10 Forgotten Anime Series That Deserve Their Own Reboots ASAP
With thousands of anime to choose from, it’s no wonder that many series have been forgotten despite past popularity or widespread acclaim from viewers. Some anime became sidelined due to incomplete manga, while others failed to catch the attention of fans quickly enough, resulting in the cancelation of new seasons. Even so, works like Fruits Basket and Kimi no Todoke, which made returns after years without continuation, give fans hope for the future.
With the rise of reboots and the growing popularity of anime, there is a possibility that classics and fan favorites may make a comeback on screen. Reboots can provide updated animation, more faithful adaptations, or a chance to give closure to a favorite series. They offer an opportunity for both old and new fans to rediscover forgotten gems, and many of these series deserve a reboot ASAP.
10 Yona of the Dawn
With the Manga Approaching Its End, Now Is a Perfect Time To Revitalize the Series
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Yona of the Dawn Yona of the Dawn follows the story of Yona, a sheltered princess whose kingdom is overthrown by a childhood friend. Forced to flee, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and survival, seeking to reclaim her lost throne with the help of her loyal bodyguard and newfound allies. The series blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and romance, set against a backdrop of political intrigue and personal growth. Where to Watch stream
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Yona of the Dawn received an animated adaptation in 2014, centering around a once-sheltered princess named Yona whose life takes a drastic turn when she is forced to flee the castle in order to preserve her own life. Her lifelong friend and loyal guard, Hak, aids in her escape and journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors of legend. From then onward, her ultimate goal is to aid the people of her kingdom rather than seek revenge against the one who forced her to abandon her old life.
Despite the captivating storytelling, beautiful animation, and excellent character development, Yona of the Dawn was cut short after its first season and three OVAs. With the manga entering its final arc and having continued well past the anime’s finale, there is ample material to cover and explore with a reboot. As a female-led fantasy epic, Yona of the Dawn is certain to catch the attention of new fans while offering a complete adaption for fans who have been hoping for its return.
9 Ouran High School Host Club
With the Return of Other Shojo Classics, It’s Not Too Unlikely for Ouran To Receive a Reboot Next
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 9.8/10 Ouran High School Host Club Ouran High School Host Club is a 2006 anime series centered around Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at the prestigious Ouran Academy. Mistaken for a boy, Haruhi joins the school's Host Club, where handsome boys entertain female students. The series explores themes of friendship, identity, and social class, and features a diverse cast of characters including the charming Tamaki Suoh and the stoic Kyoya Ootori. Where to Watch stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date April 4, 2006 Franchise(s) Ouran High School Host Club Creator(s) Bisco Hatori Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll
Ouran High School Host Club was adapted from Bisco Hatori’s manga and last blessed screens in 2006 with a one-season adaptation. Ouran was ahead of its time, centering around Haruhi Fujioka, a student who becomes part of the host club and hides the fact that she is a girl instead of a boy. Haruhi bends the traditional idea of gender roles, and this theme carries throughout the entire series, adding to its overall charm and whimsical storytelling.
The anime entertained fans with its humor and premise, but it only scratched the surface of the manga’s story. For years, fans have been left wanting more, especially as the manga further explores the characters’ backstories and developments throughout the story. A reboot will allow for a more faithful adaptation and a chance to fully experience Haruhi’s journey at Ouran Academy with the rest of the Host Club.
8 Ajin: Demi-Human
Ajin Was Most Criticized for Its Art Style but the Story Held Promise
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Ajin: Demi-Human is one of Netflix’s first original anime adaptations and ran for two seasons. The story was a dark supernatural thriller that followed Kei Nagai, a high schooler who discovers that he is a demi-human also known as an Ajin. Ajin are immortal beings with the ability to regenerate, and they are hunted down by the government in order to use them for experimentation. To protect himself, Kei goes on the run and gets caught in a battle between other Ajin and humanity.
The storyline was fast-paced and had an interesting foundation; however, it faced criticism for its 3D CGI animation, which left the art feeling inconsistent and overall lacking. The anime also did not remain fully faithful to the manga and deviated in significant ways, which ultimately left much of the plot to remain unresolved. As a dark psychological thriller, Ajin holds a lot of promise and has the potential to become more popular if given a second chance and follows a more faithful adaption.
7 Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Magi Was a Fun and Deeply Thought Out Story That Deserves To Receive a Full Adaptation
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 4/10 Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is a Japanese anime series adapted from Shinobu Ohtaka's manga. Set in a fantastical world inspired by the Arabian Nights, it follows young adventurers Aladdin, Alibaba, and Morgiana as they explore mystical labyrinths called Dungeons to uncover ancient secrets and treasures. The series delves into themes of courage, friendship, and destiny, blending action, magic, and political intrigue. Where to Watch stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date October 7, 2012 Franchise(s) Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Creator(s) Shinobu Ohtaka Seasons 2 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is a fantasy adventure that is directly inspired by One Thousand and One Nights. The series follows Aladdin, a young boy with extraordinary magical abilities who is joined by Alibaba, a young man who wishes to defeat a dungeon and claim Amon, and Morgiana, a former slave who is more powerful than she appears. Together, they journey forward to conquer magical dungeons filled with treasures and power that can be claimed by whoever defeats it.
While Magi had two well-received seasons and a spin-off, Magi: Adventures of Sinbad, it never received a third season. This left the story unfinished and many loose ends that were never resolved, including quite a few pivotal arcs from the manga. With its diverse cast and complex world-building, Magi left a favorable impression on fans and deserves an animated continuation of its story.
6 Nana
Nana Is an Underrated Masterpiece That Deserves More Recognition
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Nana Nana is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga of the same name by Ai Yazawa. The show follows the lives of two women named Nana who meet on a train to Tokyo and end up living together. While they share the same name, their personalities, ambitions, and backgrounds are vastly different, unfolding a narrative of friendship, love, and the pursuit of their dreams in the bustling city. Where to Watch stream
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Nana is a josei drama that follows two young women who share the same first name as they move to Tokyo to chase their dreams. Nana Osaki dreams of achieving music stardom and is a fiercely independent woman with a punk rock fashion sense. Nana Komatsu, who is affectionately referred to as Hachi, is a cheerful and bubbly young woman who moves to Tokyo to be with her boyfriend and find her purpose. Their chance meeting on the train bound for Tokyo was the start of their lives becoming interconnected as they both navigate adulthood and their relationships.
Nana beautifully captures the struggle of being a young adult trying to find themselves in the world and the bonds that hold people together. Despite its acclaim, Nana has not adapted all the available manga chapters and probably never will due to the indefinite hiatus of the manga. Even so, the anime deserves a retelling, and giving it a revival could reintroduce the series to a new generation who have yet to discover it.
5 Noragami
Noragami Had Many Fans Thanks to Its Unique Blend of Genres and Storytelling
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Noragami Noragami follows middle school student Hiyori Iki, who, after a bus accident, discovers two parallel worlds when her soul periodically slips from her body. She encounters Yato, a minor god aiming for recognition by granting wishes, and together they navigate the complexities of their intertwined destinies. Where to Watch stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date January 5, 2014
Noragami is a supernatural shonen series that focuses on Yato, a minor god struggling to receive any recognition, his partner and weapon, Yukine, and Hiyori Iki, a high school girl who becomes caught between the mortal world and the spiritual. Yato takes on odd jobs in order to build a following and swears to help Hiyori return to normal after she suffered a near-death experience, leaving her in a state of limbo. Yet, despite the odd circumstances that brought them together, they form an unbreakable bond with one another as they face up against spirits and gods alike.
Noragami received two seasons after first being aired in 2014 and built up a dedicated following. However, a third season has never been announced, leaving anime fans behind as the manga continued to have exciting and central arcs as well as a deeper exploration of the character’s pasts. Noragami was unique in that it was able to blend action and drama in a way that appealed to a wide variety of audiences, making its limbo status all the more upsetting.
4 Pandora Hearts
Pandora Hearts Had a Beautiful Animation and Deserves To Have the Manga Fully Adapted
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Pandora Hearts Pandora Hearts follows the story of Oz Vessalius, heir to a noble house, who is cast into the mysterious Abyss on his fifteenth birthday. There, he encounters Alice, a girl known as the Bloodstained Black Rabbit, and forms a contract with her to escape. Set in a world filled with dark secrets and fantastical elements, the series delves into themes of destiny, memory, and the nature of human existence. Where to Watch stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date April 2, 2009 Franchise(s) Pandora Hearts Creator(s) Jun Mochizuki Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll , Tubi
Pandora Hearts is a dark fantasy series that centers around Oz Vessalius, a young noble whose life is quickly turned around after he’s banished into the Abyss, an eternal prison in a nightmarish dimension. The prison is filled with monstrous beings known as Chains, one of which is Alice, the Bloodstained Black Rabbit. Oz forms a contract with her, and they work together to escape the Abyss and become part of an organization that investigates Chain-related crimes.
Pandora Hearts intrigued audiences with its gothic aesthetic, narrative, and beautiful art style. However, the anime only received one season in 2009, which felt incomplete and diverged from the source material, leaving many fans unsatisfied. A reboot would allow Pandora Hearts's full potential to shine through and intrigue a new generation with its unique style and interesting storyline.
3 Princess Jellyfish
Princess Jellyfish Was Beautiful, Funny, and Heartfelt, and Deserves Far More Recognition
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Princess Jellyfish Princess Jellyfish is a Japanese film released on October 15, 2010, centered around Tsukimi, a jellyfish-obsessed girl living in a women-only apartment complex. Her life takes an unexpected turn when a beautiful woman, who is actually a man in disguise, becomes involved with the residents. Where to Watch stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date October 15, 2010
Princess Jellyfish is a heartwarming drama-comedy that follows Tsukimi Kurashita, a socially awkward young woman with a passion for jellyfish. She lives in a shared apartment with fellow otaku women who also have an avoidance of social interactions. However, everything changes when Tsukimi runs into Kuranosuke, a stylish and confident cross-dresser from a wealthy family who pushes Tsukimi and her roommates to venture outside their comfort zones.
Princess Jellyfish tackles heavy themes, including identity, love, self-esteem, and the strength of shared bonds, all executed in a perfect yet too short adaptation of only eleven episodes. The most heartbreaking thing is that the anime concluded just as the plot began to deepen, forever leaving the rest of the manga’s story untold. A reboot would allow Princess Jellyfish to expand on its character's heartwarming journeys and explore the full narrative the manga has to offer. With such a unique premise and meaningful themes, it’s a shame that the anime was left unfinished.
2 Deadman Wonderland
Deadman Wonderland Received Most of Its Fame Overseas
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Deadman Wonderland Deadman Wonderland is an anime series based on the manga by Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou. It follows Ganta Igarashi, a middle school student wrongly accused of mass murder, who is sent to a privatized prison amusement park where inmates perform deadly tasks for the audience. Inside, he must find a way to survive while uncovering the dark secrets behind the facility and its administrators. Where to Watch stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date April 1, 2011 Character(s) Shiro (English) , Shiro , Ganta , Ganta Igarashi , Undertaker , You Takumi , Endou , Yamazaki Seasons 1
Deadman Wonderland is a brutal and intriguing psychological thriller that is set in a dystopian future where convicted criminals are sent to a horrific amusement park-like prison. The story centers around Ganta Igarashi, who is framed for mass murder and sent to the prison of Deadman Wonderland. There, prisoners are forced to battle each other for paying spectators in a fight to the death. However, as Ganta gains a special ability to use his own blood as a weapon, he discovers things aren’t as they seem within the prison after coming across the mysterious “Red Man.”
Although Deadman Wonderland has a strong narrative, the anime adaptation wasn’t well received in Japan and received low ratings and viewership. However, the anime was well received internationally, with the majority of fans coming from America, many of whom looked forward to the second season. As fate would have it, the series was canceled despite the positive international reception. Deadman Wonderland was a dark, gritty story, and a reboot may just be what it needs to gain traction again.
1 Seraph of the End
Seraph Of The End Deserved More Popularity
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 star 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Seraph of the End Seraph of the End is a dark fantasy anime series depicting a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious virus has nearly wiped out humanity, and the survivors are enslaved by vampires, focusing on a young boy's quest for vengeance. Where to Watch Season All Season 1 Season 2 stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date April 4, 2015
Seraph of the End takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a man-made virus wipes out most of the population, sparing only children under the age of thirteen. In the chaos that followed, vampires were able to rise to power and enslave the surviving humans. Of these humans, there was one who managed to escape the vampires after witnessing his family’s murder at the hands of the vampires and went on to join the Japanese Imperial Demon Army to seek revenge.
Seraph of the End received two seasons, but despite its impressive animation and interesting premise, it was never renewed for a third. This is due to the fact that Studio Wit ran out of source material and caught up with the manga. As of now, the manga is still ongoing, with the next chapter, 143, being released in January 2025. There is a chance that Studio Wit is holding off on adapting more seasons of Seraph of the End until the series enters its final arc, but only time will tell.
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