5 Hidden Gem Manga Series That Deserve an Anime Adaptation

In the world of manga and anime, fans are always on the lookout for the next big series to hit the small screen. While some manga series quickly become anime sensations, others – despite their incredible stories, unique characters, and devoted fanbases – remain underappreciated and without anime adaptations. Today, we’re diving into five hidden gem manga series that deserve to be brought to life through animation. These stories are rich in plot and character development and could easily captivate a global audience if given the chance.

1. The Fable

Overview:
The Fable, written by Katsuhisa Minami, is a crime-action manga with a twist. The story follows an assassin known only as “The Fable” who is ordered by his boss to live a quiet life for a year without killing anyone. However, old habits die hard, and staying out of trouble is easier said than done.

Why It’s a Hidden Gem:
This manga has a brilliant mix of dark humor, action, and character development. The protagonist’s struggle to lead a normal life while having the skills of a deadly assassin sets it apart from typical crime dramas. The Fable’s quirky characters, unpredictable plot twists, and well-written dialogue make it a refreshing change from more mainstream titles.

Why It Deserves an Anime Adaptation:
The manga’s action sequences would translate beautifully into animation, and its mix of humor and tension could captivate a wide audience. The complex character interactions and witty writing would shine in an anime format, giving viewers a crime thriller that’s different from the usual fare.

Fan Reception and Popularity:
While The Fable has won awards in Japan and gained a loyal fanbase, it hasn’t reached the international audience it deserves. An anime adaptation could propel it to new heights, introducing this hidden gem to the world.

2. Oyasumi Punpun

Overview:
Oyasumi Punpun by Inio Asano is a slice-of-life manga that tackles heavy emotional themes. It follows Punpun Punyama, a boy represented as a bird-like character, as he navigates childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, dealing with family issues, love, and the complexities of life.

Why It’s a Hidden Gem:
The manga delves into deep psychological and emotional themes like depression, existentialism, and the difficulties of growing up. It’s beautifully written, and its art style, while simplistic for the main character, is stunning in its depiction of the world around him. The story is brutally honest about the struggles of life, making it resonate on a profound level.

Why It Deserves an Anime Adaptation:
While the manga is quite dark and deals with mature themes, an anime adaptation could offer a platform to explore these important issues in a visually compelling way. With the right animation studio, the raw emotions and complex storylines of Oyasumi Punpun could reach a broader audience and open up conversations around mental health, loneliness, and personal growth.

Potential Audience Appeal:
Fans of thought-provoking, emotional series like A Silent Voice or March Comes in Like a Lion would appreciate this adaptation. It would likely attract viewers who enjoy introspective, character-driven narratives.

3. Dorohedoro

Overview:
Set in a grimy, post-apocalyptic world, Dorohedoro by Q Hayashida is a unique blend of dark fantasy, horror, and comedy. The story follows Caiman, a man with a reptilian head, as he searches for the sorcerer who cursed him, all while navigating a world full of magic, violence, and bizarre characters.

Why It’s a Hidden Gem:
Dorohedoro stands out because of its gritty, surreal art style and its mix of grotesque violence and dark humor. The world-building is intricate and unique, and the characters are complex and memorable. Despite its chaotic nature, the story never loses focus, balancing horror with humor in a way that feels refreshing.

Why It Deserves an Anime Adaptation:
While Dorohedoro has recently gained more attention, especially with its manga fanbase, it remains underappreciated in the anime world. An anime adaptation would allow its imaginative world and action-packed sequences to come to life. With the right animation techniques, its dark fantasy elements could reach their full potential.

Comparisons to Popular Anime:
Fans of series like Attack on Titan or Tokyo Ghoul would likely gravitate towards Dorohedoro for its dark themes and intense action sequences. The series has the potential to become a cult favorite in the anime community.

4. Spirit Circle

Overview:
Spirit Circle by Satoshi Mizukami is a fantasy series that follows high school student Fuuta Okeya, who can see and communicate with spirits. After meeting a girl named Kouko, who has a vendetta against him due to their past lives, Fuuta is thrust into a journey of self-discovery across multiple reincarnations.

Why It’s a Hidden Gem:
Despite its intriguing premise and well-crafted story, Spirit Circle often flies under the radar. The manga excels in exploring themes of reincarnation, fate, and redemption, while maintaining a balance between emotional storytelling and light-hearted moments. Each life Fuuta revisits is compelling, revealing more about his character and the people around him.

Why It Deserves an Anime Adaptation:
An anime adaptation would bring Spirit Circle’s intricate plot and emotional depth to a wider audience. Its themes of reincarnation and the effects of past lives on present-day actions would be fascinating to explore in an animated format. The episodic structure of revisiting different lives could also make for a captivating anime series.

Marketability as an Anime:
The series’ mix of fantasy, romance, and emotional drama would appeal to a broad range of anime fans. Its philosophical undertones and character-driven narrative make it a perfect candidate for an anime adaptation that stands out from the usual fantasy fare.

5. Houseki no Kuni (Land of the Lustrous)

Overview:
Houseki no Kuni, written by Haruko Ichikawa, is set in a world where gem-like beings fight for survival against Lunarians who seek to capture them. The story focuses on Phos, a brittle and weak gem, who seeks to prove their worth while discovering the mysteries of their world.

Why It’s a Hidden Gem:
The manga’s stunning visual style and its deep philosophical questions about existence and purpose make it a standout in the fantasy genre. The unique character designs and world-building are a breath of fresh air in the manga landscape.

Why It Deserves an Anime Adaptation:
Although Houseki no Kuni did receive a short anime adaptation, it deserves a full series to explore its intricate world and characters in greater depth. The beauty of the world and the dynamic action scenes would shine even brighter with a high-budget, extended adaptation.

Cult Following or Critical Acclaim:
The manga has been praised for its originality and deep themes, and while the anime adaptation was well-received, it didn’t cover the entire story. A full adaptation would give fans the complete experience and introduce the series to new audiences.

Conclusion

These five hidden gem manga series all have the potential to become the next big thing in the anime world. With their unique stories, compelling characters, and devoted fanbases, they deserve the chance to reach a wider audience through animation. Whether it’s the deep psychological journey of Oyasumi Punpun or the fantastical world of Dorohedoro, each series offers something different that could captivate anime fans worldwide. So, if you’re looking for a new manga to dive into, these hidden gems are definitely worth your time—and hopefully, one day, they’ll get the anime adaptations they deserve.