Anime that surpassed their source mangas

In a recent discussion on a Reddit forum, users have been discussing a recurring topic in the world of anime and manga: Are there any anime that surpass their manga counterparts? This question has generated a wide variety of opinions and analyses among fans of the medium.

Forum participants highlighted several key points on how an anime adaptation can enhance the narrative and visual experience of the original manga material. One of the main arguments is that the anime format can significantly enrich the original story by adding dynamic audio-visual elements, such as music, fluid animation, and voice acting. These elements can not only elevate the emotional impact of key scenes, but also add layers of depth to the characters and the world they inhabit.

Additionally, anime adaptation often has the advantage of being able to expand and explore certain aspects of the plot that in manga might be more limited due to time constraints or the static nature of the print medium. Anime directors and writers can choose to develop subplots, explore supporting characters more deeply, or even restructure the order of events to create a more cohesive and exciting narrative.

Another aspect highlighted by forum users is the anime's ability to improve the visual presentation of action scenes and climactic moments. Dynamic animation can bring fight sequences to life with detailed choreography and stunning visuals, which can be more impactful and exciting than the static vignettes in manga.

However, while there is consensus that some anime adaptations may surpass the original manga in terms of impact and entertainment, it is also recognized that this is not always the case. There are numerous examples where fans prefer manga for its unique art style, narrative pacing, or simply for the personal experience of reading a story in its original and complete form.

"Mob Psycho 100 or Bocchi the Rock!, the latter especially because we have real songs and the voice acting and visual style are sublime."
"Any musical manga adapted to anime, well, for obvious reasons."
"In my opinion, Gintama, manga is amazing but anime is just better."
"Nichijou, the manga is amazing but the anime adaptation is on another level. It wasn't necessary for the animators to try so hard, but they did and I loved it."
"The fifth part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Just giving King Crimson a sound effect makes it a lot easier to know what he's doing."
"As someone who started with manga and loved it, the Kaguya-sama: Love is War anime is definitely better. The incredible voice acting and creative visual style really took comedy to a new level."
"The final episode of Shingeki no Kyojin had better dialogue between Armin and Eren than the manga did, and the voice acting helped a lot."
"I hate to admit it. The Gintama manga was big and everything, but the voice actors in this anime really make it on another level of greatness, a masterpiece I would say."
"There are people who don't agree with me on this, but in my opinion the anime "Made in Abyss" is better than manga. The beautiful landscapes shine brighter in the anime, the action and fight sequences are easier to follow, and the dubbing and music are fantastic. Manga has its strengths. Somehow, the children are even more adorable in the manga and this one is more dense in information. However, I generally prefer anime to the point that I have decided to read manga only as far as anime is concerned. So for now until volume 10."
"The manga is great, but the Sousou no Frieren anime is definitely one of the best I've ever seen. The anime is more than polished, with incredible backgrounds, soundtrack, and animation. I was nervous when I found out that it was going to be announced, but the truth is that they have done great".
"Bleach: Thousand Year Blood Arc is definitely better than what Tite Kubo did in the manga."
"The original Trigun".
"We all agree that Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is much better in anime than in manga."
"Kaiju nº 8. Production I.G put in so many original things that enhance the rhythm and make you feel a little more connected to the characters."
"Usagi Drop".
"KonoSuba!, in my opinion. The voice actors did an amazing job and the animation and dubbing enhance the comedy a lot. The music is also great, like when Megumin plays when making an explosion, for example."
"Gakkou Gurashi, without a doubt."
"Sousou doesn't Frieren to the extent that he's encouraged so far. Great manga, but the fights and certain scenes are not as epic as the anime makes of them so I have high expectations for the second season."
"The Watamote anime was great and all that (and needs more seasons), but if you haven't followed it, the manga managed to change direction completely after the school trip."
"Bocchi the Rock!, K-ON!, Love Lab".
"Gintama and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. It's not that mangas are bad or anything, but I feel like those anime give you a better experience thanks to the great work of the seiyuus and the amazing music."
"Well, animation is a richer and more immersive medium. I would say that most anime adapted directly from light novels are better than their manga counterparts."
"Magic Knight Rayearth: The anime greatly expands the storyline of the series and gives more time to get to know the characters and grow fond of them. And adding Debonair and Nova to the plot made the final battle that much more satisfying."
"Akame Ga Kill. The anime has the best ending by far."
"Yu Yu Hakusho is indisputably better thanks to his good production, excellent dubbing, and better opening pace, as well as the expanded end of the final arc."
"Inuyasha. I think the anime focuses more on the relationship between Kagome and Inuyasha than the manga. It was very disappointing that after almost 300 episodes, Inuyasha didn't kiss Kagome even once."
"Mairimashita! Iruma-kun is a masterclass in adaptation. The manga was great, but the anime basically improved everything."
"Chainsaw Man has nothing to envy to manga. It's the anime's action sequences that really pull it off. Sometimes I got lost in the manga and had to reread some parts to understand what was happening."