10 Anime Adaptations That Made Classic Manga Even Better

For most anime the source material is far superior to its adaptation. The vast majority of manga that can be considered true masterpieces come straight from the minds of talented artists who know their world and characters better than anyone. As such, it's difficult to replicate the same level of care and attention to detail for an anime adaptation.

However, while rare, there are occasions in which a television series elevates the source material to an entirely new level. Whether it's because the medium allows the story to flow better, the jokes benefit from amazing voice acting, or because of the amazing animation, there are a handful of examples of anime series surpassing the source material.

10

Gintama's animation made the jokes so much funnier

Gintama Considered by many fans as a classic of funny anime known for making fans laugh uncontrollably with funny scenes and jokes. The series has been enthralling fans for over two decades with its adorable characters and truly hilarious parodies of popular shows and manga. This is, in large part, thanks to the depth and emotion the actors were able to give the story.

The original manga is incredibly funny, while some of the jokes lack the proper punch that the anime series so effortlessly provides. Adaptation also helps beloved running gags feel more natural, as they can be depicted in different ways while maintaining the essence of the source material.

9

Demon Slayer is a masterpiece of animation

Widely considered one of the most beautiful animated shows of all time, Demon Slayer The adaptation is a true piece of art in motion that has rightly captivated fans around the world. While the original manga was also an amazing work, combining fluid movement with effective details when the characters entered combat, there was so much that could only be done with pen and paper.

The anime took the original concept and elevated it to a masterclass in set design, dynamic animation, and color theory that resulted in an experience of a lifetime for the audience. Most impressive of all is the fact that the quality of this series hasn't faltered in the slightest since production began, ensuring its place as one of the most industry-defining anime in history.

8

Mob Psycho 100 upped an already amazing story

ONE, like the great writer behind the web comics A one-punch man and Mob Psycho 100Known for his amazing ideas and creating iconic and relatable characters. When it came time to adapt one of his iconic series into one of the best binge-watching anime ever, it did so in incredible fashion.

The Mob Psycho 100 The adaptation is what Shigeo's story always deserved, as it not only fully brings the events of the manga to life but also features excellent animation. As such, many fans consider it one of the few modern anime that has no bad seasons, an achievement that deserves a significant amount of praise.

7

Saiki K's doomed life benefited greatly from the voice acting

Besides featuring one of the best psychic power users in anime, Saiki K's Ruined Life has gained a reputation as a lighthearted and easy-to-follow comedy. The series focuses on the daily life of the titular protagonist, who tries to live a routine and boring life despite having super powerful abilities.

The manga did an admirable job of portraying the hilarity of Psyche's life and the boy's exasperation with the pointless events happening around him. However, it wasn't until the anime came out that the series really shined, as the addition of voice actors made the scenes even more enjoyable. Surprisingly, the show also has one of the best English dubs for a comedy anime, making it worth watching in both forms.

6

Bocchi the Rock! Manga songs brought to real life

Highly praised among fans for its accurate portrayal of social anxiety, Bocchi the Rock! is a charming and heartwarming story that began as a four-panel manga following the lives of the titular protagonist and his friends. While the manga itself was beloved by many fans, it never quite captured the tone of many other music-centric stories.

It wasn't until 2022, when the anime adaptation first aired, that the series realized its full potential. Bocchi and her friends became more than a lovable group of friends – they became one of the best girl bands in the industry. The songs written and recorded for the anime gave the characters the spotlight they deserved over the years, giving the original story the missing pieces to shine brightly.

5

An anime set in an Abyss world feels very alive

Objectively one of the most emotionally devastating stories of all time, Made in the Abyss Flipping its pages has left more than one fan recoiling in fear and anxiety. This is not at all surprising given the strange, brutal and sad world the series takes place in. Although the manga can cause genuine terror in fans, there is comfort in knowing that monsters cannot move.

The anime adaptation of this wonderful fantasy series offers viewers no such mercy, bringing their worst fears to life in a disturbing yet endearing way. The monsters and merciless creatures that inhabit the Abyss are no longer static and trapped on paper, making the series' impact even more lasting and terrifying for the audience.

4

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End perfectly encapsulates what it's like to live as an eternal elf

One of the biggest surprises of the last few years, Freeren is a series that uses typical fantasy tropes to tell a story about connection, bonding, and the importance of enjoying life to the fullest. The manga quickly became popular among fans for its unique approach to the existence of elves, using the protagonist as a vehicle to explore regret and loss, immersing fans in a peaceful yet fantasy world.

The anime series accomplished what many thought was impossible, as its colorful animation, slow motion, and amazing voice acting set the perfect atmosphere for fans to understand Freren more deeply. Each episode takes its time to develop the story, help the characters grow and reveal new aspects of the world the heroes inhabit. It's an amazing adaptation, and fans can't wait for more great arcs in the source material to be brought to the small screen.

3

Bleach: A Thousand Years of Blood War gave fans more of what they loved

Bleach Not only one of the greatest shonen series of all time, but also a pillar of the modern anime industry, paving the way for dozens of shows to follow its example. As such, when it was revealed that the final arc of the original manga would finally be adapted, fans couldn't contain their excitement. While some were skeptical about the decision, as they doubted the anime could do the manga justice, the results have been spectacular.

A Thousand Years of Blood WarThe adaptation took everything that fans loved about this story, often considered one of the best among fans, and made sure to add a lot of extra scenes that helped the story a lot. Fight scenes were also shortened, preventing them from dragging on longer than necessary. Some fans still aren't too fond of this approach, but the consensus has been overwhelmingly positive.

2

The adaptation of Usagi Drop gave the story a much better ending

At first glance, Usagi drops It might sound like one of the most wholesome and adorable manga in existence, and it still is for the most part. Ironically, what should have been a heartwarming story for the ages was tainted by the existence of its unstable and frankly unnecessary final arc. At the end of the series, the protagonist's adopted daughter develops feelings for him, ending with them accepting each other and becoming a couple.

For most fans, this twist ending ruined not only the finale, but the entire series, so the team behind the anime decided to ignore it altogether. Usagi dropsMost fans consider its adaptation to be the best because it ends shortly before the uneasy and forced romance between Daikichi and Rin.

1

Jujutsu Kaisen's fights are very organized in the anime

As of the recently published finale, Jujutsu Kaisen Dominated the market, within a couple of years, became Shonen JumpA best-selling manga. There are many reasons why this beloved story became so popular among fans, as it not only has some complex and well-established power systems, but also a cast that readers can't help but love.

Despite this, the original manga was not perfect, as its own power system often made it difficult for fans to understand the development of the fights. The anime made sure to be as concise and clear as possible when adapting the series' best fights, helping fans enjoy their favorite moments in an easy and simple way.