to disband. Yui decides to leave, but the band members play her a song, sparking a new desire to stay and learn, leading the band to work toward live performance.

Focus more on friendship and music.

K-On! The anime is about building strong friendships, sharing fun times, dealing with graduation, and helping each other improve—all while keeping it cute. It’s based on a four-part comic. While it’s usually difficult to adapt, Kyoto Animation manages to do wonders with its subtle emotion and overall cheerful tone. The anime expands on the basic premise, explains the relationships between the characters, and features emotional musical performances to celebrate the joys of youth.

8 Builder of Drops (2011 – 2012)

When 30-year-old single Daikichi Kawachi discovers that his grandfather has an illegitimate daughter, six-year-old Rin, he realizes he has no choice but to take her in now that his grandfather is dead. Ripped from her home, Rin is initially shy and unsure. Daikichi himself has no experience raising children. rabbit fallalso known as Usagi DropThe film focuses on how a special bond eventually develops between them.

Achieves a special achievement with its ending.

While the manga, written and illustrated by Yumi Yoneta, depicts the relationship between Daikichi and Rin with affection, the anime adaptation adds more nuance to it. The manga ends with Rin growing up to be 16 and finally confessing her feelings for her fake father. The anime steers clear of the controversial angle, focusing on warm and sweet moments, and telling a touching story about a found family, delivering a rare conclusion that fans will enjoy even more.

7 Made in the Abyss (2017)

So far, we've looked at feel-good anime series that turned out to be better than their manga counterparts. Made in the abyssThis movie belongs to a darker and more terrifying category. Set on a huge island, it follows Riko, an orphan girl who dreams of following in her mother's footsteps as a diver and exploring the mysterious Abyss, a vast abyss in the middle of the world that is known to contain ancient ruins and mysterious creatures. During her mission, she meets a robot boy and names him Reg.

Dark but visually stunning.

The world of the Abyss is truly treacherous and terrifying; and watching it come to life on screen through the gorgeous animation and meticulous photography is a thrill like no other. The anime amplifies everything that is good about Akihito Tsukushi's manga but also notes that it avoids unnecessary fan service and uncomfortable scenes. The anime has also received praise for its excellent soundtrack.

6 Hunter x Hunter (2011 – 2014)

Hunter x Hunter This anime has established itself as one of the most popular shounen anime of all time. The story goes like this: Gon Freecss was abandoned by his father when he was a child to become a famous Hunter—a select group of licensed professionals who undergo rigorous training to gain supernatural abilities or survive. Now, Gon decides to find his missing father by becoming a Hunter himself. He enters the Hunter Exam, a high-stakes selection process to begin pursuing this dream.

It raises the bar for storytelling with its masterful pacing.

What begins as a light-hearted adventure in Hunter x Hunter The story eventually turns into a groundbreaking, character-driven tale filled with expertly crafted layers and an abundance of emotion. Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga is a work of art in itself, but the mangaka has struggled with poor health in the past, leading to inconsistencies in his work. The anime delivers on that front and makes sure to deliver a complete and satisfying conclusion.

5 Gintama (2005 – 2021)

The fantasy world of Edo is introduced in Gintama A place where the use of all swords in public is prohibited as a means of adhering to the laws that were formed after Japan surrendered to a powerful alien race. However, the silver-haired samurai known as Gintoki Sakata maintains his reputation as a samurai, carrying a wooden sword with him wherever he goes, and taking odd jobs as a freelancer. He is accompanied by his assistants Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura, as well as their giant pet dog.

Featuring a creative voice cast

Hideaki Sorachi's original manga, with its silly parodies and hilarious jokes, is perhaps one of the funniest works of art ever written. While it is already funny in its written form, Gintama The animation hits a great level with unimaginable reaction shots and unexpected fourth-wall breaking. The anime also really wins thanks to the voice cast, which includes Daisuke Sakaguchi as Shinpachi, Akira Ishida as Katsura, and Tomokazu Sugita as Gintoki.

4 Pucci The Rock! (2022)

Big success in 2022, Butchi rock! The film revolves around a shy middle school student named Hitori “Buchi” Goto. Although she wishes she had many friends, Buchi's social anxiety makes her unable to hold normal conversations and she usually spends her time with her guitar. When extroverted drummer Nijika Ejishi convinces her to join their small band, Keisoku, Buchi is overjoyed.

It deserves the hype it gets.

We arrived at a time when the world was collectively experiencing social anxiety and sudden feelings of panic, Butchi rock! It has managed to impress anime fans. Not only is the anime adaptation a non-stop comedic journey, it also conveys the protagonist's panicked reactions and inner panic attacks with uncanny accuracy. The manga is undoubtedly great, but the anime simply improves on everything that was good about the source material.

3 Demon Slayer (2019 – 2024)

Despite the burden of supporting his entire family, Tanjiro Kamado lives a peaceful life as a kind-hearted boy who makes a living selling charcoal. However, his happiness is shattered when demons slaughter his entire family. The only survivor, besides him, is his sister Nezuko, who has been transformed into a demon herself. Demon Slayer The film revolves around Tanjiro training himself to become an assassin to avenge the death of his family and save his sister.

Animation adds depth to the story.

Demon Slayer This is one of the most beloved anime out there, and the main reason behind its astronomical success is the animation. By taking the escalating action sequences and everyday interactions between the characters to new levels of energy, the viewer feels intense and intense. While the manga features stunning art, the anime allows the fighting styles of each demon slayer to shine with even more impact, and the music heightens the stakes of the protagonist’s fight for survival.

2 Yu Yu Hakusho (1993)

Yu Yu Hakusho The film revolves around Yusuke Urameshi, a 14-year-old criminal who has no concern for his future. After sacrificing himself to save a young man from being hit by a moving car, he dies in the same accident but comes back to life as a ghost. The problem is that in order to continue living, Yusuke must work under the supervision of the god of death, Botan, as a spirit investigator, investigating cases involving supernatural events and demons that threaten the human world.

Bonus work and diverse characters

Manga panels are really fast and impactful, Yu Yu Hakusho This anime version ups the intensity of the martial arts battles and spiritual weapon confrontations. The series gets straight to the point, never focusing on the hero's detective work, and features intricate choreography and rare fluidity, all tied together neatly with an amazing soundtrack. The anime also makes each character's final arc much stronger than the manga.

1 Mob Psycho 100 (2016 – 2022)

Adapted from the web manga series written and illustrated by ONE, the genius mastermind behind… One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100 The series revolves around a middle school boy named Kageyama Shigeo. Possessing powerful psychic abilities that allow him to use unimaginable powers whenever he feels strong emotions, Kageyama struggles to control his thoughts and feelings. A con artist named Arataka Reigen teaches him how to control his powers, but Mob's talent could be used even more—for better or worse.

Provides a unique visual experience

ONE is an exceptional mangaka, but his art is often chaotic and turbulent. While this is a signature in the world of the written word, when translated into anime, Mob Psycho 100 The anime becomes richer and more impressive. Thanks to the impeccable animation from Studio Bones, the anime conveys the character's emotions, the subtle fighting scenes, and the smooth action of the comedy in a style like no other. Overall, the anime offers a more satisfying and cathartic experience than the one available to read.