Fairy tales are often about a fundamental part of what it means to be human; They tell stories that people can relate to, no matter where they come from or what era they live in. Many anime creators draw inspiration from the most enduring fairy tales in history to create timeless characters.
In many ways, animated series resemble modern fairy tales, depicting the same fantastical stories filled with endearing characters who ultimately come to their own moral conclusions. Anime fans shouldn’t be surprised that many of their favorite characters are directly inspired by some of the most popular fairy tales. but the exact sources of this inspiration can be surprising.
10 The Sohma Family Embodies “The Great Race”
Fruit basket
In Fruits Basket, Tohru is shocked when she learns of the curse on the Sohma family, making each a different member of the Zodiac. In the series, Tohru specifically references the story of “The Great Race” that her mother told her when she was a child.
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In real life, “The Great Race” is exactly as Tohru puts it: a folk tale that has been used for generations to explain the origins of the Chinese zodiac. While members of the Sohma family become the animals of the zodiac when stressed, their personalities match the various tales surrounding the Chinese zodiac, including “The Great Race”.
9 Goku’s Story Was First Told In ‘Journey To The West’
dragonball
Goku became such an influential character in anime that it’s often said that most of the shonen protagonists who followed him were modeled after Goku in some way. That said, Goku himself was actually based on one of the characters from a much older Japanese story, “Journey to the West.”
Son Goku is based on Sun Wukong the Monkey King, one of the main characters of “Journey to the West”, an extremely powerful fighter capable of charging mountains while running as fast as a meteor, a feat that does not seem too close to that of the Monkey King, Goku himself. Goku’s Oozaru form is also a clear connection to his monkey roots and explains why Frieza constantly insists on referring to him as “nothing but a monkey”.
8 Prince Lumière is the cover of “The Happy Prince”
black clover
Black Clover has all the makings of a modern fairy tale, and its influences underscore it even more. A direct reference to the “Happy Prince” story is found in the character of the first Wizard King, Prince Light Silvamillion Clover.
El príncipe feliz” by Oscar Wilde cuenta la historia de una golondrina que se enamora de la estatua de un príncipe y realiza muchas buenas acciones bajo la dirección de la estatua. Aunque la historia del príncipe tiene un final trágico tanto en “El príncipe feliz” as in ” black clover“At least Nero has a second chance to “black clover“.
7 Faye’s Story Reminiscent Of “Urashima Taro”
cowboy bebop
In Cowboy Bebop, Faye’s story is reminiscent of the fairy tale “Urashima Taro”. In fact, Jet Black even tells the story to Ed, referencing it directly. In the original story, a fisherman receives a box from a beautiful woman at sea, but is told never to open it.
When he does, he becomes old and grey-haired, and is told that the box contained his old age. Likewise, after Faye watches the VHS tape that reminds her of her forgotten past, it emotionally ages her in a sense; remembering everything you have lost that you can never get back.
6 Takeru Danma Was Pulled Straight From Alice In Wonderland
alice on the border
The popular franchise that started as a manga and anime series, Alice in Wonderland wonderswas clearly influenced by the modern fairy tale Alice in Wonderland. Although there are many references in the land of the sea issues throughout the series, with one of the most glaring being the character of Takeru Danma, also known as the Hatter.
The Hatter’s primary mission in creating the beach is to create a livable utopia in the borderland, and he tasks his residents with finding the full deck. Like the Mad Hatter Tea Party in Alice in WonderlandEl Sombrerero beach is a place where anything can happen and where nothing is forbidden.
5 Usagi Relives Various Fairy Tales, Including Selene And Endymion
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon has a lot of references to fairy tales and mythology. However, one of the most significant is Usagi’s incarnation as the moon goddess, Selene, from the Greek tale of Selene and Endymion.
In the story, Selene visits the shepherd prince Endymion every night in his cave. While Usagi plays Selene, Tuxedo Mask is the reincarnation of Endymion, a prince granted immortality by Zeus. In the Roman version of this story, Selene is called Luna, which is also the name of Usagi’s cat in the series.
4 Ponyo Is A Modernized Take On The Little Mermaid
Healing
The Little Mermaid is one of the most famous fairy tales of all time, especially thanks to the Disney version. However, Disney hasn’t been the only popular version of The Story. little Mermaid in recent years, since Healing from Studio Ghibli, also offered modern audiences the opportunity to explore the famous folk tale.
Like the Little Mermaid of the tale, Ponyo was born in the ocean, although she is not a mermaid, but a goldfish. After being rescued by a boy, she one day decides to become a human girl, of course, that’s easier said than done.
3 Kaguya Was Inspired By The Story Of The Bamboo Cutter
naruto
Kaguya, the all-powerful and evil goddess of Naruto Shippuden, isn’t the only fictional character with powers to bear her name. In fact, she received her name and likeness as a tribute to the original Kaguya, the princess of the popular folk tale “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter”.
In “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter”, a girl born inside a bamboo grows into a beautiful woman who sends her suitors on impossible missions to impress her. It turns out that she is actually from the Moon, making her a celestial being in the same vein as Kaguya’s own Ōtsutsuki clan.
2 The 3 legendary Sannin previously encountered in Jiraiya The Gallant
naruto
Jiraiya, also known as the Evil Toad Sage, is one of the Legendary Three Sannin and Naruto’s mentor. Although he is a popular character in narutomany fans may not know that the legendary Sannin were all based on a Japanese legend called “Jiraiya the Gallant”.
In it, a Robin Hood-like character named Jiraiya, who robs the rich to give to the poor, encounters two comrades on his travels: Tsunade, master of slime magic, and Orochimaru, user of serpent magic. After Orochimaru turns on Jiraiya, he and Tsunade team up to defeat him with the help of a 14-year-old boy. The similarities are amazing.
1 Inuyasha is one of the mythical Inugami
Inuyasha
Inuyasha is everyone’s favorite demon dog and one of the ancestors of the isekai. However, many are unaware that his character was based on the original canine demon of Japanese mythology: the canine yokai Inugami. According to Japanese legend, Inugami are canine spirits that possess people to give them various effects.
There are many tales of the Inugami, but in folktales they were usually invoked through rituals involving the remains of dead dogs possessing living people. in the animeInuyasha’s brother Sesshomaru was said to have been a full Inugami spirit, while Inuyasha was half human.