Anime is usually conceived as adaptations of mangaーor other mediaーthat preceded them. These days, numerous anime is based on a different mediumーvisual novels, manga, light novels, or video games. However, many anime show, this does not always have to be the case.

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From action to mecha, vampires to samurais, these anime have it all: originality, creativity, strong characters, substantial plots. The only thing they didn’t have was a manga to be based on. Still, they did pretty well for themselves, some of them even being adapted into manga. Here are 10 manga that didn't come from a manga, and was original.

10 Carried By The Wind: Tsukikage Ran (2000)

This original anime narrates the tale of Tsukikage Ran, a woman ronin (masterless Samurai), whose proficiency with the katana (Japanese sword) is unrivaled. She claims she loves allowing herself to be “carried by the wind,” downing sake, and of course, indulging in crossing blades. Not like the average samurai, she handles her katana one-handed (effortlessly if one might add).

She is united in her adventures with Meow, an extremely skillful Chinese martial artist. The series’ thirteen episodes are individual narratives of their voyages together, probably in the Edo / Tokugawa period.

9 Sirius The Jaeger (2018)

This series tells the story of Yuliy: he hunts vampires and belongs to the Sirius race of werewolves. Young Yuliy is part of a group of vampire hunters called "Jaegers" and a werewolf whose community was destroyed by vampires. A long time ago, a Sirius royal was chosen to guard a puzzling sacred relic known as "The Arc of Sirius", a bequest from God hiding immense power.

Because of its powers, the Sirius race was targeted by many, thus it was hidden away at a secret place. Yuliy and his Jaegers fight a fierce war against the Vampires over the Ark. Yuliy’s character arc is engaging, as we watch him struggle to reconcile his nature as a werewolf with his loyalty and friendship to humans.

8 Darker Than Black (2007)

An image from Darker than Black.

Many years ago, two mysterious anomalies in space occurred, known as Heaven’s Gate and Hell’s Gate, because they opened like gates in the sky. The stars vanished from the sky and were replaced by false stars. Individuals known as Contractors appeared, persons who possess unique and powerful supernatural abilities; however, these abilities are gained by sacrificing their humanity.

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Contractors are rational and cold, used as assassins and spies by countries and organizations around the globe. Hei, the protagonist, is an unusual Contractor who exhibits emotion and compassion but has his own hidden agenda. He is known as the Black Death God.

7 Guilty Crown (2011 – 2012)

Shu's whole universe was crushed after a meteorite hit Japan, releasing the deadly Apocalypse Virus, wreaking havoc and killing his family. His life suffered one more unforeseen turn after a random meeting with the dazzling pop idol, Inori.

This enigmatic girl presented Shu to the Power of the King: a genetic transformation that permits him to extricate Voids, weapons in people's souls manifesting physically. Shu is caught in the crossfire: on the one side awaits a surreptitious government outfit, and on the other, Inori and the forceful group of insurgents of Funeral Parlour.

6 Code Geass (2006 – 2007)

CC, Lelouch and Black Knights from Code Geass.

In 2010, the Holy Empire of Britannia is proving itself the leading military force, beginning with conquering Japan. Rechristened Area 11 following its downfall, Japan still fiercely resists. Lelouch Lamperouge, a Britannian schoolboy, finds himself caught between Britannia and Area 11 revolutionary militia.

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He escapes thanks to the well-timed emergence of an enigmatic girl called C.C., who imparts him Geass, the "power of absolute obedience." Grasping the immense potential of his newborn ability, Lelouch begins a hazardous adventure as the masked protector Zero, guiding a ruthless attack against Britannia to avenge the world at last.

5 Psycho-Pass (2012 – 2013)

Psycho-Pass squad on the poster

In the 22nd century, Japan imposes the Sibyl System, an unbiased method of establishing the potential criminality of citizens, their Psycho-Pass. Inspectors maintain order by subduing anyone concealing the slightest malintent; beside them, work Enforcers, Inspectors-turned-criminals, permitted relative autonomy to do the Inspectors' dirty work.

Akane Tsunemori is a youthful woman with a sincere yearning to defend justice. Nevertheless, as she operates beside expert Enforcer Shinya Kougami, she quickly understands that the Sibyl System's rulings aren’t flawless, as the other Inspectors assume. With all her beliefs challenged, Akane struggles with the question of whether corruption can be fought using a corrupt system.

4 Gurren Lagann (2007)

tengen toppa gurren lagaan

Gurren Lagann unfolds in an imaginary future when Earth is reigned by the Spiral King, Lordgenome, who compels humankind to live in secluded underground villages. The narrative centers on two adolescents, Simon and Kamina, who dwell on a buried village and wish to rise to the Earth’s surface.

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Using a mecha called Lagann, Simon and Kamina get to the outside and go to war together with other humans against Lordgenome's armies, in advance of clashing with the forces of their real enemies. This series has been adapted into a manga, a few light novels, a Nintendo DS video game, and two animated films.

3 Kill La Kill (2013 – 2014)

Ryuko matoi attacking klk

Following the assassination of her father, Ryuuko Matoi has been seeking his murderer. Her sole lead, the Scissor Blade, takes her to the respected Honnouji Academy, reigned by ruthless student president Satsuki Kiryuuin, together with the Elite Four. Satsuki grants "Goku Uniforms" to elite students that bestow upon them exceptional powers.

After being crushed in a fight against a uniformed student, Ryuuko happens upon Senketsu, a unique sentient "Kamui" (God Clothes). After absorbing Ryuuko's blood, Senketsu arouses, clinging onto her and affording her vast powers. Equipped with Senketsu and the Scissor Blade, Ryuuko starts to expose the person responsible for her father's killing once and for all.

2 Cowboy Bebop (1998 – 1999)

Cowboy Bebop spike spiegel sci fi anime

In 2071, humankind has settled on most of the Solar System’s moons. Amidst increasing crime, the Inter Solar System Police (ISSP) created a contract scheme, in which bounty hunters ("Cowboys") pursuit criminals and hand them in alive for monetary compensation. The heroes are the bounty hunters of the spaceship Bebop: Spike Spiegel, an ousted ex-hitman, and Jet Black, previously an ISSP officer.

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They shortly join up with Faye Valentine, an amnesic scammer, and Edward/Ed Wong, an unconventional girl proficient in hacking. Over the course of the story, the group becomes entangled in various misadventures that leave them broke, while frequently facing people and incidents from their past.

1 Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995 – 1996)

neon-genesis-evangelion

This show really made an impact on its own time, but many say that its time is actually now. In 2015, the earth is on the edge of oblivion. Civilization's final hope lies with Nerv, an elite bureau within the UN, and their Evangelions, massive robots capable of beating the Angels, humanity’s potential destroyers.

Gendou Ikari, chief of the agency, needs fitting pilots who can sync with the Evangelions and fulfill their real potential. Facing his father after years of separation, 14-year-old Shinji Ikari's standard life is irrevocably altered when he is carried away into Nerv, and a new-found fate—he has to become the pilot of Evangelion Unit-01.

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