In the small random plane-ride-induced moments of my life, I stop and wonder, “Why hasn’t this manga been made into an anime yet?” Perhaps other adamant readers feel the same way. Sometimes this goes for manga I like or just popular titles I am genuinely shocked haven’t been animated yet. (OVAs and Live Action Dramas don’t count.)
May this post help these titles find prestige on the big screen outside our hearts! (If I was popular enough to make it happen that would be interesting.)
Daytime Shooting Star, (Hirunaka no Ryuusei) by Yamamori, Mika
Suzume Yosano has spent the entire 15 years of her life in the countryside, so when her parents decide to move overseas for work and leave her with her uncle in Tokyo, she finds herself in a whole new environment. On the way to her uncle’s house, however, she gets lost and faints.
Waking up safely at her uncle’s house, she learns that a strange man had carried her there and that he happens to be an acquaintance of her uncle. Moreover, when Suzume goes to her new school for the first time, she discovers that the weird man in question, named Satsuki Shishio, is actually her homeroom teacher! Now, Suzume must adapt to her new school and make friends, since her blossoming high school life in the city has just begun!
Myanimelist Synopsis
Daytime Shooting Star has such good artwork and characters along with a mature outlook on romance and relationships. Though it has since been made into a drama, it is puzzlingly to me why no anime studio has picked this story up. (The same goes for her other big work Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet.)
Dengeki Daisy, 2007-2013 by Motomi, Kyousuke
Teru Kurebayashi is left all alone in the world after the death of her brother, Souichirou. Well, all alone except for “Daisy,” someone that she can always talk to and who never hesitates to cheer her up. However, Teru has never met Daisy, she has no idea what he looks like, and her only means of contacting him is through a cell phone that her brother left for her.
In stark contrast to the kind words and encouragement Teru receives from Daisy, she gets nothing but grief from the rude school janitor, Tasuku Kurosaki, who forced Teru to work for him after she accidentally broke a window. But while Kurosaki seems like a lazy good-for-nothing who only enjoys making her miserable, is there more to him than meets the eye?
Myanimelist Synopsis
I feel like this series has such a huge following and yet there hasn’t even been a whisper about an upcoming anime adaptation. I liked it when I was in my early twenties and thought it would have an anime really soon after it finished. No such luck it seems for the avid fans.
Hiyokoi, 2009-2014 by Yukimaru, Moe
Little 15-year-old Hiyori Nishiyama gets into an accident the day before her high school entrance ceremony, leaving her hospitalized with severe bone fractures that prevent her bones from growing. Due to her timid nature, even after recovering, she hesitates to attend class.
But when Hiyori finally decides to go to school for the first time in a year, things take an unexpected turn. As she introduces herself, she is abruptly interrupted by Yuushin Hirose, a tall and outgoing boy. Hiyori not only loses her chance to make a good impression on her classmates, but Yuushin ridicules her by comparing her to a baby bird. However, due to Yuushin’s sociable nature, she slowly feels more at ease around her classmates. With Yuushin at her side, Hiyori hopes to accomplish her goal of making friends.
Myanimelist Synopsis
This addition may surprise people but it has a reason to be on this list. Twice, in 2010 and 2012 anime studios made an introductory ova to promote this story. Yet, there is still no anime. It’s a cute story and I’m sure there would be a good following.
Love So Life, 2008-2015 (Rabu Sō Raifu) by Kouchi, Kaede
Shiharu Nakamura is a high school girl who loves children, lives in an orphanage, and aspires to run a daycare. She works part-time at a nursery school where the cute two-year-old twins Akane and Aoi Matsunaga attend. One day, a handsome young man named Seiji Matsunaga comes rushing to pick up the twins, but they refuse to go home with him, clinging onto Shiharu instead. Shocked by the children’s strong attachment to Shiharu, Seiji urgently requests for her to babysit them, offering to pay twice the amount she currently earns at the daycare. Shiharu realizes the cash will cover her living and schooling expenses while also providing the experience she needs to fulfill her dream.
Love So Life follows the happy days of Shiharu as she finds herself falling in love with her makeshift family, and the twins as they live out their early childhood playing, learning, and growing.
Myanimelist Synopsis
Here is yet another well-liked manga, with a huge following, that has never become an anime for. . . reasons. With all the less than compelling shoujo anime that have come out throughout these last five years alone, strangely, no studio thought to adapt this manga. Perhaps, because Shiharu is a little bit like Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket, it will catch someone’s eye.
Madame Petit, 2012-2017 by Takao, Shigeru
It’s the 1920s and Mariko, age 16, is married to a man 30 years her senior. She is honestly happy to be his wife and really excited to board the Orient express in Turkey on their honeymoon trip. But her life takes a rapid turn when her husband is discovered dead after the first night on board… And that’s only the start of Mariko’s great adventure.
Myanimelist Synopsis
My feelings personally about this story are mixed. However, I wonder why it hasn’t caught the eye of lovers of historical drama anime. It has great art, a compelling romance, and interactive mystery. For those interested in early 19th Century, this would be a breath of fresh air.
Psyren, 2011-2014 (PSYЯEN) by Iwashiro, Toshiaki
Ageha Yoshina is a self-confident high school student who helps others for a fee. On his way back from a job, he finds a strange calling card with the word “Psyren” imprinted left behind in a phone booth and decides to keep it, unaware of its purpose. The very next day, Ageha discovers that his classmate Sakurako Amamiya has the exact same calling card in her possession. When he questions her, Sakurako asks him to save her, signaling the day his troubles begin.
Confused by the circumstances of this encounter, Ageha realizes something is wrong when Sakurako goes missing. In an attempt to figure out what is happening, he decides to call the number provided on the calling card and is asked a series of questions by a mysterious voice, ending with a final, cryptic question: “Would you like to go to Psyren?” Thus begins two teenagers’ participation in a game of life or death within a strange world inhabited by monsters called “Taboo.” Granted the ability to use psychic powers known as “PSI,” the duo fight to return to the place they call home.
Myanimelist Synopsis
I know there is a huge following for Psyren. More than any other series, I see readers question why no one has animated it. It has great pacing, compelling futuristic artwork, and a cool “power system”. Personally, I don’t mind it staying just a manga, but I understand how other fans must feel frustrated.
Takane and Hana, 2014-? (Takane no Hana) by Shiwasu, Yuki
Sixteen-year-old Hana Nonomura is forced to be the substitute for her older sister Yukari at a miai: a meeting between two people considering an arranged marriage. Hana’s prospective suitor turns out to be the handsome heir of the wealthy Takaba company, Takane Saibara, who is 10 years her senior. He promptly shows disdain toward Hana and, in response, she tells him that she is equally unimpressed by his status and personality.
Hana believes that her actions at the meeting should have put an end to the discussions about marriage with Takane. To her surprise, not only does the man want to proceed with negotiations but he also starts to show interest in her! This is just the beginning of a special relationship between two polar opposites!
Myanimelist Synopsis
Takane and Hana is one of the best Shoujo romances I’ve ever read. It’s hilarious and treats the romance between Hana and Takane realistically. Plus, the art is consistently high quality. It has the makings of a great anime, untapped except for a random drama. So sad.
The Girl From the Other Side, 2015-2021 (Totsukami no Shoujo) by Nagabe
Long ago, there was a god of light and a god of darkness. While those devoted to the god of light experienced happiness and good fortune, the god of darkness would play tricks on the people and steal their joy. And so, as the legend goes, the god of light decided to punish him by turning him into a monster. Enraged by this, the god of darkness wielded his punishment as a curse in order to inflict suffering upon others. Because of his actions, he was banished to the Outside, where he and his monstrous children are to remain for eternity, while those from the Inside must never come in contact with someone from the Outside, lest they be cursed with a hideous form.
A little girl named Shiva, an Insider, is found by an Outsider she comes to know as Sensei. Though they cannot touch, Sensei cares for Shiva as best he can, and together they live a moderately happy life. But soon, Shiva not only finds herself in danger from the Outside, but from her own kind as well.
Myanimelist Synopsis
With all the followers of shows like The Promised Neverland and Tokyo Ghoul, I expected Totsukami no Shoujo to make its way into the anime world seamlessly. No such luck so far. I just think its a bit odd considering how unique the artwork and story are.
Yotsuba&!, 2003-? (Yotsuba to!) by Azuma, Kiyohiko
Yotsuba’s daily life is full of adventure. She is energetic, curious, and a bit odd—odd enough to be called strange by her father as well as ignorant of many things that even a five-year-old should know. Because of this, the most ordinary experience can become an adventure for her. As the days progress, she makes new friends and shows those around her that every day can be enjoyable.
Myanimelist Synopsis
Azumanga Daioh has an anime and it has barely any volumes. Yet, Yotsuba&!, with exemplary reviews both by critics and fans, has nothing whatsoever. It is a little boggling to me. Perhaps no one thinks they can adequately transfer the series’ great humor into animation. We may never know. . .
Thanks for reading!
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Anime April Mayhem! Day 5, Anime/Manga I’ll never do
See you tomorrow!
So Many Thoughts 