11 TIMES WHEN ANIME FOLLOWED A DIFFERENT ROUTE FROM THEIR MANGA
Certain manga receive faithful adaptations when transitioning to anime, with Death Note being a prominent example. Minimal alterations or additions occur, preserving the essence of the original material. Opinions diverge: some favor this approach, while others appreciate greater divergence between the two mediums.
Typically, the extent of adaptation corresponds to the manga’s progress at the anime’s commencement. Death Note, for instance, didn’t rely on filler content, benefiting from the completed manga during the anime’s release. Conversely, there exist significant manga series that underwent alteration in adaptation.
In fact, certain anime adaptations deviate intentionally, offering a distinct interpretation of the source manga’s narrative. This division in approach often polarizes fans of a franchise, sparking debates over whether an anime has faithfully captured the essence of its source material.
11. The Promised Neverland
The trajectory of The Promised Neverland is perplexing; it initially stood out as one of the finest anime adaptations of the 2010s, yet it perplexingly veered away from the celebrated manga by writer Kaiu Shirai and illustrator Posuka Demizu. Somewhat inexplicably, CloverWorks crafted a new, less favorable narrative for the Grace Field children.
Though The Promised Neverland Season 2 began in alignment with the manga, it gradually deviated, ultimately presenting CloverWorks‘ unique rendition of the human-Demon conflict. Regrettably, Season 2’s narrative and moral elements, recognized for their simplicity, supplanted a wealth of intricate character development and world-building present across nearly 100 manga chapters.
10. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion presents a captivating instance of this phenomenon, a rarity where the sequence is reversed: it emerged as an anime before being adapted into a manga. The manga, crafted by the series‘ character designer, garners esteem among anime enthusiasts. However, the conclusion notably diverges from the anime’s unconventional and polarizing ending, which triggered strong feelings of discontent among a significant portion of the fan base.
9. Paradise Kiss
Paradise Kiss, a creation of the highly esteemed mangaka Ai Yazawa, warrants an honorable mention within this discourse. Its anime adaptation’s conclusion adheres closely to the manga’s final narrative trajectory, unlike the eventual live-action film adaptation. Nevertheless, akin to the saying „the devil is in the details,“ subtle alterations made in the anime significantly alter the impact of Yazawa’s poignant manga ending.
The omission of Yukari’s fiancé’s name and depiction, along with the absence of scenes portraying Yukari’s joyful laughter with this fiancé, amplifies the anime’s somber and desolate tone, effectively diluting the emotional depth present in the original. In the indelible embodiment of a bittersweet conclusion, the manga captures the essence of Yukari’s journey. Although Yukari’s heart might not have fully mended from her feelings for George – as evidenced by her parting words, alluding to tearful nostalgia at the sight of his clothes – the manga imparts the notion that she has, in fact, embarked on a new chapter in her life, chasing her dreams. The manga masterfully balances the acceptance of harsh realities with the pursuit of aspirations. Yukari doesn’t seek reconciliation with George, yet she charts a course to find happiness with another, even as the embers of their initial affection linger within their hearts.
8. Claymore
Claymore similarly deviates from a comprehensive adaptation of the entire manga, yet it distinguishes itself from Elfen Lied by successfully concluding a story arc. However, followers of the manga bemoan the anime’s conclusion as one of the most dissatisfying among adaptations.
The finale thrusts the protagonist into a climactic showdown with her adversary, mirroring the concluding battles typical of this genre. However, this confrontation, instead of delivering a genuine struggle, culminates in an effortless victory, aided by an unexplained power-up that bewildered and disheartened viewers.
7. Soul Eater
Although not all deviations from a manga’s ending in an anime are inherently negative, Soul Eater stands as a notable instance of widespread fan disappointment. The anime underwent substantial alterations to its narrative, resulting in significant divergences from the original manga and consequently altering its ending. Characters aligned differently in pivotal conflicts, and outcomes shifted – battles that could have been triumphs in the manga were transformed into losses.
These changes caused the anime’s trajectory to veer away from the manga’s course, leading to a point of departure that left numerous enthusiasts of the story feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied with the adaptation’s outcome.
6. Fruits Basket
The original Fruits Basket anime serves as an illustration of a distinct challenge that anime adaptations can encounter when dealing with expansive manga narratives. In this instance, the manga’s intricate plot far exceeded the limited episode count of the anime. As a consequence, the story underwent substantial condensation, resulting in the anime’s conclusion arriving significantly earlier than the manga’s true conclusion. The manga’s extended storyline encompasses additional characters and plot intricacies, supplementing the central love story with further elements and dimensions.
5. Tokyo Ghoul
Much like Fullmetal Alchemist, the immensely popular Tokyo Ghoul anime embarks on a distinct narrative trajectory as it progresses, deviating from its original manga source material. This natural divergence leads to the need for an alternative ending compared to the manga’s conclusion.
Interestingly, the entirety of the second season of the series takes an entirely separate path from the manga, leading to a considerable number of fans considering the storytelling in this season to exist outside the canonical framework of the rest of the series.
4. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Within Kazuki Takahashi’s Yu-Gi-Oh! manga, the spirit of the ancient pharaoh Atem, known as Yami, engaged challengers in ominous Shadow Games of varying natures across different story arcs. Amidst these transformations, the „Duel Monsters“ card game gained overwhelming popularity, subsequently serving as the foundation for both a highly successful anime series and a real-world trading card game.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters predominantly centers around the Duel Monsters card game, drawing inspiration from the manga’s events while using them more as a narrative framework than strict adaptation. A more faithful rendition of the manga’s text can be found in the unofficially titled „Season 0,“ yet it’s the immensely more renowned and influential Duel Monsters adaptation that has come to dominate the franchise.
3. Boruto
Boruto made its debut as a manga in 2016, followed by the anime’s launch in 2017. Unusually, this adaptation embarked on a distinct path, initially diverging from the manga entirely. Given the manga’s nascent stage, the anime creators aimed to grant the story ample room to develop.
The initial fifty episodes delve into the evolving narrative of the Hidden Leaf Village, highlighting alterations and delving into Boruto’s growth and learning curve before converging with the events of the manga’s first volume. This approach allows the anime to establish a richer foundation for the storyline, gradually aligning itself with the manga’s trajectory.
2. Black Butler
Black Butler presents an intriguing case as a lengthy manga that remains ongoing. Although the anime aired between 2008 and 2010, one might assume that much of the manga remains unadapted, as in the case of Trigun. However, the anime takes an unexpected turn, diverging from the manga well before depleting its source material. This diversion commences as early as the seventh episode of the first season, leading the anime down a unique narrative path that introduces significant alterations to numerous characters.
Remarkably, the second season of Black Butler largely departs from the manga, retaining only the characters as points of connection. The series then takes a curious twist, returning to adapt the manga, yet branching off into a third continuity where segments of the original anime’s storyline are deemed canon, while other portions are not. This complex interplay of adaptations and alternate continuities characterizes Black Butler’s journey across different mediums.
1. Death Note
The culmination of Death Note’s narrative is hinted at from the very instant Light Yagami acquires the Death Note and forms a pact with the Shinigami. The inescapable future is evident: Ryuk will ultimately inscribe Light’s name in the Death Note, leading to his demise. This fate transpires both in the manga and the anime. Yet, the execution of this event diverges substantially between the two mediums.
In the manga rendition, the Shinigami plays a more direct part in Light’s demise, whereas in the anime, Light is shot prior to having his name penned into the Death Note. This variance in how the event unfolds offers distinct nuances to the narrative’s conclusion, showcasing the creative intricacies of Death Note’s adaptation across different platforms.
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