10 Anime Adaptations That Made Classic Manga Even Better

The source material for most anime tends to be much better than its adaptation. The vast majority of manga that can be considered true masterpieces come straight from the minds of great artists who know their worlds and characters better than anyone else. As such, it's hard for an anime adaptation to replicate the same level of care and attention to detail.

However, while rare, there have been occasions where a TV series has taken the source material to a whole new level. Whether it's because the medium allowed the story to flow better, the jokes benefited from amazing voice acting, or because of the amazing animation, there are several examples of anime series surpassing the source material.

10

Gintama's animation made the jokes much funnier

Gintama is considered by many fans to be one of the classics of comedy anime, with ridiculous scenes and jokes that are known to make fans laugh uncontrollably. The series has been charming fans with lovable characters and genuinely joyful parodies of popular shows and manga for over two decades. This was largely due to the depth and emotion the voice actors were able to bring to the story.

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

9

Demon Slayer is a masterpiece of animation

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful animated shows of all time Demon Slayer the adaptation is a true work in motion that has rightly captivated fans around the world. While the original manga was also a stunning piece of work, mixing fluid movement with impressive detail whenever the characters entered combat, there was only so much you could do with pen and paper.

The anime has taken the original concept and elevated it to a masterclass in set design, dynamic animation and color theory, resulting in a once-in-a-lifetime experience for viewers. Most impressive of all is the fact that the quality of this series hasn't dropped in the slightest since it began production, securing its place as one of the most defining anime in history.

8

Mob Psycho 100 elevated an already amazing story

ONE, the brilliant author behind webcomics such as One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100is known for his amazing ideas and the ease with which he creates iconic and relatable characters. When the time came for one of his iconic series to be adapted into one of the best anime alive, it happened in an incredible way.

The Mob Psycho 100 the adaptation is what Shigeo's story always deserved, as it not only perfectly brought the events of the manga to life, but also featured top-notch animation. As such, many fans consider it one of the few modern anime that doesn't have a bad season, a feat that deserves a fair amount of praise.

7

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

Besides being one of the best psychic users in anime, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K has gained a reputation as a light-hearted and easy-to-watch comedy. The series focuses on the day-to-day life of the titular hero, who tries to live a normal and boring life despite having tremendously powerful powers.

The manga did an admirable job of portraying the hilarity of Saiki's life and the boy's irritation at the senseless events happening around him. Still, it wasn't until the anime came out that the series could really shine, as the addition of voice actors made the scenes even more entertaining. Surprisingly, the show also has one of the best English dubs for comedy anime, so it's worth watching in both forms.

6

Bocchi Rock! It brought manga songs to real life

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

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

5

The world of Made In Abyss is much more alive in the anime

Objectively one of the most emotionally devastating stories of all time, Made in the Abyss causing more than one fan to flinch in fear and anxiety while flipping through its pages. Given the bizarre, cruel and sadistic world in which the series takes place, this is hardly surprising. Although the manga may inspire genuine horror in fans, it's comforting to know that the monsters can't move.

The anime adaptation of this amazing dark fantasy series gives viewers no such mercy and brings their worst fears to life in a disturbing yet bewitching way. The monsters and ruthless creatures that inhabit the Abyss are no longer static and trapped in paper, making the series' impact on viewers significantly more lasting and terrifying.

4

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

One of the biggest surprises of recent years, Frieren is a series that uses typical fantasy tropes to tell a story about connections, bonds, 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 while immersing fans in a peaceful yet fantastical world.

The anime series did what many believed to be impossible, as its colorful animation, slow pacing, and amazing voice acting created the perfect environment for fans to understand Frieren 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 to see more of the best arcs in the source material brought to the small screen.

3

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War gave fans more of what they love

Bleach is much more than just one of the best shonen series of all time, but also a pillar of the modern anime industry, paving the way for dozens of shows to follow suit. 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 of the decision, doubting the anime could do the manga justice, the results were spectacular.

The Thousand Year Blood WarThe adaptation took everything that fans loved about this storyline, often considered one of the best among fans, and made sure to add many extra scenes that would greatly help the story. The fight scenes were also shortened so they didn't drag on longer than they should have. Some fans still aren't too fond of this approach, but the consensus has been more than positive regardless.

2

The Usagi Drop adaptation gave the story a much nicer ending

At first sight Usagi Drop may seem like one of the most wholesome and cutest manga out there, and for the most part, that's still true. What should have been a heartwarming story for the ages was unfortunately marred by the existence of its disturbing and frankly unnecessary final arc. Towards the end of the series, the protagonist's adopted daughter develops feelings for him, which ends with them confessing to each other and becoming a couple.

For most fans, this twist ending not only ruined the finale, but the entire series, which is why the team behind the anime decided to ignore it completely. Usagi DropThe adaptation is considered by most fans to be much better because it ends shortly before the awkward and forced romance between Daikichi and Rin.

1

The Jujutsu Kaisen fights are much more manageable in the anime

Until its recently published finale, Jujutsu Kaisen dominated the market and became one of them within a few years Shonen jumpbest selling manga. There are many reasons why this beloved story has become such a fan favorite, as it not only has some of the most complex and elaborate energy systems, but also a cast that readers can't help but root for.

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