3 Popular Anime That Are Better Experienced Through Their Manga
Anime adaptations of manga often draw in larger audiences and invite viewers to explore the original story. Through animation, sound design, music, and voice acting, anime can bring beloved manga stories to life and could even elevate the source material in ways that go beyond what manga can convey. However, the transition from page to screen isn’t always smooth, and sometimes even the most acclaimed manga can receive anime adaptations that fall short of expectations.
Whether it’s from inconsistent quality or major story deviations, some adaptations simply don’t compare to the original manga. In these cases, while the anime adaptation typically has at least some merit, it’s often best to experience the story as it was originally told and pick up the manga instead. That way, the story can be experienced exactly as intended and will leave a far more lasting and memorable impact.
By the time One-Punch Man received an anime adaptation, many fans around the world were beyond excited, and the first season delivered in more ways than one. Unfortunately, the second and third seasons struggled to keep up with that standard and became infamous for their visual downgrades and condensed or omitted stories and arcs. After the first season of the anime, it's best to pick up the manga or visit the original webcomic for a fuller experience.
The anime adaptation starts out strong and quickly carves out a unique place for itself with its gothic, cartoonish style. However, the series eventually caught up with the manga, forcing it to diverge from the source material and create its own original storylines and ending that was arguably an out-of-place climax. While it’s far from a bad adaptation, the manga's ending and storylines offer more development and a more satisfying conclusion that perfectly aligns with the story’s themes.
Unfortunately, the 2016 adaptation relies heavily on hybrid 3D CGI, which subverts expectations for the series, given the manga's ultra-detailed art. Character animation is stiff and awkward at times, and camera movement can be abrupt, pulling viewers out of the experience. Paired with massive omissions and condensed arcs, Berserk’s 2016 adaptation is one of the worst.
Whether it’s from inconsistent quality or major story deviations, some adaptations simply don’t compare to the original manga. In these cases, while the anime adaptation typically has at least some merit, it’s often best to experience the story as it was originally told and pick up the manga instead. That way, the story can be experienced exactly as intended and will leave a far more lasting and memorable impact.
One-Punch Man
One-Punch Man follows Saitama, a hero so powerful that he ends every battle with a single punch. The series is widely known and popular, standing out as a parody of superhero and shōnen conventions that explore heroism, recognition, flawed hierarchies, and personal fulfillment. The manga is based on ONE’s clever writing and webcomic, which was later adapted into a manga by Yusuke Murata, whose exceptional artwork brought it to life.You may also like
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By the time One-Punch Man received an anime adaptation, many fans around the world were beyond excited, and the first season delivered in more ways than one. Unfortunately, the second and third seasons struggled to keep up with that standard and became infamous for their visual downgrades and condensed or omitted stories and arcs. After the first season of the anime, it's best to pick up the manga or visit the original webcomic for a fuller experience.
Soul Eater
Soul Eater is another dark fantasy series that takes place at Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA), where students form partnerships between weapon users and those who can transform into living weapons. The story centers mainly on Maka Albarn and Soul ‘Eater’ Evans, who hunt corrupt souls and witches to transform Soul into a Death Scythe, a weapon wielded by the Grim Reaper, Death himself.The anime adaptation starts out strong and quickly carves out a unique place for itself with its gothic, cartoonish style. However, the series eventually caught up with the manga, forcing it to diverge from the source material and create its own original storylines and ending that was arguably an out-of-place climax. While it’s far from a bad adaptation, the manga's ending and storylines offer more development and a more satisfying conclusion that perfectly aligns with the story’s themes.
Berserk
Berserk (2016) adapts Kentaro Miura’s long-running dark fantasy manga, centering specifically on the Conviction Arc and continuing Guts’ story after the Eclipse. The story follows his journey as the black Swordsman alongside new companions as he fights through a world filled with demonic forces and religious fanaticism. It’s widely known for its violent, dense atmosphere and action-packed adventure.Unfortunately, the 2016 adaptation relies heavily on hybrid 3D CGI, which subverts expectations for the series, given the manga's ultra-detailed art. Character animation is stiff and awkward at times, and camera movement can be abrupt, pulling viewers out of the experience. Paired with massive omissions and condensed arcs, Berserk’s 2016 adaptation is one of the worst.
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