Inspiration can come from anywhere, one of which is real life. This is what inspires a number of manga and anime creators in their creative process, for example in adapting or creating characters based on original characters who actually exist in the real world.
Of course, such actions are not prohibited. In fact, it is proof that the creators have opened their eyes to the surrounding environment, thus indicating how serious they are about the work they write.
Who are examples of anime characters inspired by the real world? Come on, check out the following list!
1. Rock Lee (Naruto) – Bruce Lee
dock. Pierrot/NarutoThe fact that the character Rock Lee and all his characteristics were created based on Bruce Lee’s character may not be foreign to fans Naruto. In this series by Masashi Kishimoto, Rock Lee is told as a student of Guy sensei who is an expert in Taijutsu.
On the other hand, Bruce Lee is known as an actor and martial arts expert from Hong Kong who has contributed to popularizing kung fu-themed films in various corners of the world.
2. Armored Titan (Attack on Titan) – Brock Lesnar
dock. Wit Studio/ Attack on TitanNext, there is the Titan Armor from the series Attack on Titan which was inspired by the figure of Brock Lesnar. The Armored Titan itself is Reiner Braun’s Titan form, namely one of the Warriors who defended the Marley nation.
Brock Lesnar is a professional wrestler who is also known as a mixed martial arts expert from America. Hajime Isayama as mangaka Attack on Titan adapting the wrestler’s sturdy body to depict the Titan Armor form whose entire body is protected by thick armor.
3. Jiro Horikoshi (The Wind Rises) – Jiro Horikoshi
dock. Ghibli/The Wind RisesThe Wind Rises Studio Ghibli’s offering introduces the main character named Jiro Horikoshi. This character completely adapts the character with the same name. Apart from the name, this anime film by Hayao Miyazaki adapts the figure of Jiro Horikoshi from the real world as a whole, specifically in terms of his profession.
Jiro Horikoshi is known as a Japanese engineer who played an important role in designing fighter planes during World War II.
4. Himura Kenshin (Rurouni Kenshin) – Kawakami Gensai
dock. LIDENFILMS/ Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romance (2023)Himura Kenshin is the main protagonist in the series historical titled Rurouni Kenshin or what is also popular with the title Samurai He is a traveler who goes on an adventure to avenge his past sins.
The figure of Himura was created based on a Japanese samurai from the end of the Edo period, namely Kawakami Gensai. He is also known as a skilled swordsman who served as a serial killer who existed during the Bakumatsu era.
5. Jewelry Bonney (One Piece) – Anne Bonny
Jewelry Bonney in the anime One Piece. (Doc. Toei Animation/One Piece)As one of the series shounen best of all time, One Piece which is Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece, also adapted a number of phenomenal figures for his fictional characters, such as the figure of Anne Bonny who inspired the character Jewelry Bonney.
Anne Bonny herself is known as a female pirate from Ireland who was popular in the 18th century.
Similar to Anne Bonny, Jewelry Bonney is the captain of the Bonney pirate team who came from South Blue. He is also known as one of the 11 pirates rookie who received the title “Supernova Supernova”.
6. Victor Nikiforov (Yuri!! on Ice) – John Cameron Mitchell
Dock. Studio Mappa/ Yuri!!! on IceVictor Nikiforov in the anime Yuri!!! on Ice is one of the main characters, where he is ice skater the legendary Russian genius. Victor then becomes the mentor of the series’ protagonist, Yuuri Katsuki.
Victor’s character was inspired by John Cameron Mitchell, who is a professional American actor, playwright, singer, songwriter, producer and director.
7. Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop) – Yusaku Matsuda
Spike Spiegel (doc. Sunrise/ Cowboy Bebop)The next anime character inspired by the real world is Spike Spiegel from anime Cowboy Bebop, where the figure was created based on a Japanese actor named Yusaku Matsuda.
Spike Spiegel is one bounty hunter who travels in outer space using a plane called Bebop. On the other hand, Yusaku Matsuda is an actor born in 1949 who was very popular in films and TV series in the 1970s.
8. Gordon Agrippa (Black Clover) – Marilyn Manson
dock. Pierrot/ Black CloverThe figure of Gordon Agrippa in the anime Black Clover it does look striking. This Magic Knight who joins the Black Bull squad led by Yami Sukehiro has a mysterious personality that seems scary.
The character is inspired by Marilyn Manson. This character whose real name is Brian Hugh Warner is a metal singer and rock from the United States.
9. Marshall D. Teach (One Piece) – Edward Teach
Marshall D. Teach aka Blackbeard. (Doc. Toei Animation/One Piece)Eiichiro Oda was again inspired by pirates for his fictional characters. This time there is Marshall D. Teach who was created based on the figure of Edward Teach.
Marshall D. Teach, nicknamed Blackbeard, was the captain of the Blackbeard pirate group who was also known as one of the Four Emperors. Interestingly, Edward Teach, who inspired the character, also had the same nickname as an English pirate.
10. Capone Bege (One Piece) – Al Capone
Portrait of Al Capone – Capone Bege (Toei Animation/ One Piece)If two characters One Piece previously inspired by a pirate character, this time there is Capone Bege which is based on the character Al Capone, a famous gangster and businessman from America who is known as the founder of a criminal syndicate called the Chicago Outfit.
Capone Bege in the series One Piece His character is not much different from this character, where he is a mafia and leader of the Fire Tank pirate squad.
That’s a row of anime characters inspired by the real world. What do you think?
