Top 10 Times Real People Appeared In Anime

“Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited” (2013)

Goes to show that at the peak of their popularity, these online reviewers really were appearing everywhere. Even in anime. While their cameo was reduced to background characters looking on in shock as the usual antics of the psychic squad raged about around them, it was still quite jarring to see the two movie critics hanging back in their signature attire. The only thing that would have been more surprising would be if they both busted out a review while Hyobu caused havoc.rt

“My Mental Choices are Completely Interfering with my School Romantic Comedy” (2013)

There are a lot of historical figures who prop up in this series, though one in particular stood out purely for the mug shot! Used as something of a prop while the anime explains the importance of choices, the founder of Apple is placed front and centre as an example. Does he have anything else to do with some random kid getting plagued by various divine choices while pursuing his high school crush? Not really, unless of course you think Steve Jobs truly is best girl.

“Attack on Titan: Junior High” (2015)

Granted, the non-stop parody and over the top characters in this spin-off tends to be a tad distracting, so it’s easy to miss one or two cameos. In this instance, you’ve got this guy. Now on the surface he might look like some randomer weeping over just how splendid Levi’s singing is, but he’s actually meant to be Revo, the lead singer from Linked Horizon. Don’t know who they are? They sort of sang the Attack on Titan openings; the ones that instantly became immortalised as absolute bangers.

“Mr. Osomatsu” (2015-)

Back when he was elected, the 44th President of the United States was showing up in a lot of places: television, comics books, and yes, even anime. Our pick of the litter has to go to the time he showed up to give some advice to the Matsuno brothers. Why? Two reasons. It's Obama showing up to give advice to the Matsuno brothers…and they gave him a moustache. It’s beyond the pale of random, and it cannot be unseen. Maybe they’ll ask him back for the new season?

“Interstella 5555: The 5tory Of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem” (2003)

We shouldn’t really be shocked that this legendary electronic duo showed up in an anime. They’re halfway to becoming anime characters themselves. It’s even less surprising that they would show up in this flick, on account that the whole thing is the visual companion piece to their second album Discovery. Still, it is Daft Punk, starring in an animated space opera about saving intergalactic musicians from an alien military force. Maybe now that they’re retired from real-world music, they can transition to the idol scene.

“Highschool of the Dead” (2010)

One of the greatest zombie movies of all time, we doubt there’s a single person out there who doesn’t love Shaun of the Dead. Simon Pegg’s performance as the titular Shaun remains a tour de force of comedy. So naturally, it only made sense to have his lookalike make an appearance in one of the most celebrated and polarised zombie anime out there. Not that he lasts very long, nor has a chance to end up in an erotic scene with Saeko. Better luck next time Simon.

“Baki” (2018-)

Not so much a random appearance as a full character introduction with lore built around him. The legendary boxer’s anime debut presented him as a man seeking to perfect his own martial arts and a former associate of Yujiro Hanma. Yeah, it’s as crazy as it sounds, even more so when his son is introduced as the ultimate simp for Baki to beat down. We have no idea how they got away with this…aside from changing his name to Alai. Maybe we can expect to see him throw down next season.

“Inuyashiki” (2017)

Much like his predecessor, as soon as this man was elected to office, he found himself catapulted into the mainstream, especially in the world of anime and manga. Was he favourably portrayed? Not particularly. In the wake of an asteroid about to hit the planet, President Trump appears on TV to tell the world that he doesn’t regret a thing he’s done, and everyone else can suck it. The only thing that would have made it even more hilariously accurate was if he tried to build a wall around the planet…

“Cromartie High School” (2003-04)

You have to appreciate how they took the lead singer of Queen and made him a mute, overly-buff-overly masculine, topless high school student famed for his delinquency. And yet, all due to that moustache, there’s no mistaking him for anyone else other than the King of Rock. It’s such a crazy juxtaposition, which makes his comically violent antics all the funnier. While it would have been perfect to have him sing a Queen classic at some point, we can take solace that Freddie Mercury’s perfect jawline was lighting up the anime scene around the turn of the millennium.

“Heroman” (2010)

Stan the Man has long since been the god of cameos, but that didn’t just extend to the MCU, cartoons, video games and comic books – he also made the jump to Japanese animation. Stan starred in a couple of anime over the last decade, including one he helped create. For those not in the know, Heroman was a mecha series thought up by the Marvel founder, and naturally, his animated counterpart just happened to pop up every now and again. Now that’s a cameo on a meta-cosmic level!