10 anime based on non-Japanese source material

While most fans find it hard to pinpoint, anime based on non-Japanese source material are present in abundance in the industry. Moreover, the quality of animation in these anime series is also top-notch. While the majority of anime based on non-Japanese source material are Korean (manhwa) or Chinese (manhua), American comics have also become popular recently.

Unfortunately, it is hard to differentiate between a good and mediocre anime that is based on some foreign material because you can't judge a book by its cover. So, we have done the hard work and compiled a list of 10 of the best anime based on non-Japanese source material, be it foreign manga series, American comic series, or even some famous game series.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in this article solely belong to the author.

Top 10 anime like Arcane, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, and others based on non-Japanese source material

1) Arcane (International Game)

Jinx as seen in the anime (Image via Fortiche & Riot Games)

Based on a popular video game developed by an American company, Arcane is an anime based on non-Japanese source material. The game titled League of Legends has been developed by Riot Games. The anime adaptation follows the lore of the game and sometimes even improvises the source material for a better adaptation. The anime has been renewed for a sequel.

The story of this steampunk adventure anime series is centered around siblings- Vi and Jinx, who find themselves learning about the strange technologies of the modern day as they grapple with the growing class divide in an increasingly dangerous world.

2) Solo Leveling (Korean Manhwa)

Sung Jinwoo as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Solo Leveling is one of the anime based on non-Japanese source material which is also the most popular manga from its native country, a Korean manhwa of the same name. The anime has been renewed for a sequel and also received a documentary, making its popularity known worldwide.

Also read: Is Solo Leveling Japanese or Korean?

The anime follows the story of Sung Jinwoo, a bottom-ranking player, who is famous for his amateurish skills and inexperience in exploring dungeons. One day, Jinwoo accepts the offer to explore a dungeon and while most of the players die, Jinwoo sacrifices himself to save some of his other friends. Fortunately, he survives and is now able to level up every day to become stronger than before.

3) The God of High School (Korean Manhwa)

Jin Mori as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

God of High School is one of the most popular anime based on non-Japanese source material. It is based on the Korean Manhwa series of the same name. The source material reached a conclusion in 2022, but unfortunately, the series wasn't renewed for a sequel.

Being one of the most popular anime based on non-Japanese source material, the story is centered around Jin Mori, Han Daewi, and Yu Mira as these three high school students take part in a contest that would declare the strongest high school student through their technique in fighting.

4) The King's Avatar (Chinese web novel)

Ye Xiu as seen in the anime (Image via B.CMAY PICTURES)

Based on the popular novel series from the country of China, The King's Avatar is, arguably, the most popular donghua (Chinese anime series). The series became famous for its unique plot-line that combined the feel of an isekai anime inside a game-centered plotline.

The anime based on non-Japanese source material tells the tale of Ye Xiu, a professional game player, who decided to leave behind his gaming career and start a new life. One day, he stumbled across a gaming café where Glory, the game Ye Xiu was a master at, was available and had new updates. Seeing a challenge at hand, the protagonist decides to start from zero again.

5) Viral Hit (Korean Manhwa)

Hobin Yu as seen in the anime (Image via Okuruto Noburo)

Telling the tale of Yoo Hobin who started his own Newtube channel after showcasing his bullies and making money off of it, Viral Hit is one of the most interesting anime series that aired in 2024.

Moreover, it is also an anime based on non-Japanese source material i.e. a Korean Manhwa of the same name. Moreover, this manhwa is also one of the few manhwa series that have been serialized into volumes with its first volume set to be released on April 1, 2025.

6) Cyberpunk Edgerunners (International Game)

David as seen in the anime (Image via Trigger)

One of the most popular anime projects from animation studio TRIGGER, Cyberpunk Edgerunners is an anime based on non-Japanese source material, a world-renowned video game titled Cyberpunk 2077 developed by the Polish studio CD Projekt Red. The scriptwriter for this game's anime was one of Studio TRIGGER's founders, Masahiko Ootsuka.

This anime follows the story of David who resorts to installing the prosthetic, Sandevistan cyberwar, inside his body after he couldn't save his mother. After installing it, he is granted superhuman speed and joins an underworld gang where he makes an easy living. But with an easy living come some dangers that might be hard for David to overcome.

7) Lookism (Korean Manhwa)

Daniel as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Mir)

Bringing to life the tale of Park Hyung Suk and how he is able to shift his consciousness between his true body, that of a chubby boy, and another body, that of a handsome boy, Lookism is a supernatural drama series.

It is also an anime based on non-Japanese source material, a Korean manhwa of the same name. The character designs of this series were of key importance as most of the main cast members were based on real Korean models.

8) Suicide Squad Isekai (American Comic)

Harley Quinn as seen in the anime (Image via Wit Studio)

Based on the famous American DC Comics titled Suicide Squad which has also received a Hollywood movie, Suicide Squad ISEKAI is an anime based on non-Japanese source material animated by one of the biggest animation studios in Japan. The scriptwriter behind this DC comic spinoff was the author of Re: Zero, Nagatsuki Tappei.

The story is centered around famous DC villains like Harley Quinn, Clayface, and 3 others who get transported into a fantasy world through a portal and have to return before it closes.

9) Batman Ninja (American Comic)

Batman as seen in the anime (Image via Kamikaze Douga)

The anime movie that imagines the Dark Knight in another setting than Gotham City, Batman Ninja is an anime based on non-Japanese source material, the Batman DC comic series. One of the writers behind this DC comic spinoff was the author of Kill la Kill, Kazuki Nakashima.

While fighting a villain in Arkham Asylum, the superhero suddenly gets engulfed in an explosion which transports him to the past of Japan where he had no modern weapons and has to learn classical Japanese fighting techniques to survive and make it back to Gotham City.

10) Halo Legends (International Game)

SPARTAN-1337 as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation, Studio4°C, Bee Train, Casio Entertainment, Production I.G, & Bones)

An 8-episode ONA series, each animated by a Japanese animation studio individually, Halo Legends is based on non-Japanese source material, which is the popular game titled Halo. The scriptwriters behind this game's spinoff anime were Megumi Shimizu, scriptwriter of Soul Eater, and Naruki Nagakawa.

The game series is currently owned by an American game developer studio 343 Industries, which was also the supervisor behind Halo Legends. Each episode follows a different story centered around individual characters from the game's lore.

Final thoughts

Although anime has primarily developed in Japan and through Japanese media, it now far surpasses the boundaries of any particular country. It has become a global phenomenon and the above list shows examples of non-Japanese materials that were turned into anime. There have been popular video games, comics, and even Korean or Chinese works that were turned into anime.

Adding source material from international sources makes anime more accessible to fans worldwide who can enjoy popular media from their regions. The involvement of famed Japanese animation studios also means there will be no comprise with the animation or script of these series.

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Edited by Sreerupa Das