10 Most Unnecessary Anime Remakes Of All Time

Remakes can introduce classics to new viewers, but they often retread the same stories with different production choices, pacing, or aesthetics. This list looks at anime that revisited material the audience already knew well, outlining what changed, which studios handled the updates, and how the new versions were positioned. You’ll find notes on format shifts, distribution strategies, and fidelity to the original runs. The goal is to give you clear context on what each remake set out to do and how closely it overlapped with what fans already had.

‘Sailor Moon Crystal’ (2014–2016)

Produced by Toei Animation, this adaptation aimed to follow Naoko Takeuchi’s manga more closely than the earlier TV series. It launched via streaming first before moving to television, using limited animation and redesigned character models to mirror the page. Later seasons improved consistency by shifting staff and polishing the look. Story coverage retraced the same arcs that long-time viewers already knew in detail.

‘Dragon Ball Z Kai’ (2009–2015)

Toei Animation created this recut of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ with remastered footage, new voice recordings, and a condensed episode count. It removed much of the filler to align more tightly with the manga chapters. Musical cues and sound effects were refreshed, and some broadcast versions replaced or edited scenes for standards compliance. The narrative beats remained the same as the original television run, simply moving at a faster clip.

‘Rurouni Kenshin’ (2023–2024)

Liden Films restarted the ‘Rurouni Kenshin’ story from the beginning with modern animation and a new cast. The series readapts the early arcs, maintaining the same setting, character introductions, and key confrontations. Direction emphasizes clean linework and historical detail while keeping choreography grounded in the same techniques fans recognize. Distribution targeted global streaming from the outset, presenting a familiar plot path to a new platform audience.

‘Shaman King’ (2021)

This remake by Bridge readapted the manga from start to finish, mapping out the same tournament structure and character roster as before. The production used brighter palettes and digital compositing to modernize battles without altering major plot turns. Episode planning favored steady, chapter-by-chapter coverage to ensure complete source fidelity. Viewers encountered the same milestones and outcomes that defined the earlier television version.

‘Trigun Stampede’ (2023)

Studio Orange reimagined ‘Trigun’ with full CG animation and a reshuffled introduction to its world and cast. The series retained core elements like the protagonist’s pacifist code and the desert setting while reorganizing reveals for a streamlined arc. Action staging leaned on camera-driven CG set pieces, placing familiar confrontations into a new visual pipeline. Despite structural tweaks, the remake delivered the same central conflicts and resolutions known from earlier adaptations.

‘Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac’ (2019–2024)

This Netflix-backed CG remake revisited the Bronze Saints’ formation, early battles, and signature techniques. Episodes compressed events and introduced minor character switches while preserving the same armor mythos and tournament flavor. The shift to CG prioritized dynamic armor transformations and particle-heavy clashes over hand-drawn texture. Story progress covered territory veteran viewers had already followed across multiple prior releases.

‘Urusei Yatsura’ (2022–2024)

David Production returned to the classic romantic comedy with polished animation, saturated colors, and selective chapter picks. The remake curated popular episodic gags and character spotlights without advancing beyond well-known scenarios. Voice direction and music refreshed the tone while keeping the same chaotic school and alien-visitor setup. The result retraced comedic beats that long-time fans could already recite by heart.

‘Kino’s Journey -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series’ (2017)

Lerche adapted additional short stories from the light novels while revisiting several countries previously depicted. The new series used a different staff and cast, adjusting the protagonist’s mannerisms and staging while preserving the traveling-vignette format. Episode order mixed familiar moral parables with a handful of fresh selections. Much of the viewing experience overlapped with tales and themes already explored in the earlier adaptation.

‘Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy-‘ (2022–2024)

This Netflix adaptation from Liden Films readapted the same dark-fantasy arcs with modern effects and a streaming release model. Character designs stayed faithful, focusing on heavy armor, spell chants, and rock-inspired naming that fans recognized. Seasons rolled out in batches, covering identical sieges, duels, and faction shifts from the source. Aside from updated pacing and sound design, the story landmarks mirrored prior tellings.

‘Spriggan’ (2022)

David Production’s series brought the action-adventure manga back with CG-assisted set pieces and contemporary tech dressing. It selected mission-based episodes that echo the same superweapon hunts and special-ops confrontations long associated with the property. The tone favored sleek gadgetry and force-on-force clashes without expanding the overarching mythos. For many viewers, the core appeal matched what the earlier screen version had already delivered.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which remakes you think added the least to what was already there.