Top 20 Cartoons Inspired by Anime
Top 20 Anime Influenced Cartoons/Animations
Top 10 Anime Influenced Animations
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Anime Influenced Cartoons/Animations. For this list, we’ll be looking at animated programs that might not fall under the anime umbrella, but their visuals, stories, and tones draw obvious parallels. What’s your favorite anime-influenced animation? Let us know in the comments.
#20: “Invincible” (2021-)
Based on the celebrated comic book series, this adult animation has the old-school aesthetic of an 80s Saturday Morning cartoon. Some of our favorite cartoons from that era were outsourced to Japanese animation studios. Toei Animation, for example, worked on “G.I. Joe” and “The Transformers,” as well as anime franchises like “Dragon Ball.” While “Invincible” was produced by Skybound, we can definitely sense Toei’s influence in the animation and action, whether intentional or not. Seeing Omni-Man duke it out with The Immortal in the air, it’s hard not to get Super Saiyan vibes. Outside of Toei, “Invincible” shares parallels with the gritty Japanese superhero franchise, “One-Punch Man.” A character resembling Saitama even pops up in one episode, who creator Robert Kirkman dubbed “Two-Punch Man.”
#19: “Star Wars: Clone Wars” (2003-05)
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Long before anime was a mainstream juggernaut, Japanese cinema was already inspiring the legendary George Lucas. Fittingly, anime played a huge hand in shaping this 2D animated series. While the art direction stays true to the look of “Star Wars,” much of the imagery is also reminiscent of “Akira” or “Neon Genesis Evangelion”. Action is played out in that familiar anime style of quick cuts with minimal animated shots. Its emphasis on visual storytelling over corny dialog is an added bonus, and we dare say many of the lightsaber fights can go toe to toe with anime’s best fight scenes.
#18: “Over the Garden Wall” (2014)
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Borrowing elements from a variety of classics such as the Grimms’ Fairy Tales and “The Wizard of Oz.”, the anime influence is also prevalent throughout this miniseries, particularly in terms of its bizarre characters and otherworldly atmosphere. Sometimes creepy, sometimes funny, and always unique, it often draws on the likes of Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away, forever walking that thin line between fantastical and haunting. The story has an ageless quality to it, one that will stick with you for sometime, just like the Beast and all its shadowy splendour.
#17: “Jackie Chan Adventures” (2000-05)
Given Jackie Chan’s propensity for over the top action and mayhem, it’s not surprising that the cartoon series based on him fits the anime formula. What is surprising, however, is how fun “Jackie Chan Adventures” truly is. The freedom to experiment with the medium goes a long way, with Jackie taking on everything from demons to dragons, while performing stunts worthy of the real life Chan Man himself. In what could have been a gimmick cashing in on Jackie Chan’s brand-name, the show turned out to be full of humor, adventure, and culture with an animation style that made it really stand out.
#16: “Ben 10” (2005-08)
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Is it any wonder why this spawned a massive franchise? It combines elements of several beloved anime series. The character designs are drawn in a similar fashion, from the wide, expressive eyes to the hair highlights. And lest we forget; the transformations. So many transformations. In Ben Tennyson’s case, a device called the Omnitrix allows him to take the form of various different aliens. Each alien has a unique design and ability, calling “Pokémon” and “Digimon” to mind, though there’s a fair amount of Naruto in there too as far as it’s narrative goes. The Season 3 episode “Merry Christmas” even has three characters resembling Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon. Those hairdos can’t be purely coincidental, right?
#15: “Æon Flux” (1991-95)
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Making its debut on MTV’s Liquid Television, what started as a series of mini-episodes eventually spawned a final season consisting of ten half-hour episodes. This sci-fi series couldn’t have arrived at a better time as anime had begun to develop a niche market in the U.S. Creator Peter Chung has cited Japanese animation as one of his many influences, which is apparent through this show’s cyberpunk style, dystopian setting, and badass anti-heroine. While adult, action-oriented animation was already commonplace in Japan, “Æon Flux” stood out as one of the earlier western examples. Touching upon themes like sexuality, politics, and humanity, the series opened Americans up to a whole new world of animation.
#14: “Star vs. the Forces of Evil” (2015-19)
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While many associate anime with action, this Disney series taps into the off-the-wall humor found in Eastern animation. That said, any show with “vs.” in the title is bound to have a little fighting, and Star Butterfly could go head-to-head with some of the strongest magical girls. Creator Daron Nefcy initially envisioned Star as a young girl whose universe revolves around “Sailor Moon.” Marco, meanwhile, would be all about “Dragon Ball Z.” The concept eventually evolved into a unique magical girl show, also borrowing from the likes of shows such as “Magic Knight Rayearth.” Growing up, Nefcy always wanted to see more female action heroes in animation, but rarely found any outside of Japanese entertainment. So, Nefcy took action into her own hands, and just look at the results!
#13: “Voltron: Legendary Defender” (2016-18)
The “Voltron” franchise is no stranger to anime. The original “Voltron” series borrowed animation from the mecha anime “Beast King GoLion,” altering character names, plot points, and dialogue. The similarly-themed, yet unrelated, “Armored Fleet Dairugger XV” was edited for later “Voltron” episodes. “Legendary Defender” doesn’t recycle animation from preexisting shows, but this reboot doesn’t shy away from its anime roots. While the series takes inspiration from the past, it also looks to the future by giving Voltron a CGI update that blends well with the more traditionally animated characters and backdrops. It’s also nailed that anime trope of starting shipping wars that spill over into social media like a wildfire!
#12: “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” (2018-20)
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An exceptional Netflix reboot, this new She-Ra delves even deeper into the magical girl trope than its 1985 predecessor. In addition to “Dungeons & Dragons,” developer Noelle Stevenson and her crew were heavily influenced by Japanese animation. “She-Ra” assembles a primarily female ensemble worthy of comparison to the Sailor Scouts, with all the transformation sequences to match. The series has been another milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in children’s animation, a concept that’s newer to western audiences, but has been present in the anime realm for some time.
#11: “Kim Possible” (2002-07)
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When you think of energetic, over-the-top action mixed with high school drama, you're probably thinking of your average anime. It only makes sense that “Kim Possible”, a cartoon about a crime-fighting cheerleader is going to have anime influences. The parallels between this hit Disney show and its Japanese counterparts are right out there in the open, especially when considering its charismatic lead. Premiering when most women in action shows are supporting characters, Kim Possible was a strong, independent heroine, helping western culture tear down gender barriers and raising the bar for all who followed her.
#10: “RWBY” (2013-)
Just taking one glance at any moment from this web series, you can immediately see the anime influence. “RWBY” could easily be mistaken for a Japanese role-playing game like “Persona” or “Xenoblade Chronicles,” what with its toon-shaded aesthetic. That, along with a million other tropes such as power systems, a school for hunters, fantastical lore, and crazy-ass weapons. According to Lindsay Jones, the voice of Ruby Rose, the crew was worried about how people would respond to a western production adopting a Japanese style. Given how many are still debating where it is or isn’t anime, along with presence on Crunchyroll, we’d say it hit its goal.
#9: “Castlevania” (2017-)
This adult animated Netflix series is based on the video game series of the same name. Since publisher Konami is a Japanese company, it only makes sense that the show would take on an anime style. Growing up in Hong Kong, series developer Adi Shankar was “obsessed” with the anime aesthetic. He shared this love with Sam Deats, who directed a majority of this show’s episodes. The look of the series was inspired by Ayami Kojima’s work on “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.” The crew also drew from “Cowboy Bebop,” “Berserk,” “Ninja Scroll,” “Captain Harlock,” and the films of Satoshi Kon. “Castlevania” is especially reminiscent of “Vampire Hunter D,” which is fitting seeing how much of the same team worked on the 2000 feature “Bloodlust.”
#8: “The Dragon Prince” (2018-)
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You might notice a few similarities between “The Dragon Prince” and another anime-influenced series all about manipulating the elements. The parallels aren’t coincidental, as both shows have a few talents in common, including head writer Aaron Ehasz, director Giancarlo Volpe, and actor Jack DeSena. However, Ehasz and fellow co-creator Justin Richmond have crafted a world, mythology, and story that put “Dragon Prince” in a league of its own. The setting and culture aren’t as Asia-centric, leaning more towards medieval Europe, but the show’s animation style and mature themes certainly carry an anime vibe. We could also imagine any of this show’s dragons holding their own against Shenron. For fans of high fantasy anime, in particular, this Daytime Emmy-winning series is a must-binge.
#7: “Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts” (2020)
Once a webcomic, now a modern powerhouse of western animation. Creator Sechrist has described himself as “a huge anime fan,” which shines through in his work. Series art director Angela Sung cited “Ghost in the Shell” and “Akira” as two of the inspirations for the show’s immersive layout work. Kipo’s post-apocalyptic world is populated by inventive creatures, some intimidating like a Titan, others adorable like Pikachu, and a few that are a bit of both. Like “Cowboy Bebop” and “Samurai Champloo,” the music also plays a key role in establishing the atmosphere. Then there’s Kipo herself, who, in the same spirit of Goku and Vash The Stampede, instantly wins the audience over with her unshakable optimism.
#6: “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992-99)
DC animated shows have seemingly adapted a more anime-esque look with each new iteration, from its character models to its action scenes. Although not blatant in its anime-influences, “Batman: The Animated Series” was arguably the first DC show to take a page from Japan. It's dark tone, exceptional choreography, and stylistic backdrops have anime written all over them. Interestingly, the Art Deco design of “Batman” would go on to impact anime like “Cowboy Bebop” and “The Big O.” The Silk Road truly does travel both ways.
#5: “The Legend of Korra” (2012-15)
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A sequel series to another anime-influenced show that may or may not appear later, Korra continued the “Avatar” mythos in all the right ways. Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko not only brought their wonderful eastern-inspired world into the future, but delved further into the Avatar origins too. “Korra” maintained everything that made its predecessor terrific while also distinguishing itself with political drama. Being a Nickelodeon series, “Korra” may have been too sophisticated for its own good, and behind the scene issues certainly stumped its rise to equaling Aang’s adventures. Still, at least its legacy will live on for all the right reasons.
#4: “Samurai Jack” (2001-17)
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Between “Dexter’s Lab” and “Primal,” Genndy Tartakovsky developed his ultimate love letter to anime with “Samurai Jack.” Every episode is a perfect blend of ancient tale meets futuristic space opera, amounting to a new kind of fable. Much of the show’s appeal derives from the animation itself, which often plays an even greater hand in moving the story along than the writing and dialogue. “Samurai Jack” owes its success to the art and mood of various anime, not to mention the films of Akira Kurosawa. Of course, Tartakovsky also gave the show its own original signature through playful humor and larger than life characters. Respect the Scotsman!
#3: “The Boondocks” (2005-14)
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From cartoonist Aaron McGruber, “The Boondocks” draws a lot of its influence from Samurai Champloo. Except instead of wandering samurais, our protagonists are two African American brothers and their grandfather living in a white, suburban community. You wouldn’t think that anime and hip-hop would ever go hand in hand, but this melting pot is surprisingly fitting for a show that’s largely about culture clash. “The Boondocks” even squeezes in some intense and thrilling action sequences that are undeniably anime. Goes to show anime can lend itself to any genre, including piercing satire with strong social commentary.
#2: “Teen Titans” (2003-07)
Aside from putting the spotlight on five heroes that are typically regarded as sidekicks, “Teen Titans” is one of the most distinctive DC animations for its self-aware anime twist. The exaggerated visual style is always effective here, whether an episode is mainly played for laughs or centering on a character’s emotional turmoil. It additionally works magnificently from an action standpoint with the combat consistently being vibrant, speedy, and thrilling. This interpretation proved so successful that now it’s actually hard to picture the Teen Titans without its anime aesthetics. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes” (2017-19) Even the Title Sounds Like an Anime “Code Lyoko” (2004-07) For Fans of “Sword Art Online” & “Digimon” “The Owl House” (2020-) For Fans of “Little Witch Academia” “Infinity Train” (2019-) Not Since “Spirited Away” Have We Wanted To Get On a Train More “Totally Spies!” (2001-13) Anime Goes Undercover
#1: “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)
Just as Aang was charged with maintaining harmony between the four nations, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” found the perfect balance between eastern animation and western appeal. Everything, from its art direction, creative use of martial arts to its spiritual themes all scream anime. Even if you’re not a diehard fan of the medium, this is a masterful piece of animation worth watching for its exceptional characters and the way in which it incorporates the art of bending into its fight scenes. It’s such a phenomenon that the Avatar’s antics have undoubtedly inspired several other shows along the way, both cartoon and alike. Face it, without Zuko, we wouldn’t have Todoroki!
