Summary
Successful anime adaptations can come from regular novels, not just manga or light novels. Novels offer more psychological complexity. Light Novels are a unique type of book in Japan, usually shorter and with illustrations. This list does not include anime based on light novels. The best anime adaptations of novels include Anne of Green Gables, The Great Passage, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, etc. They provide a deeper exploration of the characters.
Success anime adaptation can be inspired by many different sources but one of the rarest is from a conventional novel. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that the existing art of manga provides animators with a template to create their work. However, that also comes from the fact that novels can often be a lot more psychologically complex than a typical manga or light novel.
Before diving into the list, it’s important to clarify the source of confusion regarding novels and light novels. Light Novels are a unique type of book in Japan, usually much shorter in length than regular books. They also often include illustrations of characters or important scenes. Although these are technically novels, they are often considered to deviate from the standard definition of the word. Therefore, this list will exclude anime based on light novels such as the Monogatari series or any isekai series. This list will also not include anime that serve as a retelling of the general story in a different setting such as the future Count of Monte Cristo’s Gankutsuou story. Those conditions aside, here are the ten best anime adaptations of novels.
10 Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables is an old anime based on an old book, but that doesn’t make this timeless story any less. Adapting L.M. Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green Gables, the anime series of the same name is the perfect introduction to the beloved series around the world. The animation can be a little dated at times, and the show isn’t as action-packed as many of the most popular anime currently airing, but Anne of Green Gables is still a heartwarming show that will please both newcomers and non-watchers alike. current fan.
9 Major roads
The Great Passage follows an eclectic group of characters attempting to create a comprehensive dictionary of the Japanese language. While this is the perfect idea for Shion Miura’s novel of the same name, for the anime it seems like it would be a harder sell. Still, seeing the characters come to life in the adaptation only makes them more endearing, and the fascinating exploration of obscure words and the finer points of dictionary creation isn’t hindered by the change in medium. While this series may be a little different from the others on this list, it’s still an interesting story about a fascinating subject.
8 Legends of Galactic Heroes
Based on the novel series of the same name by author Yoshiki Tanaka, Legend of the Galactic Heroes is easily the most epic anime on this list. Over more than 100 episodes, it chronicles the conflict between two star-spanning nations, the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. Each side of the war is told through the lens of many different characters, but the two main ones are Reinhard von Lohengramm of the Empire and Yang Wen-li of the Alliance. Although the series is long as its original version had some outdated animation, it is still extremely good and worth watching for fans of space operas.
7 Welcome to NHK
While there may be some minor differences from the novel it is based on, Welcome to the NHK is still a great anime that is often overlooked in modern times. Based on the novel of the same name by Tatsuhiko Takimoto, the film is about reserved Sato who meets a girl determined to help him escape his introverted lifestyle. The show is a wonderful psychological examination of all kinds of closure and can be both funny and tragic in equal measure. While the anime has excised some of the book’s more risqué aspects, it’s still just as sharp and insightful as the source material and remains a great pick for fans of anime-oriented shows. more character.
6 Hyouka
Hyouka is an anime adaptation of multiple novels in Honobu Yonezawa’s Classic Literature Club mystery series. The film is about lazy high school student Oreki who is forced to join the classic literature club at his high school and is then forced to solve various mysteries that arise around the school. Although he can be lazy, Oreki soon proves himself to be a better detective than Conan. While this combination of slice-of-life and mystery may not appeal to some fans, Hyouka is still a good show with charming and interesting characters that keep viewers entertained.
5 From the new world
From the New World is a fascinating science fiction story that shows what the future of humanity would be like if they developed psychic powers. Based on the novel by Yusuke Kishi, the film follows a group of young people in a small village as they grow up and discover many dark secrets that their society is hiding. While the film’s premise is intriguing enough, where it really shines is in its characters. All of the kids go through growth spurts, and the series’ main villain is one of the most compelling characters in all of anime. From the New World is a sci-fi gem that more people need to see.
4 Tatami Galaxy
Tatami Galaxy is easily the hardest show on this list. Based on the novel by Tomihiko Morimi, the film follows an unnamed college student as he explores the different paths he could have taken throughout his college life. The show has beautiful animation and is extremely witty, often featuring clever wordplay and a fast pace. An unabashedly absurd show, it nevertheless manages to expertly explore the human condition through its conceit and the various characters the protagonist encounters. While this is easily one of the most difficult items to engage with on this list, viewers who do will be greatly rewarded.
3 perfect blue colors
Perfect Blue is the directorial debut of the legendary Satoshi Kon, but it’s excellent enough to be any other director’s masterpiece. Based on the novel Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis by Yoshikazu Takeuchi, the film tells the story of the mental breakdown of female idol/actress Mima Kirigoe. The terrifying nature of her downward spiral combined with the gruesome murders that occur make this one of the scariest anime ever made and also a powerful commentary on obsession. society’s image of famous people. This is arguably Kon’s best work, although many fans will assign that title to another film on this list.
2 chili powder
Paprika was the last film that Satoshi Kon directed before his tragic death. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Yasutaka Tsutsui. The film is about a psychologist who enters the dream world to fight a terrorist who threatens to plunge the world into nightmares. This is an exciting animated masterpiece that explores the nature of dreams and humanity’s ever-changing relationship with technology. It even went on to inspire Hollywood blockbusters like Inception. While it may not be as scary as Perfect Blue, it is much more mysterious and thought-provoking and is the film that ultimately deserved Kon’s tragic end to his career.
1 Howl’s Moving Castle
Studio Ghibli seems to be in a class of its own when it comes to creating beautiful anime films, and Howl’s Moving Castle is just further proof. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Diana Wynn Jones, although it makes some significant changes to the source material. The film is about a girl named Sophie who was turned into an old woman by an evil witch and then met a wizard named Howl, who helped her escape the curse. This may sound relatively simple compared to Spirited Away’s much more confusing plot and visuals, but this simplicity works in the film’s favor and some fans actually consider Howl’s Moving Castle is Ghibli’s best film, a testament to its high quality.
Although the anime on this list cover a variety of genres and themes, most of them have a much deeper exploration of character than other series. This may be a consequence of the nature of their source medium being able to explore the inner lives of the characters more easily. Thus, these 10 best anime adapted from novels can provide general insights into that type of adaptation in general.