10 Anime That Made Me Want to Read the Manga (or Light Novels)

Although I write all the time about anime and manga, I didn’t always know much about these forms of Japanese storytelling.

However, since I’ve fallen in love with many different anime over the last few years, an interest in manga naturally followed. Manga is often the source material for anime; the characters, designs, and plot often come from manga.

Although anime can be a quick, easy way to experience a good story, it often comes with a host of complaints or inaccuracies. There are plenty of short, one-season anime that leave you with cliffhangers. Some anime never get renewed for another season, and if they do, it may be after years of silence despite plenty of source material. Sometimes, an anime may be a poor adaptation of the storyline, or the animation studio may be switched mid-adaptation, creating inconsistent character designs. Not every anime has these problems, but they are fairly common.

Thus, there are many reasons to read the manga after starting or finishing an anime series, and today I’m going to list ten anime series that made me want to read the manga.

I’ll use the term “manga” loosely, since sometimes I chose the light novel version instead. I haven’t read every manga (yet); this is just a list of manga I wanted to read after starting and/or finishing an anime series. Please note that the list is not in any particular order:

10 Anime That Made Me Want to Read the Manga (Or Light Novel)

10. Orange

The Orange anime is awesome, and it’s a fairly solid retelling of the source material from what I remember.

However, I still recommend reading the manga for multiple reasons. First, it’s a way to revisit the story if you enjoyed the anime. The second reason is more convincing: there are two sequel volumes with more content, insight, and characters. At minimum, reading the sequels will give you additional insight into the characters and story.

Plus, the Orange anime isn’t as easy to find these days. There was an uproar in July 2026 when Crunchyroll took Orange (anime) off of its platform, which means it’s currently only available on Rakuten Viki, a streaming platform I’m not super familiar with.

Thankfully, the manga is still easy to find and pretty affordable through retailers like Amazon.

9. Ascendance of a Bookworm

Ascendance of a Bookworm is a fantastic isekai anime with likable characters and an engaging storyline. Unfortunately, the original anime adaptation is only three seasons and leaves us with a major cliffhanger (although, after a four-year gap, a fourth season was released by a different studio).

I love the anime, but I might love the light novels even more. Miya Kazuki is such a great writer, and the world she created is detailed and immersive. In fact, the light novels are split into five parts (and there are over thirty volumes in the main series), all of which have been released and translated into English (alas, I am not fluent in Japanese).

The manga is fun too. However, it’s ongoing with multiple artists working on different parts of the series. Since it’s currently impossible to read the manga adaptation of the entire series in order from start to finish, I recommend the light novels (which are my favorite series, anyway).

Ascendance of a Bookworm is available to stream on the platforms listed here, and the light novel is available to read on Amazon and from many other retailers. The manga is also available on Amazon.

8. Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate is arguably one of the best anime of all time. The characters are solid, the twists are thrilling, the premise is brilliant, and it’s a completed story. The main Steins;Gate series ends fairly conclusively by episode 24, but it gives us an OVA in the form of episode 25, plus a movie, and another anime series exploring an alternative timeline that perfectly fits into the main series.

So why would the somewhat rare manga be worth reading? Well, if you love the Steins;Gate anime, it’s fun to revisit the story in different formats to see what’s the same, what’s different, and enjoy the story again. There’s also a visual novel (game) version of the story, which is actually the source material for the anime/manga.

So, I want to read the manga because I love the story, not because I expect some earth-shattering added content that will change my outlook on the series.

The Steins;Gate anime is available to stream on all the streaming services listed here, and the manga can be purchased used at some online stores, or read at some libraries.

7. The Promised Neverland

The Promised Neverland is one of the darkest stories on this list (honestly, it’s probably the darkest, with Steins;Gate number 2). Emma, Ray, and Norman make up the main trio, and their goal is to save their family from a dark end.

I wasn’t a big fan of the anime at first (it’s very dark), but after talking with a friend, I decided to give it another shot. I loved it and became a bit obsessed with the series, reading the first 13 or 14 manga volumes before taking a break.

Many fans complain that season 2 is a terrible adaptation of the source material, and I’m inclined to agree; it tries to squeeze approximately 15 volumes of source material into one season, omitting characters like Yugo entirely and skipping over important story arcs.

This controversial adaptation has caused fans to completely deny the existence of a season 2, although season 1, which only focused on the first five volumes of the source material, was fantastic. In my opinion, as an anime, the second season was decent, but as an adaptation of the source material, it failed.

That’s why anyone who enjoys The Promised Neverland should read the manga.

The Promised Neverland is available to watch on the streaming services listed here and to read on Amazon.

*I do not recommend this series for all viewers. It’s dark and heavy, with some spiritual themes and monstrous, man-eating creatures called demons (they are not workers of Satan), but it also has some really great lessons.

6. Yona of the Dawn

Yona of the Dawn is a great story with a strong, determined leading lady. The majority of the anime focuses on Yona’s journey to find the four legendary dragon warriors, which is the first step in Yona’s quest. However (spoiler), the anime ends right around the time she finally finds the last one, thus ending at the worst possible moment.

The anime came out in 2014, and for close to a decade, fans only had the manga. There are a total of 47 volumes, and the anime only covers the first eight.

In December 2025, we finally learned that Yona is getting more anime, but it took a seriously long time for that to be the case, and it’s unlikely that we will get a full anime adaptation anytime soon, if ever.

That’s why I want to read the manga. I want to know more of Yona’s story.

Yona of the Dawn is available to watch on the streaming services listed here and to read on Amazon.

5. Snow White with the Red Hair

Snow White with the Red Hair is wholesome, adorable, and a genuinely sweet romance anime, but there are only two seasons, which cover the first 8 volumes.

The ongoing series currently has 27 volumes (thankfully the English translation is through the 27th volume), so we can find out what happens next in Shirayuki and Zen’s romance! They are certainly in love, but there is plenty of time for things to go awry. Plus, Mitsuhide and Kiki would be great together.

I’ve read through volume 8, and I am currently rereading the first seven volumes to review, though I’m ready to get into new story territory!

Snow White with the Red Hair is available to stream on the services listed here and to read on Amazon.

4. Sugar Apple Fairy Tale

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale is a fairytale anime with a much darker premise than you’d expect on the surface. Anne, the main character, is driven and kindhearted. All she desires is to become a silver sugar master (sugar artisan). However, dangers lurk around every turn, and her romance with the male main character is filled with complications.

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale was adapted into a 24-episode anime in 2023. However, the anime only covers around six volumes or so of the light novel, and there are currently twenty light novel volumes, of which the first ten have official English releases. Without the novels, we wouldn’t know the full story.

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale is available to stream on the services listed here and to read on Amazon.

3. Tower of God

Tower of God has two anime seasons. The first was released in 2020, and the second was released in 2024. The first season was excellent, well-cast, exciting, and intriguing, and the second…was well-cast.

The second season’s plotline took away some of the best parts of the first season, taking us on a problematic, painful journey where Bam, who only cares about his friends (some of the best characters), doesn’t get to interact with them nearly as much as I’d have liked. Plus, some viewers disliked Season 2’s animation quality.

With no Season 3 in sight, the only way to learn what happens next is to read the Webtoon or physical printed editions. I haven’t read them, but I am curious about what happens next in the series.

Tower of God is available to stream on the services listed here and to read on Webtoon.

2. Romeo x Juliet

Romeo x Juliet is a fantasy retelling of the classic Shakespeare play. The anime is one of my favorites (although I keep putting off finishing the last few episodes…I’m not ready for it to be over). I was a big Shakespeare nerd in high school, so a Shakespeare x anime crossover? Sign me up.

It’s such a fun adaptation of Shakespeare. The opening’s visuals and theme song are so emotionally charged and powerful (see content note below before viewing):

The manga started its run on March 24, 2007, and the anime started airing on April 4, 2007, which is a rather unique timeline since the manga is often released significantly earlier than the anime.

The Romeo x Juliet anime can be streamed on the services listed here and read by shopping on Amazon.

1. A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring

A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring is one of my favorite cozy isekais. Most people would probably consider it a “mid” anime. However, from a Christian perspective, there are plenty of reasons to love the story: found family, adoption, sacrificing your freedom for the good of others, wholesome aesthetic, etc.

However, with only twelve episodes and no second season in sight, currently the only way to continue following the adventures of Takumi, Alan, Elena, and their animal friends is to read the manga (or the light novels!).

A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring can be streamed on the services listed here or read on Amazon.

---

Have you watched any of the anime on this list, or read any of the manga? Let us know below which anime made you want to read the manga!