Anime and Video Game References in Tower of God

As a devoted fan of both Hunter x Hunter and Tower of God, I find myself utterly captivated by the intricate web of references these masterpieces weave. The resemblance of Kim Lurker to Killua Zoldyck from Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter is nothing short of remarkable, a testament to the attention to detail that goes into creating such compelling characters.

There may be spoilers beyond this point for Tower of God Season 2, available on Crunchyroll.

The widely acclaimed webcomic “Tower of God” by SIU is filled with numerous influences, particularly in other entertainment genres. Being inspired by diverse media and real-life ideas (such as football players), it’s not unexpected that “Tower of God” has acknowledged or paid tribute to several anime and video game franchises in unique ways.

The show is filled with nods to anime and video games, some of which are subtly integrated into the scenes, while others might require a keen eye to spot.

I Choose You!

Ja Wangnan’s Grenades Look Just Like Poke Balls

Ja Wangnan may not excel in fights, but he’s smart and resourceful, using his unique weapon effectively. His combat tool, resembling the Poké Ball, is designed like the famous device that allows for easy, light, and secure capture and transportation of Pokémon, earning them the name “Pocket Monsters”. As for Pokémon, let’s mention the character Lero Ro, who shares a voice actor with Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen (Junichi Suwabe), and whose appearance is reminiscent of Pikachu.

Edin Dan is Dan

The Speedster on Khun’s Queen Looks Just Like a Character From the Street Fighter Franchise

In the continuation of the narrative within “Tower of God,” we are introduced to Edin Dan, a Scout, in “The Return of the Prince.” This character was enlisted into Khun Aguero Agnes’ team during the happenings of season 2, episode 5, with the intention of ascending the Tower. Edin Dan is renowned for his swiftness that rivals The Flash and extensive knowledge about Shinheuh (Divine Sea Fish). Due to this unique combination, he was sought after by many but chose to only provide them with information rather than join any team fully. Sporting a sleek, pulled-back ponytail and a solitary strand of hair falling to one side, Edin Dan bears a striking resemblance to the character from “Street Fighter.” Intriguingly, this fictional character shares similar traits with Edin Dan as both are arrogant and weak in combat but possess profound knowledge about martial arts, echoing the latter’s expertise regarding Shinheuh.

Anime and Video Game References in Tower of God

Dan “Dies”

Yamcha Owned Count: Infinity

In the realm of anime, Yamcha from Dragon Ball is often the subject of jokes and disrespect, with one of his most memorable scenes being his comical defeat against a Saibaman in the Saiyan Saga. This moment, where he was curled up at the center of a crater following the Saibaman’s self-destruct sequence, has become so iconic that it’s been used extensively and even turned into a meme. As for Dragon Ball, Endorsi Jahad is known to be a fan of the series, occasionally making references to it herself, such as mimicking Goku’s pose when he uses the Instantaneous Transmission technique, a move he learned from the inhabitants of Planet Yardrat, by placing her middle and index fingers on her forehead.

Killua, Is That You?

Khun Ran Looks a Lot Like Killua from Hunter x Hunter

In the anime “Tower of God,” one of Agnes’ teammates is a boy with blue-white hair and electrical abilities, who goes by Khun Ran. Although the connection between Aguero and Khun Ran hasn’t been clarified yet, it’s evident that Khun Ran shares the distinctive blue-white hair and blue eyes of the Khun family. With his unruly white hair, blue eyes, and casual attire consisting of shorts, sneakers, a black turtleneck worn under a T-shirt, Khun Ran bears an uncanny resemblance to Killua Zoldyck from “Hunter x Hunter” by Yoshihiro Togashi.

Kim Lurker and The Lurker Cash Company Logo

The “Lurker” Name Comes From Starcraft

We’ll be burrowed anywhere the client is hiding

– Lurker Cash company slogan

Kim Lurker, one of the goons associated with Lurker Cash, a moneylender on the 20th floor of the Tower, gets his name from the zerg lurkers from the Starcraft games, aliens with a penchant for destroying entire species and assimilating the best parts of their genetic code. The logo of Lurker Cash also looks like the lurkers themselves. The company slogan, “We’ll be burrowed anywhere the client is hiding” is a reference to the fact that the Zerg Lurker only attacks in a burrowed state.

Kang Horyang Is Often Compared To Another “Devil’s Arm”

Comparisons Can Be Drawn Between Horyang and Chad From BLEACH

In the second season of “Tower of God,” we meet Kang Horyang, a towering figure with a massive build who’s often referred to as the “Devil of the Right Arm.” However, it’s important to note that this title doesn’t truly belong to Kang Horyang. His exceptional power lies in his right arm, which can release colossal beams of potent red energy. This arm has a unique ability to transform, as evidenced by the peculiar blue wing emerging from his back. The shape and size of this wing adapt according to his attacks, amplifying the strength of his arm. A character reminiscent of Horyang is the late Rapdevil, whose ominous right arm radiated power in the form of a blue glow.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but draw parallels between this character and Yasutora “Chad” Sado from Bleach. Just like Chad, this character seems to possess abilities that are quite extraordinary. His right arm, much like Chad’s Right Arm of the Giant, unleashes powerful energy beams, while his left arm, akin to Chad’s Left Arm of the Devil, appears to have enhanced physical strength. Interestingly, “Horyang” sounds like the Korean word for tiger, and Chad’s name, Yasutora, means “Peaceful Tiger”. It’s intriguing that Tower of God’s author, SIU, has stated he hasn’t read Bleach, so these similarities seem to be an uncanny set of coincidences.

The animated series, known as Tower of God, is rich with allusions to various media and real-life personalities, suggesting that there might be many more hidden references yet to be discovered. You can stream both seasons of the show on Crunchyroll, while the comic version, or manhwa, can be read online through Naver’s WEBTOON platform.

2024-08-31 20:34