the fourth entry in the Eldran series. The series featured a new Eldran robot defending earth from a new threat. The main characters from the previous series also made appearances which culminated in a Crossover. Daiteioh has appeared in two
Square Enix originally planned a fully CGI Film titled
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within but this project was abandoned due to the insane costs required to make such a film. The plot and resources were therefore repurposed as
Final Fantasy XI. This butterflies away the
Final Fantasy: Unlimited TV Series.
Saikano(2002)
Based on the Manga by Shin Takahashi that ran from 1999 to 2001. The story is told via the framing device of Shuji reading his girlfriend Chise's diary, which she left for him. The Diary reveal that Chise survived a terrorist attack and was drafted into the JSDF to combat threats to Japan due to being one of the few humans compatible with a weapon system the Army is using. The series
Saikano ended at episode 10 with Shuji and Chise running away together(3 episodes were never made that give the series a much darker ending. One version in OTL, even comes with a warning if you choose to get the 3 episodes with the other ten that reads: "This is the end of happiness in ''Saikano''. If you would prefer the anime to have a happy ending, consider stopping here and pretending there are no more episodes. Continuing will only bring misery and pain. You have been warned.").
Haibane Renmei(2002)
Haibane Renmei begins with a girl falling and then cuts to the same girl emerging from a cocoon as a Haibane, an angel like being in the city of Glie, a walled off city. The series is vague over whether or not the characters are angels or dead all along.
Tokyo Mew Mew(2002-2003)
Based on the Manga by Reiko Yoshida that ran from 2000 to 2003. The series concerns five girls gaining the powers of endangered animals. The series faced a change Once Reiko Yoshida left the manga, Mia Ikumi did not face executive meddling and so kept the series more faithful rather than changing many aspects to fit with the anime, As a result the sequel,
Tokyo Mew Mew à la mode, is considered good, if not more so than the original. Ikumi Mia, did however leave to make the Horror manga she originally intended to make after leaving the series.( It is a joke among fans of the game's reference in
Undertale as
Mew Mew Kissy Cutie to argue which is better as the debate is much closer ITTL).
Fullmetal Alchemist(2003-2004)
Based on the Manga by Hiromu Arakawa. that ran from 2001 to 2010. In a world where Alchemy is possible, two brothers break a taboo and attempt to bring their mother back from the dead using Alchemy, resulting in one brother losing an arm and a leg and another losing his body, leaving his soul trapped in a suit of armor. The Brothers become state Alchemists while searching for a way to get their bodies back, while discovering a major government conspiracy. This is the case in both version. The first Anime adaptation caught up with the Manga and chose to break the mold by going in its own direction. Once the Manga was completed, a second Anime series was made more faithful to the Manga. As a result there is a divide over when fans prefer. Both series concluded with a film, the first of these was
Conqueror of Shambhalla, which was released with originally planned deleted scenes such as Izumi's death on-screen and a meaningful conversation between Winry and Colonel Mustang at the gravestone of Hughes. The second series, titled
Brotherhood, had the film
Sacred Star of Milos. Finally there was a crossover film between the two titled
Fullmetal Alchemists, revealing that in the past the two show's would be villains met and fought. The first series took place in a world where the villain Dante won and killed Father, usurping his role, while the second series and Manga took place in a world where Father won.
Gunslinger Girl(2003-2004)
Based on the Manga by Yui Aida that ran from 2002 to 2012. The Series follows an Italian program called the Social Welfare Agency, which implants young girls with cybernetics and turns them into agents. The series concluded with one anime. Many interpret the series as a social commentary on the topic of child soldiers. It isn't. The author just likes drawing girls with guns.
Afghanis-tan(2003-2005)
In the world of web comics was the long running
Afghanis-tan, Who was nearly put in danger by the Author's computer crashing. Fortunately the files were saved and the series resumed and saw print.
Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo(2003-2005)
Based on the Manga created by Yoshio Sawaii that ran from 2001 to 2005. The series is set in the year 300X, where a Bald tyrant is forcibly outlawing all hair, only to be opposed by a warrior with a large afro and superpowered nose hair known as Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo. The series parodies Manga series in general, including those by Shonen Jump, especially in its characters, for example with the protagonist's ability, Fist of the Nose Hair, as a pun on Fist of the North Star. Because of the surreal comedy of the series, great pains were taken when adapting it and the Anime was granted unparalleled creative freedom to allow the jokes to work in the enw format rather than simply adapting the Manga.
Zatchbell(2003-2006)
Based on the Manga created by Makotu Raiku that ran from 2001 to 2007. The series involves a parallel world inhabited by beings known as Mamodo, which come to Earth every 1,000 years, which require human companions to use their abilities. Unlike OTL, the relaxed schedule allowed the mangaka to avoid the accident that injured his hand, allowing the manga and anime to continue as proceeded. The changes also removed the creator's lawsuit in 2008 over his mistreatment at the company. The anime ran through the manga and was dubbed on Toonami with two films( The first movie remained the same as OTL, but the second movie is different). The manga and anime are considered a unique twist on the Mon genre and overall.
Elfen Lied(2004)
Based on the Manga by Lynn Okamoto that ran from 2002 to 2005. The series is set on the interactions between humans and a race known as the Diclonii with psychic abilities. The focus is placed on One Diclonius girl named Lucy who wants revenge on humanity. The series is infamous for its violence and nudity, despite this it ironically included slice of life stories of the residence of Maple House amidst the dark main stories.
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha(2004)
The series follows a girl named Nanoha Takamachi who decides to help a young mage named Yūno recover a set of 21 artifacts named the "Jewel Seeds". The show only had two seasons.
Kannazuki no Miko(2004)
Based on the Manga by the duo of Hitoshi Ota and Terumasa Shichinohe, known as Kaishaku, which ran from 2004 to 2005. The series concerns Himeko Kurusugawa and Chikane Himemiya, two Japanese school girls who are the reincarnation of the Solar and Lunar Mikos of Japanese mythology and battle the Orochi. The show includes a scene left for interpretation whether or not a rape occurred. The Lesbian relationship within the story however, was more public.
Bleach(2004-2012)
Based on the Manga by Tite Kubothat ran from 2001 to 2012. The series involves Ichigo Kurasaki, a boy who can see ghosts, becomes a Soul Hunter to battle creatures known as Hollows.
Bleach rivaled
Naruto in its prime. The series ended with Aizen's defeat by Ichigo, concluding in Chapter 423. The Anime adaptation did the same, ending at Season 14.
Strawberry 100%(2005)
Strawberry 100% concluded when Manaka and Toujo ended up together at the end, after all the not-so-subtle hinting that he and Toujo were a Fated couple and she was the only one he was truly happy with, could relate to, etc.
Mahou Sensei Negima!(2005)
The manga series
Mahou Sensei Negima! ended at Volume 18.
Mahou Sensei Negima! had numerous character redesigns before the final product. Negi is named
Negi T. Silverberg and is older looking, Nodoka is instead
Meiko Miyazaki, Ako is named
Ayu Izumi, and had a large scar across her chest instead of her back, Makie Sasaki was instead a character named
Kozue Migara, who was best friends with the lead girl (a role filled by Konoka) and who played on the lacrosse team (an idea which lead to the creation of Sakurako Shiina), Yuna and Chizuru had several connections in their designs, starting with the character of
Yuko Akashi, an energetic, random girl, who worked part-time at the academy's daycare, while the character of
Tsutsumi Nadai was a character with a strong father complex who was good at cooking and housework. These various traits went to both Yuna and Chizuru. Kaede was a clumsy and incompetent ninja. The school itself possibly being a giant tower reaching to the sky, or a large island in the sea of Japan. These are given as notes in the back of the manga volumes, along with other characterization notes. Speaking of
Negima, Anime News Network list Negi (adult) is voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya, who won the Third Annual Seiyuu awards, leading to a point when he was doing five main character roles at once in 5 Anime series.
Eureka Seven(2005-2006)
In the Far Future, Earth has been devastated by what is known as Sub Coral, a rock like substance that forced humanity off the planet, with the mystery taking up the series, along with the story of characters such as the Mech Pilot Eureka and protagonist Renton Thurston. The series has a cancelled sequel called
Eureka Seven AO.
Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle(2005-2008)
CLAMP set most of their series in the same universe, most notably xxx
Holic, but Tusbasa was the first attempt to merge four of the series together. It began as a Manga that ran from 2003 to 2009. The plot follows how
Sakura, the princess of the Kingdom of Clow, who loses all her memories. A young archeologist and childhood friend of hers named Syaoran goes on the quest to save her with two companions Kurogane and Fai D.Flowright, guided by the Witch Yūko Ichihara(from
xxxHolic). Sakura's memories take the form of feathers. CLAMP made a storyboard for a second season, which was almost rejected by Bee Train. The second season was much closer to the manga itself which divulged into the Darker and Edgier territory. It thus continued into a third season instead of OVAs as planned.
Ouran High School Host Club(2006)
Based on the Manga created by Bisco Hatori that ran from 2002 to 2010. protagonist Haruhi Fujioka is forced to work for the all male Ouran High School Host Club, who confuse her for a boy due to her appearance. The series was slice of life and has one missing episode. Episode 88.
Haruhi Suzumiya(2006)
Originating as a Light novel by Nagaru Tanigawa that began in 2003 and continues to run. Like
Ouran High School Host Club, Haruhi Suzumiya was a slice of life series, about the titular character forming her own club, however the science fiction element is introduced because Haruhi posesses reality warping abilities they are unaware of and the other members are spying on her. The production of an adaptation led to delays in Kyoto production's creation of
Haruhi Suzumiya's The Endless Eight arc, which was shortened(This is due to KyoAni not being asked to do the 8 more episodes that Kadokawa asked for), leading to Season 2 being released earlier. The Series saw adaptation beyond the
Disappearance film.
Witchblade(2006)
An adaptation of the America Comic Book that ran from 1995 to 2015. The Series introduced an original Japanese cast. It prove dpopular enough that the Anime characters were made canon to the comic.
Deathnote(2006-2007)
Based on the Manga created by Tsugomi Ohba that ran from 2003 to 2006. Teenage genius Light Yagami obtains a Death Note from the Shinigami Ryuk and uses it to kill criminals while playing a game of cat and mouse with the Detective known as L. The manga ended with Light believing he had won by tricking the Shinigami Rem into killing L. Only for L to reveal himself as alive, having gained the ability to see Rem. Light is exposed when he is given a fake Death Note, which is a copy L had made flawless after briefly possessing the real Deathnote. Light is arrested and then attempts to run only to be cornered by Ryuk, who kills him. L then dies due to having his name written in the Deathnote. The game between them ends in a draw. The series was adapted into live action in Japan, which Netflix gained the rights to distribute, cancelling plans for an American remake in the process. The character Mogi was also given a larger role as well(This butterflies away Near and Mello ITTL).
Damashita Powerpuff Girls Z(2006-2007)
Based on the Cartoon Network show by Craig McCracken that ran from 1998 to 2005.
Damashita Powerpuff Girls Z was written as if it was a continuation to the Cartoon series, depicting the main characters as teenagers, living in a Townsville that has become more Japanese Cultured over the years and dealing with much darker storylines. It even aired on Toonami and the Cartoon Network MMORPG
Fusion Fall used the character designs from this series.
Code Geass(2006-2007)
Set in an alternate universe where Britain quelled the American Revolutionary War but lost the Napoleonic War. As a result, the British Royal Family flee to the colonies in America and, at the time the series takes place, have recently occupied Japan. Royal family member Lelouch Vi Britannia is granted the ability of the Geass, which allows him to control others. He uses this ability to oppose the regime of Britannia in his costumed identity of Zero(OTL the divergence goes back to Celtic times with Rome failing to conquer Britannia, however ITTL the author realized the improbability of having so many things be the same after that point and instead the point of Divergence is the American Revolution being crushed).
Code Geass's first season ended with Lelouch wining a duel. After that the story could have gone several possible scenarios. One of the proposed scenarios involved Lelouch being imprisoned after being defeated by Emperor Charles, only to later break himself out of prison and run in a political election against Schneizel. The other scenario involved Jeremiah's sister Lilicia, who would look like a female Lelouch, becoming Zero and taking control of the Black Knights, confusing them greatly when they find out their leader's gender as well as some odd feelings of attraction. Because of this, Lelouch is forced to join the Black Knights as himself, and gets picked on by Tamaki, who has a crush on "Girl Zero". Some say a Mexican little girl appeared in the studio and said "Why not both?" and the stories were composited. Other big ideas introduced in the Second Season were introducing Kallen's father, bringing her supposedly-dead brother back, an explanation about Suzaku's superhuman abilities and his relationship to Geass, and a greater exploration of C.C.'s past.
Lelouch's Zero Requiem plan involved an extra step. Two factions pulling an "Enemy Mine" would not guarantee peace once the conflict is over and their mutual enemy is defeated. The plan is to ally with his main opponent Schneizel and then betray him and his forces, resulting in Schneizel's death. Lelouch dies. Most fans want to believe Lelouch survived somehow. Let those people write their theories and fanfiction. The epilogue has minor changes. Karen's mother recovers and is seen speaking. Xingke appears fine as well(Ohgi does not become President of Japan because he was shown as incompetent throughout and was responsible for the betrayal, and as a result, Zero Requiem and Lelouch's death. Someone else becomes President). Fortunately most of the other problems are resolved in the Compilation movie, though unlike in that, Lelouch is truly dead.
Star Trek(2006-2009)
A Star Trek Manga was released by Tokyopop. While it was mostly
Original Series stories. It also included five more stories based on
Star Trek: The Next Generation, including one titled
Skin Deep. The creators were later given the freedom to choose which characters they wanted to use.
Hetalia: Axis Powers(2006-2013)
Hetalia: Axis Powers introduced the concept of countries and sentient being(Hetalia's changes not due to anything negatively received but rather changes in the more "Utopia" esque world. In this case Korea is united and so Korea is represented in the show as a female Pop Idol. Cuba's portrayal is also slightly different due to being democratic, and Russia is America's big friend that makes him uncomfortable while both dislike the stand offish China. Naturally the Geopolitics of the world are reflected in
Hetalia).
Lucky Star(2007)
Based on the Manga by Kagami Yoshimizu that has been running since 2003 to 2007. Lucky Star is a slice of life series following four high school girls, though the series ended with the characters in High School rather than continuing beyonf that point. The character of Konata was also confirmed to be a lesbian.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann(2007)
Created by Hiroyuku Imaishi. The series. was set in a world ruled by the Spiral King, and humanity was forced to live underground when a group of humans including Simon, Kamina and Yoko pilot a mecha with a drill to fight against the Spiral King.However by Episode 4 there were problems behind the scenes. The Episode itself was reworked to spare the character of Nia, leading to an online meltdown by producer and Gainax founder Takami Akai, which were described by his friends as "Like putting your face in front of an anus and breathing heavily". Akai insulted Otaku on the forum 2Chan, resigning when the owner of Gainax called him out on it since he himself was an Otaku. Thankfully, this occurred before Episode 4's production. This allowed fixes in the animation of Episode 4 and the introduction of Kittan and his sisters around the time of Viral's attack).
Darker than Black(2007)
Based on the Manga by Tensai Okamura from 2007. The series is set in a world inhabited by superpowered but hidden beings known as Contractors. The US has been usurped in its position of power by "The Syndicate". The protagonist is "Hei" a Chinese Contractor working for the Syndicate. The series did not do well enough to warrant a sequel.
Yes! Pretty Cure 5(2007-2008)
Based on the Manga by Toshiaki Komura that ran from 2007 to 2008. The Series follows five girls granted magical abilities to fight evil. While the original show lasted only one season, this led to the sequel series
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage focusing more on Original Generation character Ayumi with Hibiki, Tsubomi and Love along with them in their Cure forms fighting Fusion. Rather than their planned brief appearance. Saban dubbed another sequels series,
Glitter Force, into english . The 2011 earthquake and Tsunami almost interefered in the production of
Suite Pretty Cure ♪ .
Doki Doki Pretty Cure has Mana in a relationship with Joe. Alice and Makoto also end up together due to a lack of producer interference. Ira was killed off. Another sequel was made with a more slice of life style. Rie Kugimiya won the part of one of the four main Cures( as the infamous Sixth Ranger Cure Ace never escaped the planning phase).
Hayate the Combat Butler(2007-2008)
Based on the Manga by Kenjiro Hata. The series Hayate the Combat Butler had a reversed creation process. The one shot about a teenage girl and her little sister who were in debt with the mob, and the things they had to do to pay them off without getting sucked in was released first and then turned into the series.
Shugo Chara!(2007-2008)
Based on the Manga by Banri Sendo and Shibuko Ebara(The Duo known as Peach-Pit). The Series involves a young girl,Amu Hinamori, discovering three guardians known as the titular Shugo Charas. The Manga ended earlier than expected due to contract obligations, which in turn led to the Anime only getting a third season.
Lupin the Third: Green vs Red(2008)
For the 40th Anniversary of
Lupin the Third, a film,
Green vs Red, was released which had Lupin dealing with an imposter of himself. Fortunately, the ending makes it clear the real Lupin survived.
Soul Eater(2008-2009)
Based on the Manga by Atsushi Ōkubo that ran from 2004 to 2013. The series follows the students of Death Weapon Meister Academy, who are trained by Death. The Academy trains humans who can transform into weapons and their wielders. The Manga had several more final chapters, feeling less rushed as a result. The manga's run did more world-building and took some ideas from the anime, such as a second fight between Shinigami and Asura and more details, development and reveals, such as the rest of Shinigami-sama's Eight Warlords, with some being Great Old Ones as well and focusing on other types of madness, and finally seeing Maka's mother( Kami.) who in this version has a different personality. Despite looking a lot like Maka and being smarter than her daughter, Maka gains most of her positive traits from her father. Kami by contrast is more no nonsense though does care for her daughter and ex-husband while wanting to remain with Spirit. Eventually, Spirit and Kami patch things up and remarry in the epilogue. Crona is also redeemed when Asura is defeated. A new anime series was made to be more faithful to the original manga.
Soul Eater Not! is butterflied away as a result of the remade series.
Stitch(2008-2009)
Stitch continued the story featuring the Disney character of the same name, though in a new setting, having the character actually visit Japan after his farewell to Lilo, but with the idea that he would return and stay in touch. This became the normal for Japanese adaptations of Western properties. The idea that they are continuations as well as later and more mature stages in the lives of the characters.
Black Butler(2008-2010)
Based on the Manga by Yana Toboso that lasted from 2006 to 2010. Set in Victorian London, Ciel Phantomhive summons one hell of a Butler to avenge his parent's death wit the caveat that the demon Sebastian will take his soul in the end.
Black Butler went on hiatus until the completion of the Manga. The Second Season was More Manga faithful as a result. The series ends with Ciel Phantomhive completing his part of the bargain and allowing Sebastian to kill him and claim his soul.
Canaan(2009)
Based on a scenario that a group of friends created in the visual novel
428: Shibuya Scramble.The series is a sequel to
Scramble. The Series follows three women and the threat of a terrorist plot at a summit in Shanghai, China. The women are middle eastern assassin and Mercenary Canaan, her rival Alphard, and returning character Maria Ōsawa. Arguably the returning "Final Girl" from
Scramble. Canaan and Maria grow close, being separated and reuniting years later in the epilogue.
Fairy Tail(2009-2019)
Based on the Manga created by Hiro Mashima that ran from 2006 to 2017. The story focused on character-centered arcs and stories, with more characters getting the limelight and development, such as Lisanna. In addition, the fanservice was toned down within the main story (the more pronounced fanservice instead appearing in comical shorts and OVAs). Achnologia is defeated sooner by a combination of Natsu and his father landing the final blow alongside the rest of Fairy Tail. Natsu and the situation with E.N.D. is resolved as another character arc of Natsu moving forward with his life and coincides with the final arc focusing on Zeref, Mavis and Fairy Tail as a whole. Furthermore, the themes of enemies being obsessed with the past are more pronounced, especially contrasting Achnologia and Zeref with their approach to dealing with past tragedies.
Attack on Titan(2009-2021)
Based on the Manga created by Hajime Isayama that ran from 2009 to 2021. The series is set in a world where the last surviving humans live in a walled off city with the outside world under siege by man eating Titans. Eren Yeager and his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arnett join the survey corps to combat the beasts, however it becomes evident that not everything is as we were told. OTL changes include Annie's reaction to being discovered is closer to the Anime in the manga due to the creator regretting changing it and Eren's downfall being depicted both more gradual and tragic, showing genuine sadness towards having to fight his friends, though justifying actions such as the destruction of Marlay.
to get GaoGaiGar aired on their Disney channel. The channel aired King of Braves GaoGaiGar: Project Z, the continuation of the GaoGaiGar story. The story had Mamoru and Ikumi joining the hero group from Betterman after the disappearance of 3G. Because Allouette, who built GaoFighGar, lost her intelligence after falling into a coma, rebuilding said mech was impossible. Instead, Stealth Gao II (the component for Star GaoGaiGar) was introduced, along with Liner Gao II and Drill Gao II (components from GaoFighGar). There was a Nendroid known as GaiGo and a new King of Braves, GaoGaiGo. Genesic GaoGaiGar made their return, seemingly bursting out of the sun. The only problem many fans had with this new series was the transformation of Guy Shishioh, the hero of the original series, into the villain. Figurines were also made for all the Mecha featured in the series.
