Adapting a visual novel into an anime is quite a tricky endeavor. How does one adapt a multi-hour, multi-route, multi-ending piece of interactive fiction into an anime series without losing the essence of the original work? Many in the anime industry have taken on this daunting task with mixed results. However, some visual novel adaptations are so good they’re considered some of the best anime of all time.
A great visual novel adaptation should be accessible to viewers who haven’t played the novel, meaning the anime should stand on its own, no matter how good the original work is. And luckily for anime fans, these series can be appreciated without any familiarity with the source material.
9 Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School
Deadly Survival Game in a Prestigious Academy
Unlike the first anime adaptation, Danganronpa: The Animation, Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School is not a direct adaptation of any Danganronpa visual novels. Divided into the Future arc and Despair arc, the franchise follows a group of extraordinarily talented high school students who are sent to Hope’s Peak High School to nurture their talents. Instead, they find themselves in a deadly ‘killing game’ orchestrated by an animatronic bear named Monokuma.
While Danganronpa 3 can be enjoyed on its own with no familiarity with the source material, the anime is more for fans who want a closure to the Hope’s Peak Academy saga from the visual novels. Interestingly, it is recommended that fans watch episodes of the Future arc and Despair arc simultaneously to fully appreciate the series.
8 Hakuoki
Edo Era Reverse Harem with Fantasy Elements
Anime adaptations of otome games don’t tend to be well-received, but Hakuoki has proven to be a giant exception. Set in the Edo era, the story follows a young woman named Chizuru Yukimura who is on a mission to find her missing father. Her journey leads to becoming embroiled in the struggles of the Shinsengumi, a group of elite samurai.
Just like many adaptations of romance visual novels, Hakuoki, skillfully condenses the source material’s multiple routes into a more general, linear narrative. The anime has been praised for its blend of historical drama and fantasy, art style, and development of Chizuru’s character from the visual novel.
7 Kanon (2006)
Heartfelt Supernatural Romance About Healing From Old Wounds
- Release Date: October 5, 2006
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Genres: Romance, Supernatural, Slice of Life
Key Studios’ visual novels have been adapted into many critically acclaimed anime. Kanon contains many of both Key and Kyoto Animation’s signature elements, including cutesy characters, emotional storytelling, and a mix of comedic and dramatic moments. The story follows a high schooler, Yuichi Aizawa, who returns to his childhood town. He interacts with several girls in the town, each of whom helps unlock different memories of his past.
Kyoto Animation’s adaptation of Kanon is considered to be a vast improvement from the 2002 one, with prettier animation and a higher production value. While the series’ moe-ness might not appeal to everyone, it is considered to be one of Key Studio’s best visual novels, as well as one of Kyoto Animation’s top anime.
6 The Fruit of Grisaia
Dark Exploration of Psychology and Trauma Underneath the Harem Plot
- Release Date: October 5, 2014
- Studio: 8bit
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Genres: Harem, Psychological, Romance,
The Fruit of Grisaia may seem like a typical moe harem visual novel adaptation at first, but there’s a dark psychological story underneath the fanservice-y set-up. Ordinary high-school student Yuuji Kazami transfers to Mihama Academy, an unusual school with only a principal and five other students, all girls. Yuuji soon discovers that all the students have faced trauma, and he tries to help the girls on their healing journey.
The Fruit of Grisaia, despite being a harem anime, focuses much more on the characters’ emotional and psychological growth than any wacky rom-com shenanigans. It deals with serious issues like abuse and trauma in a serious and gritty manner and may leave some viewers in tears.
5 Rumbling Hearts
Heartfelt Drama About Loss and Moving On
Many romance visual novels tend to be tragic rather than comedic, and Rumbling Hearts is no exception. It follows a high school student named Takayuki Narumi whose girlfriend, Haruka Suzumiya, ends up in a coma after a car accident. Finding comfort in Haruka’s best friend, Mitsuki Hayase, things get complicated for Takayuki when Haruka finally wakes up from her coma after three years.
Like many great visual novel adaptations, the anime of Rumbling Hearts neatly condenses its source material without losing any of the emotional power of the original work. The show has been well-received by critics for its exploration of the complexity of relationships, and how long one must grieve over a loved one before finally moving on.
4 Higurashi: When They Cry
Classic Horror Anime About Cute Girls Doing Horrific Things
Higurashi: When They Cry is one of the most popular horror anime of all time, making it into several ‘Best Horror Anime‘ lists and receiving a remake/sequel in 2021. Set in a fictional village named Hinamizawa in the 1980s, the story follows a group of friends who become entangled in the mysterious deaths and disappearances of the village’s residents.
The contrast between the ‘cute’ designs of the characters and the brutal violence they partake in is easily the most well-known aspect of Higurashi: When They Cry. Its unique story structure involving time loops and resets means the anime just improves with every rewatch.
3 Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
Stunning Animation and Character Depth Make it One of the Best Adaptations of the Fate Franchise
While Studio Deen’s Fate/stay night anime left much to be desired, the same can’t be said for ufotable’s excellent adaptations of the Fate franchise. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works follows the Unlimited Blade Works route of the visual novel and puts the spotlight on Rin Tohsaka and her servant, Archer.
The series has been lauded for its animation quality, producing some of the most gorgeous visuals and fight scenes in anime. Critics loved the development and Rin Tohsaka, Archer, and especially Shirou Emiya’s character arcs, and praised the anime’s well-built plot twists.
2 Clannad and Clannad: After Story
Adorable and Tragic Slice-of-Life About the Importance of Family
Clannad is easily one of the most beloved franchises in the anime fandom with Clannad: After Story being considered one of the best anime of all time. The first season is a typical high school harem romance, revolving around Tomoya Okazaki, a delinquent, and his evolving relationship with Nagisa Furukawa, a fellow high school student. After Story depicts their life after marriage and transitions into adulthood.
The series has a lot more to offer than its moe art style would have one believe. Clannad: After Story in particular has made many an anime fan shed tears, thanks to its emotional soundtrack and tragic story.
1 Steins;Gate
Addictive Time Travel Plot That Will Leave Viewers on the Edge of Their Seats
Steins;Gate really misleads the viewer with what it’s about with its comedy-focused first half. It revolves around a self-proclaimed mad scientist named Rintarou Okabe who accidentally discovers time travel, and suffers dire consequences for altering the past. The series turns into a serious psychological thriller after the first twelve episodes, exploring the realistic effects of time travel.
Steins;Gate isn’t just another time-travel anime. The show spends a lot of time developing its characters and their relationships, and its finale is considered among the best endings in anime history. The time travel element is also explained rather well, setting it apart from a lot of other fantasy or science fiction series.
