• EarlyGame PLUS top logo
  • Join to get exclusive perks & news!
English
    • News
    • Guides
    • Gaming
      • Fortnite
      • League of Legends
      • EA FC
      • Call of Duty
      • Reviews
    • TV & Movies
    • Codes
      • Mobile Games
      • Roblox Games
      • PC & Console Games
    • Videos
    • Forum
    • Careers
    • EarlyGame+
  • Login
  • Homepage My List Settings Sign out
  • News
  • Guides
  • Gaming
    • All Gaming
    • Fortnite
    • League of Legends
    • EA FC
    • Call of Duty
    • Reviews
  • TV & Movies
  • Codes
    • All Codes
    • Mobile Games
    • Roblox Games
    • PC & Console Games
  • Videos
  • Forum
  • Careers
  • EarlyGame+
Game selection
Kena
Gaming new
Enterianment CB
ENT new
TV Shows Movies Image
TV shows Movies logo 2
Fifa stadium
Fc24
Fortnite Llama WP
Fortnite Early Game
LOL 320
Lo L Logo
Codes bg image
Codes logo
Smartphonemobile
Mobile Logo
Videos WP
Untitled 1
Cod 320
Co D logo
Rocket League
Rocket League Text
Apex 320
AP Ex Legends Logo
DALL E 2024 09 17 17 03 06 A vibrant collage image that showcases various art styles from different video games all colliding together in a dynamic composition Include element
Logo
Logo copy
GALLERIES 17 09 2024
News 320 jinx
News logo
More EarlyGame
Esports arena

Polls

Razer blackhsark v2 review im test

Giveaways

Rocket league videos

Videos

Valorant Tournament

Events

  • Copyright 2025 © eSports Media GmbH®
  • Privacy Policy
  • Impressum and Disclaimer
 Logo
English
  • English
  • German
  • Spanish
  • EarlyGame india
  • Homepage
  • TV Shows & Movies

15 Best Anime That Aren’t Based on Manga

1-15

Original stories, unforgettable anime.

Nazarii Verbitskiy Nazarii Verbitskiy
TV Shows & Movies - December 16th 2025, 23:55 GMT+1
Angel Beats

15. Angel Beats! (2010)

Angel Beats! starts as a wild ride in a strange afterlife, where a band of rebellious teens fights back with guns and goofy schemes. But the show quickly reveals its true heart, weaving sharp humor together with quiet, sad moments about lost lives and unfinished business. It’s a short series that manages to feel both riotously fun and genuinely touching by the end. | © Aniplex of America

Kill la Kill

14. Kill la Kill (2013–2014)

Kill la Kill is an over-the-top, action-packed parody that embraces and exaggerates anime clichés with pure gusto. The story follows a schoolgirl seeking revenge with a sentient sailor uniform, leading to non-stop, high-energy battles that are as absurd as they are brilliantly animated. It’s a hilarious, unapologetic, and surprisingly smart ride that knows exactly how ridiculous it is and runs with it. | © Aniplex of America

Paranoia Agent

13. Paranoia Agent (2004)

Paranoia Agent is a surreal psychological thriller that starts with a simple mystery: a rollerblading boy attacking people with a golden bat. As the investigation deepens, the show masterfully unravels into a dark exploration of urban stress, collective delusion, and the human psyche. It's a clever, disturbing, and brilliantly crafted series that only the late Satoshi Kon could deliver. | © Geneon Entertainment USA

Durarara

12. Durarara!! (2010–2016)

Durarara!! throws a wild cast of characters into the chaotic streets of Tokyo's Ikebukuro district. The story brilliantly connects their lives through shifting perspectives, secret online chats, and clashes between urban legends and street gangs. It's a stylish, clever puzzle of a series that finds both chaos and cool in its interconnected web of stories. | © Aniplex of America

Psycho Pass

11. Psycho-Pass (2012–2019)

Psycho-Pass is a smart sci-fi thriller set in a future where a system can instantly judge a person's criminal intent. It follows detectives who must enforce this law, grappling with profound questions about free will, justice, and whether you can condemn someone before they ever act. With dark atmosphere, complex characters, and gripping philosophical tension, it's a sophisticated and compelling series for any fan of psychological mystery. | © Funimation

The Big O

10. The Big O (1999-2003)

The Big O is a stylish noir series that expertly blends the intrigue of a James Bond thriller with the spectacle of giant robot battles. Its episodic structure often follows a satisfying pattern of espionage and mystery before culminating in a tense mech showdown. While the overarching plot becomes convoluted near its conclusion, the show's unique atmosphere and classic monster-of-the-week charm make it a compelling and memorable watch. | © ADV Films

Redline

9. Redline (2009)

Redline is an absolute explosion of style and adrenaline, focused purely on the world's most dangerous, illegal galaxy race. Every frame of its hand-drawn animation bursts with a hyper-kinetic energy, following racers with outrageous personalities and even more outrageous vehicles. It doesn't bother with a complex plot, because the sheer, joyous cool of its spectacle, backed by an eclectic rock-and-electro soundtrack, makes it an unforgettable experience. | © Anchor Bay Films

Shirobako

8. Shirobako (2014-2015)

Shirobako is a fascinating look into the intense, chaotic reality of creating an anime. It follows a group of friends as they navigate their different roles in a production studio, showcasing everything from writing and sound design to endless crisis management. For anyone curious about animation or who simply loves anime, this series is a must-watch celebration of the passionate people who bring our favorite shows to life. | © Sentai Filmworks

Cropped Death Parade

7. Death Parade (2015)

Death Parade is a gripping psychological anime that throws its newly deceased characters into a mysterious bar to be judged. They must play high-stakes games that force their darkest emotions and hidden memories to the surface, revealing the truth of their lives. While the enigmatic world of the arbiters isn't fully explained, the intense focus on human morality makes for a uniquely thought-provoking and suspenseful series. | © Funimation

Code Geass

6. Code Geass (2006-2008)

Code Geass is a brilliant thriller set in an alternate future where an exiled prince gains the supernatural power to command absolute obedience. This kicks off a complex war of rebellion, packed with strategic mecha battles, shocking betrayals, and a massive cast where no character is safe. It masterfully blends high-stakes political intrigue with deep moral dilemmas, delivering one of anime's most clever, dramatic, and satisfying conclusions. | © Bandai Entertainment

Samurai Champloo

5. Samurai Champloo (2004–2005)

Samurai Champloo is an absolute blast, seamlessly blending hip-hop culture with Edo-period Japan for a one-of-a-kind adventure. It follows the explosive journey of three mismatched travellers on a quest to find a mysterious samurai. With a phenomenal soundtrack, stylish action, and perfect pacing, it’s a consistently fun and incredibly cool series that leaves you deeply attached to its unforgettable characters. | © Geneon Entertainment USA

Violet Evergarden

4. Violet Evergarden (2018)

Violet Evergarden is a visually stunning anime, with lush colors and detailed animation creating a truly beautiful world. The story follows Violet, a former soldier learning to understand human emotions by becoming a ghostwriter for others' heartfelt letters. While some episodic stories feel detached, the series rewards patience, building into a poignant and emotionally resonant journey about healing from trauma. | © Netflix

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)

Puella Magi Madoka Magica is not your typical magical girl anime. It follows young girls who make a Faustian bargain with a mysterious creature, trading their souls for a single wish in exchange for a life of battle. What begins innocently soon spirals into a beautifully animated story of despair and cosmic horror, delivering a clever, psychological twist on the genre that is both profound and deeply unsettling. | © Aniplex of America

Cowboy Bebop

2. Cowboy Bebop (1998–1999)

Cowboy Bebop earns its reputation as a timeless classic by blending gritty sci-fi with effortless cool. Its episodic adventures are a masterful mix of jazz-soaked noir, jaw-dropping action, and sudden, poignant tragedy. From Spike Spiegel's stylish swagger to Yoko Kanno's legendary jazz soundtrack, every element oozes a singular vibe that simply never gets old. | © Bandai Entertainment

Neon Genesis Evangelion

1. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995–1996)

Neon Genesis Evangelion starts as a classic giant robot series, with a teenage boy piloting a bio-mecha to defend against alien Angels. It quickly becomes less about the fights and more about psychological trauma and existential dread, a surprising twist that still defines it. The characters are often difficult, the ending is famously strange, but its raw exploration of depression and iconic imagery solidify its status as an essential, groundbreaking anime. | © ADV Films

1-15

We all know anime and manga go hand in hand, but some of the medium's most groundbreaking stories started as original screenplays. From psychological thrillers to timeless space adventures, here are 15 brilliant anime that were never based on a manga.

  • Facebook X Reddit WhatsApp Copy URL

We all know anime and manga go hand in hand, but some of the medium's most groundbreaking stories started as original screenplays. From psychological thrillers to timeless space adventures, here are 15 brilliant anime that were never based on a manga.

Related News

More
Hatred protagonist cropped processed by imagy
Gaming
AO Is the Highest ESRB Rating a Game Can Get: Only These Titles Received It at Launch
Joyeux Noël
Entertainment
Top 15 Christmas Movies You Didn’t Know Were Based On Real-Life Stories
Street fighter juri cropped processed by imagy
Gaming
These Were the Most Searched Video Games on Adult Websites in 2025
Sense8 cropped processed by imagy
Entertainment
These Netflix Shows Didn’t Deserve To Be Canceled
Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop
TV Shows & Movies
15 Best Anime Characters With Incredible Development
The One On The Last Night
TV Shows & Movies
15 Best Friends Episodes, Ranked
Cardcaptor Sakura
TV Shows & Movies
Top 15 Best Winter Anime To Watch This Season
An American Tale
TV Shows & Movies
15 Hanukkah Movies to Watch This Year
How I Met Your Mother
TV Shows & Movies
15 Best Sitcom Series To Watch For Christmas
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 cropped processed by imagy
Gaming
The Game Awards 2025: Here’s The Complete List Of Winners
Cropped the ugly stepsister
Entertainment
The Best Movies Of 2025: These Are The Top Films Of The Year
Scarlett Johansson
Entertainment
15 Actresses Who Can Play Any Role
  • All TV & Movies
  • Home

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up for selected EarlyGame highlights, opinions and much more

About Us

Discover the world of esports and video games. Stay up to date with news, opinion, tips, tricks and reviews.
More insights about us? Click here!

Links

  • Affiliate Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • Impressum and Disclaimer
  • Advertising Policy
  • Our Editorial Policy
  • About Us
  • Authors
  • Ownership

Partners

  • Kicker Logo
  • Efg esl logo
  • Euronics logo
  • Porsche logo
  • Razer logo

Charity Partner

  • Laureus sport for good horizontal logo

Games

  • Gaming
  • Entertainment
  • TV Shows & Movies
  • EA FC
  • Fortnite
  • League of Legends
  • Codes
  • Mobile Gaming
  • Videos
  • Call of Duty
  • Rocket League
  • APEX
  • Reviews
  • Galleries
  • News
  • Your Future

Links

  • Affiliate Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • Impressum and Disclaimer
  • Advertising Policy
  • Our Editorial Policy
  • About Us
  • Authors
  • Ownership
  • Copyright 2025 © eSports Media GmbH®
  • Privacy Policy
  • Impressum and Disclaimer
  • Update Privacy Settings
English
English
  • English
  • German
  • Spanish
  • EarlyGame india