Anime With Multiple Adaptations (& Which One Is The Best)

Summary

One Piece is set for a reboot called The One Piece to avoid filler arcs.
Digimon Adventure (1999) is favored over the 2020 reboot for its comedy.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is lauded for being a faithful manga adaptation.

Transforming a manga (or any other medium) into an anime can be challenging. Manga creators may seize the opportunity to expand the series’ popularity by turning it into motion with the help of anime. However, a common issue is that many anime begin too early, leading them to inevitably surpass the manga and then incorporate filler arcs. This is why numerous mangas receive more than one anime adaptation.

The globally acclaimed anime series “One Piece” has experienced some filler arcs in its run, leading Netflix to plan a second adaptation titled “The One Piece” which will reboot the story from the start. Though we’ll have to wait for it, let’s discuss other anime adaptations that have multiple versions and evaluate which one excels. All these variations are of high quality since they each cater to fans in unique ways.

Digimon Adventure (1999 Version Wins)

Digimon Are The Champions

Back in 1997, the Digimon franchise initially gained traction by offering digital pets similar to Tamagotchi. The first season of its anime series, titled Digimon Adventure, premiered in 1999 and continued until 2000. This show garnered massive popularity when it made its way to North America, becoming a huge success on an international scale.

In case you didn’t know, the series was revived in 2020 and continued until 2021, producing more episodes than the initial version. Both versions center around a gang of kids who find themselves transported into a digital realm where they encounter creatures known as Digimon. The original 1999 version tends to be funnier, while the reboot leans towards drama with its action scenes.

Fullmetal Alchemist (2009 Version Wins)

Diverges Very Quickly

The popular series, titled “Fullmetal Alchemist,” originally debuted as a manga in 2001 and concluded in 2010. Shortly after, an animated adaptation was produced in 2003, airing until 2004. Despite having a rich foundation to build upon, the anime swiftly deviated from the original alchemist-centric manga and ventured into new, original territories.

It wasn’t unexpected, given its widespread appeal, that it would undergo a second adaptation, namely Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which ran from 2009 to 2010 and stayed truer to the manga. Furthermore, the storyline of the manga was generally superior because the original 2003 version veered off in peculiar directions, with characters that now seem comical in retrospect.

Hellsing (2001 Version Wins)

No One Is Cooler Than Alucard

Directors: Umanosuke Iida, Yasunori Urata
Studio: Gonzo
Released: October 11, 2001 (Japan)
Episodes: 13

The manga series “Hellsing” enjoyed a prolonged run from 1997 to 2008, spanning just ten volumes. Despite this, it gained significant popularity. In 2001, it was transformed into an OVA (Original Video Animation) and continued until 2002, garnering success primarily due to its original adaptation.

From 2006 onwards, a sequence of anime films similar to movies known as “Hellsing Ultimate” started coming out, offering a truer interpretation of the manga. However, some people find that the plot of the manga lacks the charm present in the initial 2001 OVA series and still favor it.

The Heroic Legend Of Arslan (2015 Version Wins)

An Adaptation That Has Never Been Finished

Director: Mamoru Hamatsu
Studios: Animate Film, I.G. Tatsunoko
Released: August 17, 1991 (Japan)
Runtime: 60 Minutes (Film)

The epic series “The Legendary Tales of Arslan” spanned from 1986 to 2017, during which time numerous adaptations were developed. The initial animated project commenced in 1991 with a film series that ran until 1995, covering the early stages of Prince Arslan’s rebellion to reclaim his kingdom. A manga adaptation, initiated by Hiromu Arakawa, creator of “Fullmetal Alchemist,” was launched in 2013 and is still being continued today.

During that timeframe from 2015 to 2016, an anime was developed based on the original work. However, it didn’t fully capture the story as told in the novel. Both adaptations are incomplete, but the one from 2015 is more appealing due to its distinctive Fullmetal Alchemist art style and a balance between drama and added entertainment. The pacing in this version was also considered superior.

Hunter X Hunter (1999 Version Wins)

Finish The Fight Togashi-san

Hunter X Hunter is a captivating series that owes its dramatic flair to its creator, Yoshihiro Togashi. Togashi first launched the manga in 1998 and maintained a steady pace until 2006. However, his work took a break due to hiatuses, which have persisted till now, yet the story technically remains unfinished. This intermittence has impacted the anime versions as well.

The initial adaptation of Hunter x Hunter started in 1999 and concluded in 2004, spanning over three OVA sequel seasons that followed the narrative, all produced by the same team. A subsequent adaptation emerged in 2011 and finished in 2014. Many fans find the original’s grittier mood and animation style more appealing than the lighter tone of the subsequent series, despite the fact that the 1999 version contains a higher percentage of filler episodes.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012 Version Wins)

Perfect For Anime Adaptations

Director: Hiroyuki Kitakubo
Studio: A.P.P.P.
Released: November 19, 1993 (Japan)
Episodes: 6 (First OVA Season)

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is tough to explain because it follows multiple generations of characters who aren’t always connected. This unique aspect has kept fans captivated since 1987, and the story continues today. Interestingly, the first animated interpretation decided to adapt the third arc, Stardust Crusaders, as a series of OVAs from 1993 to 1994. Indeed, it’s a well-liked arc, given that it introduced Stand abilities into the series.

The OVA initially began in the midst of a storyline, but this was corrected when a sequel OVA served as a prequel, spanning from 2000 to 2002. After numerous years of fan anticipation, a genuine anime adaptation finally commenced in 2012 and continues, although there are significant pauses between each story arc. To clarify, the reboot series has been improved due to its chronological narrative, with the seventh significant arc, Steel Ball Run, set for an upcoming adaptation.

Ranma 1/2 (1989 Version Wins)

A Gender-Bending Martial Arts Epic

In a distinctive twist, the protagonist of Ranma 1/2, named Ranma, is transformed into a girl whenever he gets wet due to a strange curse. Other characters share this predicament as well. The manga’s journey began in 1987 and concluded in 1996, with the first anime adaptation launching in 1989. Throughout some brief pauses, the series, including OVA continuations, persisted until its conclusion in 1996.

The majority of the story from the manga has been brought to life, but not until 2024 did the acclaimed MAPPA studio commence their work on the “Ranma 1/2” project, which is currently underway. At this point, only a few episodes have been produced, and the series is scheduled to resume in October 2025. The reboot animation has received positive reviews, but the original did a better job of blending humor and action, and it sometimes got quite suggestive with Ranma’s transformations.

Sailor Moon (1992 Version Wins)

In The Name Of The Moon, I’ll Punish You

The iconic anime series “Sailor Moon” originally started as a manga in 1991 and ran until 1997, with its animated version quickly following suit, airing from 1992 to 1997. A reboot titled “Sailor Moon Crystal” was launched in 2014, taking cues from the original manga and running up until 1997.

The movie series continued with a final installment released in 2023, causing support to be somewhat divided. It’s evident that this was the case. While the original Sailor Moon series had its share of unnecessary content, it was loved for its humor, unique animation style, and terrifying villains, which were less intense in the 2014 reboot seasons.

2025-08-28 08:38