Whileanimeusually takes root from the writer and animator’s creative minds, some of it is inspired by the world around them. Sometimes, the story is inspired by events unfolding around them, other times, the characters in these stories are inspired directly by real-world icons.
Whether it’s simply crafting the looks of a character based on someone real, or basing the entire character on someone’s personality or life story, anime creators have often sought to incorporate real people into their craft. This gives anime a close-to-life feel, making them relatable to audiences.
10Tim Curry - Emporio Ivankov (One Piece)
For anyone who has seen bothOne PieceandThe Rocky Horror Show, the similarities betweenTim Curry’s character, Dr. Frank N. Furter, and Emporio Ivankov are undeniable. Ivankov’s persona, makeup, curly hair, and outfit, the fishnet stockings, red leotard, and cape closely resembleTim Curry’s inThe Rocky Horror Show. The anime character even flaunts Tim’s characteristic pointed chin, furthering the doppelgänger vibe for the duo.
Stream on Netflix
9Bruce Lee - Rock Lee (Naruto)
The black-haired character inNarutodoesn’t just share his last name withBruce Lee, but is also directly inspired by him. Rock Lee plays afellow rookie to Narutowho isn’t blessed with the powers of Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. But as he embarks on a journey to become a ninja, he relies solely on his physical strength and ability to surpass his limits to achieve his goals.
His perseverance and skills in the martial arts forte are very similar to Bruce Lee’s. Both of them are driven and are known for their ability to accomplish feats considered undoable by other humans. Apart from the similarities in character, Rock’s iconic black bowl-cut hair is also reminiscent of Bruce Lee’s hairstyle.
Stream on Prime Video
8Brock Lesnar - Armored Titan (Attack on Titan)
Fans of WWE or UFC who watchedAttack on Titancan almost immediately recognize the similarities between the iconic fighterBrock Lesnarand the animated Armored Titan on the show; namely their physical build and tuft of hair.
The Armored Titan plays one of the Eldian titans thatserve to protect their people. While the WWE fighter might not have an armored body that is impenetrable by blades, his increasingly vicious attacks and unforgiving fighting style can be reflected in that of the Armored Titan’s, drawing clear parallels between the two.
Stream on Hulu
7Jiro Horikoshi (The Wind Rises)
The Wind Risesis directly based onJiro Horikoshi, the head engineer of the Japanese Air Force planes during the World War II era. Jiro Horikoshi had a keen interest in flying and becoming a pilot himself, but his nearsightedness stood in the way. Refusing to let his passion fail, he decided to take up aeronautical engineering and designed the A6M fighter plane for the Japanese Air Force that was used in WWII.
It’s not just the anime’s story that is closely based on Horikoshi, but the character is also a closeresemblance to the real-life engineer. They are both Asian men with similar physiques and wear the same round-lensed glasses.
Stream on Max
Related:Netflix Developing a New Anime Remake of One Piece Titled The One Piece
6Al Capone - Capone Bege (One Piece)
As surprising as it is, criminals have also inspired some of the most iconic anime characters. Capone Bege fromOne Pieceis a striking example. The character is an underworld mafia boss in East Blue and the captain of the Fire Tank Pirates. Notorious for his murders and malicious intents, Capone Bege is also one of the 12 pirates titled asWorst Generation.
This villainous character is inspired by none other thanAl Capone, aka Scarface, the famous Chicago crime lord. He led an organized crime syndicate in Chicago in the 1920s and was later incarcerated for it. Both Capones were criminals who commanded huge chunks of outlaw groups. But the similarities don’t end there. Capone Bege’s bulky stature, cigar-in-mouth appearance, polite manners, and distinguished interests (in cooking and the arts) closely relate to those of Al Capone.
5Yusaku Matsuda - Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)
While it is not widely known,Cowboy Bebop’sSpike Spiegel is based on the Japanese actorYusaku Matsuda. Spike plays an ex-member of Red Dragon Crime Syndicate who later leaves his ways behind by faking his death after falling in love with Julia, his crime partner’s girlfriend. He then goes on to become the protagonist of the show.
Spike’s appearance was modeled on Matsuda’s character in one of his shows,The Detective Story. They share similar dressing styles; formal suits with a vest and tie, and also have similar unruly wavy hair. If one were to put them side by side, there is no doubt Spike is simply the animated version of Yusaka.
4Edward Teach - Marshall D. Teach (One Piece)
Marshall D. Teach, otherwise known as Yonko Blackbeard, is considered one of the most cruel characters in theOne Pieceuniverse. He is a man of questionable morals, who did not stop at betraying Whitebeard, the man who took him in as an orphan, to fulfill his evil motives and create his own pirate crew. His mission is to take over the seas as the one and only Pirate King.
This ruthless character is based on the real-life Blackbeard,Edward Teach(or, alternatively, known as Thatch). He was a famous English pirate who operated around the British-controlled eastern colonies of the now-United States. Like Marshall D. Teach, Edward Thatch was notorious for his aggression and intimidation, earning him the title of being the most feared pirate in the West Indies territory.
3John Cameron Mitchell - Victor Nikiforov (Yuri!!! on Ice)
Viewers who have watchedYuri!!! On Icecan probably recall having seen the character Victor Nikiforov’s silver locks and chiseled face elsewhere. That is because the character’s physical appearance was inspired directly byHedwig and the Angry Inch‘s actor and director,John Cameron Mitchell. This was confirmed by the series’ writer, Sayo Yamamoto, who claims to have based the character on the actor’s looks.
Stream on Crunchyroll
Related:Every Anime Series Releasing in January 2024
2Anne Bonney - Jewelry Bonney (One Piece)
Yes,One Pieceseems to have taken a lot of real-life inspiration for its characters. The feisty pirate Jewelry Bonny in the anime is no exception. She is named and crafted based on a real Irish pirate,Anne Bonney, who is known for her adventures in the Caribbean. They both share their temperament, hot-headedness, love for adventure, and self-reliance.
1Marilyn Manson - Gordon Agrippa (Black Clover)
The characters inBlack Cloverare truly unique, with each having their own weird, striking personalities. If one were to watch Gordon Agrippa inBlack Cover, they’re sure to feel an instant nostalgia because the character looks and feels so familiar. This is because it is based on none other than the famousSweet Dreamssinger,Marilyn Manson.
Agrippa can be considered the animated version of Manson. They have the same heavily black-rimmed eyes, black-painted nails, and blackened lips. The two also have personality-based similarities in how they hate the sunlight and how they conduct themselves.
