10 Best Anime That Need a Remake

Once you delve into the expansive realm of anime, it’s rare not to find a series that you don’t enjoy at least somewhat. Often, even when the plot is less compelling, the animation compensates. However, not all anime receive the quality production they need from their creators. Sometimes studios fail to capture the essence of the story or veer too far from the source manga. At times, it’s the fans who yearn for more depth and finesse in execution. In any event, there are certain anime that could benefit from a fresh take, or a remake.

In today’s context, this discussion is particularly pertinent for older anime productions. The animation landscape has undergone a significant transformation, and we are now witnessing exceptional quality animations like those seen in “Demon Slayer.” Given the advancements made by studios, it’s not out of the question to think about revisiting some of the all-time favorite anime classics with stunning new animation that is visually captivating on its own. A remake also presents an opportunity to learn from viewer feedback and make improvements, addressing criticisms while fulfilling fans’ desires for their beloved storylines, action sequences, and characters to be vividly recreated. Therefore, let us delve into the top 10 anime that are in dire need of a remake and explore why they deserve a fresh take.

1) Soul Eater

During the 2000s, there were numerous excellent anime productions, with “Soul Eater” being one of them. Originally a successful manga, it was later adapted into an anime that resonated with viewers. The distinctive visual style, captivating plot, and endearing characters gave the impression that this anime had a bright future ahead. However, things began to take a turn for the worse when the directors of the anime strayed from the source material.

In a fictional universe, the narrative centers around groups of meisters and their sentient weapons, who are on a quest to capture 99 evil souls and one witch. Their ultimate goal is to transform their weapon into a “Death Scythe” for the Shinigami. However, the creators of the anime deviated from this popular series by introducing an ending that contradicted the manga’s storyline. For instance, the Arachnophobia arc, which held great significance in the manga, was simplified considerably in the anime. Furthermore, the main villain, Asura, was deeply connected to themes such as fear, philosophy, and sheer insanity in the manga, but his portrayal in the anime was more of a one-dimensional antagonist lacking emotional depth.

As a die-hard fan, I must admit, the sudden stop left us all reeling. What made it even more frustrating was that the anime concluded before the manga’s storyline had fully unfolded. This means there’s a wealth of untouched content waiting to be animated, a prospect that brings a glimmer of hope and solace to fans like me who were left yearning for more.

2) D.Gray Man

Picture Jujutsu Kaisen transposed into 19th-century England, where a steampunk setting intertwines with magical elements. This is essentially the untapped brilliance that D.Gray Man embodied when it debuted in the late 2000s. The narrative revolves around Allen Walker, a young exorcist who pledges to eradicate all Akuma, armed with his extraordinary abilities and Innocence – an enigmatic material that unites with specific individuals known as Accomodaters. This Innocence transforms into the Anti-Akuma weapons. Doesn’t that sound intriguing?

Although the anime adaptation of “D.Gray Man” was well-received, it didn’t conclude as intended due to the author, Katsura Hoshino, experiencing health issues during the manga’s serialization. This caused the series to go on hiatus multiple times, and the show’s producers had to rearrange the sequence in an attempt to keep up with the manga’s unpredictable release schedule. Unfortunately, this reshuffling impacted the pacing of the anime. With a wealth of source material yet to be animated, if “D.Gray Man” were remade today, it would certainly give stiff competition to modern anime like “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Solo Leveling.

3) Deadman Wonderland

In the anime titled “Deadman Wonderland“, a teenage boy stands falsely accused of slaughtering his entire class and faces an avalanche of evidence to support this claim. Consequently, he’s incarcerated in a prison where he must engage in lethal combat within deadly arenas, all while working tirelessly to prove his innocence. If this narrative doesn’t pique your interest, perhaps nothing will. However, it might be puzzling as to why this anime is included on the list of remakes.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the captivating beginning of Deadman Wonderland, a series that held immense promise. However, the narrative took an unfortunate turn when the showrunners seemed to rush the conclusion, neglecting numerous story arcs and characters along the way. Crucial plotlines like Ganta’s deeper bond with Shiro, the backstory of the Deadman, and the emergence of the Undertakers were either completely overlooked or given brief, hasty treatment. In the end, only a mere 20 chapters out of the total 58 were brought to life on screen. This left many viewers, including myself, with a sense of loss, making it abundantly clear that a reboot, if executed skillfully in today’s era, would undoubtedly rank among the best.

4) Pandora Hearts

In essence, the captivating series Pandora Hearts blended elements of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, infused with Japanese folklore, presenting a unique tale to its audience. The story revolves around Oz, a member of a noble duke family who was exiled for his transgressions into the Abyss. In this otherworldly realm, he encounters a being named Alice. Through an illicit bond between them, Alice unleashes her own abilities and assists Oz in escaping. Yet, complications arise when both characters become part of the Pandora Hearts organization, forcing Alice to decide whether she should stay with Oz or continue on her own path.

It seems that the showrunners of Pandora Hearts anime may have struggled to adhere strictly to the original manga storyline, as they frequently incorporated non-canonical elements. Key arcs like Glen Baskerville vs Jack Vessalius’s struggle and the Abyss’ origin were entirely omitted, leaving viewers who only watched the anime perplexed due to the skipped canonical content and the hasty conclusion. A complete remake, focusing on a well-balanced pace and faithful representation of the manga, could potentially elevate Pandora Hearts into a true masterpiece.

5. Claymore

People either adore or are indifferent to the anime “Claymore.” It’s an acquired taste that not everyone appreciates. This horror-adventure series revolves around Clare, a character who battles against human-eating demons. Although its plot may seem too conventional nowadays, in 2007, it was remarkably innovative.

In essence, Claymore began with an impressive portrayal of a strong female protagonist within the shonen anime genre. Regrettably, the series deviated significantly in its later episodes, opting for an abrupt, original ending that lacked resolution. Characters like Priscilla and Raki remained underdeveloped, leaving numerous plot inconsistencies unaddressed. As a result, Clare’s journey seemed unfulfilling and devoid of emotion. In summary, if not for its flawed adaptation, Claymore might have been considered a classic, prompting calls for a reboot in the near future.

6. Tokyo Ghoul

In simpler terms, “Tokyo Ghoul” is an anime that prioritized action over character development, resulting in a series that didn’t reach its full potential. It revolves around the protagonist Ken Kaneki, who transforms into a ghoul that feeds on human flesh. The first season provided a compelling introduction to a dark, complex world, but the second season, “Tokyo Ghoul √A,” left fans severely disappointed.

In the second season of the anime adaptation, there were substantial differences from the source manga that led to significant characters and storylines being omitted or reduced. For instance, instead of forming his own team as depicted in the manga, Kaneki was integrated into a different group in the anime, which affected his character progression significantly. Additionally, Tsukiyama’s fixation on Kaneki held greater significance in the manga but received minimal attention in the anime. Lastly, the Anteiku Raid and Final Fight were portrayed hurriedly in the anime compared to their development in the manga.

Contrastingly, “Tokyo Ghoul:re” had sufficient content for three to four complete seasons given its coverage of 179 chapters. However, the creators compressed everything into just 24 episodes. The new group, Quinx, was poorly introduced even though it depicted Kaneki as Haise, his new persona. Simultaneously, Kaneki’s internal struggle was overshadowed by Haise’s presence, leading him to descend into madness following a battle with Eto. Moreover, Eto’s character, originally complex, was diminished to a secondary antagonist in the anime rather than her true intricate nature. Ultimately, the series requires a reboot that stays true to the manga from start to finish.

7. Elfen Lied

Titled “Song of the Fairies,” Elfen Lied delves into the tale of Lucy, a human possessing psychic abilities known as vectors – extendable arms that are invisible yet capable of stretching multiple meters, and sharp enough to slice through both flesh and bullets. In this anime, Lucy has been evading the government, only to lose her memories in the process while they continue their pursuit. The narrative then explores themes such as discrimination, revenge, and self-awareness, following Lucy’s journey alongside friends Kohta and Yuka as she navigates life’s complexities.

The popular series, “Elfen Lied,” has built its dedicated fanbase largely due to its high levels of graphic violence and nudity. However, viewers who only watch anime versions were disappointed by the series’ erratic storytelling and lack of direction. The anime adaptation covered only six volumes out of a total twelve manga volumes, leaving much unexplored content ripe for adaptation. The showrunners have also failed to fully develop some key characters – Kurama, Nozomi, and Mariko have more profound emotional journeys in the manga. Furthermore, the anime fell short by not reaching the point where the true mastermind behind the cruel experiments is revealed. A remake of “Elfen Lied” focusing on a stronger storyline and ending with the depth found in the manga would undoubtedly bring joy to many fans who yearn for a more cohesive adaptation.

8. Berserk

The story told in “Berserk” follows Guts’ journey through a war-torn world. Initially, he becomes part of a mercenary group known as Band of the Hawk, where he forms friendships with its leader, Griffith, and another warrior named Casca. However, right when viewers are drawn into their camaraderie, Guts suffers an unforgettable betrayal when Griffith makes a sacrifice that results in him obtaining powers akin to deities.

Regarding Berserk’s anime adaptations, I must admit that, despite the captivating narrative, none have managed to fully emulate the brilliance of the manga thus far. The initial anime series aired in 1997, but it only covered the Golden Age arc and ended on a cliffhanger. Subsequently, a trilogy of films was produced between 2012 and 2013, aiming to revisit the same arc. However, they fell short in delivering a coherent storyline and polished animation as intended. The narrative seemed hurried, and the animation quality left much to be desired.

Over those years, from 2016 to 2017, I witnessed an anime adaptation that fell short of expectations. The “Lost Children” arc was overlooked entirely, while the “Black Swordsmen” arc was relegated to mere flashbacks. The “Conviction” arc, following the events post-Eclipse, seemed hurried, with key scenes missing from the narrative. It felt as though the directors were attempting to squeeze the expansive world of “Berserk” into a limited number of episodes, when in reality, multiple seasons could be dedicated to this masterpiece. If a well-known studio were to tackle “Berserk“, remaining faithful to the manga and preserving its distinctive art style, there’s no doubt it would stand tall among the greatest anime productions ever made.

9. Bokurano

On a secluded island during summer vacation, 15 teenagers encounter an enigmatic figure named Kokopelli who proposes a game to them. Believing it to be a harmless simulation, the children agree and sign a contract, unknowingly setting their destinies in motion. Their task is now to operate a colossal robot and engage in battles against equally massive adversaries in order to protect Earth. However, there’s a grim twist: the pilot perishes after each conflict.

The anime version of Bokurano is impressive, but it didn’t fully capture the profound psychological impact the manga intended. Given its intricate themes like sacrifice, war, and the stripping away of innocence, a more extensive adaptation (beyond 24 episodes) would have been advantageous. If a remake with improved animation ever occurs, it could significantly enhance the viewing experience for those who only know the anime.

10. Ergo Proxy

Anime titled ‘Ego Proxy’ delves into intricate themes of self-identity and provokes deep philosophical questions about our humanity, set against a backdrop of a post-apocalyptic universe. The narrative revolves around investigator Re-L Mayer, who is on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding her existence. Despite possessing all the elements to become a groundbreaking sci-fi, philosophical anime that could have garnered widespread acclaim, its overly abstract approach has limited its popularity to a niche audience of devoted followers. The plotline can be challenging to grasp on an initial viewing due to its intricacy and depth, which cannot be fully explored in the span of just 23 episodes.

The manga, Ergo Proxy, would have benefited from a more extended run over multiple seasons, allowing for thorough exploration of its intricate themes. One area where improvement was needed in Ergo Proxy is the inconsistent art style across episodes. While the opening and closing episodes were visually impressive, some middle episodes appeared rough and hastily completed (episodes 15 to 18). This might have been due to budget constraints and tight deadlines faced by the producers. A remake of Ergo Proxy could help it break out of its niche status and reach mainstream audiences.

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2025-07-12 22:12