TV comes in many shapes and sizes, but one of the most popular media as of late is anime, with hit series such as One Piece becoming a worldwide phenomenon. However, on the other side of the spectrum are TV dramas, and HBO is the king of series, award-winning shows. From modern hits like Succession to all-time classics such as Game of Thrones, HBO is home to some of the best TV.

There isn’t much crossover between anime and HBO, but that doesn’t mean these stories can’t intertwine, which is why this list will rank ten anime that could become great HBO dramas. This list will rank these entries based on how well their story can translate to an HBO drama, including factors such as setting, storytelling, characters, entertainment value, originality, critical acclaim, and how good a drama it is.

10

‘Parasyte: The Maxim’ (2014–2015)

Image Via Crunchyroll

HBO has many different types of shows, but sci-fi isn’t the most common. One series that might work is Parasyte: The Maxim. When an alien fails to take over his brain, it inhabits Shinichi’s hand to survive. Alerting him of an alien invasion, the duo tries to find others like them while stopping the onslaught of hidden creatures before they take over the world.

An HBO adaptation might be difficult since Parasyte is set in Japan, but an alternate story somewhere in the West could work perfectly. The dramatic story is mysterious, emotional, and riveting from start to finish. There is already a live-action Netflix spin-off, meaning that if HBO handled it, they could make an even better drama that could enhance the story.

9

‘Lazarus’ (2025)

Image via MAPPA

As mentioned, sci-fi isn’t really HBO’s thing, but they could absolutely pull off an adaptation of Lazarus, Shinichiro Watanabe‘s latest creation. Hapna is a miracle drug that cures any pain, but when the creator reveals that it will kill everyone who takes it, the world goes into a panic. A select team is now on the case to find the doctor and get the cure, but they discover a lot more on the way.

Other Watanabe anime are better, such as Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, but those wouldn’t work as well for HBO compared to Lazarus. The plot spans across the globe, investigating various things related to the cure, the virus, and its creator. The anime was a bit of a letdown, meaning a live-action HBO series could very well be an improvement.

8

‘My Home Hero’ (2023)

Image via Tezuka Productions

Action and adventure series are more popular than dramas, meaning anime like My Home Hero don’t get the recognition they deserve. When a father learns that his daughter is being abused by her Yakuza boyfriend, he takes matters into his own hands. Now, he and his wife must clean up the mess and stay out of the Yakuza’s sight as they search for the boss’s missing son.

Like Parasyte, My Home Hero presents the problem of being set in Japan, but HBO could easily switch it to a family of gangsters or Italian mobsters, potentially being a successor of The Sopranos. The anime had poor production, but with a healthy budget, this show could be the best new thing. My Home Hero has a magnificent story and plot that is suspenseful and gripping. Any fan could fall in love with this dramatic masterclass.

7

‘Orb: On the Movements of the Earth’ (2024–2025)

Image via Madhouse

Most anime are naturally set in Japan, even the historical ones, but a few take place in foreign settings, such as Orb: On the Movements of the Earth. It follows multiple protagonists in Poland trying to prove the theory of heliocentrism. However, the church forbids such thinking, trying its hardest to silence the heretics.

The story may not be real, but this historical masterpiece is one of the best anime series of the 2020s anyway. Orb was one of the biggest recent surprises, highlighting a remarkable story about the beauty of humanity and its indomitable will for truth, knowledge, and progression. With these themes and story, HBO could make a masterpiece.

6

‘Monster’ (2004–2005)

Image via Madhouse

Naoki Urasawa is arguably the most prolific manga author of all time, with some of the greatest series ever, and his magnum opus is Monster. Dr. Tenma saves the life of a child instead of the mayor, but years later, that same child grew up to become a serial killer. Tenma must now take matters into his own hands and kill Johan, but will he be able to do that when he learns of his dark past?

Monster is mostly set in Germany, spanning across the country while investigating where Johan is, as well as his history. The story is full of twists and turns as well as intricate details and memorable moments that blend to create one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Monster is a masterpiece in any medium, meaning it would be among the best HBO dramas.

5

‘The Fable’ (2024)

Image via Tezuka Productions

Comedy drama TV shows are becoming more prominent in the West, but not in Japan, which is why the Western audience would appreciate an HBO drama of The Fable. When a hitman is too good at his job, he and his assistant need to take a vacation and wait for the heat to die down. However, they get into trouble everywhere they go while trying to relax.

The Fable takes place in Japan, but a simple change of scenery would make it perfect for HBO, and the plot is easily transferable. This anime is one of the funniest, most action-packed, and engrossing modern shows all at the same time. With compelling story arcs and well-crafted humor, The Fable is begging to be made into a live-action series and flourishes with its dramatic absurdity.

4

‘Baccano!’ (2007)

Image via Brain’s Base

There aren’t a lot of anime set in America, but any of those few would naturally make a good HBO drama, including Baccano! From a scientist and his assistant looking for their missing immortality elixir to a war between mafia groups to a train full of criminals, this anime interweaves these seemingly disconnected plots into one epic story.

Baccano never received a complete adaptation, which is why an HBO drama would make an interesting way to conclude the series. HBO series are known for their storytelling, and there aren’t many anime with better stories than Baccano, weaving a complicated set of stories together to create something even greater. It is a masterpiece that should gain an even larger audience.

3

‘Vinland Saga’ (2019–Present)

Image via Wit Studio

The second historical anime on this list is Vinland Saga, whose manga recently came to an end in 2025. When the Vikings murder his father, Thorfinn joins their crew in order to get revenge, but he first needs to grow stronger. After years of staying on their crew, he is a completely different person and must now reflect and understand what he actually wants in life.

Vinland Saga is regarded as one of the best-written anime series ever, with remarkable character development and philosophical themes. With its outstanding writing, magnificent stories, compelling characters, and European setting, Vinland Saga is one of the easiest and best anime for Hollywood to adapt. This anime has the potential to be a prestigious HBO that could win awards.

2

‘Kaiji’ (2007–2011)

Image via Madhouse

Gambling is unfortunately becoming more common nowadays, but some of the best stories around this topic come from anime, such as Kaiji. The titular character is hopelessly in debt, but when he gets a proposition to clear his debt, he instantly takes up the offer. However, he must compete in and win a series of twisted games for the purpose of entertaining the rich.

Like a couple of other anime on this list, Kaiji is also set in Japan, but the setting isn’t necessary, meaning an HBO drama could easily be set anywhere. The story, tension, characters, and plot are simply too good to be only in anime, and with shows such as Squid Game becoming worldwide hits, Kaiji can be just as popular, but even better. This story is a non-stop thrill ride that will excite, exhilarate, and leave fans wanting more.

1

‘Banana Fish’ (2018)

Image via Prime Video

The best anime that would work as an HBO drama would be set in America, and while there are a handful, Banana Fish is the best. A Japanese reporter comes to America to write an article about gangs, but he gets involved with the young leader of a street gang and a conspiracy. They must now stop the devious plot while trying to stay alive.

While a lot of the anime on this list could be adapted into an HBO drama, Banana Fish already feels like one, meaning the transition would be easy. The plot is dark, dramatic, bleak, gripping, and bathed in Western storytelling. Banana Fish is a gang drama and a drug conspiracy that is a narrative close to prestige crime dramas. With gritty, unflinching realism, Banana Fish is an anime masterpiece that deals with heavy topics and mature subject matter, and has a cinematic pedigree that makes it the best anime that could be an HBO drama.

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Banana Fish

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Release Date

2018 – 2018

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Directors

Hiroko Utsumi

Writers

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Hiroshi Seko

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