5 Manga Series That Deserve The Netflix Adaptation After One Piece

With the recent successful release of “One Piece” on Netflix, the potential for manga adaptations has never been more evident. Manga, with its expansive universes and intricate storylines, offers a rich palette of content that global audiences are eagerly consuming. While “One Piece” captured hearts, it’s essential to recognize that it’s just one among many. So, here are 5 Manga series that deserve the Netflix adaptation after One Piece.

Vagabond

Takehiko Inoue’s masterpiece, “Vagabond,” stands as a paradox in the manga world: immensely popular, yet untouched by adaptative ventures. Launched in 1998, this best-seller weaves a semi-fictional tale of Musashi Miyamoto, the legendary 17th-century vagabond swordsman, drawing inspiration from Eiji Yoshikawa’s 1935 novel, “Musashi.” The manga elegantly shifts between phases of Musashi’s journey, highlighting his upbringing, adventures, and iconic duels, particularly against his fierce rival, Kojiro Sasaki.

Fans are still in suspense, as the climactic Musashi-Kojiro face-off remains unrealized in the manga, and its fate, clouded by a hiatus since 2015, seems uncertain. An anime adaptation not only promises to fill this void but might rekindle global enthusiasm for this epic.

Goodnight Punpun

Inio Asano’s magnum opus, “Goodnight Punpun,” is a heart-wrenching tale that resonates deeply, albeit not universally due to its intense melancholic undertones. Chronicling the life of Punpun Onodera, from his innocent childhood to tumultuous early twenties, the narrative is a relentless descent where calamities besiege our protagonist.

A standout feature is its avant-garde artistry. Employing photographs and 3D-modelled canvases for backgrounds, it further distinguishes itself by representing Punpun and his kin as rudimentary bird sketches. This metamorphoses as Punpun undergoes various life phases, rendering him a relatable everyman figure. Merging animated personas with real-world backdrops isn’t uncharted territory in animation.

Yotsuba&!

Kiyohiko Azuma’s delightful slice-of-life manga, “Yotsuba&!,” despite its acclaim and the animated triumph of Azuma’s prior work “Azumanga Daioh,” astonishingly hasn’t graced the anime world. The series immerses readers into the whimsical explorations of 5-year-old Yotsuba Koiwai, an embodiment of innocence and zest, navigating her surroundings with contagious enthusiasm.

The unique chapter titling, always prefixed with “Yotsuba and…,” adds a quirky touch. Interestingly, an offshoot anime, “Nyanbo!”, premiered in 2016, showcasing cat versions of the character Danbo, an unexpected direction. Azuma expressed reservations about his manga’s compatibility with animation. Yet, with evolving animation techniques and storytelling nuances, perhaps it’s time to reconsider and give fans the animated “Yotsuba&!” experience they’ve been yearning for.

Fire Punch

Before “Chainsaw Man” took the manga world by storm, Tatsuki Fujimoto mesmerized readers with “Fire Punch”. Set in a post-apocalyptic frozen Earth, the narrative dives into the lives of the ‘blessed’ – individuals bestowed with mystical powers. At the epicenter is Agni, an immortal blessed with regenerative capabilities.

His life takes a tragic turn when Doma, another blessed with unstoppable flames, annihilates Agni’s sister and condemns him to a life of ceaseless burning. Agni’s quest for vengeance sets the premise for this chilling tale. With the announcement of a “Chainsaw Man” anime adaptation, fans are abuzz with hope. Could “Fire Punch” be next in line to be immortalized in animation? Only time will tell.

20th Century Boys

Naoki Urasawa’s storytelling prowess has graced the manga world with several gems, including the critically acclaimed “Monster.” Yet, while “Monster” transitioned seamlessly into the anime realm, Urasawa’s masterpiece, “20th Century Boys,” remains conspicuously absent from the animation sphere. This manga weaves a complex narrative, spanning five decades from the ’60s to the 2010s.

Readers are thrust into a riveting chase as a group of friends grapple with their past to unravel the enigma of ‘Friend’, a cryptic cult leader using childhood symbols and games in his nefarious plot for world domination. Adapted into a live-action film trilogy, this magnum opus’s absence from anime libraries remains a bewildering oversight, especially given its enduring legacy and acclaim.

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