Ranking the Best French Manga & Anime!

French anime, although few in number, rank among the best animated series ever created.

Less popular than their Japanese counterparts, these productions nonetheless maintain a solid and lasting legacy. Although not all these series have received the recognition they deserve, those that broke through are now essential in the contemporary animated television landscape.

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French anime displays an aesthetic clearly different from American or Japanese cartoons. They innovate in the use of the medium, adopting approaches rarely explored elsewhere. While most French anime draw inspiration from Japanese models, they handle their characters and plots through the prism of their own culture. A focus on the various styles adaptable to anime is essential to better understand this richness.

10. The Mysterious Cities of Gold (2012): a continuation of an 80s classic

The 2012 series is a modern sequel to The Mysterious Cities of Gold, originally aired in 1982. It follows Esteban, a brave orphan, who ventures with his friends in search of the Seven Cities of Gold in America. This unique blend of South American mythology and science fiction marked a whole generation. The new season keeps alive these themes while staying faithful to the spirit of the original series.

While the modern animation style requires some adaptation compared to the older 2D version, the latter remains remarkably high-quality for its time. The new generation series aims to transpose Esteban, Zia, and Tao’s designs into 3D. The narrative pacing is slower, offering a deeper development of the mysteries to uncover. Although less iconic, the 2012 version fully preserves the heritage of this adventure anime.

9. LoliRock: an entertaining and underrated magical girl series

Launched in 2014, LoliRock is heavily inspired by cult franchises like Sailor Moon and Precure. The heroine Iris’s life changes when she discovers she is a princess endowed with magical powers, destined to protect the kingdom of Éphédia from dark forces. What sets LoliRock apart is its balance between music and supernatural fights: the young princesses lead a double life as stars of the rock band LoliRock. While on tour, they unite their powers to face the fearsome Lord Gramorr.

The series offers a joyful and energetic atmosphere that easily appeals. Less focused on a complex plot, LoliRock remains memorable thanks to its lovable characters and brightly colored animation. For newcomers wanting to discover magical girls without challenging the genre’s conventions, this series is ideal, especially while waiting for a possible season 3.

8. Lastman: a striking and intense anime

Adapted from the 2013 comic of the same name, Lastman is a remarkable action anime. It follows Richard Aldana, a top boxer, who protects a young girl named Siri from supernatural creatures. The maturity of the story and the liveliness of the fights make this French series a must-see. Its unique graphic style, inspired by comics, clearly sets it apart from other action anime.

Despite this distinct aesthetic, influences from classics like Dragon Ball or Fist of the North Star are noticeable. Lastman also serves as a prequel to the comic, enriching the universe for curious viewers. Overall, the title offers a fresh perspective on traditional Japanese shonen.

7. Valérian and Laureline: an exciting and time-bending sci-fi anime

For fans of comic and sci-fi anime, Valérian and Laureline (2007) is a must-watch. The story recounts the adventures of a time police officer, Valérian, who saves Laureline from death in 10th-century France, triggering a cascade of events threatening Earth in 2416. The duo must work together to restore the timeline while avoiding new temporal paradoxes.

Their escapades across the galaxy are captured with humor and finesse. The witty dialogues and the chemistry between characters add undeniable charm. Each episode typically explores a new planet, offering an original backdrop. This lesser-known sci-fi series deserves to be discovered.

6. Wakfu: an underrated fantasy anime rich in adventure

Originally dedicated to a video game, Wakfu was adapted into an animated series starting in October 2008. This adventure follows Yugo, a young Eliatrope, and his companions searching for his lost family. The series’ strength lies in the evolution of its characters. Yugo, Amalia, and Percedal start naive and gradually mature into seasoned adventurers, taking the viewer on an initiatory journey at their own pace.

Composed of multiple seasons, special episodes, and OVAs, the main series can be enjoyed alone, but the complementary contents offer fascinating insights into the universe and its antagonists. Successfully creating strong attachment to the characters, Wakfu remains a beloved adventure from its release through 2024.

5. Ōban Star-Racers: a thrilling anime dedicated to intergalactic racing

With Ōban Star-Racers, the universe of car racing finally finds its place in animation. The plot revolves around the Great Ōban Race, an intergalactic competition gathering the best pilots with critical destinies. Eva Wei, separated from her father, joins the team as a mechanic, hoping to rebuild family ties. The visual quality of the races reflects the long production time it benefited from.

Beyond the races, the characters drive the emotional core. Eva struggles to earn the esteem of her father, Don, who keeps his distance due to a tragic past involving the loss of his wife in a racing accident. Their gradual reconciliation adds a poignant dimension to the series, beyond the intensity of the tracks.

4. MFKZ: a masterpiece of crazy and explosive animation

For fans of adult animated films with an unrestrained style, MFKZ stands as a reference. Co-produced by French and Japanese studios, this feature film depicts Angelino, a 22-year-old man with superpowers hunted by agents in black suits. The plot grows crazier, pitting him against an alien named Mr. K, whom he must confront. The bloody action scenes punctuate the work with brutal realism.

The contrast between the cartoonish graphics of characters like Angelino, with exaggerated proportions, and the realistic figures is disorienting, but the film’s full-on excess creates a surprising coherence. Lovers of bold artistic styles and original stories will find MFKZ a memorable entertainment.

3. Miraculous Ladybug rose to the challenge of original Western animated series

Probably one of the first French series that animation fans think of, Miraculous Ladybug features two heroes fighting crime in Paris while living their student lives. Co-produced by Method and Toei Animation, the series values interpersonal relationships. Marinette and Adrien embody Ladybug and Cat Noir without initially knowing each other’s secret identities, creating tensions and interesting plots.

With several seasons, planned films including a fifth in late 2025, and spin-offs like Miraculous Chibi offering comedic 2D scenes, the franchise has captivated a loyal audience for over a decade. The series’ longevity testifies to its popularity and impact.

2. The Summit of the Gods: an epic and moving French animated film

The Summit of the Gods stands out among French anime for its originality. Adapted from a famous Japanese manga, this Netflix feature film, produced by Folivari and Mélusine Productions, tells the story of journalist Fukamachi Makoto, who climbs Everest to find the lost camera of George Mallory, whose discovery could prove his first ascent. This quest leads him to meet the solitary mountaineer Habu Joji.

Through Habu’s stories, the viewer discovers the extreme dangers linked to high-altitude climbing. The fierce competition for the summit has caused many tragedies, often due to lack of caution. This film shows a sincere passion for climbing, offering beautiful images and a rare realistic depiction of the mountain environment.

1. Code Lyoko remains one of the best sci-fi animated series outside Japan

For those who grew up in the 2000s, Code Lyoko represents the quintessence of an excellent French sci-fi animated series. Its aesthetic mixing digital worlds aligns with works like Serial Experiments Lain, which heavily inspired the style. The shift of characters from 2D to 3D once in Lyoko’s virtual world is a hallmark that strongly distinguishes the series.

Even today, Code Lyoko holds a special place in viewers' hearts. While the start of the first season is somewhat slow, the gallery of lovable characters remains very enjoyable to follow. The evolution of relationships, especially between Ulrich and Yumi, or Odd’s humor, continue to charm fans. Despite sometimes dated CGI animation, the story remains a real pleasure to share.

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