Vagabond, 20th Century Boys Lead Most Wanted Anime List

The conversation around major manga adaptations is intensifying, driven by recent coverage from major outlets highlighting long-overdue projects. Studios are facing renewed pressure to greenlight several heavy-hitting classics and modern serialized hits that have yet to receive proper anime treatment.

Takehiko Inoue’s samurai epic, Vagabond, consistently tops adaptation wish lists. The series follows Miyamoto Musashi’s brutal journey to mastery, characterized by Inoue’s hyper-detailed art style. Despite its influence on titles like Vinland Saga, it remains untouched by animation studios.

Naoki Urasawa’s conspiracy thriller, 20th Century Boys, is a prime candidate. The story of childhood friends fighting a world-domination plot orchestrated by the mysterious 'Friend' is considered ideal material, especially given Madhouse’s successful handling of Urasawa’s Monster.

Inio Asano’s Goodnight Punpun presents a unique hurdle for animators. The series tracks a young man’s harrowing descent, often depicted with surreal, bird-headed imagery. Fans demand an animation treatment capable of capturing its unflinching tone regarding mental health.

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s earlier work, Fire Punch, is heavily requested. Set in a frozen wasteland, the story centers on Agni seeking vengeance against immortal cultists. The massive success of Chainsaw Man has amplified calls for this adaptation.

Sui Ishida’s Choujin X mixes Tokyo Ghoul sensibilities with new superpowers, following Tokio as he gains bird-like abilities in a monstrous Tokyo. Ishida himself has reportedly expressed interest in seeing this series adapted.

Kentaro Miura’s dark fantasy cornerstone, Berserk, remains a source of adaptation frustration, with fans continuing to demand a definitive, faithful run that truly honors the source material.

More recently, Takeru Hokazono’s Kagurabachi has exploded in popularity overseas. The story follows Chihiro’s quest for revenge using enchanted blades, and reports indicate studios are already circling the project.

The upcoming 2026 adaptation of Witch Hat Atelier confirms that demand for established, high-quality properties is high. Industry insiders suggest keeping an eye on other dark psychological titles like Homunculus and MPD Psycho as they continue to shape the adaptation landscape.