Anime: Anime has become a global phenomenon over the past decade, captivating audiences with its unique storytelling and vibrant animation. While series like Dragon Ball, Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece have played a significant role in popularizing the medium, many other anime have gained devoted followings by exploring diverse themes and plots. However, not all anime adaptations are created equal.
Many are limited to just twelve episodes, which often proves insufficient to fully explore the depth and complexity of their source material. This limitation can lead to confused or unsatisfied viewers, as the anime fails to do justice to the original manga’s intricate storylines. In this article, we’ll explore ten anime adaptations that suffer from this issue, highlighting why reading the manga might provide a more fulfilling experience.
1. No.6 (2011): A Dystopian World Not Fully Realized
No.6 is set in a dystopian city of the same name, following Shion, a privileged elite who risks everything by sheltering a fugitive named Nezumi. While the anime does a decent job of introducing the basic concepts of No.6’s world, it falls short in fully exploring the setting. The manga, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive look at this dystopian society, showcasing both the beautiful and ugly aspects of No.6.
It offers readers a deeper understanding of the world’s intricacies, allowing them to truly immerse themselves in this unique setting. For those who want to grasp the full complexity of No.6’s dystopian society and the characters’ struggles within it, the manga is the superior choice.
2. Another (2012): A Rush Through Horror
Another tells the story of a class devastated by the death of a student named Misaki, and the mysterious events that unfold when transfer student Kōichi Sakakibara arrives years later. The anime adaptation, condensed into just twelve episodes, resulted in a rushed narrative that failed to properly develop characters, relationships, and backstories. While still enjoyable, it doesn’t capture the full tension and depth of the original story.
The manga, which came after the anime, explores the calamity affecting Kōichi’s classmates in much greater detail, providing a more satisfying and comprehensive horror experience. It allows readers to fully appreciate the intricate plot, the building suspense, and the complex relationships between characters that the anime only scratches the surface of.
3. Noragami (2014): Gods and Their Stories Left Unexplored
Noragami follows the story of Yato, a minor god, and Hiyori, a high school student who becomes half-phantom after a chance encounter with Yato. While the anime is enjoyable, it falls short in fully exploring the world of gods and their individual story arcs. A prime example is the Bishamon arc, which lacks the depth and explanation found in the manga.
Additionally, the anime introduces original content not present in the manga, such as the Rabou arc, which can lead to confusion among viewers. The manga offers a more coherent and in-depth understanding of the Noragami universe, delving deeper into the mythology, the relationships between gods, and the complexities of the spirit world that the anime only hints at.
4. Devils and Realist (2013): Politics of Hell Oversimplified
Set in 19th century England, Devils and Realist follows William Twining, who accidentally summons the demon Dantalion and learns he is the elector who determines Hell’s temporary ruler. The anime adaptation, limited to twelve episodes, fails to delve into the complex intricacies of its plot. While viewers can grasp the basic premise, many deeper elements are left unexplored, such as William being Solomon’s reincarnation and the true identity of William’s butler as an archangel.
The manga provides a more comprehensive look at these elements, offering readers a richer and more satisfying narrative experience. It allows for a deeper exploration of the politics of Hell, the complex relationships between demons and humans, and the overarching purpose of the story that the anime simply doesn’t have time to address.
5. Inu × Boku SS (2012): A Complex Tale Hidden Behind Romance
Inu × Boku SS centers on Ririchiyo Shirakiin, a young girl with demon ancestry who moves into a high-security apartment complex and forms a bond with her bodyguard, Sōshi Miketsukami. The anime adaptation focuses primarily on the romantic relationship between Ririchiyo and Miketsukami, neglecting the deeper, more complex elements of the story.
The true plot, involving reincarnation and the characters’ struggle to break a cycle of early deaths, is barely touched upon in the anime. This leaves many viewers unaware of the rich backstory and overarching narrative. The manga, however, explores these themes in depth, providing a more satisfying and complete story that balances the romance with the deeper, more mystical elements of the plot.
6. Tokyo Ghoul: re (2018): A Sequel That Leaves Viewers Confused
Set two years after the events of Tokyo Ghoul, Tokyo Ghoul: re follows Haise Sasaki (formerly Kaneki Ken) as he leads the Quinx Squad, a group of human-ghoul hybrids. The anime adaptation suffers from poor character development and a rushed narrative, making it difficult for viewers to fully grasp the complexities of the story.
The manga, on the other hand, takes the time to develop characters and explore the intricate plot points, providing a more coherent and satisfying experience for readers. It delves deeper into the psychological aspects of Haise/Kaneki’s character, the moral ambiguities of the world, and the complex relationships between humans and ghouls, offering a richer and more nuanced story than the anime adaptation.
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7. The Promised Neverland (2019-2021): A Promising Start, A Disappointing Finish
The Promised Neverland tells the story of Emma and her siblings at Grace Field House, who discover they are being raised as food for demons and decide to escape. While the first season of the anime was widely praised, the second season faced significant criticism for rushing through important story arcs, skipping others entirely, and making significant changes to the original plot.
This resulted in a confusing and unsatisfying experience for many viewers. The manga, however, offers the full, richly detailed story, allowing readers to experience the intricate plot twists, character developments, and world-building that made The Promised Neverland so beloved in the first place.
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8. Pandora Hearts (2009): A Beautiful Story Left Unfinished
Pandora Hearts follows Oz Vessalius, who is sent to the Abyss on his 15th birthday, forms a contract with a Chain named Alice, and returns to find ten years have passed. The anime adaptation covers only a fraction of the manga’s complex and beautiful story, establishing several intriguing plotlines but leaving many unresolved.
This creates a confusing tangle of narratives that leaves viewers unsatisfied. The manga, however, fully explores these plotlines, providing a complete and richly detailed story. It delves deeper into the mysteries of the Abyss, the complex relationships between characters, and the intricate mythology of the world, offering a much more satisfying and comprehensive narrative experience.
9. Yashahime (2020): A Sequel That Struggles to Find Its Footing
Yashahime follows Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha, the children of InuYasha characters, as they uncover the mystery of their missing parents. While highly anticipated by InuYasha fans, the anime adaptation struggled to live up to expectations, dragging out certain plotlines and often feeling directionless. Interestingly, the manga adaptation, written after the anime’s debut, provides a clearer and more detailed exploration of the plot and characters.
It offers the character development and plot explanations that the anime lacked, making it a more satisfying experience for fans of the InuYasha universe. The manga delves deeper into the girls’ backstories, the mysteries surrounding their parents, and the new threats they face, providing a more coherent and engaging narrative.
10. Black Butler (2008-2010): When Anime-Original Content Complicates Things
Black Butler follows young Earl Ciel Phantomhive, who forms a contract with the demon Sebastian to achieve revenge. While the first half of the anime’s first season follows the manga closely, the latter half diverges into anime-original content, creating confusion about why Ciel’s soul wasn’t devoured after achieving his revenge.
The manga provides a more coherent narrative, free from the confusing additions and changes made in the anime adaptation. It offers a deeper exploration of Ciel’s character, the intricacies of the demon contract, and the dark, Victorian world they inhabit. For fans who want to experience the true vision of Black Butler, the manga offers a more consistent and richly detailed story.
While anime adaptations can be a great way to experience a story, they sometimes fall short of fully capturing the depth and complexity of their source material. In the cases of these ten anime, various factors have resulted in adaptations that may leave viewers confused or unsatisfied.
For fans who want to fully immerse themselves in these worlds and understand the intricacies of their plots, reading the manga can provide a more comprehensive and satisfying experience. However, this doesn’t mean these anime adaptations are without merit. They can serve as excellent introductions to these stories, providing a visual and auditory experience that manga can’t replicate.
Ultimately, whether you choose to watch the anime, read the manga, or do both, these stories offer rich and engaging worlds to explore. The key is to approach each medium with an open mind, understanding that each has its own strengths and limitations in storytelling.
