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5 Manga That Need an Anime

Manga Titles That Are Begging to Be Anime

By Matthew Alexander February 02, 2010

5 Manga That Need an Anime
© Mania/Bob Trate

American manga fans see only a small number of Japanese manga officially released here in the U.S., and many of them already have popular anime releases, such as Naruto, Bleach, Fruit’s Basket, Dragonball, and Full Metal Alchemist to name a few. Nevertheless, there are a lot of great manga released stateside that would make good anime, and the following list comprises a few of these serie

5. Alive the Final Evolution

This story has an interesting plot interspersed with humorous situations and action scenes sprinkled with likeable characters experiencing various degrees of character development. These aspects could vault this story into a successful shonen adventure anime in the same vein as ‘Black Cat,’ ‘Bleach,’ or ‘Kiddy Grade.’ ‘Alive: The Final Evolution’ has one of the more unique story ideas among the shonen genre, the Suicide Virus. This new virus causes worldwide mass suicides, with victims killing themselves in front of family and friends. It makes for some tragic and shocking scenes. Taisuke is one of the few people able to resist the virus’ suicidal urge. He and the others with enough will power to resist the virus are left with supernatural powers unique to the individual. Through Taisuke’s search for his kidnapped friend Megumi, this series makes for a disturbingly enjoyable examination of friendship, what it means to be a family, and the implications of suicide. Super powered fight scenes in this series would translate well into anime much in the way other series have, like ‘Speed Grapher’. Studio Pierrot’s experience with long-running shonen hits like ‘Naruto’ and ‘Bleach’ makes them an excellent pick to produce an animated ‘Alive: The Final Evolution’.

4. Dorothea

Would make a great anime because of the entertaining plot, character development, and action. ‘Dorothea’ is an engaging realistic story about warfare, political intrigue, first love, jealousy between friends, and religious radicalism in feudal Europe. This manga follows albino Dorothea, a Joan of Arc-like character, as she tries everything in her power to protect the other albinos of her clan. Branded as a witch by the Vatican, Dorothea joins the army where she learns about death, camaraderie, and the ugly side of human nature. The many fight scenes could animate quite well into sweeping feudal battlefields and detailed one-on-one fight scenes much in the way ‘Claymore’ translates from manga to anime. Dorothea’s struggles as a warrior in a male-dominated society and her lover’s struggles with accepting her abilities make for an intriguing story in the vein of ‘Blue Gender’ or ‘Eureka Seven.’ With titles like ‘Scrapped Princess,’ ‘Eureka Seven,’ and ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’ under their belt, Studio Bones could successfully bring alive the bright-colored book covers of the ‘Dorothea’ series.

3. Path of the Assassin

Written by the team behind the highly acclaimed ‘Lone Wolf and Cub’ and ‘Samurai Executioner.’ ‘Path of the Assassin’ has a brilliant plot, brutal action scenes, and more adult situations than most manga series released stateside. With incredible attention to detail, this series is an all encompassing imagining of the loves, life lessons, exploits, and travails of Hattori Hanzo and Tokugawa Ieyasu on their path to uniting Japan. Political intrigue is a constant underlying theme in this series as samurai families try to diplomatically outduel each other and the royalty, at least until they relinquish diplomacy and declare open warfare. History buffs get a good dose of feudal Japanese society, while ninjitsu fans learn more about ninja weapons and techniques than any other single story can teach. ‘Path of the Assassin’ has the ninja action of ‘Ninja Scroll,’ the epic battlefield scenes of ‘Berserk’ and the political intrigue of ‘Le Chevalier D’Eon.’ With series like ‘Basilisk’, ‘Afro Samurai, and ‘Peacemaker Kurogane’ on their resume, Gonzo would be the perfect studio to undertake an animated ‘Path of the Assassin.’

2. Train+Train

A good plot with plenty of character development could easily push this series into a great anime. Written by Hideyuki Kurata, the creator of the ‘R.O.D.’ series, ‘Train+Train’ is a fun adventure series with two likable protagonists that compliment each other nicely. The story follows students attending a unique school that travels around the country in a massive train. Strong-willed Arena and docile Reiichi as the try to survive the tasks of their traveling school train. Their character development as they learn to trust each other and work together is both enjoyable and touching. Ultimately, they have to be broken down before they can remake themselves into a good team. These protagonists share a humorous chemistry as they journey from youth to adulthood in a high-paced adventure package with flavors of a techno world like ‘Cowboy Bebop’ and the dangerous school setting of ‘Infinite Ryvius.’ Hideyuki Kurata has already collaborated with studio J.C. Staff on ‘R.O.D. – The TV,’ so they could be a good pick, or maybe Sunrise, the studio responsible for ‘Cowboy Bebop’ and ‘Infinite Ryvius.’

1. Hayate X Blade

A ridiculously fun plot, tons of sword-swinging action, character development and an all-girl cast with over-the-top yuri humor are just some of the reasons this would make a great anime. ‘Hayate X Blade’ has garnered quite a following in Mania.com’s Manga forums, and for anyone reading the series it is easy to see why. The story follows a hyperactive swashbuckling girl attending an all-girl school where students in the Sword Bearer program train to become the best sword fighters in the country. The story quickly branches out into a character heavy tale about teenage girls in the vein of ‘Negima,’ minus the harem aspect. The comedy surrounding Hayate’s innocent yuri-toned antics and Ayana’s disgust with Hayate’s personality has always kept me laughing aloud. Toss in numerous other girls with their own desires and quirks, and this story is as cast-heavy as any ‘Gundam’ series, only with plenty of sword duels and teenage comedy. The fight scenes remind us of the ‘Jubei Chan’ anime, and we think that show’s director could do an excellent job with an animated ‘Hayate X Blade’. Based on their production of ‘Jubei Chan’, many other fighting themed series, and their experience collaborating with mangaka like CLAMP and Naoki Urasawa, We think Madhouse could really make this series work.

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COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

nickclkknt 2/2/2010 7:05:11 AM

Girls Saurus! :D

Epitome 2/2/2010 8:52:04 AM

5 - Vinland Saga

4 - Vinland Saga

3 - Vinland Saga

2 - Vinland Saga

1 - Vinland Saga

TnAdct1 2/2/2010 9:38:40 AM

Where's Yotsubato!?

MrJawbreakingEquilibrium 2/2/2010 11:30:50 AM

You should do a anime that needs to be a live action movie next. My vote for that are Vampire D and Cowboy Bebop (which is apparently happening).

Glamrgrl104 2/2/2010 12:14:00 PM

Ottomen would make a wonderful anime! It is all ready a drama.

reionpremente 2/2/2010 1:16:02 PM

Wow... they're actually CONTINUING Bebop? Will wonders never cease! ^_^ I kind of wish Negima Neo was worth animating otherwise I'd suggest that to be animated. And what about the Slayers Manga? Most of that never got to be animated. I'd kind of like to see the rest of it animated. Hmmm... I'd kind of like XXXHolic's series to be a little more like the GN series PLEASE. It's like they went off on their own little tangent or something and forget to tie-in what made the GN's so desirable in the first place. While the anime series was entertaining, don't get me wrong, I really kind of wish it followed the manga instead of doing its own thing. Hmmm.... I'd REALLY like someone to get Mamotte Shuyogetten licensed PLEASE! That's been released in manga form for years and NO ONE has released it? Come on now!

reionpremente 2/2/2010 1:24:57 PM

Yes, but if they continue on with the live-action Bebop and make Keanu Spike Spiegel, I'll stone them. That would be the greatest insult to the industry since Blood the Last Vampire went Live Action.

Kismet 2/2/2010 3:11:16 PM

A very male orientated selection, although wouldn't mind a Dorothea anime.

Bloody Monday, Dolls (Naked Ape Version), Dragon Eye, Jormungand, Karneval, Otomen, Silver Diamond, Togari, Tokyo Crazy Paradise, Until Death Do Us Part, Usagi Drop.

Just a small selection of which i'd prefer to see.

insaneben 2/2/2010 6:41:05 PM

If we're talking anime do-overs for manga that have already been released once before in animated form, I'd choose:

-Those Who Hunt Elves (The manga had a total of 21 volumes, not counting the 2007 "Return" one-volume sequel; that's more than enough material for a 26 or even 52-episode series.)

-Tsukihime (The anime was dull; the manga explains the plot better and allows more time for character development. While the 9th and final volume won't be out until mid-or-late-summer, once it's done, it should make for a better show than the 2003 let-down.)

-Comic Party (They've had two cracks at it, and, despite one or two notable episodes for each series, couldn't get it right either time. The manga adds in elements that would've served the overall series better.)

wolfdan 2/2/2010 10:36:21 PM

my favorite is Haruhi Suzumiya

when does the english dub season 2 come out

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