Classic works of literature have come a long way. You don’t need to have read them to recognize the famous titles and literary protagonists that have impacted pop culture. While we can name these classics off the top of our heads, there isn’t an urgency to seek them out. So, why not watch these timeless stories in anime form? Loosely based on or influenced by famous literature, these next entries are iconic literary characters you’ll enjoy watching in anime adaptations.
Snow White from Snow White With the Red Hair
Snow White is famous for eating a poisoned red apple and being awakened from death by her prince’s true love’s kiss. In Snow White With the Red Hair, instead of being the one who’s poisoned, Shirayuki (Snow White) is an herbalist who saves Prince Zen from poison. Escaping from becoming a concubine to a forceful prince, Shirayuki heads to a new kingdom and strives to become the best pharmacist and botanist in Wilant. Different from the classic Snow White, Shirayuki is a determined and strong-willed girl who sets out to accomplish her goals while pursuing a cute romance with the prince.
Saber/King Arthur from Fate/Zero
Saber (real name Altria Pendragon) is one of the recurring characters in the Fate series. Regarded as the “Once and Future King” of Britain, Saber wields the legendary sword in the stone, Caliburn, and is set to fulfill Merlin’s prophecy of one day becoming the hero king who will save their kingdom from war. While this version of King Arthur’s tale is similar to the original, the Fate anime amps Saber up in power with a concealed Excalibur that’s deadly when released from its scabbard. With a sense of duty and many regrets, she is a servant in the Holy Grail War who hopes to win the grail to right her wrongs.
James Moriarty from Moriarty the Patriot
James Moriarty is the ultimate foe against his equally intelligent foe, Sherlock Holmes. In Moriarty the Patriot, Moriarty wears the word “patriot” in compelling ways. Helping Britain’s less fortunate against the elite aristocrats, he’s on a crusade for the downfall of the corrupt government. Cunning and with no remorse, this version of Moriarty is made to be more than a brilliant man whose boredom pushes him to commit crimes. Coming from the bottom of society, he knows something must be done, even if it gets blood on his hands.
Sherlock Holmes from Sherlock Hound
Did you know that in the 1980s, Studio Ghibli’s co-founder Hayao Miyazaki worked on a few episodes of Sherlock Hound? A loose adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s series, this anthropomorphic dog version of Sherlock Holmes is lighter in tone. Holmes is the same calm and collected persona as in the books, and his famous pipe is always in hand. The only difference is that Sherlock has a bit of a crush on Mrs. Hudson, who’s much younger in the anime. If you’re curious about what episodes Miyazaki had a hand in, you’ll want to stream episodes three through five and nine to ten.
The Count of Monte Christo from Gankutsuou: The Mount of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas tells the adventure of the wrongfully incarcerated Edmond Dantès, who seeks a treasure capable of enacting his revenge. The anime has the same plot with the count seeking revenge on those who betrayed him. The difference is that the Count is the main antagonist of the anime and is possessed by Gankutsuou, an evil spirit assisting in the Count’s vengeance. With an interesting art style and the story being set on the moon in the year 5053, this adaptation is like a trippy dream you’ll get sucked into.
Richard III from Requiem of the Rose King
Loosely based on Shakespeare’s plays King Richard III and Henry VI Part 3, Requiem of the Rose King depicts the real conflict of the War of the Roses. As the two noble houses of the Lancasters and the Yorks fight for the English throne, King Richard grapples with his identity as an intersex person in this gothic anime adaptation. Being called a “demon child” by his mother because of his identity causes Richard to hate himself. That and dealing with a war to win the throne creates even more turmoil for Richard. The story is told like a fairy tale and with the animation’s dreary colors, the series perfectly executes Richard’s inner darkness.
Romeo and Juliet from Romeo x Juliet
Romeo and Juliet are the star-crossed lovers from William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. Belonging to the enemy houses of the Montagues and the Capulets, the pair falls in love knowing their relationship will have hardships. In the anime, Romeo’s father, Leontes Montague, kills Juliet’s ruling family of Neo Verona. Seeking to overthrow the one who killed her parents, Juliet and her associates plan in the shadows. But meeting Romeo complicates her plans: falling in love is a distraction. The titular’s relationship is quite sweet in this adaptation, but don’t get your hopes up for a happy ending.
Alice from Pandora Hearts
Written by the same mangaka of The Case Study of Vanitas, Pandora Hearts is slightly based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Alice (inspired by Carroll’s Alice) is a mysterious girl trapped in the Abyss. Not remembering anything before she came to the Abyss, Alice fits right in with her ability to transform into B-Rabbit, a giant rabbit monster who wields a scythe. Alongside Oz Vessalius, her contractor and friend, they find out what the true meaning of the Abyss is and who Alice used to be. With a spunk and a temper, Alice is the type to attack and ask questions later. But it’s her stubbornness that makes her a strong character.
Edogawa Ranpo from Bungou Stray Dogs
The greatest detective in the BSD universe, Ranpo can easily solve a case with a simple glance. Compared to his comrades with special abilities, Ranpo doesn’t have one, as his excellent deductions are based on his brilliant mind. Only, Ranpo seems to think he does have an ability called “Super Deduction” and that his glasses are a requirement to activate them. The character is based on real-life Japanese mystery writer Edogawa Ranpo (a pen name derived from Edgar Allen Poe), who was known for novels such as The Boy Detectives Club series.
Osamu Dazai from Bungou Stray Dogs
TW: Mentions of suicide in the next section. Proceed with caution.
I also couldn’t leave out the best (and my favorite) character in BSD. Though not close to Ranpo’s intelligence, Dazai is an enigma. Putting on a front as a laid-back, goofy character, Dazai is a cunning mastermind when required. As an ex-member of the Port Mafia, at fifteen, Dazai is an executive of the crime organization, and his ruthlessness and disregard for life are evident. His suicidal tendencies may be played for laughs, but his desire to end his life is real despite being part of the Armed Detective Agency. Like Ranpo, Dazai is also based on a real-life author, Osamu Dazai, who was known for his novel, No Longer Human. The character’s power to nullify other people’s abilities by touch is named after this work.
Seeing as so many classic literary stories have been adapted into anime, wouldn’t it be great if there was a series based on Pride and Prejudice? Blending Jane Austen’s most memorable work and anime together would be a reader’s and anime fan’s dream! What other classic work would you like to see adapted? Let us know on our socials!
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Take a look at the classic books from this list and more on our Keeping It…Classic… Recs That Is shelf on Bookshop.org!
