All 12 Supernatural Episodes That Were Adapted By The Anime Series

Supernatural may have ended in 2020, but the anime provides much more Sam and Dean Winchester, including 12 episodes directly adapted from the TV show. Some would argue that Supernatural's ending was anticlimactic, with Dean dying fighting a vampire, and Sam eventually growing old enough to die and join him in heaven. Regardless, the anime can help fill the gap left by the show and also ends on a more dramatic note without feeling too much like an unfinished product, even though it technically ends halfway through Supernatural's storyline.

One of the Supernatural spinoffs best suited to delivering the goods to bereft fans after finishing watching the show, the anime not only adapts some fan-favorite content but also adds some intriguing original material to proceedings. This original material bridges the gaps between the episodes that the show adapts, which range from season 1 to season 2. The anime offers a condensed version of Supernatural's first two seasons and ends satisfyingly, although more would certainly be welcome. Within its 22 episodes, we at least get a glimpse of the Winchesters' lives from another perspective.

12 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 1, "The Alter Ego"

Adapts Supernatural Season 1, Episode 6, "Skin"

One of the harsh realities of rewatching Supernatural season 1 is that great standalone episodes like "Skin" eventually stopped happening that often. Even so, the high stakes and drama of the later seasons were something to behold and nothing to begrudge. Airing on October 18, 2005, episode 6 of Supernatural's first season explored shapeshifters and put Dean in a bind.

"Skin" was adapted by the anime as its first episode. The anime's choice to adapt this episode first may seem strange, but it works well, considering the overarching plot assumed by its 22 episodes. The anime uses different characters from "Skin," setting the anime apart from the show instantly. This opener promises a unique take on the classic series, with the familiarity of Sam and Dean guiding it.

11 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 2, "Roadkill"

Adapts Supernatural Season 2, Episode 16, "Roadkill"

The 22-episode Sam and Dean Winchester series moves swiftly on from its focus on shapeshifters, barreling into material from season 2 of the original TV show. While the change may seem jarring to some, both seasons 1 and 2 of Supernatural were adept with standalone episodes, and "Roadkill" was a great one from season 2. Retaining the name of the episode it adapts, the anime dives into ghosts in its second episode.

The Supernatural anime doesn't need to follow the structure of Supernatural season 1 to succeed, as "Roadkill" demonstrates. The anime plucks some of the best parts out of the first two seasons, and "Roadkill" is the perfect introduction to Supernatural's bread and butter - ghosts. Episode 2 of the anime focuses on a couple called Molly and David as they drive into ghostly danger.

10 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 3, "Home"

Adapts Supernatural Season 1, Episode 9, "Home"

"Home" adapts the landmark episode of season 1 of the same name. You may remember "Home" as the mind-blowing episode of Supernatural season 1 when John Winchester first appeared. Excitingly, this is a very faithful episode of the anime. It had to be, really. The anime opens with Sam having a nightmare about Jess's death, which functioned well as a minor exposition. However, the anime had to build a backstory fast.

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Skipping straight to this key episode was the right way to do it, getting to the heart of season 1 quickly. Many Supernatural fans disliked John Winchester as a character and the reason why was showcased flawlessly in this episode. John Winchester may have tried to protect his children, but the Winchester patriarch was a terrible father. The anime communicated this as well as it had to, getting across important Winchester family drama.

9 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 10, "Moonlight"

Adapts Supernatural Season 2, Episode 17, "Heart"

After "Home" ties up, the Supernatural anime goes its own way and after some original episodes, finds itself adapting "Heart." This tragic episode was one of the series' most hard-hitting, entailing the second killing off of one of Sam Winchester's love interests in Supernatural. With the death of Sam's girlfriend, Jess, opening the series, "Heart" made it painfully clear how hard a hunter's life is.

Sera Siege, the publisher of Carver Edlund’s Supernatural books, referred to Madison as “the first woman since Jessica [Sam] really loved.” "Moonlight" adapts "Heart" just as faithfully as needed, with a noir romance echoing throughout that perfectly captures the drama of the live-action episode. This gnarly anime episode is probably even sadder, containing elements of suicide.

8 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 10, "Nightmare"

Adapts Supernatural Season 1, Episode 14, "Nightmare"

First airing on February 7, 2006, "Nightmare" was a tragic Supernatural episode and was brilliantly adapted by the anime. "Nightmare" is a key episode for Supernatural insofar as it deals with Sam's mysterious psychic abilities and how they connect to his past. Bringing in this episode about halfway through the anime seems right, leaving the anime enough time to deal with the demon plotline to come.

As well as tunneling deeper into the demonic conspiracy at the heart of Supernatural, the episode reveals one of the crucial dramas at the core of the show. The brothers - Dean especially - frequently lament how they can't save everyone. In his victimhood and parallels with Sam, Max really does prove this point in "Nightmare." For all its highs, Supernatural must have lows to complement them.

7 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 14, "Reunion"

Adapts Supernatural Season 1, Episode 20, "Dead Man's Blood"

"Dead Man's Blood" was one of the most important episodes of Supernatural season 1, and the anime adapted it into "Reunion." "Dead Man's Blood" brought the Winchesters together, finally, on April 20, 2006. Nearing the end of season 1, "Dead Man's Blood" was suitably dramatic, opening up the hunters in Sam and Dean's network to other vampire hunters. In "Reunion," it is the vampire from episode 5 of the anime who shows up.

This vampire from an original episode of the show seems to fill in for some of the original TV show's characters. Despite some changes to the format of "Dead Man's Blood," "Reunion" may be just as impactful. Importantly, John finally reunites with his sons, and the Colt is found. This legendary gun, as fans know, was the key to a lot of the Winchesters' plans in season 2.

6 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 15, "Devil's Trap"

Adapts Supernatural Season 1, Episode 22, "Devil's Trap"

"Devil's Trap" shares a name with the original Supernatural episode from season 1 that it adapts. The last episode of Supernatural season 1, "Devil's Trap" truly got under a lot of people's skins. It marked Eric Kripke's dark fantasy show as one of the most original of its time, tying up the threads of its bluesy Americana road story in an epic finish. The anime captures this well.

Sam's vision of the demon Azazel chasing a young girl opens the anime episode, linking up with the previous episodes' storytelling. Meg is skipped from the anime to ensure there is time to tell the most important parts of the narrative, although she is featured heavily in this arc in the live-action show. However, the anime transposes the conflict into the center of its season well.

5 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 16, "In My Time Of Dying"

Adapts Supernatural Season 2, Episode 1, "In My Time Of Dying"

Moving firmly into season 2 territory, the anime's sixteenth episode adapts the first episode of Supernatural season 2, which first aired on September 28, 2006. From here on out, there are no further adaptations of season 1 episodes. And the stakes start to rise. With every Winchester seriously injured going into "In My Time Of Dying," the anime gets very serious from this point onward.

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Emotion runs high as a reaper joins proceedings, which makes the anime start to feel as much like Supernatural as the live-action did. This episode is also a treasure trove of Winchester content, with Dean flashing back to his childhood, providing nostalgic imagery of a pregnant Mary Winchester. This episode embodies the height of the Azazel arc and will satisfy those looking deeper into Supernatural lore.

4 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 18, "Crossroad"

Adapts Supernatural Season 2, Episode 8, "Crossroad Blues"

While "Crossroad Blues" launched on November 16, 2006, "Crossroad" aired around five years later in 2011. This hellhounds episode set up future episodes that would prove catastrophic for Jo and Ellen, some of the best Supernatural supporting characters. As Sam and Dean worked to protect themselves from demons in the live-action show, they continued their fight in the anime.

Without giving too much away, the anime is an intriguing adaptation of this critical episode. It hits all the right notes and captures Dean's immense grief following one of the most important losses of the series. But it also offers a different view from the live-action show and will be a treat for long-term Supernatural fans. Jared Padalecki voices Sam Winchester as he does in many episodes, providing the anime with gripping realism.

3 Supernatural: The Animation, Episode 20, "What Is And What Should Never Be"

Adapts Supernatural Season 2, Episode 20, "What Is And What Should Never Be"

Fans of Buffy may know "What Is And What Should Never Be" as one of the most memorable episodes whereby Supernatural took inspiration from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Eric Kripke was always open about how Joss Whedon was one of his biggest inspirations, and it shone through in live-action just as it does in the anime. Dean encounters a djinn in this fateful episode, leaving him questioning himself.

This classic episode is one of Supernatural's finest, and anime viewers will be treated to a world where Mary is still alive, while Dean contemplates his life choices. This fantastical episode, of course, culminates in Dean realizing he would make the same choices again and again. It's a suitable near-end for a brilliant series, marking the true heroics of the oldest Winchester brother.