The anime for Excel Saga is different, much different from the manga. But I agree with you that it is better than the manga. The same goes for Golden Boy. The anime is ecchi but innocent, the manga is not. AT ALL. I dropped the manga after one particular chapter featuring 3 girls.
Freezing, I did not like the anime one bit. They changed Satellizer's clothing which made me stop watching.
Clothing changes were in the anime version of Gokujou - Gokurakuin Joshikou Ryou Monogatari of the wild health teacher.