Summary
Most anime movies and shows take their cues from manga. The format and aesthetic lend themselves naturally to animated adaptations. The comic issues are even akin to episodes of TV shows. As fitting as this is, some creators diverge from this pattern.
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Several anime shows portray pieces of classic literature. These are rarely conventional adaptations, though, as the creators often put their own twist on the familiar stories. These spins are natural and welcome. Not only is the anime industry both notorious and beloved for weirdness, but many pieces of classic literature have seen countless iterations onscreen. Whenever a new one comes along, audiences naturally want it to stand out.
5Romeo X Juliet
Even those who’ve never readRomeo & Julietknow the story. Amid their families' bitter feud, the titular characters inexplicably fall in love. They become the prototypical example ofstar-crossed lovers, which means they’re predictably doomed. As such, they both commit suicide in the end. The ordeal is a tragedy, but the anime goes even darker.
Romeo X Juliettakes the death to a new level. After seeing her entire family slaughtered by their rivals, Juliet becomes a swashbuckling outlaw akin to Robin Hood or Zorro. That said, she still falls in love with Romeo, who opposes his father’s tyrannical rule. Their romance is also in peril when rebels loyal to her family reignite the dormant conflict.
All of this elevates the stakes beyond the two lovers. At the same time, the story would likely have escalated to this point had the two protagonists not taken matters into their own hands. That’s certainly a grim thought. On the upside, this twist might make teens more excited when they have to read this work in school.
4Les Misérables: Shoujo Cosette
In typical Victor Hugo fashion,Les Misérablesis a miserable experience. It tells the story of Jean Valjean, a parolee who is on the run from a dogged inspector during the French Revolution. He eventually takes in an orphaned Cosette and tries to keep her safe from mounting danger. That premise sounds like it would lend itself to a moody anime adaptation.
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Indeed, Japan has seen several such renditions, but the oddest isShoujo Cosette. This show reimagines the tale from Cosette’s perspective. Much of it is a wholesome coming-of-age series–complete withbright colors and a Shonen art style. Although these elements clash with the narrative’s darker aspects, the anime still succeeds at what it sets out to do.
That is, it providesLes Misérableswith a fresh point of view. The episodes flesh out Cosette’s childhood with both book elements and original concepts. What’s more, is that the writers blend these parts organically. In tandem, they give the eponymous heroine a far stronger foundation.
3The Count Of Monte Cristo
A similar story of misfortune,The Count of Monte Cristosees its protagonist wrongly convicted of treason. Unlike Valjean, though, he escapes from prison. He then accumulates a vast fortune and uses it to seek revenge against those who did him wrong. The narrative treads much of the same ground asLes Misérables, right down to the French setting.
The anime makes the bizarre move to take the tale to space. The result is an intriguing mixture of period fashion andfuturistic techakin toTreasure Planet. The plot, characters, and themes remain as faithful and potent as ever. The show just adds a splash of sci-fi where needed. One might question the point of changing the setting in the first place. On the other hand, it stands as a testament to the work’s enduring, universal appeal.
2Alice In Wonderland
For some reason,Alice in Wonderlandhas seen several anime renditions, be it in single episodes or entire shows. The creators usually turn the tale into an isekai scenario: original characters travel to Wonderland for a standard fish-out-of-water scenario. The difference is that the place is more foreboding due to its denizens' demented anime designs. These versions are actually tame by comparison, though.
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The truly twisted tales are those that alter Wonderland from the ground up.Serial Experiments Lainportrays the place as virtual reality: a network of communication hubs amida sci-fi dystopia.Pandora Heartsreplaces the whimsical Wonderland with an interdimensional prison. The Mad Hatter and other familiar figures are inmates in this ominous void. These reinterpretations are radical, to say the least.
Such reinvention may seem misguided, but Lewis Carroll’s novel was always a cautionary tale on the necessity of rules. It’s why Wonderland is an entirely nonsensical mess. These adaptations maintain that message. They’re arguably more effective due to their creepier subject matter. Viewers' preference likely depends on what they want Wonderland to represent.
1Dragon Ball
Journey to the Westis among the prototypical adventure stories, especially in the East. It revolves around a Buddhist monk who sets out to fetch certain scriptures from an Indian temple and return them to China. He’s joined by disciples inspired by various animals, one of which is a monkey. The plucky party soon encounters numerous villains in the form of both humans and demons. Given that framework, it’s easy to see the narrative’s wide appeal.
This is partly whyDragon Balltook off. Akira Toriyama’s work focuses on Goku, a young boy with a monkey tail and super strength. He goes on a quest to find the wish-granting Dragon Balls, albeit mainly to test his skills as a martial artist. He runs into fellow fighters, monsters, and mixtures of the two. As the manga and anime progress, Goku grows up, expanding his circle of friends andtaking on more powerful opponents. When he finds a worthy rival, it’s always a thrill.
With the universal draw of combatting fantastical creatures on an epic journey,Dragon Balllays a foundation for an exciting action extravaganza. Goku tackles his fair share of demonic adversaries, butthe emphasis on martial arts and energy blastsmakes these encounters more exciting. In addition, Toriyama uses his satirical edge to craft hilariously wholesome versions of the established characters, such as Oolong standing in for the Pig disciple.Dragon Ballmay have started as his take onJourney to the West, but it’s become an enjoyable phenomenon all its own.
