Are Anime Studios Becoming Too Dependent on Established Franchises?

Popular manga adaptations and returning franchises often attract large audiences, making them safer investments for production studios. However, original anime projects sometimes struggle to receive the same attention. Do you think the industry needs more original stories, or is adapting successful manga simply a sensible business decision?

I get why an adaptation with a built-in audience is easier to sell. I look forward to new seasons of shows I already like, too. I just wish original anime got more of that same attention.

A Place Further Than the Universe is a good example. A story about four girls trying to get to Antarctica sounds oddly specific, but that’s part of what makes it stand out. I’d love to see more projects like that get enough promotion for people to give the first episode a shot.

What’s an anime original you wish more people had found?

I think anime studios are relying more on established franchises. That might be because they already have a fan base and a better chance of attracting viewers. Sequels, remakes, and adaptations are familiar choices, but I sometimes miss seeing completely original stories take a chance. I hope studios continue investing in fresh concepts rather than depending too heavily on titles people already know.

I can understand why studios prefer adapting popular manga since there's already an audience waiting. But relying too heavily on familiar titles could make the anime industry feel predictable. Original anime deserves more opportunities because some of the most interesting stories come from taking risks rather than following an established formula.