7 More Great Original Anime Not Based on Manga, Ranked

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Most popular anime series start as manga, but there’s a growing trend of shows being created specifically for animation, with no existing manga to base them on. This allows creators much more freedom to tell stories in unique and imaginative ways, fully utilizing animation’s potential with movement, sound, and color – things that manga can’t replicate. Without the need to adapt an existing story, creators can build entire worlds and characters from scratch, offering audiences fresh and unpredictable narratives. Though many of these original anime have been turned into manga later, this approach has led to some of the most groundbreaking and beloved series in the anime world.

I’m so excited to dive into some truly amazing anime! What I love is when creators come up with completely original stories just for the medium – these aren’t adaptations, they’re born as anime, and that really shines through. Let’s take a closer look at some of these masterpieces!

7) Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song (2021)

Vivy is a groundbreaking AI – the first of her kind – created as a singer with the simple goal of bringing joy to others through her music. But her life is turned upside down when an AI from the future arrives with an urgent plea: help prevent a catastrophic war between humans and artificial intelligence.

This series explores challenging ethical issues surrounding the development and meaning of artificial intelligence – a conversation that feels particularly relevant today. The animation, created by Wit Studio, is outstanding, with smooth, dynamic action and captivating musical numbers that are key to the plot and the intense struggle for the future. A manga version was created after the series first came out.

6) Samurai Champloo (2004)

Set in a made-up version of historical Japan, Samurai Champloo centers around three very different travelers who unexpectedly team up. There’s Mugen, a quick-tempered fighter with a sword; Jin, a calm and disciplined wandering samurai; and Fuu, a young woman who hires them both to protect her as she searches for a unique samurai – one who has a scent like sunflowers.

Shinichirō Watanabe directed this show, which is well-known for its blend of old and new – think historical Japan with a modern hip-hop vibe and fight scenes inspired by breakdancing. Similar to Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song, a manga version was created after the show became popular. Samurai Champloo is a series of connected episodes filled with action, humor, and heartfelt moments, where the characters learn to live together despite their differences.

5) Psycho-Pass (2012)

In a futuristic, troubled Japan, the anime Psycho-Pass depicts a society where a system called the Sibyl System can determine a person’s likelihood of committing a crime. The story centers on a team of law enforcers – Inspectors and Enforcers – who hunt down and eliminate individuals flagged as potential criminals before they can act, based on their ‘Psycho-Pass’ score.

Psycho-Pass is a gripping series that combines fast-paced cyberpunk action with a thought-provoking psychological thriller. It explores big ideas like free will, what’s right and wrong, and the dangers of government monitoring. Similar to classics like Blade Runner, the show uses its futuristic setting and well-developed characters – especially the new Inspector Akane Tsunemori – to ask whether sacrificing freedom is a worthwhile trade for safety.

4) Terror in Resonance (2014)

This gripping thriller, from director Shinichirō Watanabe and animation studio MAPPA, centers around Nine and Twelve, two teens who call themselves “Sphinx.” They’re threatening to detonate a stolen atomic bomb prototype throughout Tokyo. Using their expertise and online puzzles, they challenge the police to solve riddles before each attack.

This series stands out because it realistically depicts terrorism not just as violence, but as a desperate cry for attention and understanding. The world of Terror in Resonance is consistently dark and filled with tension, made even more powerful by its beautiful and haunting music. The story expertly mixes thrilling suspense with a moving and insightful look into the troubled histories and reasons behind the protagonists’ actions.

3) Kyousougiga (2013)

This beautiful series is set in the Mirror Capital, a bizarre alternate world existing outside of time. The story follows Koto, a spirited and strong girl, as she enters this world searching for her missing mother. Her arrival causes trouble and puts her on a collision course with the family who controls this strange dimension.

Kyousougiga is unique because it combines classic Japanese myths with a bright, colorful, and almost dreamlike art style. It feels more like a painting come to life than a typical anime. The story is deeply moving and creative, focusing on the importance of family, how we’re shaped by fate, and finding where we truly belong.

2) Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)

Initially, Puella Magi Madoka Magica seems like a standard magical girl story, centering around middle schoolers Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki who are given the opportunity to become magical girls in exchange for gaining superpowers. But the series quickly subverts all expectations of the genre, diving into a complex and dark exploration of themes like hope, despair, and the costs of sacrifice.

With its unique and dreamlike visuals and surprising story turns, the show tackles big questions about fate and the unsettling side of existence. Puella Magi Madoka Magica boldly asks what the cost of a miracle really is, and in doing so, completely redefined the magical girl genre, becoming both a critical success and a fan favorite.

1) Birdy the Mighty: Decode (2008)

This anime is a sci-fi action series that spans two seasons. It centers around Birdy, a Federation agent from another planet who poses as a pop star while living on Earth. During a mission to capture criminals, she accidentally merges consciousness with a high school student named Tsutomu. Now, they’re stuck sharing a single body and must work together to finish her mission.

I’m absolutely blown away by this series! The action is just phenomenal – seriously, the fight choreography and animation are top-notch, especially when Birdy’s fighting! But it’s not just flashy moves; there’s a really smart story underneath all the excitement. It dives into some big ideas about galactic politics, what’s right and wrong, and what it truly means to be human. What I love most is how it manages to be a thrilling sci-fi adventure and a show where you genuinely connect with the characters. It’s a perfect blend!

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2025-12-07 02:13