There are more and more successful anime adaptations of manga releasing today. Anime is as popular and mainstream as ever. It isn’t considered ‘nerdy’ or ‘uncool’ anymore.
In case you didn’t know, most anime are adapted from manga. Very rare are there releases of original anime. When these anime adaptations air, usually there is a boost in sales for the manga. In 2024, anime that were released like Kaiju No. 8 & Frieren topped the charts at the end of the year for Best Selling Manga of 2024.
The other way around can work too. A popular manga can boost their chances of receiving an anime adaptation. The voices of fans can also help a manga get an adaptation. AnimeJapan holds a yearly fan poll for which manga fans want to see animated.
But this poll doesn’t guarantee the winner an anime adaptation. However, it does give studios an idea of what manga they should be trying to pitch licensing for.
On the other hand if studios do get a licensing, it doesn’t guarantee the adaptation will be good. This is why trust between studios and fans is important. A good adaptation is what fans of the original source want.
There are many successful anime adaptations of manga that have come out. It would be a disservice if they were not mentioned like Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. I left them off this list because most fans in the anime and manga community already consider them great.
The Obvious Great & Successful Anime Adaptations
Fullmetal Alchemist
Hunter x Hunter
Attack On Titan
Jujutsu Kaisen
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
One Piece
My Hero Academia
What Makes a Successful Anime Adaptation?
The criteria I think that makes or breaks a great adaptation is:
- If the anime is faithful to the original source.
- The production goes beyond the expectations – Everything is great and ‘fits’. From the voice cast to the animation.
- It leads first time watchers to purchase and read the original source – A lot of adaptations are usually ongoing. So if the adaptation is that good and leaves someone curious that they purchase the original source. I consider that a good and successful adaptation.
Most Successful Anime Adaptations (other than than the obvious)
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Romance, Comedy
From a good family? Check! A good personality? Check! Shuchiin Academy is where all these elite students with bright futures flock to.
As the two leaders of the student council, Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane have supposedly fallen in love…But after almost half a year, nothing has happened!?They both have too much pride and can’t be honest.
Things have gotten troublesome, and they are now caught in a war of “How to get the other to confess their love first.” (Crunchyroll)
One of the more successful RomCom’s in recent times. I rarely see any criticism of Kaguya-sama, aside from the ending. It’s written by the (in)famous Aka Akasaka. Known for his terrible conclusions to his masterpieces, Kaguya-sama is the first victim. Following was Oshi No Ko.
All in all though, according to my criteria, I would say that this was a very successful anime. It placed Aka Akasaka as a household name, whether that be a good thing or bad.
Rent-a-Girlfriend
Romance, Comedy
Kazuya Kinoshita is a 20-year-old college student who is a total loser. He kissed his first girlfriend only once, but was dumped after only one month. In desperation, Kazuya decides to use a “certain method” to go on a date with a girl.
When he arrives at the meeting place, Mizuhara Chizuru, a beautiful girl with silky black hair tucked behind her ear, looked at Kazuya and smiled.With just one rental, the reality shines through! A reckless love story of love and excitement begins! (auto-translated from KanoKari-Official)
I’ve talked about Rent-a-Girlfriend before. I wasn’t shy about my love-hate relationship with this story. The manga is one I’ve been reading since around 2019, and it’s one of the most dragged out things in the history of manga. The romance has made minimal steps from Volume One to whatever volume number it is now.
But I can’t deny that this was a successful anime adaptation. The voice actors really capture the main duo. The animation is amazing, just like Reiji Miyajima’s artwork. The panels translated well into the animation. The manga is one of the most popular manga in Japan.
DANDADAN
Action, Comedy, Supernatural
Ghosts, monsters, aliens, teen romance, battles…and the kitchen sink! This series has it all! Takakura, an occult maniac who doesn’t believe in ghosts, and Ayase, a girl who doesn’t believe in aliens, try to overcome their differences when they encounter the paranormal! This manga is out of this world! (Shueisha)
One of my favourites of Fall 2024. I actually read a couple chapters during the pandemic, I thought it was an odd manga and dropped it. But the anime dragged me back in, I loved the visuals and story. The production for season 1 is next level, season 2 will be the same.
Spy x Family
Action, Comedy
The master spy codenamed <Twilight> has spent his days on undercover missions, all for the dream of a better world. But one day, he receives a particularly difficult new order from command. For his mission, he must form a temporary family and start a new life?! A Spy/Action/Comedy about a one-of-a-kind family! (Shueisha)
One of the few manga I read first before the anime was announced. Spy x Family is a wholesome comedy story about a ‘fake’ family. The anime definitely boosted the manga sales and its popularity. There’s two season of the TV Series plus a movie.
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
Drama
In fifteenth-century Europe [in P – Kingdom], heretics are being burned at the stake. Rafal, a brilliant young man, is expected to enter university at an early age and study the era’s most important field, theology. But Rafal values Reason above all else, which leads him both to the shocking conclusion that the Earth orbits the Sun, and into the hands of the Inquisition!
A decade later, two members of the Watch Guild, the young Oczy and the cynical Gras, find a hidden stone chest that details the secrets of the universe Rafal left behind. Dare they try to change their own stars by selling the heretical texts, or would that only lead to the stake and the fire? (Seven Seas Entertainment)
Another one of my favourites of Fall 2024, and a surprising one. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is an amazing anime that you need to see. I have no clue if the anime boosted the manga sales or not. But judging by most fans reaction to the anime, I’d call it a successful adaptation.
Haikyuu!!
Sports
Determined to be like the volleyball championship’s star player nicknamed “the small giant”, Shoyo joins his school’s volleyball club. (IMDB)
I’ve only seen season 1 of Haikyuu, and I’ve never read the manga before. But it has over 3 seasons of the TV Series, plus many movies and movie compilations. I’d consider this the most successful sports anime besides Slam Dunk.
Your Lie in April
Drama, Romance
Kousei Arima was a genius pianist until his mother’s sudden death took away his ability to play. Each day was dull for Kousei. But, then he meets a violinist named Kaori Miyazono who has an eccentric playing style. His monotonous life was about to change forever. (Crunchyroll)
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but YLIA is one of the few anime that I watched weekly. I usually wait for anime to finish cause I’m impatient. Your Lie In April is a 10/10 on my scoring list. Just give it a chance.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
When a 34-year-old underachiever gets run over by a truck, his story doesn’t end there. Reincarnated in a new world as an infant, Rudy will seize every opportunity to live the life he’s always wanted. Armed with new friends, some freshly acquired magical abilities, and the courage to do the things he’s always dreamed of, he’s embarking on an epic adventure—with all of his past experience intact! (Crunchyroll)
One of the most well known isekai of recent times alongside Re:Zero. Mushoku Tensei may not be for everyone, but those who do like it – really like it.
The original source of this isn’t a manga, but a light novel. There exists a manga adaptation though, however last I remember it was behind the anime in terms of where in the story.
Chainsaw Man
Action, Fantasy
Denji was a small-time devil hunter just trying to survive in a harsh world. After being killed on a job, he is revived by his pet devil-dog Pochita and becomes something new and dangerous—Chainsaw Man! (VIZ)
I ended up dropping both the manga and anime of Chainsaw Man. I just couldn’t get into it. The overly horny main character really turned me off. It’s the kind of thing I can’t read or watch without cringing. However, I can’t deny the massive success of the anime adaptation. It’s everywhere. Even the dog that only appears in one episode is instantly recognizable
One of the few anime and manga I wouldn’t recommend personally.
Mob Psycho100
Action, Comedy, Supernatural
Shigeo looks like an ordinary kid, but he’s secretly a formidable psychic whose powers threaten to break free unless he controls his emotions. (Netflix)
I’ve only seen the first season of this show. I personally thought it wasn’t anything amazing, but the community does. They loved it, and were wishing for a second season for the longest time. I remember when they announced a second season, I didn’t feel the want to watch it. The community reaction though; they were waiting for the second season and lost their minds.
If that’s not an indication of a successful anime adaptations, I don’t know what is.
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Miguel channels his love for manga, anime, and gaming into creating digital contents with a goal to become a notable writer who continues to captivate his readers.
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- Miguel F.https://animeinjapan.com/author/miguel-f/
- Miguel F.https://animeinjapan.com/author/miguel-f/
- Miguel F.https://animeinjapan.com/author/miguel-f/
