10 Best Original Anime Not Based on Manga, Ranked

Great works of anime are typically adaptations of equally great manga. From Naruto to Demon Slayer, these shows captivated fans years before they ever made it to the small (and now big) screen. However, not every anime has an accompanying manga, giving the showrunners freedom on all creative matters, from the entire original story down to the art style. These titles stand out in a genre that has become globally mainstream and consumed more than ever before, proving that some of the best stories are the ones crafted purely for the screen. 

These 10 anime are not based on existing manga, making the stories equally exciting for fans who have no prior knowledge of what plot twists lie in store.

10) Death Parade 

The series centers on Quindecim, a bar in the afterlife where the dead are paired up to play death games overseen by the bartender Decim. Decim judges whether their souls are fit for reincarnation or should be sent to the void instead. Each game is a psychological test, forcing participants to reveal their darkest instincts as their memories return.

This series blends noir aesthetics with deep and lasting existential questions. What souls are truly worth redeeming? The true brilliance lies in the slow, overarching development of Decim’s own understanding of humanity and the meaning of a life lived, pushing the boundaries of what a short, original series can explore.

9) Sk8 the Infinity 

A vibrant and pure joy of a series focuses on Reki, a passionate high school student who loves skateboarding, and Langa, a quiet transfer student from Canada who was an expert snowboarder back home. Reki introduces Langa to the world of skateboarding as an alternative to snowboarding, and Langa takes to the new sport like a professional. The two dive headfirst into “S,” an underground and extremely dangerous skateboarding race filled with larger-than-life personalities.

The show is a brilliant explosion of color and fluid animation, perfectly capturing the exhilaration of skateboarding, particularly through the eyes of Reki and Langa. Beyond the thrilling races, it is a touching story about friendship, rivalry, and finding a place where you truly belong, making its characters’ emotional journeys as exciting as their wins and losses.

8) Odd Taxi 

Odd Taxi is a very unique story set in a world of anthropomorphic animals. It follows the life of Hiroshi Odokawa, a taxi driver (who happens to be a walrus) with a bleak view of the world. His seemingly small talk with passengers gradually weaves together a complex mystery surrounding a missing girl.

The series stands out for its grounded realism (even in a world of talking animals), subtle dialogue, and expert pacing that slowly builds tension. The unusual visual style tells a deeply human story of ambition, loneliness, and desperation, coming together in one of the most satisfyingly complex finales in recent anime memory.

7) Sonny Boy 

A surreal and philosophical coming-of-age story that begins when a class of 36 students is mysteriously transported to an alternate dimension, where they develop otherworldly powers. With no adults and no easy answers, they’re forced to try to build a new society while navigating their newfound superpowers along with their fears.

Sonny Boy is a unique work that takes on the lofty task of translating abstract concepts to the audience with stunning animation that explores themes of freedom, authoritarianism, and adolescence. The fragmented storytelling is a case study in how individuals adapt and fracture when faced with an unexpected and chaotic reality.

6) Kill la Kill 

Following the path of wandering student Ryuko Matoi, the series chronicles her quest to uncover her father’s killer at Honnōji Academy, a school where social standing is determined by uniforms that grant the wearers superhuman abilities. Her only chance against the student council is the sentient sailor uniform, Senketsu.

This series is a high-stakes celebration of style and non-stop action, marked by Studio Trigger’s signature animation. Beneath the over-the-top battles and satirical themes, it is a surprisingly earnest exploration of self-acceptance and rebellion against rigid power structures.

5) Violet Evergarden 

The story follows Violet, a former child soldier seeking to understand the meaning of the final words spoken to her before she lost her memory and was left maimed: “I love you.” She takes a job as an Auto-Memory Doll—ghostwriters who transcribe people’s thoughts and feelings into letters.

A stunningly beautiful and emotional story, Violet Evergarden uses its episodic format to explore very heavy themes, such as war and the human capacity for healing. Violet’s journey from a detached weapon to an empathetic writer brings the audience along on her recovery and slow discovery of her own soul.

4) Gurren Lagann 

Set in a future where humanity is forced to live underground by the oppressive Spiral King, the series introduces Simon, a timid digger, and Kamina, a charismatic and determined hothead. They stumble upon a small, powerful mecha and emerge above ground to fight for the freedom of mankind.

Gurren Lagann is a quintessential example of an inspiring, over-the-top epic, known for its constantly escalating scale and theme of impossible hope. It champions the power of human will and passion, delivering a story that pushes boundaries both in its spectacle and its incredibly heartfelt character dynamics.

3) Code Geass 

In a world conquered by the Holy Britannian Empire, the exiled prince Lelouch vi Britannia obtains the Geass—the “Power of Kings.” The Geass allows Lelouch to control anyone he wishes to without question. Adopting the masked persona Zero, he begins a complex, high-stakes rebellion against his father’s empire.

The series is a blend of political intrigue, philosophical commentary, and mecha action, driven by Lelouch’s questionable ethics and genius. Its thrilling battles and unpredictable plot twists keep the viewer constantly on the edge of their seats, leading to one of the most iconic and debated finales in modern anime history.

2) Cowboy Bebop 

The legendary story of the bounty hunter crew aboard the spaceship Bebop, consisting of Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Edward, and Ein. They travel across the solar system in the year 2071, chasing criminals to make ends meet while constantly running from their own haunted pasts.

Cowboy Bebop is an anime hallmark and genre-defying masterpiece, blending Western, noir, and space opera elements, all set to an iconic jazz soundtrack. Each “session” shows a self-contained story that explores the core characters’ loneliness and existential boredom, creating a mature, unforgettable series.

1) Neon Genesis Evangelion

 In a post-apocalyptic world, the young, emotionally fragile Shinji Ikari is forced by his estranged father to pilot a giant mecha bio-machine known as an Evangelion to fight monstrous beings called Angels. In this world, humanity’s last defense rests on the shoulders of deeply troubled teenagers.

This seminal work revolutionized the mecha genre by exploring the psychological trauma and philosophical burden of its characters. The complexity of storytelling, filled with religious symbolism and existential angst, explores themes of communication, identity, and depression with a depth that remains unmatched.

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