For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, our attention this time turns to remakes. From classic shonen like Hunter X Hunter to underrated gems like Towards the Terra, there are many anime remakes that strike gold. Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
Hunter X Hunter (2011)
Nonetheless, many Hunter X Hunter fans prefer the 2011 remake since it didn’t leave Hunter X Hunter with an incomplete feeling. For those unaware, both adaptations follow Gon Freecss, a young boy who embarks on his quest to find his father Ging, and become a professional hunter like him. With danger and fun around every corner, it’s up to Gon to overcome the odds if he hopes to reunite with Ging. Hunter X Hunter balances its dark and cheery atmosphere well. The series will feature times when our characters compete in harmless challenges and other times when their lives are at risk. If you’re looking to experience Gon’s adventure from start to finish, I’d suggest giving it’s 2011 remake a watch.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
While both adaptations of Fullmetal Alchemist have stellar elements, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood features better visuals, animation, and more intricate details not found in the original 2003 adaptation. The remake covers content not found in the original anime and offers a satisfying conclusion. With that said, fans can enjoy both adaptations and walk away with similar appreciation and adoration for these works. For those who are new to the series, both anime follows two brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric. One day, these boys learn about alchemy and conjure a plan to utilize this dark magic to resurrect their mother. Things don’t turn out okay, leading our brothers to lose several limbs. Edward loses one of his arms and legs while Alphonse’s soul gets implanted into a giant suit of armor. A time skip occurs, and the brothers are now older with Edward having prosthetic limbs. After tackling numerous training regimes and business matters, the boys embark on a quest for a stone that will restore their bodies. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a jaw-dropping shonen anime with incredible characters, dialogue, action scenes, and humor. If you’re looking for a show that’ll leave a lasting impression on you, I’d advise giving this anime a watch.
Fruits Basket (2019)
Things take a dramatic turn one night when Tooru gets caught up in a fight between two cousins of the Souma family. As she tries to stop them, she uncovers the family’s well-kept secret. Upon getting hugged by the opposite sex, they all transform into the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Tooru’s new discovery makes living with the Souma family an unexpected adventure filled with romance and laughter. This series follows a girl named Tooru, who endured an immense amount of tragedy in her life, leading to her feeling alone and helpless. With no family to turn to, Tooru ends up living in a tent. However, she receives a dash of hope after she stumbles upon the home of the esteemed Souma family. The family takes her in after hearing her out about her situation. This series does an excellent job of building upon its characters and their relationships. The internal issues they encounter feel genuine as many will find themselves sympathizing with our cast during these cruel times. With its blend of romance and supernatural shenanigans, Fruits Basket is a fun anime many will enjoy.
Hellsing Ultimate (2006)
Hellsing Ultimate falls in the same line as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Ultimate features a more faithful adaptation of its source material and contains better animation and visuals that hold up today. However, it’s important to note that the manga wasn’t complete during the 2001 adaptation’s launch. Nonetheless, Ultimate is fans’ preferred way of experiencing Kouta Hirano’s bloody vampire-themed work. Our tale revolves around a formidable vampire named Alucard who works with the well-acclaimed Hellsing organization and helps them handle supernatural cases. During one of Alucard’s missions, he meets and recruits a police officer named Seras. The anime follows these two characters as they take down every living organism that poses a threat to Hellsing. Ultimate features decent storytelling and wonderful dubbing. You’ll enjoy seeing Alucard and Seras’s chemistry grow as the series continues. As stated earlier, Ultimate provides impeccable visuals and stunning animation with its fights and transformative sequences. The fights will keep you on the edge of your seat and craving more. While the show lacks an intricate narrative, it promises enough devastation and quirkiness to keep you invested and entertained.
Towards the Terra (2007)
Towards the Terra is often regarded by anime enthusiasts as one of the best anime remakes of all time. Unlike some of its prior adaptations, many claims Towards the Terra’s 2007 remake does an excellent job at making story beats feel less rushed and more pleasurable. This remake features grander visuals and spends time fleshing out its characters. From start to finish, you’ll find yourselves captivated by the narrative this story presents. It’s important to note that Towards the Terra starts off slow and may not catch your attention swiftly. However, if you can sit through its sluggish pacing and odd animation choices, you’re in for a great time. This show takes place in a world where earthlings have decided to colonize space after discovering that the Earth (or Terra) had been polluted beyond repair. The AI Grand Mother created from this decision controls humanity centuries later, wiping away human memories and assigning them a new role at 14 years old. Soldier Blue, a leader of a race of humans known as Mu who possesses psychic abilities, saves our protagonist Jomy from his cruel fate. Of course, the people who had created the AI Grand Mother find Blue’s race threatening. Years later, Jomy becomes the Mu’s leader and embarks on a quest to escape the manhunt led by the Grandmother’s sworn captain, Keith Anyan.
Dororo (2019)
It’s without a doubt that Dororo’s 2019 adaptation added more flair than its original 1969 adaptation. That said, Dororo is a fun anime about a limbless warrior’s journey for revenge and growth. Its protagonist Hyakkimaru is a merciless warrior who travels with his child companion Dororo. The chemistry between these two characters is wonderful and charming. Although Hyakkimaru doesn’t hold back from making the demons in his world suffer, he’ll come off as a remarkable hero in Dororo’s eyes. Visually, the world looks remarkable. The demons have wonderful designs alongside the standard human characters. The fights in this anime are just as immaculate. However, the best aspects of Dororo stem from Hyakkimaru’s internal journey. As the series progresses, you’ll notice Hyakkimaru adopt more human-like qualities and mannerisms. Despite offering a “monster of the week” formula, fans will fall in love with this show.
Magic Kaito 1412 (2014)
Magic Kaito 1412 is a remake of the 2010 Magic Kaito special and offers gorgeous visuals, stellar missions, and exciting mind games involving Detective Conan’s Kaito Kid and his rivals. Despite being a spin-off of the beloved detective-theme show, this one can be enjoyed by anyone. Our tale follows Kaito, who lives a slightly mischievous life despite his father’s mysterious death eight years prior. One day, Kaito uncovers the truth about his father’s secretive hobby. It turns out that he was once the Phantom Thief Kaito Kid and was murdered by a criminal organization seeking a mythical stone called the Pandora Gem. The gem can grant immortality to anyone if they consume the tear it sheds after the Valley Comet passes by. To find the Pandora Gem before his enemies can take advantage of its power, Kaito disguises himself as the Phantom Thief, stealing priceless jewels night after night to find the people responsible for his father’s death. This remake has all you need from enjoyable bank heists to clever visuals and animation. If you ever wanted to follow the eyes of one of Detective Conan’s greatest enemies, I’d advise giving Magic Kaito 1412 a shot.
Digimon Adventure (2020)
While the 1999 Digimon Adventure series is memorable, Digimon Adventure (2020) has better visuals and animation. The fights feel grander and the Digimon’s transformations have more flair. That said, it’s no different from the original anime as fans can expect this adaptation to follow a similar route to its 1999 counterpart. For those unaware, Digimon Adventure is an Isekai anime that transports a group of children to the Digital World, the land ruled by Digimon (digital monsters). In this world, the characters will partner up with specific Digimon and help them save the digital world from numerous threats. This series is darker than Pokemon, as it touches upon death and religion through sophisticated and twisted means. For instance, Digimon Adventure features a scene where one of its protagonists undergoes a crucifixion. For a children’s show, it flies above many expectations. It manages to tell a solid, self-contained narrative and developed its protagonists wonderfully. If you ever wondered what a mature-themed monster-taming anime would be like, I recommend giving Digimon Adventure a shot.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012) is many JoJo’s fans’ preferred way to watch the series. While the prior adaptations of its Phantom Blood and Stardust Crusader parts had some notable highlights, they pale in comparison to David Production’s take on the action-packed show. For those new to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, this series spawns multiple parts but centers around the feud between the Joestar family and Dio Brando. While the focus shifts slightly off of Dio in some parts, the series always manages to tie Dio into Joestar’s issues. At the same time, the heroes and villains in this show have phenomenal personalities and abilities. Many of their feats scale from city-wide destruction to universal in concept. The show elevates its beautiful action scenes with iconic sound effects. These small instances help the show maintain an epic aesthetic and atmosphere. From Dio’s iconic phrases to the nonstop action and comedy from the Joestars, this is a bizarre adventure you don’t want to miss.
Ushio and Tora (2015)
From one classic to a forgotten gem, we arrive at 2015’s Ushio and Tora. As with Dororo, Ushio and Tora 2015 far exceeds its 1992 OVA series. Not only does the 2015 remake feature two seasons’ worth of action-packed fights and hilarity, but the anime looks more stylish and colorful. That said, Ushio and Tora is a quirky love letter to fans of classic shonen anime. This anime features common anime tropes from power-ups to excessive dialogue during fights. Despite borrowing elements from other shonen, Ushio and Tora’s cast are likable and will make you laugh. Our tale follows Ushio, who stumbles upon Tora, a menacing youkai while handling chores. Tora’s bound by a large spear and asks Ushio to remove it. Ushio refuses his offer, but when a youkai outbreak occurs, he has no choice but to let the creature loose. Little does Ushio know that he’ll embark on a thrilling journey full of nonstop hilarity and dangerous circumstances. This series excellent develops Ushio into a more level-headed character. His relationship with Tora is handled well. It’s their youkai slaying journey that makes this show a worthwhile time. So, there we have it, our picks for the best anime remakes through the years! What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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