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Anime is filled with stories that have captured the hearts of fans, only to be left unfinished or abruptly cut short. Whether due to studio closures, financial struggles, or simply being ahead of their time, many promising series have been left in limbo.
While anime series like Bleach and Rurouni Kenshin have gotten the chance to be rebooted, there are plenty of others that deserve a second chance at telling their story. From Berserk to Deadman Wonderland, these short-lived series stand out as prime candidates to make a triumphant return.
15 Claymore Rushed Its Conclusion
The series Had an Abrupt Ending That Didn’t Live Up to Its Source Material
Claymore is a tale of fierce warriors and monstrous battles that met an untimely end, leaving fans craving more of its dark, medieval world. The anime, which aired in 2007, was canceled after just 26 episodes, primarily because it diverged from the source material and crafted an original ending. At the time, the manga was still ongoing, and rather than risk a long hiatus or filler episodes, Claymore chose to wrap up its story with a rushed conclusion that many felt didn’t do justice to the original narrative.
A reboot of the series could correct these missteps by faithfully adapting the entire manga, allowing the story to unfold in its full, dark glory. With modern animation, the series’ visceral combat scenes and the eerie, desolate landscapes could be brought to life with even more intensity. Given the anime’s unique blend of horror, fantasy, and action, a Claymore reboot would offer fans the complete, gripping saga they’ve long desired.
14 Slam Dunk Couldn’t Compete With Its Competitors
Fans Were Left Without Closure When This Series Ended Prematurely
Initially airing in the mid-90s, Slam Dunk became a cultural phenomenon, igniting a basketball craze in Japan with its compelling mix of sports action and humor. However, due to declining viewership and the rising popularity of other anime during that era, the show was cut short before it could cover the final, most intense arcs of the manga. This premature ending left fans without the closure of seeing Hanamichi Sakuragi and his teammates face their greatest challenges on the court.
Slam Dunk would definitely benefit from a reboot; with modern animation enhancing the dynamic basketball scenes and capturing the energy of the sport in ways that weren’t possible in the 90s. It could also delve deeper into the characters’ personal growth, particularly Sakuragi’s transformation from a delinquent to a passionate athlete. With a complete adaptation, fans would finally get to experience the iconic matches and emotional highs that made the manga a classic.
13 Btooom! Failed Before to Reach Its Full Potential
Previous Attempts to Continue the Series Also Failed
Btooom! was given the axe before it even got a chance to establish itself. Released in 2012, the series was effectively canceled after its first season due to underwhelming sales and a lack of immediate interest in continuing the series. Despite its thrilling premise – where players of a survival video game are forced to battle to the death in real life – the anime struggled to distinguish itself in a crowded market of similar survival-themed shows.
It ended on a cliffhanger, leaving fans without resolution to the intense and morally complex storylines it had begun to explore. But a reboot could capitalize on the ongoing popularity of battle royale and survival genres, offering a more polished and complete adaptation of the manga. With better pacing, it could deepen the psychological tension and character development, making the stakes feel even higher and giving a satisfying conclusion that the original left unfinished.
12 Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Had More Story to Tell
Character Arcs and Plotlines Were Left Unresolved
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic was not exactly canceled, but its anime adaptation ended prematurely, leaving much of the story untold. The series, which blends elements of “One Thousand and One Nights” with high fantasy and adventure, captured the imaginations of viewers with its rich world-building, diverse characters, and complex themes of power, destiny, and freedom. However, the anime concluded after only two seasons, adapting just a portion of the manga. As a result, key plotlines and character arcs were left unresolved, particularly the epic conflicts and character developments that unfold in the later parts of the manga.
With a more faithful adaptation, a reboot could delve deeper into the political intrigue, the moral dilemmas of the characters, and the grand battles that define the series. Modern animation techniques could bring even more vibrancy to the magical landscapes and intense action scenes, making the world of Magi feel more alive and immersive. This would not only satisfy long-time fans but also attract new viewers to a story that deserves to be told in its entirety.
11 Usagi Drop Only Adapted the Manga’s First Few Chapters
The Anime Never Got a Chance to Cover the Manga’s More Polarizing Story Arcs
Usagi Drop is another series that wasn’t exactly canceled, but ended without adapting the rest of the manga’s story. The anime focused on the heartwarming tale of a man, Daikichi, who adopts his grandfather’s illegitimate daughter, Rin. This storyline captured audiences with its touching portrayal of parenthood, showcasing the challenges and joys of raising a child. However, the anime concluded after covering only the initial, universally beloved chapters of the manga, stopping short before the narrative’s more controversial developments in the later volumes.
These developments, which involve a significant time skip and a dramatic shift in the relationship between Daikichi and Rin, were left unadapted, likely due to their divisive nature among fans. If given the chance, a reboot could explore these later chapters with a more nuanced approach, offering a deeper examination of the characters’ evolving dynamics. With a careful adaptation, the reboot could address the complexities and ethical questions raised in the manga’s second half, providing a more complete and thought-provoking story.
10 Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers Struggled to Hold Viewers’ Attention
Pacing Issues and Underwhelming Sales Resulted in Its Demise
This series was canceled due to underwhelming sales and its slow narrative pacing, which left viewers divided. While the anime’s premise – six heroes fighting against the Demon God only to find a seventh among them – was intriguing, the execution may have faltered in hooking a broader audience. The series focused heavily on the mystery and character interactions, which, although compelling, meant that the action-packed fantasy many expected took a backseat. This shift in expectations might have contributed to its commercial underperformance, leading to its cancelation after just one season.
However, Rokka deserves a reboot because its concept is a hidden gem in the fantasy genre, blending action, mystery, and psychological drama. A reboot could refine the pacing, balancing the mystery with more dynamic action sequences to keep viewers engaged. With a stronger emphasis on the world-building and character development teased in the first season, a reboot could delve deeper into the series’ rich lore and unanswered questions.
9 D. Gray-man Failed to Deliver an Ending Twice
The Series Was Revived in 2016 But Only Ran for a Single Short Season
D.Gray-man was initially canceled after 103 episodes due to a combination of the anime catching up to the manga and the frequent hiatuses of the manga itself, caused by the health issues of its creator, Katsura Hoshino. The series, a dark and captivating tale of exorcists fighting against demonic forces in a gothic, dystopian world, quickly became a fan favorite. However, the anime ended in 2008, leaving fans with an incomplete story and many unresolved plotlines.
Although it was briefly revived in 2016, which picked up from where the story left off and ran for 13 episodes, the continuation still didn’t give a conclusive ending. Fans were essentially robbed of the epic battle between the Black Order and the Millennium Earl and a definitive ending twice. By fully adapting the remaining arcs, a reboot could provide the closure that fans have long waited for.
8 No Game No Life Left Fans Wanting More
The Series Ended on a High Note But Had Plenty More to Offer
The anime adaptation of No Game No Life was left hanging after just one season, despite being a massive hit with its vibrant animation, clever game strategies, and quirky sibling duo. It was unofficially canceled, or rather, put on indefinite hiatus, largely due to the production studio’s focus shifting to other projects and the controversy surrounding the author, Yuu Kamiya, which affected the series’ momentum.
The series ended on a high note though, but it just left fans with more of a craving for the thrilling games and the ultimate showdown against the god of games, Tet. A reboot is desperately needed to bring closure to the story and explore the vast, imaginative world of Disboard further. With the light novels now offering ample material, a reboot could reintroduce the series with better pacing, ensuring a more balanced narrative that deepens character development while maintaining the intense, high-stakes games that fans love.
7 Elfen Lied Was Too Controversial to Make It Past One Season
The Cult Classic Has Yet to Reach Its Full Potential
The controversial yet iconic, Elfen Lied, delves into themes of human cruelty, identity, and redemption through its protagonist, Lucy, a mutant with invisible telekinetic arms. The series explores her violent escape from a lab and the tragic consequences that follow. Despite its cult status and influence on later dark anime, Elfen Lied was effectively cut short after only 13 episodes, primarily due to its extreme violence, nudity, and mature themes, which made it a tough sell to a wider audience.
The anime also only covered a small portion of the manga, leaving out significant character arcs and plot developments that would have provided a more complete story. Giving the series another chance could help address these shortcomings by expanding on the original material, providing deeper character development and exploring the manga’s philosophical and ethical dilemmas in more nuanced ways – giving the series a chance to reach its full potential.
6 Viewers Lost Interest in Tokyo Ravens Before It Could Reach Its High Points
Pacing Once Again Breaks a Series With Potential
A combination of factors, including lukewarm reception and lackluster sales resulted in Tokyo Raven‘s end after just one season. The anime, while boasting a rich blend of Japanese folklore, magic, and school life, struggled to distinguish itself in a saturated market filled with similar supernatural-themed series. The pacing of the show was also a point of contention; it took a while for the story to build momentum, which may have caused some viewers to lose interest before the more interesting plot points unfolded.
As a result, despite a dedicated fanbase and intriguing source material, Tokyo Ravens never received a second season to continue its story. However, Tokyo Ravens deserves a reboot because its world of onmyouji, spiritual battles, and complex character relationships has immense untapped potential. Improving the pacing and diving more quickly into the series’ high-stakes conflicts and the darker aspects of its magical world could help the series re-emerge as a standout series.
5 A Reboot Would Help Berserk Complete Its Compelling Story
Another Revival Could Finally Give the Series the Adaptation It Deserves
This iconic dark fantasy anime was initially canceled after its 1997 adaptation, which concluded at a critical point in the story and left fans on a harrowing cliffhanger with no resolution. The abrupt end was due to the anime catching up to the manga and the risk associated with continuing such a complex and mature story without sufficient source material. Despite its cult following, Berserk remained unfinished for years. When it was revived in 2016, fans were hopeful, but the new adaptation was met with disappointment.
The 2016 series, while continuing the story, suffered from poor animation quality and a heavy reliance on CGI, which many felt didn’t do justice to Kentaro Miura’s richly detailed and brutal world. It also still didn’t complete the manga’s story. A classic and beloved series like Berserk deserves to have a proper anime adaptation. The reboot would finally deliver the epic, unflinching adaptation that Berserk deserves, honoring Miura’s masterpiece and giving long-time fans – and new ones -a complete and visually stunning journey through one of the darkest tales in anime history.
4 Baccano! Received Acclaim From Critics But Viewers Couldn’t Keep Up With Its Story
Its Non-Linear Story-telling Confused Its Audience
Baccano! is the definition of wasted potential. This series was canceled after only 16 episodes, primarily due to poor sales and its unconventional narrative style. Despite being a critically acclaimed series with a unique non-linear storytelling technique, it struggled to capture a large audience when it first aired. The anime industry at the time was less accommodating to series that deviated from the mainstream, and Baccano! was, in many ways, ahead of its time.
Its intricate plot, featuring multiple storylines and a large cast of characters, was too complex for casual viewers at the time. However, Baccano! deserves a reboot because its cult following has grown significantly over the years. A reboot could capitalize on modern audiences’ increased appetite for complex narratives, bolstered by the success of similarly intricate shows. It could also explore the light novels further, extending the story beyond the original anime’s 16 episodes.
3 Financial Issues Led to Gangsta.’s Untimely End
The Series’ Production Studio Went Bankrupt Shortly After Its First Season Ended
The bankruptcy of Gangsta.‘s production studio, Manglobe, killed whatever momentum it had. Despite its gritty, stylish portrayal of a city teeming with violence, corruption, and morally complex characters, the series was left incomplete, much to the dismay of its growing fanbase. The anime’s dark, mature themes and unique focus on characters with disabilities set it apart from more conventional series, making its sudden halt even more frustrating.
Manglobe struggled financially during the anime’s run and its dissolution effectively shattered any hopes of Gangsta. getting another season. However, if another studio were to acquire the rights to the series, a reboot would not only satisfy the cliffhanger left by the original but also allow the story to be told with the depth it deserves. With a more stable production and modern animation techniques, a reboot could enhance the visceral, noir-inspired atmosphere of Ergastulum, making the city feel even more alive and giving it a second chance to fully realize its potential.
2 Fans Never Got to See If Highschool of the Dead’s Cast Survived the Apocalypse
The Series Ended on a Cliffhanger After Just 11 Episodes
Highschool of the Dead had a shaky run when it initially aired in 2010. The anime, which combined high-octane zombie action with over-the-top fan service, quickly became a cult favorite when it aired in 2010 but was never a critical darling nor did it gain much traction among wider audiences. Following mangaka, Daisuke Satō’s death in 2017, the series was left incomplete, with the decision also being made to leave the manga unfinished out of respect for its creator. The hiatus and eventual cancelation were deeply felt by fans, who were left hanging after the intense cliffhanger of the first season.
While it may be best to honor the initial decision to leave Highshool of the Dead unfinished, a reboot could still pay tribute to Satō’s work while potentially offering a new direction for the story. A reboot could also refine the balance between action and fan service, making the series more accessible to a wider audience while retaining the elements that made it popular. Reviving Highschool of the Dead would not only honor its legacy but also fulfill the promise of the story left untold.
1 Deadman Wonderland Suffered From Poor Sales and a Diversion From Its Manga
A Reboot Would Answer the Unanswered Questions Fans Still Frustratingly Have
Deadman Wonderland was a delightful mix of brutal action and psychological horror. It had a unique premise: a prison that doubles as a deadly amusement park where inmates fight for survival. However, the series only covered a fraction of the manga’s story, leaving many plotlines unresolved. The abrupt ending left fans hanging, and with a significant diversion from its manga and lack of the financial success needed to justify a continuation, the show was left in limbo. Some also felt the pacing was rushed, with too much content crammed into 12 episodes, which might have contributed to its lackluster reception.
A reboot could correct these missteps by offering a more faithful and complete adaptation of the manga. With a longer episode count, the series could delve deeper into the complex characters, especially the tortured protagonist, Ganta, and the mysterious Shiro. By allowing the story to fully unfold, a reboot could provide the closure fans have long awaited and reintroduce a dark, compelling narrative that still holds relevance.