So an interesting idea came into my head for this one, popular Masterpiece stories are known all over the world but they aren't as well used in anime as you might think, sure the themes are there but the actual stories themselves haven't been given the full anime treatment.
I will not include Japanese folk tales or Journey to the West as those tales are already well represented, also three other Masterpieces, Romeo and Juliet, Count of Monte Cristo and Swan Lake, already have good anime adaptions.
So let's begin.
10. The Little Mermaid as an Idol Show
You can argue that Mermaid Melody already did this but that was more in line with more traditional magical girl shows with idol theme. I can definitely see one of the major idol animes of the current era adapting the Little Mermaid plot to have the lead mermaid gain legs to sing on land.
9. Anastasia as a Coming of Age Drama
Even before the legend gained traction in the 90s with the popular animated feature, stories of young girls discovering their birth right were common place in 80s Shojo anime. Anastasia has the right setting to join those ranks.
8. Alice in Wonderland as a Studio Ghibli Film
Surprised that the Lewis Carroll tale isn't as well adapted as others despite having an aesthetic that would suit anime. Clamp took their version in an interesting direction with Miyuki Chan but where I think it would shine is through Studio Ghibli, the visuals alone would be breathtaking.
7. Nutcracker as a Mecha Series
One element often forgotten in the Nutcracker is the title character's war with the Mouse King, so a Gundam Style Mecha series with a unique heroine caught in the middle does endear itself to that genre.
6. Jack and the Beanstalk as a Shonen
The 70s Jack and the Beanstalk was well remembered as a surreal experience, but I want to see them sell a real fight between Jack and the giants almost on the same wavelength as Attack on Titan.
5. Pinocchio as a Horror Anime
The Japanese are experts at making some disturbing horror anime, so some of the more horrifying moments in Pinocchio can really set a high bar.
4. Snow White as a Reverse Harem
You can argue that Pretear already is this but it shares elements of Cinderella and is primarily a Magical Girl show.
It's not really that difficult to make this a reality and enough digging you'll probably find an adaptation or two.
3. Cinderella as a Magical Girl Show
Cinderella has been adapted as a Coming of Age Drama but where the magic lies is in the Magical Girl genre, Cinderella has enough motifs and enough elements to showcase an anime like Cutey Honey or Sailor Moon.
2. Beauty and the Beast as an Isekai
That time I got sent to another world to meet a beast who holds me captive but I stick around because he's socially awkward and needs love.
The script writes itself.
1. Wizard of Oz as a High Fantasy
Seems like a weird thing to suggest as Wizard of Oz is already quite high on the fantasy list and the type of adaption I'm looking for is already available from the Koreans.
That being said, I just want an adaptation where Dorothy becomes a witch to fight the other witches. I'd watch that in a heartbeat.
