Back in Time Today
While anime adaptations often aim to faithfully translate their manga source material, some take creative liberties—changing tone, pacing, or even entire plotlines. These differences can drastically affect the viewer’s or reader’s experience. Here are 10 anime and manga series that feel completely different from each other.
1. Tokyo Ghoul
The manga “Tokyo Ghoul” dives into the psychological and philosophical depths of identity and morality. It presents a complex narrative about a young man’s transformation into a half-ghoul, exploring themes of acceptance and humanity’s darker side.
In contrast, the anime simplifies these intricate themes, especially in its second season, “Root A”. It diverges from the source material significantly, prioritizing action over the manga’s introspective tone.
This shift dramatically alters the viewer’s experience, focusing more on spectacle than the inner turmoil originally depicted.
2. The Promised Neverland
Season 1 of “The Promised Neverland” stays true to its manga roots, capturing the tension and cleverness of three children plotting their escape from an orphanage.
However, Season 2 takes creative liberties, skipping entire arcs and removing significant characters. This decision leads to a rushed conclusion that lacks the manga’s depth and suspense.
The anime’s departure from the original storyline results in a less impactful narrative, missing the gradual build-up of dread and intrigue inherent in the manga.
3. Soul Eater
“Soul Eater” begins as a faithful adaptation, bringing the manga’s vibrant world and eccentric characters to life. The whimsical and gothic atmosphere is captured well initially.
However, midway through, the anime deviates with an original ending, foregoing the manga’s more detailed world-building and character arcs.
This divergence leads to a different experience, where the anime’s conclusion lacks the deeper emotional and narrative fulfillment found in the manga’s extended story.
4. Akame ga Kill!
“Akame ga Kill!” faced the challenge of overtaking its manga counterpart, resulting in an anime that takes a different path with distinct character fates.
The anime concludes with a unique ending, altering the original tone and killing off characters sooner than the manga.
This shift not only affects the storyline but also changes the emotional resonance, providing a starkly different journey compared to the manga’s more gradual and nuanced narrative development.
5. Claymore
“Claymore” delivers a compelling dark fantasy, with its manga offering an extended narrative filled with depth and nuance.
The anime adapts this world but diverges during the final arc, crafting a different climax and conclusion.
This alteration in the anime creates a unique experience, where the manga’s intricate storytelling and character progressions are more thoroughly explored, offering a richer tapestry of its universe.
6. Berserk (2016)
“Berserk” is renowned for its epic dark fantasy narrative, with the manga’s art and depth being particularly breathtaking.
The 2016 anime adaptation, however, was criticized for its poor animation quality, which detracted from the intense emotional impact present in the original story.
This disconnect between the manga’s powerful imagery and the anime’s execution creates a vastly different experience, where the anime fails to capture the essence that makes “Berserk” so compelling and immersive.
7. Black Butler
“Black Butler” initially follows its manga but soon takes a different narrative direction after the first few episodes.
This divergence creates a distinct storyline within the anime, veering away from the original plot and character dynamics.
Later installations, such as “Book of Circus,” attempt to realign with the manga, yet the initial deviations provide a unique and varied experience that contrasts with the manga’s consistency and depth.
8. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
The 2003 “Fullmetal Alchemist” anime diverged from its manga due to being produced before the manga’s completion. This resulted in a unique story and ending, separate from the original source.
This version provides a different thematic exploration, focusing on its own narrative path.
“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” later offers a more faithful adaptation, yet the 2003 series stands as a distinct interpretation, providing fans with varied emotional and thematic experiences.
9. Hellsing
The initial 2001 “Hellsing” anime begins to diverge from its manga after a few episodes, leading to a story that takes its own creative liberties.
While this adaptation presents its unique narrative, “Hellsing Ultimate” provides a more accurate representation of the manga’s plot and themes.
This variation offers fans two different experiences, where the original anime’s creative choices contrast with the more faithful adaptation of the “Hellsing Ultimate” series.
10. Fruits Basket (2001 vs. 2019)
The 2001 “Fruits Basket” anime adapts only part of the manga, softening the darker themes and providing a more light-hearted interpretation.
In contrast, the 2019 reboot offers a more complete and faithful retelling, delving deeper into the original story’s complexities and emotional arcs.
This difference creates two distinct viewing experiences, where the newer adaptation captures the full breadth of the manga’s narrative and character development.