10 Anime Inspired by Chinese Mythology That Aren’t Dragon Ball

Chinese mythology heavily influences popular culture, including video games, movies, and anime. Many stories draw from its rich collection of legends, characters, and epic conflicts. A great example is Dragon Ball, which was inspired by the famous tale of the Monkey King.

Like Goku’s story, which was inspired by the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West, many other anime draw from Chinese mythology. If you enjoy Chinese myths or want to explore China’s rich mythological history, keep reading to find some excellent anime series.

Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket is a standout romantic comedy anime, considered one of the best in the genre. It’s been adapted for anime twice, with the 2019 version finally covering the complete story from the original manga. Both anime versions are well-regarded and enjoyable to watch.

Fruits Basket introduces Tohru Honda, a high school student facing hardship and living in a tent. She ends up moving in with the Sohma family, who harbor a unique secret: each member is possessed by the spirit of an animal from the Chinese zodiac. This causes them to transform into animals, leading to a lively, complicated, and romantic life for Tohru. It’s a beloved and timeless story.

Juni Taisen: Zodiac War

Many anime series draw inspiration from the Chinese zodiac. Juni Taisen: Zodiac War stands out with its focus on action and violence. When it first aired in 2017, it quickly became popular and generated a lot of discussion, even though it only lasted for 12 episodes.

Juni Taisen is an anime where twelve fighters, each embodying a different animal from the Chinese zodiac, compete in a deadly tournament. They’re all poisoned and will die within 12 hours unless they win – the victor receives the antidote and has any wish granted. The battles are incredibly intense, violent, and leave a lasting impression.

Fushigi Yuugi

While Dragon Ball is incredibly popular, Fushigi Yuugi stands out as the most impactful anime drawing inspiration from Chinese mythology. Based on the manga by 90s manga icon Yuu Watase, the anime consists of 52 episodes. It’s a wonderfully charming series that blends romance and action, appealing to a broad audience by successfully combining elements typically found in both shonen and shojo anime.

Before the ‘isekai’ genre became popular, there was Fushigi Yuugi. The story follows Miaka Yuki, a high school student who gets pulled into a medieval world after finding a mysterious book. She’s immediately saved by a boy, and together they embark on an exciting adventure. Meanwhile, Miaka’s friend, Yui Hongo, is also transported to this world, but finds herself on a different path and opposing Miaka.

Monkey Magic

While not the most faithful retelling of Journey to the West, this series has a unique charm. It was a short-lived show, airing in Japan and the US in 1998 with only 13 episodes. What really sets it apart is its distinctive visual style, thanks to character designs by Susumu Matsushita, who also worked on the Maximo: Ghosts to Glory game and illustrated for Famitsu magazine.

In the anime Monkey Magic, Kongo – known as Son Goku – journeys with his friends to protect the world and grow more powerful. Their main opponent is Death Voyd, who controls the underworld and desires to conquer the entire universe. While it’s an enjoyable show, Monkey Magic hasn’t quite achieved classic status and has largely been overlooked.

Sumomomo, Momomo

Sumomomo, Momomo was a brief but highly enjoyable anime series. Based on the manga by Shinobu Ohtaka, the 22-episode show (plus two OVAs) cleverly uses the Chinese zodiac, similar to other anime we’ve seen.

Sumomomo, Momomo features twelve families, each skilled in a unique martial art and connected to a sign of the Chinese zodiac. The story centers around a young woman representing the Dragon family, who unexpectedly tells a boy named Koshi Inuzuka – also from one of the twelve families, but one who dislikes fighting – that they are destined to marry and have a child. They’re soon caught up in a serious crisis. Filled with action, romance, and humor, Sumomomo, Momomo is a fun and easy-to-watch anime.

Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kings

I recently learned about a new anime based on a long-running novel series. The books, written by Yoshiki Tanaka and beautifully illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano – you might recognize his work from Final Fantasy – actually started coming out way back in 1987 and are still being published today! There are already 15 books in the series, and before the anime, they were adapted into 12 original video animations, or OVAs, released between 1991 and 1993.

The anime series Sohryuden centers around four brothers who are actually reincarnated Dragon Kings from Chinese mythology. They must band together to face a looming danger from across the globe. Each brother has a special ability and can transform into a dragon, and their individual personalities make the series captivating. Sadly, the story hasn’t been continued beyond the currently adapted books.

The Twelve Kingdoms

This anime is a grand undertaking, drawing heavily from Chinese mythology. It begins with a typical ‘transported to another world’ setup, but quickly unfolds into a richly detailed world of twelve kingdoms, brimming with political intrigue, compelling stories, and epic battles. The narrative goes beyond simply following the characters’ journeys, ultimately delivering a deeply rewarding and expansive tale.

Studio Pierrot created 45 episodes of the series, but the story remains unfinished because the original novel is still being written. Author Fuyumi Ono began the book series in 1992, and nine installments have been released so far. The Twelve Kingdoms draws heavily from Chinese folklore and legends. The story follows Youko Nakajima, a young student transported from Earth to the Twelve Kingdoms, where she faces challenges, dangers, and exciting adventures.

Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger

Let’s talk about the Chinese zodiac again, but with a fun twist! The 1995 anime Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger centers around a team of heroes tasked with protecting various fantasy worlds. Each hero embodies one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, and the mouse leads the group.

This anime follows a group of heroes who must battle vengeful cat spirits led by the villainous Nyanmar. These cats are determined to cause trouble in the worlds the heroes are sworn to protect. With 39 episodes, the show is a lighthearted adventure that shares a similar energetic style with the classic anime Samurai Pizza Cats. While the animation hasn’t held up perfectly over time, it still has a lot of charm and remains enjoyable to watch.

Hoshin Engi

This 26-episode anime series is based on a manga created by Ryu Fujisaki between 1996 and 2000. While originally known as Soul Hunter in the United States, a later remake brought back the original title, which is now the commonly used name. The show is notable for its strong focus on Chinese mythology, drawing inspiration from the classic 16th-century novel Investiture of the Gods.

Despite appearing like a typical action anime, Hoshin Engi boasts a surprisingly intricate story centered around the battle between gods and humans. The series features a distinctive blend of fantasy and advanced technology, creating a captivating world. The main character, Taikobo, must overcome 365 opponents, utilizing his abilities and the support of his friends. As he fights, he uncovers the mysteries of the Hoshin List and the long-standing war with the gods. Overall, it’s a highly enjoyable anime.

Gensomaden Saiyuki

Saiyuki is a highly influential anime series that has gained immense popularity over the last few decades, resulting in five different anime versions. It’s worth noting that Studio Pierrot produced three of these adaptations, and the original manga was also very successful.

This anime is loosely based on the classic tale Journey to the West, but with its own unique flair. Debuting in 2000, it boldly featured a character named Son Goku, despite concerns about comparisons to the hugely popular Dragon Ball. However, as an adaptation of the Monkey King’s story, it’s a must-watch. Saiyuki was a hit, captivating audiences with its exciting, action-filled adventure about a team of heroes on a quest to save the world. It’s considered a true classic of the genre.

2026-03-29 14:06