Ask John: What Anime Just Introduce Their Source Manga?

Question:
While any anime could serve as an introduction into the manga it’s based, including long running series that basically tell the manga’s story in an animated format (i.e. Bleach, Naruto, One Piece). But there seem to be anime, that to me, basically serve as an introduction to the manga. Two examples I can think of are Kekkaishi and History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi. While 50-52 episodes seem to long to act as an introduction, both anime only cover one major arc aside from the introduction arc. Both end on cliffhangers rather than having their own original endings with unresolved issues. They in a way are saying to get the rest of the story read the manga. As these examples of anime that are used to introduce the manga or are their better examples.

Answer:
I apologize in advance if my response is inadequate, but I’m not entirely certain that I understand what the question is asking. I presume that the inquiry is about other anime series that seem to merely serve as a teaser for the manga they’re based on. The cynic can say that every anime based on a manga is merely an advertisement for its source work. However, such a reductive argument overlooks disregards anime like Risky/Safety, Hellsing, Bokurano, Dance in the Vampire Bund, and Fullmetal Alchemist that diverge significantly from their source stories. Furthermore, the argument ignores the innate characteristics and qualities of the anime adaptation, summarizing the anime as merely an extraneous succession from the manga rather than an independent creative work in its own regard. But even with that refutation, some anime series do indeed seem to serve, intentionally or not, as introductions to their manga, breadcrumbs leading into the longer and more expansive manga stories.

The Berserk television series may be the best known example of an anime that only begins to delve into its source manga. The Berserk television series does little more than adapt the manga’s first story arc then show an initial glimpse of the second. The Tenjho Tenge anime series taunts viewers even more egregiously by introducing the series’ protagonists, shifting into a lengthy flashback that doesn’t include the protagonists, then returning to its present time to merely begin a story arc, ending the anime abruptly with its story in mid-flow. The Air Master television series doesn’t even introduce the series’ primary antagonist until its final episode. The High School of the Dead television series introduces its characters and setting, ending just as the characters prepare to set out on their journey of survival. Likewise, although primarily based on novels rather than manga, the Guin Saga anime series likewise only introduces the characters and character relationships, ending with the promise that the primary narrative is only just beginning.

The danger in categorizing these sort of anime which seem to end just as their narrative focus comes into sharp relief lies in dismissing or ignoring them. The fact that these type of anime seem more like introductions rather than comprehensive stories allows observers to easily forget that these anime frequently still have engaging characters, action, stories, and animation. The fact that these shows don’t have substantial, evident conclusions doesn’t make them insignificant anime unworthy of watching. Rather than feel gyped or duped, as though the anime is a bait and switch that merely encourage viewers to refer to the manga, otaku should appreciate these anime for what they are. These shows, despite their inconclusive endings, are still frequently absorbing and entertaining shows worth watching. The nature of the anime production industry and its fan expectations demand that certain anime get produced with inconclusive endings. Shows like Berserk, Tenjho Tenge, and High School of the Dead are popular enough to get produced in the first place but not successful enough to continue indefinitely. They have to be produced while audience interest is at a peak, yet they can’t diverge too far from the manga source without annoying and alienating the audience they’re primarily targeted at. So these shows, these introductions, do the only thing they can do; they animate what they can and encourage viewers that want to see more to refer to the original manga. When the nature of the production industry necessitates the options of an anime adaptation that only adapts the beginning of the manga or no anime adaptation at all, the former choice is preferable to the later.