With the success that the new Hunter x Hunter is having, with greater quality in the animation and the freedom to take some licenses with the manga's storyline for originality, this is a great time for studios to think of other classic series that DESERVE a remake.
The advantage is that there's plenty of material to adapt, so it's not as stressful as creating new animes, and given its classic quality, there's already a established brand to promote. Audiences would watch it for nostalgia alone, yet the most difficult element is the comparison with the original.
So, in order of urgency, we have:
- Ranma 1/2 (1989): this stands as one of the most underrated series ever, begging for a proper remake.
- Yu Yu Hakusho (1992): it would occur pretty much the same success as with Hunter x Hunter. A supernatural shonen formula that never fails.
- Angel Densetsu (1996): this classic shonen manga barely had a 45 minute OVA when it ran in Shonen Jump for 8 years! Talk about overlooked!
- Black Jack (198?): with various and disperse appearances in OVAs, movies and specials, I think it's time for a full adaptation of the manga in a consistent, ongoing anime series that would easily last +200 episodes.
5. Classic Saint Seiya (1986): while some purists would cry rape, a good remake that stays true to the spirit of the manga is always a plus. Just imagine the 12 Houses of the Zodiac arc being redone properly, with all the quality, style and emotion of today's animation.
6. Sailor Moon (1992): for the sake of nostalgia and the success that reprints of the manga are having in the US, a good remake is always a plus.
7. Urusei Yatsura (1981): another 80's classic series by Rumiko Takahashi, author of the number 1 series listed above. It had plenty of success in its day, and that could still be replicated today, if the manga is adapted to fit these times.
8. Rurouni Kenshin (1996): with already a live action film, a remake of the classic anime would be a plus. Forget those confusing OVAS that derive completely from the manga. A proper full remake is a must. Just imagine all the swordfights being done Bleach badass style!
awww Kenshin, we miss your expressions 10. Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997): a good remake would be intriguing. This is an exceptionally imaginative story that could relive its success again. |
10. Patalliro (1982): an still ongoing manga from 1979 with currently 89 volumes, would it be hard to adapt this stylish crazy sauce series to anime again?
Jack Bancoran, the father of all seme types o.o, a blessing to the eyes |
There are plenty of other series, such as Lady Oscar, Cowboy Bebop, Akira, Fushigi Yuugi that are such classics that should remain that...as classics, and a remake would not have any function or form today, unless it was exceptionally done well, which is not always the case.
Today we need to take into account that there is more censorship than before when it comes to show blood, brutality, gore, foul language (yes Bleach anime, I'm looking at you) and a remake of these classics would be a travesty if they take away key parts for the sake of censoring.