Anime Series That Didn’t Need A Manga

When you think of anime, the thought of manga is not far behind. The two mediums are closely related given their give-and-take nature abroad. In Japan, hundreds of praised anime series have been adapted directly from pre-existing manga titles. And, in return, a slew of manga stories have been published thanks to an anime becoming popular. However, the exchange is not a requirement, and several shows have proved that manga is not always necessary.

Here at ComicBook.com, we’re taking a moment to go through a rather surprising list of anime series which didn’t need a manga.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

If you are a fan of magical girls, then you have surely heard of Puella Magic Madoka Magica. The anime may have a long name, but the story itself is concise to a fault. The horrifying take on a standard shojo story left fans around the world stunned, and fans were left in awe of the show’s imagery. Without a manga to guide it, viewers watched as a group of young girls signed contracts to become magical witches tasked with taking out rogue comrades. But, as the anime went on, both fans and the core characters learned the impossibly dark secrets behind the contract. Suddenly, it seemed like being a magical girl was no fun at all.
 

Paranoia Agent

Anime definitely has a soft spot for supernatural thrillers, and Paranoia Agent is one of the medium’s best. The series takes place in Tokyo and tells the story of victims who are attacked by a shadowy boy known as Lil’ Slugger. As the police begin to investigate the random crimes, two police detectives discover the attacks aren’t as random as they believed. When someone is attacked by the violent figure, their personal and professional lives turnabout for the better. And, as the anime progresses, the story delves into how each character views the supposed paranormal events as reality or pure fiction.

Samurai Champloo

While a manga for Samurai Champloo does exist, the story for the franchise was born because of anime. Directed by visionary Shinichirō Watanabe, the anachronistic anime is set in an alternate world during Japan’s Edo-era. Heavily influenced by hip hop, the story follows a young man named Mugen who is as free-loving as he is talented with swordsmanship. The character finds himself with new comrades after he encounters an abused woman named Fuu and a rogue ronin named Jin. When the latter two accidentally kill a magistrate’s son, the pair are sentenced to death, but Fuu helps them escape on a journey so long as they help her find a man from her past.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Geneis Evangelion is a staple title of the mecha genre in anime. Created by Hideaki Anno, the thought-provoking series is one of Japan’s most influential titles of all-time. The futuristic tale is set in Tokyo years after a worldwide catastrophe levels much of the planet. The lead character Shinji is just a boy who is recruited to pilot a massive mecha machine known as Evangelion to fight against beasts known as Angels. And, as the war between the two factions goes on, fans watch as Shinji and his fellow pilots crumble under humanity’s unexpected weight.
 

Cowboy Bebop

To many, there is no greater anime than Cowboy Bebop. The 1997 classic remains a genre-bending adventure for both new and old fans, and it was introduced to the world without a manga to preface it. The sleek series is set in the future and acts as a hi-tech western drama. Up in the stars, fans are introduced to an ex-gang member named Spike Spiegel as he captains his vessel Bebop. The man goes on various bounty hunting missions with his ragtag crew, but the gang are constantly hounded by Spiegel’s old syndicate. With death on the horizon, Spiegel must learn how to keep his ship intact, his crew alive, and his mind at peace with the galaxy falling apart around him.