Many anime have been so successful that they have engendered expansions of their respective universes in the form of spin-offs. These side stories offer opportunities to flesh out the lore, explore side characters, and navigate different aspects of the world. They help remedy the feeling of emptiness fans experience after completing incredible series and serve as genuine avenues for entertainment.
While some of these additions may feel like cheap cash-grabs, there exists a tier of spin-offs that perfectly complement their source material. In some cases, they may even surpass their predecessors quality-wise, making them completely worthwhile ventures. These stories possess a very specific and desired appeal, offering the comfort of a familiar setting, alongside the thrill of unpredictable developments.
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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is an entry into the Gundam franchise that adopts a relatively dark tone. It is set 300 years after a war between Earth and Mars, which led to an era of heavy segregation and exploitation. It centers on a group of children determined to rebel against their oppressive higher-ups, armed with the ancient Gundam Barbatos.
The anime requires little to no knowledge of previous entries, and the fresh new setting means there is something for both new and longtime fans to enjoy. As a definite marker of its success, it even spawned its own spinoff, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans-Urdr Hunt, centered on a brand-new protagonist, Wistario Afam.
The original Full Metal Panic! anime centered on the war veteran Sosuke Sagara and his mission to protect the hot-headed high school girl Kaname Chidori. Fumoffu retains this setting but focuses much more on the series’s humorous aspects. It does this to great effect, as the developments are truly hilarious with thoroughly well-executed slapstick comedy.
It follows Sosuke as he tries and spectacularly fails to blend into a normal high school environment. His lack of common sense is constantly on full display as he is reprimanded time and again by Kaname with her iconic paper fan. The most notable difference is the presence of Bonta, the gun-wielding mascot suit Sosuke occasionally employs as body armor.
8
Isekai Quartet
Isekai Quartet is a massive spin-off featuring characters from several famous isekai series. It pulls key cast members from their respective anime into a school setting with their personalities intact, making for fascinating interactions and dynamics. They are presented in a chibi art style, and the episodes run for eleven to twelve minutes.
The anime includes characters from Re: Zero, Saga of Tanya the Evil, Overlord, and Konosuba. In later seasons, titles like The Eminence in Shadow and The Rising of the Shield Hero were also added. With no way of escape, these titanic figures must live out their lives as regular students in what is a surreal experience for all their fans.
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Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online is the gunslinging alternative to the main series. It is named after the titular VR game introduced in the second season, and features a fully original cast. It centers on Karen Kohiruimaki, a college student with a height complex who finds solace in her much shorter in-game avatar.
She developed her skills over time and became known as The Pink Devil. She is joined by the daring and charismatic Pitohui, as well as other companions with strengths of their own. Together, they participate in various events, most notable of which is the Squad Jam, a high-stakes battle royale needing a minimum of two players.
6
Magi: Adventure of Sinbad
Magi: Adventure of Sinbad is set fifteen years before the adventures of Aladdin and Alibaba, featured in the main series. It follows a young Sinbad on his journey to becoming the High King of the Seven Seas. It covers events from his time as an infant in the impoverished Parthevia Empire to his teenage years, now charting the globe.
Even at a young age, he displayed prodigious potential, burning with the desire to eradicate poverty and war. He conquered his first dungeon at only fourteen years old and gained powerful and reliable allies early on. The anime continues to depict his epic trials in stellar fashion, gradually building up to the legendary figure he is destined to become.
5
Burn the Witch
Burn the Witch is a spin-off of the hit series Bleach set in the same universe. It features a hidden, parallel version of London called Reverse London, where supernatural beings known as Dragons are visible. These entities also pose a threat to Front London and its citizens, and so they are managed by the organization Wing Bind.
They act as the western branch of the Soul Society and consist of agents in the form of witches and wizards. The story follows two witches, Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole, with deeply contrasting personalities. Besides their main assignments, they are tasked with safeguarding Balgo Ywain Parks, a regular human who developed a dangerous connection to the Dragons.
4
Fate/Apocrypha
Fate/Apocrypha is one of the many spin-offs of the Fate/Stay Night series. It is set in an alternate universe where past events led to the start of a new war known as the Great Holy Grail War. It is characterized by the conflict between the Mage’s Association and the Yggdmillennia Clan, featuring double the usual amount of servants.
The Mage’s Association is dubbed the Red Faction, while the Yggdmillennia Clan is known as the Black Faction. The series also introduces the Ruler Class servant Jeanne d’Arc, summoned to act as an impartial mediator during the war. The anime showcases unique partnerships alongside thrilling fights that completely justify the expansion of the combatants.
3
A Certain Scientific Railgun
A Certain Scientific Railgun is a highly popular spin-off derived from A Certain Magical Index. It is set in Academy City, a technologically advanced area said to be thirty years ahead of the rest of the world. The populace consists mainly of students, with a special focus on developing their abilities as Espers.
The story follows Mikoto Misaka, an electricity user who is one of the highest-level Espers in the series. She is accompanied by three other middle schoolers, each with unique circumstances and abilities. They are a tight-knit friend group, and the plot details their exciting adventures in the city, featuring dangerous battles and deep conspiracies.
2
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is set a few years before Izuku meets All Might, and is centered on the unassuming Koichi Haimawari and his unrealized dreams of being a hero. This changes, however, when he encounters the excessively violent vigilante Knuckleduster, as Koichi is recruited by him alongside the street idol Pop Step.
The series does an excellent job of incorporating established characters into the narrative. It also notably showcases a much more powerful All Might that fans have always wanted to see. It very much possesses its own appeal as well, with engaging storylines and developments. While Koichi may not be a flashy hero either, his power constantly evolves with each battle.
1
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a spin-off but also a definitive continuation of the iconic Naruto series. It was originally written by Ukyo Kodachi, but eventually handed over to the original author, Masashi Kishimoto. It follows the adventures of Naruto’s son, Boruto, in a much more advanced Hidden Leaf Village, joined by other children of the next generation.
Though Naruto achieves his dream of becoming Hokage, he is constantly plagued by work, leaving him unable to return home often. This fosters a feeling of resentment within Boruto, who becomes disheartened by his father’s absence and antagonizes him as a result. After the deadly encounter with Momoshiki, this rift is largely closed, and the series takes off in earnest.
- Release Date
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2017 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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TV Tokyo
- Directors
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Yusuke Onoda, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Michita Shiraishi, Youichirou Aoki, Shigetaka Ikeda, Taiki Nishimura, Rokou Ogiwara, Mitsuo Hashimoto, Hikaru Sato, Akira Shimizu, Norihiko Nagahama, Takashi Asami, Hodaka Kuramoto, Kiyomu Fukuda, Yoji Sato, Masatoyo Takada, Hazuki Mizumoto, Natsumi Yasue, Hideaki Ōba, Masaaki Kumagai, Mihiro Yamaguchi, Shigenori Kageyama, Nanako Shimazaki
- Writers
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Masaya Honda, Atsushi Nishiyama, Hideto Tanaka, Touko Machida, Kyōko Katsuya, Kiyomune Miwa, Ukyo Kodachi, Masahiro Okubo
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Yuko Sanpei
Uzumaki Boruto (voice)
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Cocoro Kikuchi
Uchiha Sarada (voice)