Best Manga By Go Nagai That Have No Anime

Best Manga By Go Nagai That Have No Anime

As a long-time aficionado of manga and anime, I must say that Go Nagai‘s works have always held a special place in my heart. His unique storytelling style, coupled with his knack for creating unforgettable characters, has left an indelible mark on the industry. Amongst his extensive catalog, there are three of his works that, despite their merit, never managed to grace our screens as anime adaptations.


Go Nagai is often considered a significant figure in the world of manga. Although his fame may not reach that of Osamu Tezuka or Akira Toriyama, his impact on the medium as an artistic form is substantial and far-reaching. His work has significantly shaped the way we perceive and engage with manga today.

Log in – Create an account

Unlimited Access & Enable All Features!

Unlimited Access • All Features • Full Experience!

Error with your password

Log in

Forgot your password?

Create an account

*Required: 8 chars, 1 capital letter, 1 number

or

By proceeding, you consent to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Additionally, you understand that you’ll receive our newsletters; however, you always have the option to unsubscribe whenever you wish.

No Thanks, Keep Reading

Many well-known creations by Go Nagai, including “Devilman,” “Mazinger Z,” and “Getter Robo,” have been brought to life in popular anime versions recognized globally. Yet, it’s important to note that Go Nagai has produced a vast amount of manga, much of which remains unadapted. Below are some exceptional works by Go Nagai that are yet to get a full-fledged TV anime adaptation:

5 Harenchi Gakuen

Introducing Explicit Content To Manga

Best Manga By Go Nagai That Have No Anime
  • Published in Weekly Shonen Jump
  • 13 volumes

As a dedicated manga enthusiast, I’d say that “Harenchi Gakuen” was the trailblazer in the ecchi genre, paving the way for stories to tackle previously taboo subjects. In this wildly entertaining world of “Shameless School,” the students find themselves under the relentless, often inappropriate, and shameless antics of their teachers – a motley crew of eccentric characters with no qualms about their actions. Initially, it was a light-hearted comedy, but it didn’t take long for the series to delve deeper into explicit themes, solidifying its reputation as a groundbreaking series that challenges conventions.

Beyond having live-action films made, the series Harenchi Gakuen hasn’t had an anime version produced yet. The most it’s come close is with an OVA (Original Video Animation) for Heisei Harenchi Gakuen, which served as a brief continuation of the original series, but even with various sequels and live-action adaptations, the initial Harenchi Gakuen has never been turned into an animated series.

4 Susano Oh

The Awakened Psychic Warrior

Best Manga By Go Nagai That Have No Anime
  • Published in Weekly Shonen Magazine
  • 9 volumes

Shingo Susa and his old friend Sayuri Yukishiro are part of the ESP club at their school, where they uncover that two genuine psychics, Chigusa Mitsurugi and Rei Uryu, attend. These psychics hold contrasting beliefs, leaving Shingo torn between them. A distressing incident triggers the activation of Shingo’s dormant psychic abilities, setting him on a vengeful path. This initiates a turbulent quest for revenge, as the destiny of the world hangs precariously in the balance.

Initially published in Weekly Shonen Magazine from 1979 to 1981, Susano Oh was abruptly ended. However, following the success of novel versions penned by his brother Yasutaka Nagai, Nagai was encouraged to resume the narrative, but he didn’t complete the manga. Despite continued serialization for ten more years, an appropriate anime adaptation remained elusive.

3 Violence Jack

The Mysterious Giant Of Justice

Best Manga By Go Nagai That Have No Anime
  • Published in Weekly Shonen Magazine, Monthly Shonen Magazine, and Weekly Manga Goraku
  • 38 volumes

A massive earthquake shakes the city of Tokyo, decimating it in a single day. The government, unable to do a thing to stop the destruction, abandons the ruined city, leaving it to the mercy of bandits, thugs, and all manner of villains. For the weak and disenfranchised still living in the shambling ruins, their only hope of salvation is Violence Jack, a mysterious 10-foot tall giant who destroys everything in his path. Though strange phenomena follow him wherever he goes, he wanders the wasteland putting evildoers in their place.

“The long-lasting manga series ‘Violence Jack’, created by Go Nagai, has spawned multiple spin-offs in manga and novels. Although it’s had OVA adaptations that covered brief stories, it hasn’t yet received a complete TV animation adaptation.”

2 Dante Shinkyoku

A Re-telling Of The Classic Journey Through The Afterlife

Best Manga By Go Nagai That Have No Anime
  • Published by Kodansha
  • 3 volumes

“Dante Shinkyoku” translates to “Dante’s Divine Comedy” in Japanese, which is a renowned poem detailing the beliefs about the afterlife as per Christian doctrine. This work significantly shaped the portrayal of the afterlife in Christianity, particularly emphasizing Dante’s depiction of hell. Modern interpretations of hell often borrow elements from the Divine Comedy, and this influence extends to anime and manga as well.

Dante Shinkyoku, in essence, represents a mature interpretation of Dante’s Divine Comedy by the renowned manga artist Go Nagai, showcasing a different, more sophisticated side to his typical artistic style. Although this new style might not resonate with his usual fanbase, it could pique the curiosity of others who are intrigued by Nagai taking on such a complex narrative. In contrast to his well-known works, Dante Shinkyoku remains relatively unknown and unfortunately, never received an anime adaptation.

1 Shin Getter Robo

An Overlooked Midquel In The Getter Robo Series

Best Manga By Go Nagai That Have No Anime
  • Published in Weekly Manga Action
  • 2 volumes

The “Getter Robo” manga collection plays a significant role in the evolution of mecha manga and anime, inspiring numerous classic Super Robot genre shows. With multiple “Getter Robo” comics and animated series available, it can get confusing to follow their chronology. “Shin Getter Robo,” however, is a prequel to “Getter Robo Go,” the third major installment in the franchise, filling in gaps of storylines not addressed during “Getter Robo Go.”

Go Nagai originally created the Getter Robo series, but he had minimal involvement in Shin Getter Robo. Instead, Ken Ishikawa took over the manga for this spin-off. Although the themes of Shin Getter Robo resonated strongly with Getter Robo Go, it never got an anime adaptation like its earlier counterparts did.

Read More

2024-08-31 20:08