Western Influences on Anime Characters

As someone who grew up in the heart of anime fandom, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of witnessing the intricate weaving of influences into various anime stories over the years. These influences come from all corners of the globe, and they add depth and richness to the narratives that captivate us.

Anime has expanded its reach beyond Japan’s borders, gaining significant popularity around the world. Streaming platforms like Netflix have even joined the bandwagon by producing their own adaptations to attract anime fans. Despite anime’s widespread influence, it remains influenced by various external factors as well.

Anime draws heavily from Japanese culture for its conventions, themes, and inspirations, which are essential for interpreting its context. Nevertheless, anime and manga have also been impacted by influences originating outside of Japan. Here’s a look at some ways the “western” world has influenced anime:

5 One Piece

Sanji’s Design

Western Influences on Anime Characters

One intriguing observation about Western influences on character design is the case of “Black Leg” Sanji from “One Piece.” In SBS Volume 68, a fan named Noel pointed out the likeness between Sanji and Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of Romeo in Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet.” The question was raised: is this beloved Straw Hat pirate cook inspired by someone real?

Oda clarified that DiCaprio was often suggested as a possible influence on the character design, but that wasn’t accurate. Instead, it was Steve Buscemi who served as the true inspiration for Sanji’s look. Oda spoke highly of Buscemi, labeling him “very cool.” Notably, Buscemi’s iconic role as Mr. Pink in Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs” movie was the source of inspiration for Sanji’s character design.

Oda expressed a preference for conveying a similar mindset and behavior rather than having an apparent physical likeness. He also mentioned that only one person had ever accurately identified this connection around the time he wrote SBS Volume 68 – an old employee from Bandai.

4 Dragon Ball

Terminator Influence

In the extensive universe of Dragon Ball, both Eastern and Western cultural influences are evident. From Journey to the West and Drunken Master to more imaginative parallels like Superman, there are numerous instances of similarities and tributes. Less frequently acknowledged, however, is the connection between Dragon Ball and the 1984 action thriller, The Terminator. This link becomes apparent when comparing Major Metallitron from Dragon Ball with the iconic robot title character.

Fans have pointed out several similarities between “Dragon Ball Z” and the movie “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” suggesting that Toriyama may have been influenced by it during the creation of the Cell Saga and the Androids arc. Although Toriyama himself has not confirmed this, fans have identified certain connections. For instance, the appearance of Future Trunks seems to resemble John Connor from “Terminator 2.” Moreover, in Trunks’ timeline, the Androids destroy the Z-Fighters on May 12th – the same day Skynet and John Connor send back a Terminator and Kyle Reese respectively, to alter the future. These parallels can be interpreted as a tribute rather than a blatant copy.

3 Naruto

Gaara’s Post-Timeskip Design

Masashi Kishimoto mentioned that he greatly enjoyed the movie “The Matrix.” This sci-fi film is recognized for its thought-provoking social messages and breathtaking action sequences, not to mention the innovative wardrobe of its characters. Although the narratives differ significantly between “The Matrix” and “Naruto,” Kishimoto acknowledged that the film’s fashion served as inspiration for the post-timeskip designs of certain characters in his series.

One of the mentioned characters was Gaara, who used to be an adversary of Naruto. Originally, his appearance incorporated a garment and a belt over his ninja uniform. However, after the timeskip, his design was streamlined into a trench coat with protective armor. Given that trench coats are frequently donned in The Matrix, it’s not surprising for a fan of the film to include one in their character creation.

2 JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

Band Names = Stand Names

For many dedicated “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” fans, it’s hard to overlook the abundance of musical references woven into the series. These allusions are not just limited to Stand names but extend to the characters and their backstories as well. A compelling illustration of this can be found in Jolyne Cujoh and her ability, Stone Free, within “Stone Ocean.”

Jolyne’s name is inspired by “Jolene,” a well-known song by Dolly Parton, which has remained popular enough to be covered by Beyoncé this year. Her character trait, named “Stone Free,” also borrows its name from a Jimi Hendrix track. This person appears to wander from place to place and strongly dislikes societal efforts to make them conform and settle down.

As a music enthusiast and avid fan of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, I am constantly amazed by the intricate ways in which western musicians and songs are woven into the fabric of this beloved manga and anime series. From the early references to iconic artists like Tom Petty, Dire Straits, and Led Zeppelin in Phantom Blood, to more recent homages in later arcs, it’s clear that the creators have a deep appreciation for the rich musical history of the West.

1 Fist of the North Star

Futuristic Setting

The “Fist of the North Star” anime holds an indisputable impact on the genre. Yet, it didn’t emerge out of thin air like other animés. Initially, it began as a standalone piece by Tetsuo Hara that gained significant acclaim among fans. However, scriptwriter Buronson argued against the contemporary setting presented by Hara, believing it wasn’t suitable for the series in its serialized form.

Instead of choosing a realistic or optimistic future, Hara opted for a bleak and futuristic backdrop. This atmosphere drew inspiration from Japanese productions like “Akira” and “Violence Jack,” as well as other works. Notably, Western influences were also incorporated, such as “Mad Max” and “Blade Runner.” Some fans have even suggested that “Mad Max” may have been influenced by “Violence Jack.”

The impact of the “Mad Max” franchise extends beyond its backdrop, as depicted characters like Jagi, modeled after Lord Humungus from “Mad Max 2,” are recognized. More recently, Tetsuo Hara designed an illustration of Furiosa for the Japanese film magazine, Eiga Hiho’s cover. George Miller, a co-creator of the “Mad Max” movie series, was gifted a signed copy by the artist.

2024-07-26 12:34