In most cases, popular anime series have pre-existing source materials they’re adapting, and the vast majority of shows derive from manga. Unfortunately, no matter how good of a job the anime studios do of capturing the magic of the original or even improving upon it with action and sound design, no adaptation can fully encapsulate the vision of its source material.
That’s why exploring the anime’s roots might be beneficial for fans to uncover new meanings and better understand their favorite shows. Anime series like Pandora Hearts feel most gratifying after reading the manga they were based on.
Updated on May 13th, 2023, by Maria Remizova: More often than not, anime adaptations don’t have a chance to bring the entirety of their source materials to the screen. In some cases, anime even drastically changes the contents of the manga, urging the audience to fill in the blanks by turning to the original work. This list has been updated to include even more anime series that feel more fulfilling after reading the manga.
15 Battle Angel
Manga: 9 Volumes (Complete)
Pushed to mainstream fame by its 2019 live-action adaptation, the Battle Angel Alita franchise was originally a cyberpunk manga focused on the titular amnesiac cyborg and her rediscovery of the past. The first attempt to bring Alita to the screen happened in the 1993 OVA.
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It was a great introduction to the manga’s world but didn’t cover anything past the first two volumes. The anime also condensed the manga to the point of becoming a glorified advertisement for the source material instead of a standalone show.
14 Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation
Manhua: 259 Chapters (Complete)
The Chinese danmei novel Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation is an international sensation adapted to all sorts of media, from a live-action web series to an animated show, which became the most popular with audiences. While the donghua competently retells Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s supernatural adventures, it erases most of the series’ romantic subplots.
Fortunately, the manhua is much more willing to delve into the intimate side of the heroes’ relationship. Aside from the novel, it’s the most explicit version of the story fans can experience.
13 Btooom!
Manga: 26 Volumes (Complete)
One of the best survival action shows in anime, Btooom! focuses on Ryōta Sakamoto, a shut-in champion of the titular combat game, who gets a chance to participate in its real-life recreation. However, adapting 26 volumes of manga into a 12-episode TV series was impossible even for the legendary studio Madhouse.
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The anime successfully hooked fans on Ryōta’s story only to end it just when things started to get interesting. After reading the source material, the anime feels like an exciting sneak peek into the grander narrative of Btooom!
12 Blue Exorcist
Manga: Ongoing
Upon its release in 2011, Blue Exorcist swiftly won the hearts of fans with its gripping dark fantasy story, vibrant setting, and lovable characters. Yet, the journey of Satan’s son to become an exorcist didn’t stay true to the source material for long.
After the anime deviated from the manga, the narrative’s quality suffered tremendously. While fans shouldn’t give up hope to see the entirety of Rin Okumura’s ongoing adventure adapted properly, the manga currently remains the only way to experience the series’ greatest heights.
11 Slam Dunk
Manga: 31 Volumes (Complete)
The basketball shonen manga Slam Dunk remains the gold standard for the sports genre even two decades after finishing its run. Both the anime and Takehiko Inoue’s original manga are beloved by many. But fans familiar with the source material see problems with the adaptation first-time viewers might miss or ignore.
Unlike the manga, the anime didn’t age well in terms of visuals, failing to replicate Inoue’s iconic art style. It also suffers from pacing issues, unnecessary changes to the story, and excessive filler, similar to many shonen adaptations of the early 90s.
10 Chainsaw Man
Manga: Ongoing
The newest dark shonen hit, Chainsaw Man, might’ve captivated countless fans. Yet, no one felt as affected by this adaptation as those intimately familiar with Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga. The impression the anime left was one of a gory, over-the-top action spectacle with unforgettable animation and lovable characters.
However, the manga readers are far too familiar with the pain this unassuming setup will bring anime-only fans further down the line. Those thinking Chainsaw Man is dark and brutal after the first season are in for a wild ride.
9 Pandora Hearts
Manga: 24 Volumes (Complete)
Pandora Hearts, a niche shonen series from 2009, is a fantasy mystery most wouldn’t consider much to write home about upon initial viewing. While Oz Vessalius’ investigation into the enigmatic parallel dimension, the Abyss, poses some intriguing questions, the anime-original resolution gives audiences no closure.
Yet, discovering Mochizuki Jun’s initial work makes the show sparkle with new colors. Visually stunning, emotionally complex, and unforgettable in the progression of its mystery plot, Pandora Hearts’ manga adds new meaning to the anime as a prologue to a much more intricate story.
8 Vinland Saga
Manga: Ongoing
With the long-anticipated second season of the Vinland Saga anime finally out, more and more fans ask themselves if it’s worth reading ahead in the manga. However, Makoto Yukimura’s work might be essential to read from the beginning to better understand Thorfinn’s story.
On top of being way ahead of its adaptation, the manga shows some series events from a different perspective, often not following the anime’s linear chronology. The original adds new dimensions to the anime while moving the story forward.
7 Deadman Wonderland
Manga: 13 Volumes (Complete)
Not all anime series have a chance to reach a satisfying conclusion before the credits roll. That was the unfortunate fate of Deadman Wonderland, a gory and intriguing survival mystery that had no chance of telling its story in just 12 episodes.
The anime is a solid prologue to the events further explored in the manga. Yet, its rushed ending left anime-only fans disappointed. Returning to the series after seeing the resolution of its intricate plot proves far more enjoyable than watching the show out of context.
6 Berserk
Manga: Ongoing
Following a series of unfortunate anime adaptations, Berserk continues to reign as the king of dark fantasy seinen. Most might fail to see the full extent of Berserk’s influence by just watching one of its multiple anime adaptations.
Nevertheless, the better ones will definitely charm those familiar with the origin of Guts’ story. On top of never receiving a complete anime, Berserk was always down on its luck when it came to these adaptations’ quality. Yet, even they feel rewarding in the context of the entire series.
5 Flowers Of Evil
Manga: 11 Volumes (Complete)
The first completely rotoscoped anime, Flowers of Evil, was immediately criticized for this bold artistic choice, even by the original manga fans. While the series adapts the first four volumes quite faithfully, one might find it difficult to get over its unsettling art style.
However, after reading the entirety of Flowers of Evil, the anime feels like a commendable attempt at bringing this disquieting psychological drama to life. The viewers get a more refined appreciation for the risks the anime was willing to take after experiencing the entire story.
4 One Piece
Manga: Ongoing
In its anime and manga forms, One Piece remains the definitive shonen adventure series for the entire community. The arguments around which version of the story is better haven’t ceased for decades.
While most readers commend the manga for its tight pacing, consistently incredible art, and emotiveness, the anime provides some merits that might hit even harder after experiencing the original. The amazing sound design and animation featured in the anime’s most climactic moments allow fans to relive their favorite parts of the series in a new form.
3 A Silent Voice
Manga: 7 Volumes (Complete)
The 2016 film A Silent Voice is rightfully considered one of anime’s most emotive and heartbreaking stories. However, the manga it was based on might give even this magnificent movie a run for its money.
While Kyoto Animation did an incredible job bringing A Silent Voice to life, the movie’s limited runtime forced the studio to cut out some significant moments from the manga. Even though the film succeeds as an independent work of art, one misses tons of finer details by not reading the manga.
2 Trigun
Manga: 3 Volumes (Complete)
Both Trigun Stampede and the 1998 Trigun series are loosely based on Nightow Yasuhiro’s manga, which goes in a different direction than both of its adaptations. While Stampede remains more faithful to its source material, it still makes some significant changes, for better or worse.
Vash’s story and character develop best in the manga, and upon reading the source material, one might find themselves considering his actions in a new light. Moreover, the manga remains the only option for those wanting to experience Trigun‘s story in its entirety.
1 Tokyo Ghoul
Manga: 14 Volumes (Complete)
Upon its release, Season 1 of Tokyo Ghoul was topping every anime popularity poll. Yet, no one appreciates the series’ beginnings quite like the fans encouraged to check out its source material after the show took off.
The Tokyo Ghoul manga is a gritty, stunning narrative that was never properly adapted, with the anime heading in a completely different direction after concluding its first season. Thankfully, the manga suffers from none of the later seasons’ problems, which are difficult to parse even with the source material’s aid.