Anime series don’t always go as planned the first time. In fact, they don’t always go well the second time either. This list looks at some of the best, and some of the worst anime that received a second chance to really showcase how good they can or could have been.
Anime reboots vary in how they’re made. It can be revamping the ending such as in Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, or it can be a completely new art style such as Dororo. And in rare cases such as the Berserk remake, the series is completely killed. Here are 5 amazing anime reboots you should watch and 5 more that should never have been made in the first place.
10 Bad - Berserk
Kicking off the list is Berserk (2016), possibly the ugliest and most-reviled anime reboot of recent memory. Originally released during the fall 1997 season as Berserk, the anime is known for its horrendous imagery. The 1997 version of Berserk, even with its outdated and limited animation techniques, blows the 2016 version out of the water.
The new anime follows Guts, a man being hunted by demons. Wielding a sword called the Dragon Slayer, Guts aligns himself with an elf named Pluck and a thief named Isidro. Berserk 2016 ran for 12 episodes in the summer 2016 season.
9 Good - Dororo
Originally released during the spring 1969 season as Dororo and Hyakkimaru, Dororo is a historical samurai anime. The 1969 version of Dororo was done in black and white with simple animations. The revamped version features color and well-done animated fight scenes.
Dororo follows Hyakkimaru, the first son and victim of Daigo Kagemitsu. Daigo sacrificed the limbs of Hyakkimaru upon birth to 12 demons to grant power. Hyakkimaru received prosthetic swords to replace his arms and goes on a journey to slay the 12 demons to recover his body. Along the way, he loses more of himself as he regains his body. Traveling with him is Dororo, an orphan child. Dororo ran for 24 episodes during the winter 2019 season.
8 Bad - Sailor Moon Crystal
Originally released during the spring 1992 season as Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon Crystal is a shoujo-magical girl anime. The original Sailor Moon was a work of art, that didn’t need the Sailor Moon Crystal revamp. Sailor Moon was immensely popular and revolutionized the magical girl genre in the 90s.
Sailor Moon Crystal is a remake of the manga of Sailor Moon but didn’t retain the parts that made the original Sailor Moon great. The story follows Usagi and the antics she gets up to in her everyday life. Sailor Moon Crystal ran for 26 episodes during the summer 2014 season.
7 Good - Devilman: Crybaby
Originally released during the summer 1972 season as Devilman, Devilman: Crybaby is an action-supernatural series. Devilman: Crybaby was loved by fans winning anime of the year at the 2019 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Devilman features old school art and animation styles that are revamped in Devilman: Crybaby.
As one of the best anime to come out on Netflix, Devilman: Crybaby features a phenomenon where devils find host in living people. Once a devil enters an individual, they are turned into a Devilman. However, if they’re will be strong enough, they can resent the devil and control their power. Devilman: Crybaby ran for 10 episodes in January 2018.
6 Bad - Birdy the Mighty: Decode
Originally released during the summer 1996 season as Birdy the Mighty, is a four-episode series. Birdy the Mighty was revamped into Birdy the Mighty: Decode but didn’t get any better.
Birdy the Mighty: Decode follows Birdy Altera a police officer in the Space Federation. She must capture Geega who has concealed himself on Earth. Birdy the Mighty: Decode follows the manga more in depth that its original. Birdy the Mighty: Decode ran for 13 episodes during the summer 2008 season.
5 Good - Fruits Basket
Originally released during the summer 2001 season, Fruits Basket is a series that was already good to begin with. Polishing up the down sides of the series with Fruits Basket 2019, the series has already been confirmed for a second season in 2020.
Similar to the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise (more on that later), this revamp of Fruits Basket follows the manga more than the original series. The story follows Tooru Honda as she moves into the Souma household. There she befriends Kyou and Yuki Souma, where she learns the secrets of their household. Fruits Basket (2019) ran for 25 episodes during the spring 2019 season.
4 Bad - Digimon Adventure Tri
Originally released during the spring 1999 season as Digimon Adventure, Digimon Adventure Tri is a six-episode revamp of the Digimon series. With the final series titled Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna, the anime is set to be released in February 2020.
Digimon Adventure Tri takes place six years after Taichi Yagami and his friends entered the Digital Worlds. The Digital World has since closed, and Taichi gets in conflict with a Kuwagamon. Backed into a corner the Digital World reopens, drawing Taichi in. Simply put, this reboot lacks the magic and charm that made Digimon a cherished childhood memory.
3 Good - Hunter x Hunter
Originally released during the fall 1999 season as Hunter x Hunter, the 2011 revamp of Hunter x Hunter is a work of art. The series received a visual update with the change of some character styles as well as an animation upgrade. Some of the scenes have been altered slightly including new angles.
One of studio Madhouse’s best productions, Hunter x Hunter 2011 follows Gon Freecss, who wants to be a hunter. Setting out on a journey he searches for his father who left when he was small. Hunter x Hunter 2011 ran for 148 episodes during the fall 2011 season.
2 Bad - Blood-C
Originally released during the fall 2005 season as Blood+, Blood-C has many differences from its original. The scenes in Blood-C are overly gory and seem to be there for pure shock value. The story, or lack there of, is hard to sit through and its very slow pace struggles to keep viewers watching.
If you want to watch an anime purely for its violence, this is the show for you. Blood-C ran for 12 episodes during the summer 2011 season.
1 Good - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The most popular and greatest revamp of an original series, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood sets the bar for how to do a reboot. Originally released during the fall 2003 season as Fullmetal Alchemist, both series follow the manga to a certain point in the series.
The original ending of Fullmetal Alchemist took a different route which wasn’t received well by fans. Redone to follow the manga in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the show stands as one of the greatest reboots and anime of all time. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood ran for 64 episodes during the spring 2009 series.
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