Highlights
- Manga and light novels are often the inspiration for popular anime adaptations, driving sales of the original source material.
- Some anime projects are original and not based on previously written stories, offering unique and standalone narratives.
- These original anime, such as Synduality: Noir and World Dai Star, cater to specific genres and provide exciting and captivating stories for fans to enjoy.
More often than not, anime are usually adaptations of stories from other mediums, with manga and light novels being the usual suspects. Because of this, manga and anime are always closely intertwined, and a popular anime adaptation usually drives sales of the original manga or light novel it’s based off of.
While most anime projects are adaptations of novels, books, games, and more, there are anime projects that are entirely original and don’t stem from a previously written story. While they are fairly rare and vary in quality, these anime originals did their best to stand out against the flood of anime adapted from manga, light novels, and video games.
7 Synduality: Noir
MyAnimeList Score: 6.74
In the far future, Earth has been ruined by terrible toxic rain and horrific monsters called Enders that roam the desolate wastelands. Forced to live in scattered shelters, humanity must thrive using an energy source called AO crystals, which can only be collected by brave tank-driving drifters. A young drifter named Kanata discovers an odd girl named Noir sleeping in stasis. Though she has no memories, her combat abilities convince Kanata to take her along on his adventures.
Synduality: Noir is technically part of Bandai Namco’s Synduality mixed-media project, but as the first entry in the project, it’s arguable that the series can be considered an original. Fans of mecha anime and sci-fi adventures will surely enjoy this anime.
6 World Dai Star
MyAnimeList Score: 7.35
In the world of musical theater, the absolute pinnacle that performers can reach is the title of Dai Star. Of these, only the best can be known as World Dai Stars, performers that represent the best of what musical theater has to offer. Dreaming of achieving the title herself, young Kokona Otori manages to get an audition for the legendary Sirius musical trope. Though her enthusiasm is high, she’ll need to use her skills in order to beat her competitors and land the role of her dreams.
World Dai Star is the first entry in a mixed-media project created by Takahiro of Akame ga Kill! fame. Though a manga technically started publishing a week before the anime, it’s highly unlikely that the anime is an adaptation of that work, considering the workload involved. Fans of acting and show business-focused anime will certainly enjoy this theater-focused anime.
5 Overtake!
MyAnimeList Score: 7.55
Freelance photographer Kouya Madoka finds himself in a slump and struggles to produce quality work. While working a job at the Fuji International Speedway, he becomes enthralled by the story of Haruka Asahina, a teenage F4 driver. Inspired, Madoka decides to support Asahina in his quest to rise up the ranks of Formula racing.
Overtake! is a racing anime particularly focused on the world of Formula racing. Produced by studio Troyca of Aldnoah. Zero fame, this anime is a great alternative to other racing shows like MF Ghost. While the series focuses largely on the racing, there is also a focus on the mental and psychological aspects of the drivers as well.
4 Birdie Wing: Golf Girls’ Story (Season 2)
MyAnimeList Score: 7.61
Underground golfer Eve and prodigy competitor Aoi Amawashi couldn’t be any more different, whether it be as golfers or as people. Though the two see each other as worthy rivals, the onset of the All-Japan Girls’ High School Gold Double Championship forces them to cooperate in order to bring in a victory for their team. However, nothing is ever so simple, and the girls will have to deal with not only skilled rivals but sudden revelations from Eve’s checkered past.
Birdie Wing: Golf Girls’ Story started in 2022 and wowed sports anime fans with its golfing action. This second season is even more of the same, with the addition of more insight into Eve and Aoi as characters. Fans of the first season will surely enjoy this second one.
3 Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure
MyAnimeList Score: 7.63
Sora Harewataru is a denizen of Skyland, a magical world that exists separately from the human world. When Skyland’s princess Ellee is targeted for kidnapping, Sora tries to save her, only to find herself stranded in Sorashido City, where she meets Mashiro Nizigaoka. Gaining the power of Pretty Cure, Sora and Mashiro must fight against Skyland’s enemies while trying to bring Ellee back home.
Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure is the newest entry in the long-running Pretty Cure series. With a year-long syndication, the anime is certain to be one of the longest anime of the year. Fans of magical girl anime will not be disappointed by this entry.
2 Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury (Season 2)
MyAnimeList Score: 7.95
After the violent incident at Plant Quetta, Earth House returns to Asticassia School of Technology, where they continue to develop Gund-Arm as a company. Meanwhile, various plots begin working from behind the scenes, including those of Grassley House leader Shaddiq and Suletta’s own mother, Prospera.
The newest entry in the long-running Gundam series, The Witch from Mercury‘s second season amps up the action as plans and plot threads from the previous season come to fruition. Fans of the first season will not want to miss this ultimate conclusion.
1 Buddy Daddies
MyAnimeList Score: 8.14
Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa are career assassins who encounter a young girl named Miri while on a job. Though they are initially reluctant to take care of her, they soon find her boundless energy and pure heart charming and eventually endeavor to look after her. However, they also have to juggle their various assassin duties while they cook her meals and take her to school.
Buddy Daddies is a slice-of-life comedy anime that plays on the trope of unlikely parents suddenly caring for a child. Fans of wholesome family comedy will surely enjoy this series.