Best Anime Prequels, Ranked

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In the realm of anime, compelling storytelling flourishes, traversing through periods, realms, and numerous shows. Sequels keep tales moving, whereas prequels confront a special dilemma: they must augment stories we cherish and adore, providing additional insights while preserving the enchantment that initially made those series irresistible.

In the annals of anime, some prequels have risen above their supporting status to offer immersive viewing experiences on par with the originals. These exceptional productions don’t just tell us how characters got to where they started; they fundamentally reshape our perception of entire franchises by giving them depth and background that make revisiting the original series feel like a fresh adventure.

These seven anime prequels have mastered the delicate art of retrospective storytelling

7.
Kuroko’s Basketball: Tip Off

Release: May 2015

Way back when Kuroko hadn’t yet emerged as Seirin’s stealthy playmaker, he was a tranquil yet essential member of the Miracle Generation, an extraordinary middle school team who ruled the basketball court effortlessly without ever appearing to exert themselves. The story Tip Off transports us back to that time period.

In this prequel OVA, we don’t just witness the team in action, but also uncover the intricacies of their dynamics, both as a sports group and as individuals. The audience is granted an exclusive look at the genuine camaraderie and underlying tensions between Teiko’s players before they went their separate ways to different high schools.

The focus undeniably lands on Kuroko’s distinctive approach to the game. Witnessing him test his signature deception techniques in their initial stages offers a fresh perspective on how impressive he became when he eventually joined Seirin. The OVA subtly suggests the increasing arrogance of the other Miracles, laying the groundwork for their future disputes.

Tip Off might be brief, but for fans who’ve followed the series, it hits with nostalgia and depth

6.
Hellsing: The Dawn

Release: February 2006

In the series Hellsing, Alucard is portrayed as Hellsing’s ultimate ace, a powerful entity bound by contract to defend Britain against supernatural perils. However, in The Dawn, he is depicted not as a strategic asset, but as a feral creature amidst a devastated landscape of war.

In World War II, this prequel story finds a young Walter C. Dornez and Alucard (disguised as a girl, reflecting the shape-shifting abilities of a vampire) operating covertly in Nazi-controlled Poland. Their objective is to eradicate Millennium, a secret unit of Nazi vampires that would reemerge many years later in Hellsing Ultimate and pose a significant threat.

The captivating aspect of The Dawn isn’t solely its action or historical setting. Instead, it lies in the raw interplay between Walter and Alucard. While Walter remains malleable, Alucard is unstable, and the boundaries between heroism and monstrosity often become indistinguishable whenever violence occurs.

In a relatively brief time frame, just two episodes, The Dawn significantly expands the mythology of the Hellsing universe.

5.
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock

Release: October 1990

Long before Goku set foot on Earth, his father was locked in a fierce battle against the very empire he assisted in creating. Bardock: The Father of Goku is not merely a Dragon Ball Z special; it’s a heart-wrenching forecast cloaked within one of the saddest and most gripping backstories that the series has ever offered.

Bardock isn’t your ordinary hero. He’s a true Saiyan warrior, marked by bloodshed, driven by missions, and seemingly unaffected by violence. However, after acquiring the ability to foresee the future, he’s haunted by premonitions of Frieza’s treachery and the demise of Planet Vegeta. For the first time, he’s compelled to grapple with the reality of being powerless against destiny.

This prequel doesn’t just expand on the history of the Saiyans; it changes the overall emotional atmosphere of the Dragon Ball series. Bardock’s uprising was not about saving a planet or seeking redemption. Instead, it represented a desperate protest against fate, a final stand by a father that Goku would unwittingly continue.

Even though Bardock was first aired as a TV special back in 1990, it continues to be one of the most heartfelt additions to the series.

4.
The Adventure Of Sinbad

Release: April 2016

Before he ascended to legendary status as a dungeon conqueror and beloved king of Sindria, Sinbad once lived humbly as the son of a fisherman. The Tale of Sinbad offers an insightful look into his ordinary beginnings, filled with moments that are both inspiring and emotionally poignant, mirroring the celebrated hero from Magi.

As I delve into this prequel, it’s not just about rehashing old victories; it’s a gradual immersion into the hardships that forged Sinbad’s values, abilities, and negotiating skills. From witnessing my father’s demise in battle, to seizing my first dungeon at 14, each episode paints a picture of a boy transforming into a leader under the harsh realities of the world.

The show provides glimpses into the past lives of influential figures such as Drakon, Ja’far, and Hinahoho who would later become legendary, adding depth to the intricate political dynamics that emerge in Magi. Their formative bonds and shifting allegiances contribute significantly to these complexities.

3.
Kakashi Gaiden

Release: January 2013

Initially, Kakashi Hatake was known as a disciplined, emotionless young ninja who prioritized missions above all else. However, his backstory, revealed in the side-story Kakashi Gaiden within Naruto Shippuden, sheds light on why he later became the easygoing mentor of Team 7.

This narrative unfolds during the Third Great Ninja War, focusing on a younger Kakashi leading his initial team, comprising Obito Uchiha, a character whose significance grows significantly later in our Naruto universe’s timeline. Despite being brief, consisting of only a few episodes, this arc is often considered one of the most crucial backstories within the Naruto universe.

Here, we discover where Kakashi obtains his renowned Sharingan. Here also lies the point where his strict adherence to rules is tested. And this is where the understated trauma that shapes his personality originates.

Kakashi Gaiden stands out by offering a fresh perspective on Kakashi’s character, revealing the emotional backstory behind his seemingly cold decisions as a jōnin. Beneath this facade lies a troubled youth who had already endured more than most. For Naruto fans, delving into Kakashi Gaiden is not just an option, it’s a must-see to truly understand the complexities of this beloved character.

2.
Attack on Titan: No Regrets

Release: May 2022

Before he was humanity’s strongest soldier, Levi was just a thug living beneath the surface.

Attack on Titan: No Regrets – A Two-Episode Special Anime Based on a Manga Side Story, Delving into Levi Ackerman’s Past

The plot unfolds as we trace Levi Ackerman’s journey, accompanied by his companions Furlan and Isabel. Starting in the shadows of the city, they faced adversities before eventually joining the Survey Corps under the command of Commander Erwin Smith.

This prequel distinguishes itself by portraying Levi’s stern, disciplined character not as an innate trait, but as a result of betrayal and loss. While his ability to effortlessly cut through Titans without a hint of hesitation is awe-inspiring, the revelation of what he sacrificed to achieve such focus carries a much more profound impact.

In the OVA, Erwin is portrayed with a harsher edge, demonstrating greater cunning yet revealing his humanity as well. His philosophical disagreements with Levi serve to transform hesitant conscripts into dedicated warriors.

‘No Regrets’ isn’t merely a title, it resonates painfully. After viewing this, you’ll grasp why Levi behaves as he does, and why, despite the blood on his hands, he maintains faith in progressing.

1.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0

Release: December 2021

The movie titled “Jujutsu Kaisen 0” acts as a precursor to the main series, taking inspiration from Gege Akutami’s original one-shot manga. At its core is Yuta, a shy teenager grappling with a haunting presence – that of his deceased childhood friend Rika who met an unfortunate end in a terrible accident. This spirit transformed into a powerful, vengeful curse that persistently clings to him.

In contrast to the action-packed primary storyline, JJK Part 0 delves into emotional terror rather than action. Rika isn’t your typical cursed spirit; she is grotesque, terrifying, and profoundly sad. Yuta’s transformation from a boy yearning for invisibility to someone who learns to safeguard others echoes Yuji’s journey in the first season, but his reasons are rooted in a distinctively heart-wrenching connection.

The movie additionally delves into the background tales of beloved characters such as Gojo Satoru and Suguru Geto. Charisma of Gojo is vividly shown, yet his solitude becomes apparent in this context too. Simultaneously, the foundations for Geto’s ideology start to emerge, preparing the path for his future transition into the main adversary of the series.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 doesn’t just enrich the main story, it deepens it.

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2025-05-22 03:09