The most popular and successful anime ever are typically adaptations of equally popular manga series, especially when it comes to the battle shōnen genre. Though both adaptations of light novels and original anime series have become increasingly frequent in recent years, shows based on manga seemingly continue to reign supreme in terms of popularity.
However, not every adaptation is entirely faithful to its source material. Countless titles have taken liberties with the manga off which they’re based, either to enhance the story being told, fill the runtime, or simply stall to allow the manga to progress. These 10 anime, on the other hand, absolutely nailed what made their manga counterparts so good.
10Death Note
Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
Death Notehas become a staple series in any budding fan’s adventure into the world of anime. The 2007 psychological mystery thriller hascaptured the hearts of viewers for nearly two decades—despite its slight stumble in the final act, all thanks to the suspenseful cat and mouse chase played between super detective L and Light Yagami.
The original manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata was aWeekly Shōnen Jumpmega-hit in its own right, and featured the same irresistably edgy, gritty style the anime became known for. There are some minor differences between both versions ofDeath Noteduring their finales, but the anime came as close to nailing the source material as anyone could have hoped.
9Dragon Ball Z Kai
Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Akira Toriyama
Few anime and manga franchises have ever enjoyed the prolonged successDragon Ballhas enjoyed throughout its four-plus decades of history, and few ever will. Goku and the rest of Earth’s greatest heroes became iconic thanks largely toDragon Ball Z, which introduced battle shōnen anime to the general Western audience in the early 2000s.
However, 1989’sDragon Ball Zwas littered with anime-original filler content and stretched quite a bit of its material in order to not catch up to Akira Toriyama’s ongoing manga series.30 years later,Dragon Ball Z Kaibegan airing, and cut nearly all the original series' filler to deliver a faitful adaptation.
Even with a new layer of polish, some ofDragon Ball Z Kaicomes off a bit dated, though it remains the ultimate way to experienceDragon Ballin anime format.
8Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Animated by A-1 Pictures, Based on the Manga by Aka Akasaka
Countless romantic comedy series air every season, but few have ever airedquite likeKaguya-sama: Love Is War. The original manga series by Aka Akasaka—who impressively continued publishing new chapters while his other series,Oshi no Ko, began receiving worldwide acclaim, is one of the most beloved manga rom-coms ever.
The anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures was able to not only perfectly capture the comedic elements that made the manga so special, but elevate them in ways only animation could.
While some content from the manga was cut early on, before the series found its footing and mainly utilized a more episodic structure, few shows have been more faithful while adding so much to their source material.
7Monster
Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by Naoki Urusawa
As fans will typically journey from the popular battle shōnen adaptations into some of the more mature titles anime has to offer, 2004’sMonsteris one of the first series they turn to. Based on the manga by one of the moreunderappreciated artists of the ’90s and 2000s, Naoki Urusawa,Monsteris one of the very best crime thrillers in manga history.
As far as anime adaptations of popular manga go, there may not be a more faithful series ever than studio Madhouse’sMonster. At times, the anime is a shot-for-shot recreation of its source material, even to a fault in some spots when the pacing slows to a crawl. Nevertheless,Monsterremains one of the most popular seinen adaptations ever.
6Look Back
Animated by Studio Durian, Based on the Manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga work lends itself incredibly well to animation, largely because of just how cinematic his stories are. That quality was on display inChainsaw Man’s first season, and even more so in 2024’sLook Back. Studio Durian’s take on Fujimoto’s hit one-shot went on to win a number of awards in Japan, and did so while remaining incredibly faithful to the manga.
From shot composition to the recreation of the artist’s rough and raw art style,Look Backis as faithful as fans of the original work could have hoped, and isdeserving of all the praise it’s received. The film’s score elevates the already highly emotional storyLook Backtells.
5Demon Slayer
Animated by Ufotable, Based on the Manga by Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayeris one of the undeniable leaders of the current generation of shōnen anime, alongside the only arguable comparable in terms of popularity,Jujutsu Kaisen. Known for its breathtaking visual quality courtesy of Ufotable, it might surprise some that the series' source material often featured a rougher, raw style.
Though the series is not yet finished, the first of its final trilogy of films is set to arrive in theaters this fall, and there’s no reason to suspect Ufotable will drop the ball.
The anime is very faithful to the original manga by Koyoharu Gotouge, rarely venturing out on its own while adding a shein to the visual aesthetic entirely original to its own version of events. Though the series is not yet finished, the first of its final trilogy of filmsis set to arrive in theaters this fall, and there’s no reason to suspect Ufotable will drop the ball.
4Mob Psycho 100
Animated by Bones, Based on the Manga by ONE
Even the most die-hard fans of ONE’s manga will admit that the artwork itself isn’t the main draw of the artist’s work. If anything, it’s serviceable for the story being told, and even has its own undeniable charm. When Bones got their hands onMob Psycho 100, the studio was able to capture that charm while elevating the source material.
Mob Psycho 100was incredibly influential on the battle shōnen genre, opening the door for titles to focus heavily on character-driven storytelling while also incorporating clean, high-quality action. The anime adaptation then stayed faithful while elevating just about every aspect of the original work, resulting inone of the best series of the past decade.
3Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Animated by David Production, Based on the Manga by Hirohiko Araki
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventureis likely the strangest manga series to achieve such a towering level of popularity, but its ongoing success both on the page and on-screen is no accident. There’s a style to the series that’s both unique and unmistakable, and David Production has been able to capture it perfectly with their masterful anime adaptation.
From Araki’s detailed character designs to the iconic text that appears in the series' panels, David Production’sJojo’s Bizarre Adventurehas established itself as one of the very best anime adaptations of the last 10-plus years, and fans will be treated to more soonwithSteel Ball Runcurrently in production.
2Attack on Titan
Animated by Wit Studio and MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Hajime Isayama
Attack on Titan’s anime adaptation, which was spearheaded by Wit Studio until the illustrious MAPPA took over for the final season, was one of the most popular anime series ever during the 10-year period it was airing. And though the original manga was successful enough in its own right, its adaptation had a near unparalleled level of hype behind it.
The dark and gritty style of Hajime Isayama’s manga was brought to life by Wit Studio in seasons 1-3, and was latercaptured perfectly by MAPPA for the series' final act. Faithful, full of style, and undeniably captivating; few adaptations of a popular manga series have ever been as successful asAttack on Titan.
1Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Animated by Bones, Based on the Manga by Hiromu Arakawa
It’s rare that an anime which deviates from its source material is ever revisited and done justice, but that’s exactly what happened after2003’sFullmetal Alchemisttold its own original ending. 2009’sFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodwas created with the intention of delivering a faithful adaptation, and it succeeded in just about every way imaginable.
Early sections of the series cut some material from the manga and speed through some other sections, but only because those specific events were covered in the 2003 anime. Once the series gets into the sections its previous iteration excluded, it spreads its wings and achieves shōnen anime perfection, eventually coming to one of the best finales the genre has ever seen.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Cast
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric who use alchemy in a quest to restore their bodies after a failed transmutation. The series explores themes of sacrifice, the consequences of ambition, and the quest for truth in a richly developed world.
