There are times when an animated adaptation of a classic manga surpasses the popularity and appeal of its source material. With anime now a global industry, development studios across the world are unleashing adaptations of classic mangas for new audiences to discover.
In fact, with so many manga-based anime now accessible via streaming services – and that’s not to mention the wave of new releases we can expect throughout 2022 – it can be a bit of a minefield knowing where to begin.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of four of the best Manga to Anime adaptations that you should check out today.
CONTENTS
Kaguya-Sama Love Is War – The RomCom Anime
Rom-com has long been a staple theme within the manga medium, so it’s only natural that there would be plenty of source material to choose from when it comes to anime adaptations. Of all the romantic, comedic and sometimes ludicrous manga that has been transformed into an animated series over the years, Kaguya-Sama Love Is War leaves the biggest impression.
The manga behind the hit A-1 Pictures series is a joy to read on its own, but the addition of visuals, audio and some excellent voicework takes this anime to the next level. Take the addition of the narrator, for example. Easily the standout character in a series chock full of intriguing and hilarious personalities, the narrator has become a fan favourite thanks to a perfectly wacky voice performance by Ian Sinclair.
Kakegurui – The High-Stakes Anime
A gaming-focused manga set in an educational institution might not sound like the most exciting material to adapt to the small screen, but Kagekurui proved that assumption wrong. To borrow from the unique lexicon of poker, this adaptation really ‘upped the ante’ when it came to bringing the tension, drama and adrenaline-fuelled escapades of the students at the Hyakkou Academy to life.
The MAPPA-produced anime, which was broadcast exclusively on Netflix, has won both critical and public acclaim. With its strong female lead and a diverse representation of characters, Kakegurui the anime appeals to a broad range of audiences. And, as you would expect from such a prestigious studio, the animation is superb, and it incorporates a unique plot.
One Piece – The Marathon Anime
No, not an anime centred around marathon running – although, now we’ve mentioned it, that doesn’t sound all that bad! Instead, One Piece is both one of the longest-running manga series and the longest-ongoing anime adaptation, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Just like the manga source material, One Piece is set in an alternate universe where pirates roam and rule the high seas. It follows the Straw Hat crew on their epic adventures as they search for the legendary treasure of the Pirate King, Gold Roger. This is a series with mass appeal; viewers, both young and old, will delight in accompanying this assorted bunch on their long journey.
One word of warning, though. With over 1050 episodes of One Piece in existence, you might find yourself with a lot less time on your hands if you become hooked.
Devilman Crybaby – The Netflix Anime
Global entertainment powerhouse Netflix has been making some major moves in the manga/anime market in recent years. With Devilman Crybaby, the production company has jumped from streaming anime IPs to building an animation department and creating its own original content.
Enter Devilman Crybaby, a modern reworking of Go Nagai’s classic 1972 manga, Devilman. The ground-breaking horror manga has kept readers enthralled for decades with its blend of chilling fantasy and existentialism, and Netflix’s very own anime adaptation updates the storyline for a modern, inclusivity-focused audience. The inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes, for example, brings the story bang up to date but still remains true to the heart of the source material.
So, there we have it, four of the best manga to anime adaptations for beginners to enjoy. And yes, we’re sure long-time anime fans will also lap up every second of these animated classics.
