It is a rare event for anime to draw inspiration from fairy tales. However, the majority of these anime, whether in the form of a television series or a film, surpass our expectations or are at least worth our time.
My intention in creating this list is to discuss anime that draws inspiration from fairy tales while incorporating unique elements to enhance the overall viewing experience. This allows for each series to establish its own distinct identity and ultimately become a timeless classic in its own right.
Without any more delay, let’s immediately delve into the list of the top 10 anime based on fairy tales.
Saiyuki (TV)
The inspiration for this work was derived from the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West.
Saiyuki is an action-packed anime with mythological elements, drawing inspiration from the Classic Chinese Novel Journey to the West, written in the sixteenth century. The story follows a Buddhist monk on a journey to India in pursuit of sacred texts.
Saiyuki tells the tale of a world where humans and demons coexisted peacefully, until the emergence of an evil demon threatened the balance. In order to restore harmony, a renegade priest joins forces with three demons to prevent the demon’s awakening and bring back the once peaceful coexistence.
Belle (Movie)
The source of inspiration for this was the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast.
Belle, directed by Mamoru Hosoda, draws inspiration from Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s 1756 French fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. It serves as a contemporary reimagining of the 268-year-old classic story.
The message of Beauty and the Beast is centered on the notion that inner beauty holds greater significance than outward appearance. This theme is also reflected in Belle, where the main character, Suzu, faces hardships in her daily life but gains widespread fame by showcasing her singing talents on a well-known social media site. Her personal growth ultimately leads her to discover a sense of equilibrium in her life.
Snow White With The Red Hair (TV)
The inspiration for this project stems from the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
As evident from the title, the anime draws inspiration from the fairytale of Snow White And The Seven Dwarves. However, unlike the original tale, there are no dwarves in this adaptation and the main character is a powerful female version of Snow White.
The plot centers on Shirayuki, a skilled herbalist who is coerced into becoming a concubine for Prince Raji. In order to preserve her honor, she escapes and is later saved by Zen Wistalia, the prince of a nearby kingdom. In gratitude for their heroic actions, Shirayuki resolves to become the official court herbalist in Zen’s land of Clarines.
7. Pandora Hearts (TV Series)
The inspiration for this was Alice In Wonderland.
Despite drawing inspiration from fairytales, Pandora Hearts is not just another copycat anime. It possesses a unique identity and stands out in the Adventure Fantasy genre, though it is unfortunately underrated by many.
Similarly to Alice In Wonderland, Oz Vessalius becomes stuck in the abyss. In his attempts to escape, he encounters the monstrous inhabitants known as Chains. It is within this realm that Oz makes a pact with a particular Chain named Alice.
6. Princess Tutu (TV)
The Ugly Duckling and Swan Lake served as inspiration for this project.
The inspiration for Princess Tutu comes from two fairytales – The Ugly Duckling by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen and the ballet Swan Lake by Russian Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Princess Tutu recounts a fairytale featuring Ahiru, a duck who is transformed into a human girl with the ability to change into a graceful ballet dancer. Through her dancing, she has the power to heal the emotional wounds of others. However, her success in finding all the fragments of the prince’s heart, which were used to imprison a malevolent raven, is dependent on her determination. Will this enchanting tale conclude with a joyful resolution?
5. My Happy Marriage (TV Series)
The inspiration for this was Cinderella.
The timeless fairytale of Cinderella serves as the inspiration for my blissful marriage. Taking place during the Meiji Era in Japan, the historical romance drama incorporates fantasy elements that enhance the audience’s enjoyment.
Despite its adherence to the classic tale, there are some variations in this anime. One notable difference is that Miyo’s mother has unfortunately passed away. As a result, Miyo resides with her father and stepmother, who treats her as a servant. In an attempt to rid herself of Miyo, the stepmother orchestrates a marriage for her to a man who is rumored to be abusive. However, to her surprise, he turns out to be a true gentleman, and their love blossoms.
Ponyo (Movie)
Drawn from: The Little Mermaid
Ponyo draws inspiration from the timeless fairytale The Little Mermaid, and similarly, it has achieved its own classic status. Additionally, this Ghibli film incorporates elements from various Japanese mythologies, enhancing the narrative.
The Ghibli Classic follows the story of Ponyo, a goldfish princess who longs to become a human. Along the way, she meets and falls in love with Sousuke, a human boy. Yet, her prolonged time away from the sea, her natural home, poses a threat to the delicate ecological balance.
Fruits Basket (TV)
The Great Race served as inspiration for the following.
The concept of zodiac animals on lunar calendars is likely familiar to you; Fruit Basket’s plot is centered around this idea. The series draws inspiration from The Great Race, an ancient Chinese fairytale that has two versions. The anime is based on the first version, which depicts an animal race where the first twelve to reach the finish line will become the representative zodiac animals on the lunar calendar.
After her mother’s passing, Tohru begins residing in a tent on the Souma family’s land without realizing it. In a generous gesture, the Soumas offer her a place to stay in return for helping with household tasks. It is not until later that Tohru learns the secret of the Souma family: they transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac when embraced by someone of the opposite sex.
2. Sailor Moon (TV Show)
The inspiration for this work comes from the story of Endymion and Selene.
Sailor Moon has drawn inspiration from various fairytales, with one in particular standing out – Endymion And Selene, a story from Greek mythology. In this myth, the goddess of the Moon, Selene, is captivated by a mortal man named Endymion.
Selena adored the sight of Endymion in his slumber and asked her father, Zeus, to grant him eternal sleep so she could continue to visit him. Zeus fulfills her wish, resulting in the birth of the couple’s 50 daughters.
The plot of Sailor Moon revolves around Usagi and her companions, who transform into the Sailor Guardians and wield their magical abilities to defend Earth against malevolent entities.
1. The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya (Film)
The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter served as inspiration for this project.
The foundation of Studio Ghibli’s The Tale of The Princess Kaguya is rooted in the ancient Japanese folktale The Tale of The Bamboo Cutter, dating back to the 10th century. Director Isao Takahata expertly infuses the film with raw emotion and vivid imagery, setting it apart from other Ghibli productions due to its distinct aesthetic and animation techniques.
The plot centers on Okina, a bamboo cutter, who discovers a small baby inside a shining bamboo shoot. Okina and his wife, Ouna, choose to adopt the little girl and raise her as their own. As she grows into a stunning young woman, she becomes the object of many suitors. However, she soon grapples with her sense of self and the pressures placed upon her. This Ghibli film is definitely worth watching.
Conclusion
To ensure variety, I have chosen to include one anime for each fairytale instead of multiple adaptations based on the same story. The combination of fairytales and anime is a perfect fit, and I am eager to discover more adaptations in this genre. If you know of any fairytales that have not yet been adapted into an anime, please share them in the comments section.
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