Top 10 Weirdest Things to Ever Get Turned into Anime

”Stitch!” (2008-11)
Okay, in some backwards way, we can see this working. The original Disney flick had already been turned into a dozen TV spinoffs, so why not let young Japanese audiences share in the magic of the blue, fluffy alien spread the word of aloha? With all six hundred and twenty-six experiments in tow, Stitch’s antics could lend themselves to some Doraemon-esque, harmless fun. There was, however, one glaring issue – the plot involved Stitch teaming up with a new girl, on account that Lilo grew up, had a kid, and had no time for her former bestie. I’m sorry, what?!

”Les Misérables: Shoujo Cosette” (2007)
Apparently if its good enough for Broadway, it’s good enough for anime. While this sounds like it could be a disaster…the final product isn’t actually all that terrible? Oh sure, there are no sweeping musicals and the pain that the likes of Cosette and Fatine suffer is monumentally dialled down, but it’s still a solid adaptation that doesn’t feel like a parody, but more like a an earnest effort to introduce the bulk of the iconic story to Japanese audience. I mean, they put out fifty-two episodes! They really went the extra mile!

”Supernatural: The Animation” (2011)
Perhaps the creators thought with the combined might of Supernatural’s fanbase plus that of otaku fangirls, they would be unstoppable? It just seems like a strange combination when you think about it, and while they can get away with a bit more in the gore department, there really isn’t anything new here if you’re a loyal watcher of the show. Newcomers aren’t going to find anything especially appealing about it, while the only solace hardcore Winchester followers are going to get is that they got the boys to reprise their roles.

”Jungle Book Shounen Mowgli” (1989-90)
Jeez, Japan really was on a role when it came to adapting these classic western tales into bizarre yet fundamentally decent anime. Rudyard Kipling’s literary genius certainly has seen its fair share of adaptations, some whimsical, some dark, and while some liberties were taken, this extensive series does its darndest to fully encapsulate the various beasts and iconic characters found within the original text. It’s certainly a niche little project and the quality of the animation isn’t the best, but shockingly enough, it’s another project that more or less does justice to Mowgli.

”Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple” (2004-05)
Apparently the creators just couldn’t stand the idea of two of the greatest fictional detectives of all time not crossing paths, so they decided to correct it with an anime that sees a young, ambitious girl and her pet duck train to become a great detective under the guidance of Poirot and Marple. Can you see where this going? In what essentially becomes Persona 4 Golden the Animation, Classic Literature Edition, the fresh-faced Mabel is shoehorned into Agatha Christie’s greatest works, while the titular icons are relegated to more background roles. It’s not insulting by any means, but it is a tad underwhelming.

”Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend” (1996)
Haven’t the turtles been through enough already? In what feels like the animated successor to that one times they teamed up with the Power Rangers, this mercifully short set of OVAs sees them gain the ability to further mutate into buff Super-Turtles that look like they’re out of some questionable doujin, who can then combine their powers to create a giant winged, mecha angel. Somehow. Seriously between this and Hollywood, maybe these guys would be better off staying in the sewer. Things clearly aren’t going in their favour as of late.

”Akage no Anne” (1979)
Given its status as one of the greatest children’s books ever penned, it was really only a matter of time before the tale of the orphan Anne and her new life in the Cuthbert household was adapted. The result? Shockingly good across the board! The entirety of the novel is adapted across fifty episodes, displaying in vivid detail Anne’s journey from imaginative eleven year old all the way to a young woman and all the troubles that come with it. It’s staggeringly faithful to Lucy Maud Montgomery’s timeless work, so much so that we’re wholeheartedly recommending this one!

“Highlander: The Search for Vengeance” (2007)
I mean…at least it’s better than Highlander 2? Set in a dismal future where New York is submerged, the immortal Colin MacLeod wanders the ruined land in search of his one true nemesis, seeking revenge for the murder of his beloved centuries prior. While it seems like a weird combination, the bloody action lends itself well to such classic anime tropes as a dystopian future filled with mecha, absurd sword fights, and half-naked busty anime ladies. By itself, it’s actually a lot of fun. Maybe the franchise wouldn’t have such a sordid reputation if this was the only sequel in its canon.

“Powerpuff Girls Z” (2006-07)
Cartoon Network isn’t a stranger to anime, but this is something else entirely. It’s essentially a retelling of the beloved cartoon - a mistake involving Chemical X accidentally creates the uber-powerful, super cute trio of Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup, who together protect the citizens of Towns – wait, sorry, that’s wrong. We mean a mochi cake falls into the mixture, creates Chemical Z, which in turn unleashes the trio of Momoko, Miyako and Kaoru who gain the power to transform into superheroes a la magical girl transformation sequences. It’s a…peculiar take, that’s for sure. Guess we should be thankful they didn’t give them the Panty and Stocking treatment.

“Anne no Nikki” (1995)
That’s right. They went there. Seems studios back in the day were all too eager to adapt stories involving brave figures named Anne, only this one comes with substantially more baggage. Can we call this a terrible adaptation? Not particularly. Madhouse’s animation lends itself well enough and the film does put its best foot forward when telling the story of Anne’s time in the attic, her various relationships, and her ultimate fate. There are a few pitfalls here and there with the pacing and missing content, but at the very least it handles such a painful and important matter with dignity.