I’m a huge fan of science fiction and have read hundreds of books in the genre. And since I’m also an anime fan, I really love it when both of my passions intersect. In this post, let’s explore six anime influenced by Western science fiction…or was it the other way around?
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From Blade Runner to Gundam: Anime Influenced by Western Science Fiction
While I’m always down to watch another fun isekai, or idol, or ecchi fan service anime, sometimes I want bigger and bolder ideas. Sometimes Japanese creators take inspiration from Western science fiction books and movies, which adds to the depth of the stories. Let’s look at some examples!
Bubblegum Crisis Is a Love Letter to Blade Runner
There are so many references to Blade Runner in 1987’s Bubblegum Crisis it’s almost embarrassing, from the characters being in a band called Priss and the Replicants to the HQ of the android-making evil corporation being a huge pyramid. They added cool mecha and punk hairstyles and called it a day.
The Idea for Dirty Pair Came from a British Science Fiction Writer
Recently, a J-List fan recommended a Substack article to me about how the core idea for Dirty Pair came from British science fiction writer A. Bertram Chandler. When the writer visited Japan in 1978, he met Crusher Joe writer Haruka Takachiho. Haruka was a professional wrestling fan, and took Chandler and two assistants to see the famous wrestling duo Beauty Pair. Seeing the excitement of two assistants during the performance, Chandler commented that “The two women in the ring may be Beauty Pair, but those two with you ought to be called ‘the Dirty Pair.'” This comment would grow into a novella that would become one of the most popular anime of its era. The two assistants — Yuri Tanaka and Keiko Otoguro — would even lend their names to the characters Yuri and Kei.
Hideaki Anno Built His Career on Western Sci-Fi Ideas
Have you ever wondered why Hideaki Anno, the genius anime director responsible for Aim For the Top: Gunbuster and Evangelion, was able to create such big ideas? Anno has basically made a career out of creating anime influenced by Western science fiction ideas, including homages to his favorite books that eagle-eyed fans can catch. The list of themes Anoo has borrowed is quite long, stretching from the Human Instrumentality Project explored by Cordwainer Smith to the sentient dolphins of David Brin’s Uplift saga.
Are the Dune novels popular in Japan? Read my blog post here!
Did Star Wars Borrow Story Elements from Space Battleship Yamato?
As I’ve written before, there are a lot of elements from classic space opera Space Battleship Yamato in George Lucas’ Star Wars.
- WWII-style dogfighting in space.
- A trashcan-shaped robot that can produce any tool the plot needs him to.
- A fleeing princess carrying blueprints for a technology powerful enough to destroy planets.
- In the Saraba Yamato film, we even get Force Ghosts.
More Western-Influenced Anime: Mobile Suit Gundam Meets Starship Troopers
There’s nothing truly new under the sun, and every creator stands on the shoulders of those who have come before. Yoshiyuki Tomino has been very open about how the mechs from Mobile Suit Gundam were influenced by the powered armor from Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers. And, if you’re wondering why the robots use lightsabers, they were added during production of the original series after Star Wars popularized them.
Why did Star Trek fail to find success in Japan? Read my blog post about this topic!
We Wouldn’t Have Gotten The Matrix Without Ghost In The Shell
1995’s Ghost in the Shell film by director Mamoru Oshii raised the bar when it came to the gorgeous production values and the “big-ness” of the stories that anime could tell. When pitching their idea for The Matrix, the Wachowskis showed the film to movie executives and said, “We want to make this, but live-action.”
Also, we can’t talk about The Matrix without bringing up Megazone 23 (“Two-Three”). This is a story about people who think they’re living in Tokyo in the ’80s, but it’s actually thousands of years in the future, and they’re living inside a simulated city inside a spaceship.
Thanks for checking out this post about six anime influenced by Western science fiction. Did we miss any western-influenced anime you think should be on the list? Tell us in the comments below!
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Great news! J-List has started a new sale for everyone, this time giving you 18% off on all “hentai” doujinshi, manga, anime and related items! Start browsing the sale items here!
