How is it that we still don't have an animated version of any of these?
It's no secret that most popular anime series come from their original source material, manga. Be it Attack on Titan, Naruto, or Sailor Moon, these highly sought-after stories all began as still images. Sure, there's no shortage of manga content that could be adapted into anime. But there are some gems that have been on fans' radar for a while, and many wonder why they haven't found their way to the big screen. Let's take a look at some of them.
1.Watashi-tachi no Shiawase no Jikan by Yumeka Sumono
The manga "Our Happy Hours" is adapted from a Korean novel written by Gong Ji-Young. It is quite short, consisting of one volume with eight chapters. However, it is almost guaranteed to leave a deep impression on your heart. The story follows two main characters: Juri Mutou, a young woman struggling to overcome her childhood trauma and attempting suicide three times, and Yuu, a young death row inmate accused of terrible crimes. As fate would have it, they meet, and although they have the worst first impressions, they slowly begin to grow fond of each other's company. This manga asks the hard questions, such as whether it's ever okay to choose suicide to escape one's hardships or whether society has the right to take someone's life through the death penalty, even though they have committed crimes. "Our Happy Hours" is a story full of beauty, sadness, and emotion, and one could only imagine how it would shine on a screen full of color and music.
2. 20th Century Boys by Naoki Urasawa
You are most likely familiar with Naoki Urasawa fan-favorite "Monster". "20th Century Boys" is his other creation that could become a potentially great anime. Kenji Endo is your average convenience store manager whose life is pretty normal until he gets the news that one of his old friends has suddenly committed suicide. At the same time, the new cult called "Friend" becomes more and more prominent. Through the clues left by his deceased friend, Kenji becomes suspicious of this mysterious organization and is convinced that not only he and his friends are in danger but also the whole world. Many fans want to see this story in anime format, while others are skeptical about whether it would work well.
3. Dengeki Daisy by Kyousuke Motomi
Teru Kurebayashi is the main protagonist of the story. After the death of her brother, she is left with no one but a mysterious person called "Daisy". Teru can only contact him through the phone her brother left her. "Daisy" always cheers her up with encouraging words, and Teru quickly gets attached to him without knowing who this person actually is. Otherwise, Teru is a normal high school girl with friends, and the only one who spoils her fun is a rude school janitor who makes her work for him after she accidentally breaks the window. The two are constantly bickering and fighting, but there is something familiar about Kurosaki (the janitor), and Teru has yet to find out what it is. Honestly, this manga is so different from the typical romance story we usually get. Fans have praised it for its realistic portrayal of characters and lack of cliché tropes. There is room for romance and mystery as well as criminal/investigative themes. All in all, Dengeki Daisy would be a refreshing addition to the anime romance genre.
4. 3 Days of Happiness by Sugaru Miaki
Imagine if you could put a price tag on your life and exchange it for money. What would your life be worth? Kusunoki is a 19-year-old student whose life seems completely meaningless and wasted. Being a mediocre student with no dreams, ambitions, or money, he ventures into this mysterious shop to try and sell some of his lifespan. After realizing how little his remaining years are worth, Kusunoki decides to get rid of everything, saving only the last three months. The cathartic nature of this manga has lit a fire in the souls of many fans, with some even saying that this story has made them appreciate their lives more. Why not turn this original, compelling story into an anime and let it reach a wider audience?
5. Oyasumi Punpun by Inio Asano
_15422.webp)
Punpun Onodera is a young 11-year-old boy. He is innocent and naive, full of wonder and admiration for the world around him. However, his path to maturity is anything but that. There is probably no easy way to describe this manga, which has been rated 9.05 by about 123K users on MAL. Many view it as a true masterpiece, a timeless classic. However, it must be approached with caution and consideration of your mental state, as this manga shows very graphic and cruel sides of the characters' lives. Would it work as an anime? Well, this one is quite controversial. Fans are still debating whether adapting this story would actually work well, as many aspects of the manga are hard to imagine in anime. For example, the main character never actually "speaks" but instead narrates his feelings and thoughts through internal dialogue. Punpun is also shown as a bird for the majority of the story, while the rest of the characters (except for his parents) look human. The manga also has a very distinctive and detailed visual style that may be difficult to achieve in the anime. Still, Goodnight Punpun is such an insanely talented coming-of-age story, depicting life in its crudest form that one wonders how awesome it would be to see this masterpiece live on the big screen.