Loads of western animation takes inspiration from anime. Some go even additional so as to add in apparent references or unanticipated easter eggs to reference among the favourite anime of the cartoon’s creators.
The references these exhibits decide to may be something from a small background cameo to a complete episode made in reference to a beloved anime. Listed here are ten well-known and cherished cartoons that pay homage to anime in considerate methods.
10 The Wonderful World Of Gumball – Dragon Ball, Naruto, Fist Of The North Star, And Extra
The Amazing World of Gumball is a present that drowns in popular culture references. From anime to video video games to memes, this present oozes easter eggs, cameos, and so forth. When it comes to anime appearances, now we have a scene of Gumball going Tremendous Saiyan within the episode “The Pest,” and the episode “The Fury” mentions Nicole’s preventing model being taught to her by two academics: Hokuto (the identify of Kenshiro’s manner of preventing in Fist of the North Star) and Konoha (one other identify for the Hidden Leaf Village in Naruto).
Talking of “The Fury,” maybe essentially the most notorious a part of that episode is the Dragon Ball styled struggle between Nicole and her ex-friend Yuki. This struggle was animated with the assistance of Studio 4°C, a Japanese anime studio that has labored on numerous other western properties.
9 My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Sailor Moon
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic has a loyal cult following, even to this present day. Inquisitive followers of the present will know that it is no secret that the creators of the present are large followers of Sailor Moon. Actually, the Crystal Empire setting throughout the present is believed to be based mostly on Sailor Moon’s Crystal Tokyo.
Within the Halloween-themed episode “Scare Grasp,” a pony known as Celena may be seen within the background donning a fetching Sailor Moon cosplay. That is solely the start, as should you pay shut sufficient consideration in different episodes, you will discover numerous different ponies who had been designed to symbolize the primary forged of Sailor Moon.
8 Ben 10 – Naruto
The unique premise for Ben 10 already appears filled with anime inspiration, with the over-the-top transformation sequences and powerfully designed monsters. Whereas it is not positive simply how a lot of a bearing anime had on the plot of the present, it should be true that the creators are a minimum of followers of Naruto.
Within the episode “Merry Christmas,” we are able to see three youngsters who look awfully much like Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi, the younger tykes from the Hidden Leaf Village who wish to trigger plenty of hassle. These members of Crew Ebisu are a sight for sore eyes in a really bizarre however great cameo.
7 Pretty Odd Mother and father – Dragon Ball
It is no secret that the creator of Pretty Odd Mother and father, Butch Hartman, is a large anime fan. He usually posts his personal artistic renditions of anime characters on his Twitter and Youtube pages, even taking up commissions from viewers to attract some anime characters in his model.
Essentially the most notable reference to anime is the episode “Maho Mushi.” This episode is stuffed to the brim with pop-culture references, essentially the most notable of which is the Dragon Ball preventing sequence between Timmy and Vicky, the place Timmy mirrors Goku and Vicky mirrors Piccolo, full with Kamehamehas galore.
6 Bob’s Burgers – My Neighbor Totoro
Onto a extra adult-oriented cartoon with Bob’s Burgers, the place the creators specific admiration for a beloved Studio Ghibli movie. Within the episode, “An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal,” Bob finally ends up getting drunk and dreaming up an elaborate sequence the place his turkey involves life and dances round like the enduring Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro.
The dream acts equally to a shot-for-shot remake of an iconic scene from the basic film, the place Totoro makes use of his powers to dramatically develop seeds into massive timber, besides in Bob’s Burgers the turkey spawns an enormous tower of basic Thanksgiving meals. Really a humorous reference to an amazing coming-of-age film.
5 Codename Youngsters Subsequent Door – Dragon Ball and Pokémon
Codename Youngsters Subsequent Door has not been on our screens for some time now, however it stands as a cartoon sequence near the hearts of many younger adults. In addition to that includes a forged of voice actors which have gone on to dub common anime sequence, the present pays homage to 2 explicit anime throughout its six-season run.
Considered one of these references is a Pokémon cameo the place one of many brokers within the episode “Operation A.R.C.H.I.V.E” is dressed precisely like Ash Ketchum. The extra over-the-top reference comes with the episode “Operation R.E.P.O.R.T” the place Quantity 4 goes Tremendous Saiyan in true Dragon Ball Z style, to be able to defeat The Pleasant Youngsters From Down The Lane, who take the guise of a five-headed Frieza. It is a superbly executed phase that exhibits numerous love for the Frieza-arc of DBZ.
4 Rick & Morty – Akira
Loads of the premises in Rick & Morty take heavy inspiration from anime. This has grown extra apparent because the writing room behind the present has expanded and introduced in writers with an enormous number of pursuits. The newest instance being the season finale of the latest season, the place Rick goes on a Shonen-style escapade.
The most important direct reference to anime is to Akira within the episode “Fringe of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat.” Morty goes on an Akira-style killing spree utilizing a few of Rick’s devices, and the entire plot of the episode is paying homage to Akira, with Morty going considerably mad and finally (almost) being absorbed right into a monstrous entity.
3 Common Present – Neon Genesis Evangelion And Cowboy Bebop
The creators of Regular Show are one other crowd who like to pepper in popular culture references, anime included. Loads of references may be seen all through the present, however the primary two anime referenced extensively are Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop. A few of these references may be slight, like a personality on the Halloween get together in “Terror Tales of the Park III” being dressed as Spike Spiegel.
Essentially the most blatant and devoted reference comes within the episode “Sensible Crispy Duck Disaster Particular.” The opening of the episode closely parodies the opening sequence and music used for Neon Genesis Evangelion. To prime it off, the episode ends with a parody of the Cowboy Bebop ending credit sequence as properly, one that’s completed so properly it borders on being a shot-for-shot remake.
2 The Simpsons – Assault On Titan, Naruto, Astro Boy, And Extra
The Simpsons has been round for so long, it is a shock they have not made a reference to each single factor that has ever crossed into the realm of popular culture. Amongst references to television, films, video games, and so forth, they’ve additionally paid homage to a variety of anime sequence as properly.
That is primarily completed via their sofa gags and brief specials, the place the Simpsons household may be seen sporting cosplays of their favourite characters or absorbing their essence as a complete. There are such a lot of sequence which were given cameos, resembling Attack On Titan, Inuyasha, Astro Boy, Sailor Moon, Pokémon, Naruto, and Spirited Away…simply to call a couple of.
1 Steven Universe – Neon Genesis Evangelion, Kiki’s Supply Service, Sailor Moon, And Extra
Steven Universe is one other king of pop-culture references, particularly concerning anime. It is broadly recognized that the creator of the present, Rebecca Sugar, loves anime and instills this love into a few of her characters. Steven himself has an enormous love of Sailor Moon, with the manga being seen within the background of some episodes. Past these cameos, there are extra in-your-face references to anime all through many episodes.
The episode “Kiki’s Pizza Supply Service” might be to most blatant instance, as not solely is the episode’s identify a reference to the Studio Ghibli movie Kiki’s Delivery Service, however it additionally has an element the place Steven and Kiki sit earlier than a pizza-landscape reminiscent to the ultimate scene in The End of Evangelion. There are much more references should you look exhausting sufficient – too many to depend!
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