Animehas a vibrant history of breathing new life into written stories, transforming the pages of manga and light novels into visually stunning, emotionally charged experiences. But there’s a vast world of literature, especially in the realm of fantasy and science fiction, that remains largely untouched by the medium. With anime’s unique ability to portray the impossible, capture emotional nuance, and elevate action with striking visuals, it’s the perfect vehicle for adapting some of the most imaginative novels ever written.

From sweeping epic sagas to dark, character-driven tales, certain books feel practically made for the anime format. Whether it’s the depth of world-building, the complexity of their protagonists, or the sheer visual spectacle of their magic systems and conflicts, these stories are begging for animated life.

The cover of Sparrow Hill Road features Rose in front of a dark sky leaning on a car.

10Sparrow Hill Road

Seanan McGuire

Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire follows Rose Marshall, a teenage ghost who died in 1952 after being run off the road by Bobby Cross, a man who sold his soul for immortality. But Bobby failed to claim Rose’s soul, and now she roams the highways as a hitchhiking ghost, helping the newly dead while evading her would-be killer.

Sixty years later, Rose is still out there, wandering back roads, guiding spirits, and navigating the strange, haunted world of the twilight highway. Told in a loosely connected anthology style, her story blends Americana folklore with dark mystery, making it a perfect match for an episodic anime in the vein of Mushishi or Samurai Champloo.

The cover of The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice shows a puppet in front of a full moon.

9The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice

Lisa DeSelm

The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice is a haunting, fairytale-like fantasy about love, sacrifice, and the thin line between creation and control. The story follows Pirouette, daughter of a renowned puppetmaster whose skill catches the attention of Tavia’s ruthless ruler, the Margrave. When the Margrave’s endless commissions of life-sized soldier puppets drive her father to exhaustion and illness, he falls behind and is thrown into prison as punishment.

Pirouette is approached by the Margrave’s son with a chilling proposition: create a life-sized assassin puppet and bring it to life using the magic of the rare blue moon. In return, her father will be set free. The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice weaves gothic aesthetics with rich emotion and high stakes. With its eerie atmosphere, morally complex characters, and threads of forbidden magic, it’s a perfect candidate for a gorgeously animated,emotionally resonant animeadaptation.

The cover of Into the Drowning Deep features a drowning body with floating red blood.

8Into The Drowning Deep

Mira Grant

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant is a gripping blend of science fiction and horror that begs for an anime adaptation. The story follows Tory Stewart, a sonar specialist whose sister vanished seven years ago while filming a mockumentary about mermaids. When a second expedition to the Mariana Trench is launched, this time with real funding and a goal to prove mermaids exist, Tory seizes the chance to uncover the truth.

What begins as a scientific mission quickly descends into terror as the crew encounters terrifying, predatory mermaids. The novel is rich with suspense, diverse characters, and ethical dilemmas, all set in the claustrophobic setting of a research vessel. With the right animation studio, Into the Drowning Deep could deliver stunning visuals, emotional depth, and edge-of-your-seat horror, making it an unforgettable addition to theanime horror genre.

Sir Kipling appears on the cover of Cat Mischief.

7Love, Lies, And Hocus Pocus

Lydia Sherrer

Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus by Lydia Sherrer is a charming romantic fantasy series that follows Lily, a no-nonsense wizard librarian; Sebastian, a flirtatious and morally flexible witch; and Sir Kipling, Lily’s sarcastic cat who, thanks to a magical mishap, gains the ability to talk. What begins as academic magic quickly spirals into a high-stakes adventure that could decide the fate of the world.

While the story features a delightful slow-burn romance, it shines in its clever balance of humor, heart, and magical chaos. Think Howl’s Moving Castle meets The Librarians, packed with banter, bookish spells, and unexpected twists. With the right anime adaptation, Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus could bring its whimsical world, snarky dialogue, and heartfelt moments to life in spectacular fashion.

The cover of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi shows a ship being attacked by a kraken.

6The Adventures Of Amina Al-Sirafi

Shannon Chakraborty

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi isa supernatural pirate talesteeped in Middle Eastern mythology and rich storytelling. Framed by the witty scribe Jamal, it follows Amina al-Sirafi, a retired pirate captain pulled back into adventure when she’s hired to find a missing girl. What begins as a simple job quickly unravels into a web of occult magic, ancient secrets, and monstrous forces.

Amina is a rare kind of heroine: older, clever, morally gray, and fiercely protective of her daughter. Her crew is equally colorful, and their journey blends high-seas adventure with dark whimsy and mythic stakes. This story would shine in anime form, offering vivid visuals, rich cultural lore, and bold character design. With the right studio, it could be a stylish and unforgettable fantasy series, full of magic, monsters, and heart.

Small Sade is featured on the cover of The Maid and the Crocodile.

5The Maid And The Crocodile

Jordan Ifueko

The Maid and the Crocodile is a magical coming-of-age tale set in an alternate Africa brimming with gods and curses. Small Sade, a determined orphan with a disabled leg, travels to the grand city of Oluwan in search of work. Repeatedly overlooked because of her limp, her fate takes a sudden turn when she accidentally binds herself to the Crocodile, a powerful, ancient god.

With her newfound divine connection and her rare talent as a Curse Eater, Sade secures a job at a prestigious inn owned by a selfish aristocrat. There, she begins to carve out her place in a world that has long underestimated her. With its lush setting, mythic magic, and an underdog heroine full of heart, The Maid and the Crocodile would be a stunning anime. Itsblend of folklore, rich character arcs, and empowering themes is perfect for fans of Spice and Wolf or The Apothecary Diaries.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold features a cafe table with two chairs and a cat.

4Before The Coffee Gets Cold

Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a tender,time-bending taleset in a small Tokyo café with an extraordinary secret: if a customer sits in a specific chair, they can travel back in time… so long as they return before their coffee gets cold. But there are strict rules: they cannot leave their seat, they can only meet people who have visited the café, and nothing they do will change the present.

The novel follows four patrons who each seek closure, such as mending a relationship, reconnecting with a lost loved one, or recovering forgotten words. It’s a quiet, poignant meditation on love, regret, and letting go. With its emotional storytelling, intimate setting, and subtle magical realism, Before the Coffee Gets Cold would be a perfect fit for a short anime series.

The cover of Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston features Callie, Willow, and Elowyn.

3Sir Callie And The Champions Of Helston

Esme Symes-Smith

Sir Callie is a captivating fantasy series that follows Callie, a brave and determined non-binary young person with a dream of becoming a knight of Helston. There’s just one problem: girls aren’t allowed to be knights and, despite Callie’s insistence that xe are not a girl, the rigid society around xem refuses to accept xeir identity.

The series is rich with character development, magic, thrilling battles, and political intrigue. It features a refreshinglydiverse cast of LGBTQ+ charactersand thoughtfully explores the challenges they face, both personal and systemic, all set against a vibrant, magical world. Sir Callie is a powerful story about fighting for your place in a world that insists you don’t belong, and it does so with heart, humor, and a bold sense of adventure.

The Animorphs appear on the cover of Megamorphs 1.

2Animorphs

K.A. Applegate

Few young adult series have had the lasting impact of Animorphs, K.A. Applegate’s iconic sci-fi saga from the ’90s and early 2000s. The story follows five teens who gain the ability to morph into animals after a dying alien, Elfangor, warns them of the Yeerks, parasitic creatures secretly taking over human minds. Gifted with the power to turn into animals, the teens become Earth’s hidden defenders, waging a secret, high-stakes war. But with each battle, they face the emotional and physical cost of war, identity, and sacrifice.

While a live-action adaptation existed, it lacked the scope and depth of the books. An anime series could finally do Animorphs justice, showcasing the eerie transformations, alien horrors, and moral complexity in full. It’s more than a nostalgic throwback; it’s a powerful, character-driven story that deserves to morph for a new generation.

The cover of Mistborn features Vin flying in front of a red sun.

1Mistborn

Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy follows Vin, a young street thief who discovers she’s an Allomancer, able to burn metals for powerful abilities. Recruited by a band of rebels, she joins a daring plot to overthrow a tyrannical empire that’s ruled for a thousand years.

Mistborn blends political intrigue, high-stakes rebellion, and explosive magic in a haunting, ash-covered world. Its cinematic action scenes, complex characters, and themes of hope, sacrifice, and power would translate beautifully to anime. With the right studio, Mistborn could become a visually stunning, emotionally resonant adaptation, capturing both its gritty atmosphere and the sense of wonder that defines Sanderson’s work.