Anime is more popular than ever, reaching audiences around the world with its creative stories and mesmerizing visuals. However, most anime is adapted from manga, essentially Japanese comics that either get new chapters every week or month, which compile into a long-running story. Manga is the true artistic expression of the author, providing beautiful art, a compact plot, and a wonderful reading experience.
Because anime is more mainstream, has broader appeal, and adapts the manga, many fans don't bother reading the source material. However, they are missing out because the story is in its complete state, without any content cut. There are so many series, and many mangas have yet to be adapted; in fact, some may never get that honor. These ten manga series have yet to get an anime, butthey have proven to be of the highest quality in art, story, vibe, creativity, and importance.
10 'Veil' (2019)
Creator: Ikumi Fukuda
X, formerly Twitter, is a space for many users to post whatever they want, which also makes it an excellent home for artists to share their work. However, Ikumi Fukuda's work would gain massive recognition on the platform, resulting in a publisher picking up her work and compiling it into volumes. The manga follows Emma, a blind woman, and Aleksander, a police officer and their daily romantic lives.
Veil has no plot but instead offers fans snippets into the lives of this couple. This series isa visual delight that encourages fans to take their time enjoying the stunning art and the gorgeous vibe. Veil is the most recent manga on this list, but it has quickly established itself with its phenomenal art style and color scheme. With clear French and 20th-century inspirations, this manga is an elegant masterpiece that readers should simply take in and enjoy.
9 'Spirit Circle' (2012)
Creator: Satoshi Mizukami
Image via Shōnen Gahōsha
Reincarnation and Isekai anime are currently all the rage, offering unique stories and an escapist fantasy. Spirit Circle is an unassuming manga that uses these themes to tell a story incorporating many genres. Yuuta can see ghosts, but when he meets an exchange student, he is mysteriously drawn towards her. It turns out that the two have an eternal feud spanning multiple lives, setting Yuuta on a journey of discovery to learn about their hatred.
Spirit Circle is a forgotten series buried under countless more mainstream hits, which is unfortunate because it is one of the most underrated manga ever. The art is basic, but the story and characters make up for it in a big way, providing an entertaining mystery and action adventure. Watching the dots connect is a rewarding experience, and with only six volumes, fans can easily binge this series in no time.
8 'A Bride's Story' (2008)
Creator: Kaoru Mori
Image via Aokishi
There aren't enough historical anime that accurately depict specific periods. However, this genre is becoming more popular with manga like Vinland Saga and Kingdom. A Bride's Story is another historical manga yet to be animated, which follows a Nomadic tribe near the Caspian Sea. With many different romantic storylines, the main focus is on the brides of this time, specifically the arranged marriage between Amir, a 20-year-old woman, and Karluk, a 12-year-old boy.
While the premise sounds a bit disturbing, the series is so good that it would benefit fans to think in the mindset of the time. Even if fans can't get past the unsettling age gap, there are plenty of other plotlines to enjoy, from wholesome daily antics to tragic journeys and dramatic moments. The art is elegant, with fantastic attention to detail, but the story is also incredibly well-researched, resulting in one of the greatest slice-of-life manga.
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Vinland Saga
Release Date July 6, 2019
Cast Yûto Uemura , Mike Haimoto , Shinya Takahashi , Alejandro Saab , Hiroki Gotô , Aleks Le , Kaiji Tang , Michael C. Pizzuto
Seasons 2
7 'Real' (1999)
Creator: Takehiko Inoue
Image via Viz Media
Basketball is one of the world's biggest sports, with a big following in Japan, primarily thanks to the groundbreaking manga and anime Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue. Fans will know just how good that series is if they watch it, but if they are hurting for something similar, Real is another basketball manga by the same author. It follows three young men striving to achieve their dreams, even if some are paralyzed.
Real isn't just an entertaining manga about basketball; it's an emotional and important series that follows the trauma and disabilities of its main characters as they struggle to overcome their daily obstacles. From physical to mental challenges, this manga manages to tell a deeply touching story that will inspire and relate to every reader. Real is a must-read masterpiece and one of the best sports manga, begging for an anime adaptation.
Goodnight Punpun is one of the most recognizable manga works, and many fans know it from its unique storytelling and depressing plot. This manga follows the titular protagonist on the journey from childhood to adulthood, which subtly yet drastically changes his idealistic and romantic outlook on life. This slice-of-life manga is a dark coming-of-age story about the horribly depressing life of Punpun and those around him.
Many popular anime can be sad, but Goodnight Punpun takes it to the next level, with each chapter and volume pushing the limits of what readers can tolerate. Inio Asano masterfully writes a compelling narrative that gives fans an in-depth look at the minds of its characters through an evolving art style. Goodnight Punpun isn't for the faint of heart, providing one of the most depressing experiences ever, resulting in a nearly unadaptable manga that will probably never get an anime version.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is a peculiar series because it releases different parts with new plots, characters, and settings, but it is technically the same series. Most of the manga have anime counterparts, but part 7, Steel Ball Run, is the next in line, which means it doesn't have an anime yet. It follows Johnny and Gyro on a sprawling horse race across the American Old West full of oddities and stand battles.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is a popular series, with fans eagerly waiting for the Steel Ball Run anime. But until then, this part is still a well-renowned manga. The wacky and bizarre plot the series is known for is at its best in Steel Ball Run, with plenty of odd antics and a well-crafted plot. Manga fans are mostly in agreement that this is the best part of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, from its art, characters, absurdity, and entertainment.
Cast David Vincent , Matthew Mercer , Daisuke Ono , Unshô Ishizuka , Tôru Ohkawa
Seasons 5
4 'Yotsuba&!' (2003)
Creator: Kiyohiko Azuma
Image via Daioh Dengeki
Most of these manga are beloved because of their incredible stories, stellar art, emotional impact, and award-winning nature. Yotsuba&!, on the other hand, is a pure slice-of-life comedy that excites fans with its hilarious and wholesome content. The manga follows the daily life of Yotsuba and her father, who encounter life's everyday wonders with 100% enthusiasm, making everyone's day better around them.
Yotsuba&!
, on the other hand, is a pure slice-of-life comedy that excites fans with its hilarious and wholesome content.
At its heart, Yotsuba is a wholesome comedy that somehow makes the most basic encounters a hilarious misadventure, bringing viewers back to the joys of childhood. A slew of endearing characters offer plenty of different dynamics to keep the series fresh. With perfect comedic gags, hilarious situations, and funny characters,Yotsuba is one of the best comedy manga. Sadly, it is unlikely to get an anime because of the author's displeasure with a previous adaptation of his work.
3 'The Climber' (2007)
Creator: Shinichi Sakamoto
In most manga, the writer and artist are the same person, but this isn't the case sometimes. The Climber started this way, but after unknown circumstances, the artist took over writing duties and pivoted to a much more touching and profound story. The story follows a lonely high school student who awakens his passion for climbing after scaling the school. He sets his sights on higher peaks with every success.
Despite being visual mediums, anime and manga are prone to overexplaining everything. The Climber breaks this trend by letting its art speak for itself, allowing the reader to understand everything through the landscape and characters alone. While the side cast is underdeveloped, the manga takes its time to flesh out the protagonist, from his development to relatable themes and struggles, resulting in a profound and complex story with some of the best art in manga.
2 '20th Century Boys' (1999)
Creator: Naoki Urasawa
Image via Big Comic Spirits
Naoki Urasawa is one of the greatest mangaka of all time, with popular anime like Monster and the recently adapted Pluto. While he does have other incredible series like Billy Bat, 20th Century Boys is easily his best work that a studio has not animated. Decades after their childhood games, a group of friends realizes their plans are becoming reality. To stop doomsday, they must try to remember their past and who this mysterious figure is.
While some fans have criticized the rushed ending, everything else about the manga is perfect, mainly its multi-layered mystery spanning multiple eras. It is an incredibly well-crafted plot and conflict with so many aspects in play, creating a complex and compelling story. 20th Century Boys is a refreshing mystery that uses nostalgia, character development, and flashbacks to tie in its key themes. Simply praising it doesn't speak to how good it is, and it easily deserves an anime adaptation.
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Monster
Release Date April 7, 2004
Creator(s) Naoki Urasawa
Cast Liam O'Brien , Keith Silverstein , Karen Strassman , Richard Epcar , Laura Bailey , Tara Platt
Seasons 1
Writers Tatsuhiko Urahata , Naoki Urasawa
1 'Vagabond' (1998)
Creator: Takehiko Inoue
The fact that Inoue has a second manga on this list should speak to his incredible talent. He has created some of the most compelling series and become one of the best mangakas ever. Vagabond is based on Eiji Yoshikawa's 1935 novel, which tells the fictionalized events of Miyamoto Musashi's life, the greatest samurai ever to live. It is about a rough man trying to achieve the title of "strongest under the heavens," slowly enlightening in the way of the sword.
While most fans recognize Berserk as the greatest manga, Vagabond is never far behind in those conversations. Unfortunately, the series is on indefinite hiatus with little chance of finishing as the author urges fans to read the original novel. Journeys of self-discovery are always a hit among fans, but Vagabond does so in the most beautiful and riveting way, providing fans with epic action, profound storytelling, and gorgeous art. Vagabond isnothing short of perfect and a must-read manga that fans hope will get an anime someday.
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