The popularity of anime in recent times is phenomenal. Nobody is untouched by the magic of anime, not even Hollywood!
The world had its taste of anime in recent times, thanks to the almighty internet. It is a fascinating medium that goes a step ahead of the traditional ways of cinema with gripping and complex storylines. These stories are so well-narrated that they have inspired many directors and film-makers to bring these gripping tales to life. So, here are a few of the Hollywood blockbusters that are inspired by anime.
Clash of Titans / Saint Seiya.
The famous Hollywood fantasy was said to be inspired by Greek mythology and the legend of the demigod, Perseus. But do you know that this movie has a lot of influences and design clashes from a fantasy manga by the name of Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac? The ace Manga artist Masami Kurumada’s work deeply influenced Louis Leterrier as he confirmed in his interview that all the armors worn by the Gods in the movie were a tribute to the genius of Kurumada’s art and work.
Lion King/ Kimba, the white lion.
In the 60s, when the world just knew VHS and to know what was happening at the other end of the world was quite difficult, an anime was taking Japan by storm. Kimba, the white lion, was adapted from the manga of the same name, which was made by the iconic Manga artist Osamu Tezuka. So, when Disney released the Lion King in the year 1994, you could not help by marvel at the similarities between the two. Even some of the situations and scenes were uncannily similar. Though Disney has maintained that the movie is original, one could not help wonderabout the similarities between the name of the protagonist even, Kimba and Simba.
Avatar/ Princess Mononoke.
Hollywood’s top grosser and James Cameroon’s ambitious project Avatar is also inspired by a legendary anime by iconic Ghibli studio and Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke. The theme of the strong female protagonist and the degradation of nature by humans and fighting back of nature to gain back its territory is recurring themes in both of the movies.
Inception/Paprika.
If you are a fan of Christopher Nolan’s classic “Inception”, then we would highly recommend you go and watch the anime it is hugely inspired from namely, Paprika. Both movies move with a similar theme of machines affecting and influencing another person’s dream.
Which one of these anime have you already seen?
