Anime and cartoons have been a major influence on pop culture for decades. From the earliest Japanese cartoons, which were an influence on Walt Disney, to more contemporary series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, cartoons have played a significant role in influencing the way we think and act, and have inspired countless others to become creators themselves.
There are few art forms as influential as cartoons, and the list of anime that have inspired others to become cartoonists, animators, and actors is far too long to list.
From Akira to The Simpsons. In this article, we will learn about 10 anime-inspired cartoons. so let’s get started.
Fans of anime have no shortage of shows to choose from, covering a range of genres and subject matters. Yet, there is also a potential for those who enjoy this style to branch out and explore new shows that are similar yet distinct.
Fortunately, there are a number of cartoons that are either inspired by anime or have similar themes.
Top 10 Anime-Inspired Cartoons:
10. Teen Titans
Cartoon Network’s Teen Titans is a show that has been extremely popular. The Titans are a group of heroic heroes, and they prove a great representation of this commonality, with their DC comic premise coupled with some colorful, detailed animation rife with action.
The world of anime is an ever-expanding world of storytelling, and its influence has trickled down into the world of cartoons. From the biggest names in animation to the up-and-coming creators, you’ll find cartoons have been influenced by anime in more ways than one.
In addition to its anime sensibility, the Titans is another show that has been very successful in the United States. The show is often syndicated to other networks, such as Cartoon Network, and it has gone on to become a very popular show in the United States.
The 2003 movie Teen Titans can also be seen as a zany Venture Bros. alternative aimed at younger audiences, with its fusion of adventure and humor
9. Adventure Time
Adventure Time is an animated series that has been doing the most well in the United States. The show is geared towards middle school and young adults.
The show has been nominated for the Annie Award and its acting was very good, as was its animation. The show is very different from the original series, and it has also been adapted into a live-action TV series, a web series.
The cartoon is also hand-drawn, giving it an organic look and lavish settings, which is common with much Japanese animation.
The show’s themes are geared toward a younger audience, but its memorable characters and imaginative settings have made it a hit with both teens and adults. Despite the show’s common themes, Dungeons & Dragons directly influenced the show.
8. Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)
The Star Wars franchise is one of the most successful and popular franchises in the world, and the show has been doing great with its previous incarnation, Clone Wars, with its blend of humor and action.
The show is an action-adventure show, and it takes place in a galaxy far, far away. The show is based on the Star Wars universe and is one of the most popular shows in the United States. The show has been nominated for an Emmy Award.
It is an underrated action adventure centered around this chaotic era of history, along with a flashy computer graphics series from 2008.
Despite its short lifespan, the 25 episodes offer plenty of thrilling action and emotional depth as we follow the turbulent events following the Revenge of the Sith.
Using Lucas’ fantastical universe as a backdrop, The Clone Wars is an entertaining watch for fans of Star Wars and anime alike.
7. Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series is the best-animated series of all time, and it’s also one of the most popular.
The show is about a young man’s adventures in Gotham City and its suburbs, and it’s one of the most beloved television shows of all time.
The show is based on the DC Comics universe, and it has been adapted into a live-action show, a half-hour TV special, an animated special, TV series. The show is also one of the most popular shows in the United States.
Featuring otherworldly elements, vintage neo-noir vibes, and otherworldly elements, this movie takes inspiration from Burton films. Four Emmys, including Outstanding Animated Program, went to this critically acclaimed cartoon.
6. Samurai Jack
The acclaimed cartoon show Dexter’s Laboratory proved to be the start of a new series that would draw influences from Kung Fu and samurai cultures.
Genndy Tartakovsky developed the show that would become Samurai Jack. Samurais are warriors, but Samurai Jack is a show about the life of a man who becomes a samurai. The show is about a man who is given the task of slaying a samurai.
It stars Jack as a warrior, and it is a very popular show. The series centers on a Katana-wielding samurai seeking to defeat a shape-shifting demon by crossing the boundaries of time itself. With its focus on combat, monsters, magic, and a dystopian plot, the show is definitely anime-like.
5. The Boondocks
Aaron McGruder’s The Boondocks might feature some raunchy humor intended for Adult Swim audiences, but it has a visual style that bears considerable similarities to anime.
It has been doing great for the past several years. The show centers around the adventures of a group of kids living in a town called Boondocks. The show is based on a comic book of the same name, and the show has been regularly aired on the Fox network.
Fans will recognize this similarity with Japanese anime, which also delves into some deep and dark topics. It has dynamic characters and relevant emotional narratives that touch on race relations, classism, and injustices that are experienced in society.
The reason is that McGruder is known to have drawn inspiration from anime and manga when he created both this cartoon and the comic strip it spawned.
4. Castlevania
The anime-influenced artwork and themes of Adi Shankar’s Castlevania are reminiscent of a few Western-made cartoons. Based on the similarly grim video game series by Konami, Castlevania has the same aesthetic style, majestic motifs, and cinematic elements for which anime is known.
Trevor Belmont must defend the town of Wallachia from a demon army unleashed by Dracula because his wife was burnt to death in this action-packed show. The Netflix show, which began humbly with a brief pilot, has since blossomed into a dark, emotive fantasy epic with nearly two dozen compelling episodes.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)
There are tons of similarities between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and anime due to its Eastern themes and long history. This action show features 4 ninjas who take on a variety of bad guys, led by a martial arts instructor. This is especially true for the edgier, more intense reboot from 2003.
The series follows the adventures of the turtles as they fight to survive against the many enemies that they encounter. They are often referred to as the ‘robot turtles’.
These turtles are the main characters in this show and they are often referred to as the ‘super-soldiers of the sea.’ Its focus on combat, character dramas, and a darker tone is a departure from the lighthearted zaniness of the classic series from 1987.
2. Avatar: The Last Airbender
Through its imaginative concepts, likable cast, and gripping story, Nickelodeon’s Avatar has transcended its original target demographic.
It was turned into a blockbuster film by M. Night Shyamalan, the movie spawned a movie adaptation for Netflix, and a live-action remake is on the way. In addition to these offshoots, Avatar has earned an array of accolades and high reviews.
As a child wizard with the power to wield the four elements of water, air, fire, and earth, Aang is at once simple to understand and captivating as it reveals its deeper meanings.
The plot revolves around Aang, a child wizard who possesses the quadfecta of elements – water, air, fire, and earth. There’s no doubt that Aang and his friends deliver an entertaining and majestic ride. This is aided, in part, by visually appealing aesthetics and heavy concepts such as totalitarianism and self-awareness.
1. RWBY
RWBY was either made in Japan or inspired by anime, depending on how you define a product as originating in Japan. Despite being an American show, RWBY has all the characteristics of an anime.
This is why many refer to this show as “American anime,” even though it was actually based on a web series created by a manga artist.
In addition to being based on an anime, it was also based on another web series created by a manga artist. That is why the episode is usually classified as “American anime.”
Honorable Mention
Auto Capture (Fate/Grand Order)
