Best Manga That Need an Anime Adaptation

As Japanese Manga keeps getting more and more popular, the volume of great stories being produced significantly increases. While this is great for the industry, it also means that several stories are left being unadapted for a variety of reasons – be it their complexity, niche fanbase or more. 

In this article, we will be diving into 5 such manga that are considered masterpieces by readers and are desperately awaiting an anime adaptation.

5. Three Days of Happiness​

Kusunoki is an ordinary student who is facing poverty and fails to see any motivation for living. After finding a shop that buys lifespan, he sells all but 3 months of his life. With his impending death and money in his pocket, he decides to fulfill his remaining dreams and not leave anything to regret.

This story is inspiring, romantic and filled with heartbreak. Despite being a short manga, it leaves a lasting impact on readers.

4. The Climber​

Mori Buntarou is an introverted student who passes his days in a lonesome manner. This changes after he coincidentally experiences the sport of rock climbing. With the exhilaration, excitement and sense of relief he feels during the sport, he finally has a purpose in life to strive towards.

Considered by many to be the best sports manga ever, The Climber is eye-opening and features both the sport as well as the psychological impact the sport leaves on participants.

3. Goodnight Punpun​

Punpun is a young boy who spends his time with his friends, falls in love with a girl and tries to balance his complicated personal life. While trying to navigate the journey to adulthood, he faces several traumatic experiences that significantly affect him and change the path he walks. Will he be able to escape his dark feelings and ever achieve happiness?

This is an extremely depressing manga filled with mature moments as well as a twisted tale of slice of life. Once believed to be impossible to adapt in anime-form, fans have become optimistic again after the creator’s other work, Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction, got an anime.

2. 20th Century Boys​

Kenji’s normal life is completely flipped after the sudden death of a friend intertwines him in a conspiracy related to a cult led by an anonymous figure named “Friend”. As he digs deeper, he finds a nefarious plot that could harm the entire world. In order to combat it, he will have to gather his own friends and figure out the truth of the cult which is connected to his past.

Made by the same creator of Monster, 20th Century Boys is a tale that has you engrossed throughout with its mind-bending mysteries, thrilling plot and fantastic cast.

1. Vagabond​

Right from his time as a wild young man looking to make his name in battle, to his search for peace and the truth behind being a warrior, Vagabond tracks the legendary life of Miyamoto Musashi. As a person who wished to become “invincible under the heavens” it follows all his struggles, experiences with friends and his growth from a naive boy to a dependable man.

Often compared with Berserk as the greatest manga of all time, Vagabond makes readers self-reflect and think deeply about the journey of Musashi. with their own lives. It features stunning art, intense battles and a brilliantly written protagonist.