Here are some of the best Anime Spinoffs to check out if you liked their original versions!
1. Magi: Adventure of Sinbad
Magi: Adventure of Sinbad moves the emphasis from the lead character Aladdin to the ever-popular Sinbad and follows his exploits 15 years before the events of the Magi. Sinbad sets out from the port of Parthevia with a lust for adventure after encountering Yunan, an enigmatic man who instructs him to attain the “power of the King.” This is only possible by taking it to the end of mysterious labyrinths that begin to spring up across the world, dubbed “dungeons.” Sinbad, rejoicing in the opportunity, sets out on a path he’s been looking for his whole life. Really, Sinbad no Bouken succeeds because it’s giving fans the Sinbad backstory they so badly required. It’s sort of a nod to his character that we see in Magi, and how he became the man he is today. But, more than that, it has more of the wonderful action and world-building that we’ve grown to expect from the original Magi. It almost seems like another Magic season than a spin-off!
2. Clannad: After Story
If you liked Clannad’s short, slice-of-life goodness, then you’d better crack the tissues and watch Clannad: After Story. This spin-off/sequel brings us just what the title suggests, an epilogue that describes what happened to the characters at the conclusion of the first Clannad season. Clannad starts after Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa have graduated from high school. They witness the mental roller coaster of growing up together. Unable to determine the course of his future, Tomoya understands the importance of a good work ethic and realizes the power of Nagisa’s encouragement. Via the commitment and sense of the intent of the pair, they step ahead to confront their personal challenges, strengthen their old relationships, and build new ties. Time goes on in the illusionary world, too. As the plains get cold with the arrival of winter, the Illusionary Girl and the Garbage Doll are faced with a tough situation that exposes the true purpose of the universe. Based on Key’s visual novel and developed by Kyoto Animation, Clannad: After Story is a strong drama that illustrates the importance of the family and the challenges of adulthood. Given the tears that you are sure to shed in this final installment, it’s certainly worth checking out.
3. Pokemon: The Origin
Instead of watching reruns of the original Pokemon anime, try trying out this special made to coincide with the release of Pokemon X and Y a few years back. Following the story of the games, Pokemon Roots follows the story of Red, a young trainer from Pallet Town who sets out to become a Pokemon Master and eventually beat his childhood friend and long-time foe, Green. In the way, he’s going to have to foil the plots of the wicked Pokemon traffickers, Team Rocket, and collect the 8 badges from the Pokemon Gyms so he has a chance to take on the Elite 4 and have the shot of being champion! Look, both of us know the script. We would be surprised if someone reading this post hadn’t played the original pokemon titles. Although, while the original Pokemon anime follows a loose interpretation of the game’s storylines while getting its main characters into side encounters along the way, Pokemon Origins animates the story as we have seen it.
4. Magic Kaito
The adventure comedy series follows the wizard Kaito Kuroba. Kaito discovers a hidden passage in his home, hiding a lead on how his father, Touichi Kuroba, a famous magician, died. Kaito begins his journey in search of the Pandora Gem and further clues about his father. Magic Kaito is 12 episodes and has an alternative version of 24 episodes. Magic isn’t real — everybody knows that. When done by a real professional, however, magic has the power to amaze and astonish the audience. Kaito Kuroba, the son of world-famous stage magician Touichi Kuroba, is no stranger to this. Well-versed in the arts of deceit and misdirection, Kaito also disrupts the lives of those around him with dazzling twists and tricks. But when Kaito unintentionally stumbles across a hidden passage in his house, he finds a mystery that could well have been the cause of his father’s death eight years ago — Kid the Phantom Thief’s dove-white suit. Wanting to find out more about his dad, Kaito.
5. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note
Released during the summer season of 2019, Lord El-Melloi II Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Notice is a spin-off of Fate / Zero. After receiving a huge inheritance from the castle of Adra, Lord El-Melloi II goes to visit. He’s not alone, though, when others are visiting. This leads to everyone playing for the Castle’s prizes in a game. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Notice is 13 episodes and has an OVA prequel of one episode. Ten years after defeat in the Fourth Holy Grail Battle, Waver Velvet, now Lord El Melloi II, teaches classes at the Clock Tower — the hub of mage education. However, his current position as “King” comes with a warning: follow the orders of Reines, the younger sister of the deceased Kayneth El Melloi, before she is old enough to rule the house of El Melloi. Waver, along with his enigmatic apprentice Grey, is struggling with a number of cases given to him by the Reines and the Mages Organization. Each case appears to be more complicated than the last one.
6. Soul Eater NOT!
Students with a rare ability to turn into a weapon capable of being used by other extraordinary humans are enrolled at the Death Weapon Meister School, where they form teams and learn to harness their abilities. The Special Advantaged Skill Class is built for the most talented, strong students to develop their ability to become saviors of mankind against someone who challenges the stability of the planet. And then there’s a class in which our three main characters are in the Usually Overcome Aim Class. Tsumugi, Meme, and Anya learn how not to be a threat to others or to themselves. Like the title says, this is Soul Eater, no! Set in the same setting, also in the same school, Soul Eater doesn’t have a very different speed from the original. As predicted from the ‘Do Not to Hurt Yourself Class,’ this series is more life-size than Soul Eater. You have the extra excitement of some of the original cast making an appearance, even though it’s set just one year before the Soul Eater events.
7. Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
Gun Gale Online: a gun-based MMO that is the perfect hunting ground for the famed LLENN killer, dubbed Pink Devil. The little, adorable-looking avatar brought rapid death to all of the players and gained them respect and notoriety. Compared to her, the college student behind the online character, Karen, is tall, quiet, and ready to flee. LLENN agrees to pursue another great player, Pitohui, in a team-based royal war. But while she used to enjoy dominating everyone in her way, LLENN has to use all her faculties if she hopes to hang on to her frightening reputation. Gun Gale Online, a spinoff of Sword Art Online, has a few striking distinctions. Even though firearms are different types of arms, the ways of combat are so diverse that you don’t miss the swords and bows of your predecessor. As a game, Gun Gale Online sounds more immersive than Sword Art, which could always only be replaced by a fantasy world, and not much will be lost.
8. A Certain Scientific Accelerator
A Certain Mystical Index has a long list of series in its franchise. Yet Index enthusiasts will think this spin-off the best one yet, since it centers around everyone’s favorite anti-hero, Accelerator. This anime takes place after the events of the original film, where Accelerator is still healing from his head wound. He finds himself faced by an evil organization that threatens the survival of the Last Order and its sisters. If you love Accelerator, you’re going to love this movie. Academy City is at the forefront of science and technical advancement, best known for its evolution in the field of espers: those capable of wielding supernatural powers that modify the laws of existence. The most effective of them is the Level 5s, and the one known as the Accelerator is supreme even after being weakened by serious brain injury. By his side is the young girl known as the Last Order, who, despite his icy attitude, maintains a close eye and promises to defend at all costs.
9. Attack On Titan: Junior High
Getting ill with a long wait for the second season of Shingeko no Kyojin? You may consider trying out this amusing spoof spinoff. Kyojin Chuugakko leads the trio of Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert, now junior high and still searching for the legendary titans identified from the original series. The twist, huh? Instead of feeding humans, they’re eating lunches with their classmates! What makes Kyojin Chuugakko perform so well is how straight a spoof is acted out. A lot of SD anime shows exaggerate their gags and make them as jokey as possible. Kyojin Chuugakko, on the other hand, plays things fairly simple, taking back the roaring choral music from the original Shingeki no Kyojin to perform over dumb recreations of the iconic scenes from the film. This illustrates how the modification of little items like animation and what characters are carrying can have a totally different effect on our experience.
10. Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu
Sousuke Sagara is a teenager with a strict military history and is currently working with the mercenary organization, Mithril. The initial Maximum Metal Panic! He was charged with defending a high school girl named Kaname Chidori, a young woman with a spitty disposition who, inexplicably, retains in her mind the knowledge of secret technologies that even she is unsure how to access it. Although the original series had comedy moments, it was mainly a serious military drama about Sousuke and Kaname’s growing relationship. Fumoffu, though, amps the humor tenfold and just follows what it is like for Kaname to have to deal with Sousuke continuously hounding her, misinterpreting ordinary things as awful challenges, and never giving her a moment’s rest. Fumoffu is a transition piece that’s supposed to act as a buffer between the original Complete Metal Panic! The Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid, guy.
11. The Disappearance Of Nagato Yuki-Chan
Sousuke Sagara is a teenager with a strict military history and is currently working with the mercenary organization, Mithril. The initial Maximum Metal Panic! He was charged with defending a high school girl named Kaname Chidori, a young woman with a spitty disposition who, inexplicably, retains in her mind the knowledge of secret technologies that even she is unsure how to access it. Although the original series had comedy moments, it was mainly a serious military drama about Sousuke and Kaname’s growing relationship. Fumoffu, though, amps the humor tenfold and just follows what it is like for Kaname to have to deal with Sousuke continuously hounding her, misinterpreting ordinary things as awful challenges, and never giving her a moment’s rest. Fumoffu is a transition piece that’s supposed to act as a buffer between the original Complete Metal Panic! The Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid, guy
12. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya
There’s an abundance of mystical anime out there, but Fate / Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya is still one of a kind. In the spin-off of the graphic novel Fate / Stay Night, elementary school student Illyasviel von Einzbern outdoes her mystical superior and becomes a magical child. The founders of the Mage’s Association, Rin Toosaka, and Luviagelita “Luvia” Edelfelt are responsible for locating and recovering seven Class Cards, medieval items representing the life force of mythical Valiant Spirits. To assist them in their quest, they are given the power of Ruby and Sapphire, two sentient Kaleidosticks that will allow them to turn themselves into magical girls and to greatly enhance their powers. The two wizards, though, are on anything but friendly terms, causing the Kaleidosticks to leave them in favor of new masters. The series is full of action and humor and is targeted at an older demographic than most other mystical anime.
