Anime adaptations, primarily derived from manga, are often fueled by various inspirations. While some creators openly share the sources of their creative influence and appropriately credit them, others keep these influences obscure, despite their apparent nature to fans.
Whether the inspiration is explicit or concealed, certain anime stand out as remarkable examples that honor their origins in terms of both narrative and animation quality. Conversely, some productions are perceived as mere imitations that fail to capture attention. This article aims to explore both sides, highlighting five exemplary cases from each category.
Disclaimer: The views articulated in this article are solely those of the author.
Deca Dence (Inspired by Attack on Titan) and Four Additional Anime Series That Honor Their Inspirations
1) Deca Dence (Influenced by Attack on Titan)
Originating from the same creators as Death Parade, Deca Dence offers a Sci-Fi perspective reminiscent of the iconic series Attack on Titan. In this narrative, humanity protects itself from monstrous beings known as Gadoll (paralleling Titans) by barricading inside a large dome called Deca-Dence (akin to the Walls). Meanwhile, brave fighters known as Gears (similar to the Survey Corps) dare to battle these threats.
While Deca Dence employs a chunky CGI animation style, much like the initial seasons of Attack on Titan, it authentically respects its likely influences.
2) Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (Echoing Fist of the North Star)
Despite releasing only a few years apart, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and Fist of the North Star exhibit striking similarities in character design and stylistic choices.
Even though Jojo’s tones draw from a famous literary series rather than another manga or anime, Fist of the North Star likely served as an early influence on Hirohiko Araki, visible through the aesthetics and thematic parallels in their anime verisions. This connection makes Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure a fitting tribute to its inspirations.
3) Kaiju No. 8 (Inspired by Ultraman)
The creator of Kaiju No. 8 publicly acknowledged that the acclaimed Ultraman live-action series inspired his work, particularly in its portrayal of Kaiju as antagonists. The anime adaptation closely mirrors this narrative framework, establishing itself as a modern reimagining of a classic Ultraman tale.
Ultimately, Kaiju No. 8 enriched its premise by adding deeper layers to the narrative typically found in Ultraman episodes and introducing exciting new Kaiju designs, solidifying its status as an anime that not only honors but also elevates its source material.
4) Jujutsu Kaisen (Inspired by Bleach, Hunter x Hunter, and Neon Genesis Evangelion)
This acclaimed series, holding a Guinness World Record, draws upon multiple classic anime, including Bleach, Hunter x Hunter, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. While specific details remain undisclosed, it’s clear that Gege Akutami’s inspiration manifests in the character of Itadori Yuji.
Like Gon from Hunter x Hunter, Itadori exhibits consistency and deep friendship bonds (similar to Ichigo from Bleach), yet grapples with intense emotional turmoil upon facing setbacks (drawing from Shinji in Neon Genesis Evangelion). This multifaceted character development showcases Jujutsu Kaisen as an anime series that pays homage to its influences.
5) Demon Slayer (Inspired by Naruto, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Bleach)
The creator of Demon Slayer acknowledged drawing inspiration from major shounen titles, especially Bleach, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and notably Naruto, with the latter serving as the most significant influence. Each character within Demon Slayer is crafted to exhibit empathy and understanding of others’ suffering, epitomized by the main character, Kamado Tanjiro.
While the other inspirations are believed to have shaped character and plot development, Demon Slayer ultimately showcases a successful homage to its sources, thereby standing as a model of adaptation.
Kamikatsu (Resembling Konosuba) and Four Other Anime Series Perceived as Inferior Copies
1) Guilty Crown (Echoing Code Geass)
Both Guilty Crown and Code Geass are original anime series that feature protagonists—Shuu and Lelouch—each with self-sacrificial tendencies. Furthermore, both belong to the emerging Mecha genre.
However, Guilty Crown struggles in its execution of story and character development, ultimately leading to a disappointing conclusion, which, despite not being officially tied to Code Geass, positions it as a lackluster imitation.
2) Fairy Tail (Mirroring One Piece)
Both Fairy Tail and One Piece are titans in the shounen anime and manga arena, leading many fans to speculate that Fairy Tail draws heavily from One Piece, particularly in character archetypes, with striking parallels between Gildarts and Shanks, as well as similarities in their narrative pacing.
Despite Fairy Tail’s popularity, it often lacks the narrative depth that defines One Piece, particularly with its heavy emphasis on friendship themes, rendering it a less successful imitation.
3) Charlotte (Inspired by Clannad and other Jun Maeda Works)
Renowned for his acclaimed series such as Clannad and Angel Beats, Jun Maeda aimed to replicate that emotional depth in Charlotte. However, the series suffers from a lackluster beginning and poor pacing, leading to a disappointing resolution.
This detour into unfamiliar genres resulted in fans regarding Charlotte as a pale imitation of Maeda’s previous successes.
4) Darling in the Franxx (Inspiration from Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Darling in the Franxx appears to draw inspiration from classic mecha anime like Neon Genesis Evangelion, sporting themes of orphans piloting large robots to protect humanity and incorporating dark motifs.
Despite both series having ambiguous conclusions, Darling in the Franxx has often been criticized for its execution, emerging as a notably weaker take on its predecessor.
5) Kamikatsu (Resembling Konosuba)
Kamikatsu’s storyline shares notable similarities with Konosuba, featuring protagonists (Yukito and Kazuma) and their interactions with ‘ineffective’ deities (Mitama and Aqua) in an isekai setting.
Although Konosuba may have inspired Kamikatsu, the latter falters due to its excessive emphasis on Ecchi elements, resulting in superficial character development and a reputation as a mere imitation.
Concluding Thoughts
This article does not aim to diminish any anime series, as each one holds its own merit. Nevertheless, when compared to their inspirations, whether widely acknowledged or merely inferred through visual similarities, these anime can be classified as either exemplary successors or derivative works lacking in substance.
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