6 Brilliant Anime That Aren't Based On A Manga

Most animes that happen to do really well are actually based on popular manga. Manga is essentially Japanese black-and-white comics. Oftentimes, when a manga gets a huge fan following, it gets adapted into an anime. Nevertheless, many casual anime watchers might not be aware of the fact that some popular anime are entirely original. This means there are some anime that are deemed as one of the best, despite not having any manga to draw references from. In order to celebrate anime that stray away from the mainstream norm and came up with their original storyline, here are six brilliant anime that do not originate from a manga.

6 Violet Evergarden (2018)

With extremely beautiful writing and mesmerizing art, Violet Evergarden will make the audience shed a tear or two. Unlike many animes, this series did not originate from manga, but rather through a light novel. Violet Evergarden was initially a light novel series which was written by Kana Akatsuki. Soon, it began to get popular and won the prestigious prize for the Novel category in Kyoto Animation Award in 2014. After being enchanted by its beautiful story, a fourteen-episode anime series was released by Kyoto Animation in 2018.

The series tells the tale of Violet Evergarden, who is an orphaned teen trained to be a child soldier. Since her childhood, she was treated as nothing but a mere weapon. Therefore, she never knew emotions like love and kindness. However, after the war ends, life takes an interesting turn, and she becomes a ghostwriter to aid people in conveying their feelings with the help of letters. To her surprise, she starts unraveling her own feelings along the way. Violet Evergarden, is an anime with well-fleshed-out characters and a storyline that is enough to move the audience to tears.

5 Cowboy Bebop (1998)

Cowboy Bebop is a neo-noir science fiction Japanese anime that was released in the year 1998. This anime is considered to be one of the best, if not the best, original anime ever created. It is bewildering enough to comprehend that this was not a manga adaptation. The anime is set in 2071, in a realm where Earth is no longer habitable. Cowboys are essentially bounty hunters who elude the law and occasionally assist it in surviving. The story follows Bebop, a starship, and its crew of bounty hunters throughout their travels. Their space trips always get them into some sort of danger, and occasionally they also board in some extremely problematic guests.

The series borrows greatly from Western, science fiction, and noir films. When one starts the series, they might think it will just be another action-packed series. However, they are in for a ride much deeper and philosophical than that as this anime dives into ideas like ennui and existentialism. In addition, it also addresses issues like loneliness and being stuck in one's history. This isn't an easy task to do, let alone come up with it without any manga to draw references from. Thus, making it one of the best anime out there to this date.

4 Death Parade (2015)

Many people believe that when people pass away, they go into the afterlife, where they are either sent to hell or heaven depending upon their deeds. However, Death Parade has a very different take on it. In this series, when someone dies, their soul ends up going to these weird concrete bars called Quindecim that are run by arbiters, who serve there as bartenders. In this bar, they have to play a series of games. This may sound fun so far, though the real catch is what these souls do in this bar will determine if they will get reincarnated or banished to the void, for eternity.

This anime will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Every episode is just so engaging and well-written that the audience will discover themselves learning about different virtues and ponder upon questions like the purpose of existence and death. The series also sheds light on how people can get monstrous and selfish when it comes to saving themselves. This is one of those anime that stays with the audience for a long time even after they have finished watching it.

3 Durarara!! (2010-2015)

Similar to Violet Evergarden, Durarara!! is also based on a popular light novel. It essentially tells a tale of various characters who live in Ikebukuro, a Tokyo district that might seem peaceful and calm on the surface. Yet, when one scratches behind it, Ikebukuro is anything, but calm. From huge gang wars which involve teenage boys to rumors about a headless black shadow riding a bike, the city is bizarre. Among this mess, the audience is introduced to various characters and how their lives intersect with one another.

With genuinely intriguing characters and gripping story arcs, this is unquestionably the best-written series in a long time. The way everything weaves into and relates to one another throughout the course of the anime is one factor that makes it a fan favorite. The audience will be astounded by how events unfold and come full circle, making it a must-watch series.

2 Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)

Puella Magi Madoka Magica follows the journey of five girls who, for various reasons, turn into magical girls. The viewer may start watching this anime thinking it is an adorable high school series. However, don't be fooled by its cute name and animation style, as it is quite dark and heartbreaking than it seems. This show explores the challenges of being a magical girl and the price one must pay to attain a dream in this tale of despair, hope, and most importantly, friendship.

Audiences will find themselves going through a series of emotions, from heartwarming to heartbreaking, that converge into a marvelous climax. The fact that the characters are captivating, the artwork catches all of the viewers' attention, and the music is excellent; the plot of this series is without a doubt its strongest selling point, keeping audiences' eyes hooked to the screen till the last episode.

1 Code Geass (2006-2008)

Code Geass is based on an alternative historical timeline. In a world, where Japan is governed by the Empire of Britannia, which deems the locals as second-class citizens within their own country. The young Lelouch despises the British Empire and makes a pledge to his friend Suzaku that he'll do whatever it takes to find a way to dismantle it. Fortunately, Lelouch receives aid in the form of Geass, a supernatural talent that entitles him to command others to do anything he pleases. He then embraces the persona of the vigilante Zero and declares Japan's independence from the British Empire.

Oftentimes, anime series have a hard time topping their first season, but Code Geass keeps getting better and better after each episode. The series is extremely character-driven. This makes the audience feel so engrossed. They will find themselves relating to Lelouch throughout, especially when he is in turmoil or presented with moral dilemmas. This anime outperforms itself, and hence in the Tokyo International Anime Fair, the Animage Anime Grand Prix, and the Animation Kobe event, both seasons received numerous awards. This is not where its recognition ends, as the series' eventually got adapted as a light novel, and then an entire manga series, and is celebrated as one of the finest original anime out there.