Top 10 Anime That Kinda Rip Off Other Anime
Anime is the same. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 10 Anime That Rip Off Other Anime.
For this list, we'll be looking at the anime that upon closer inspection seem to have taken some biiiig inspiration from other titles.
But, Before we start, lets make a few things crystal clear.
Most anime are derivative from those that have come before them, like how Mazinger z inspired the entire Super Robo genre or how Dragon Ball shaped all shonen anime that followed.
In this case, we'll be looking at the shows that have specific obviously inspired by other titles. Also, and we can't say this enough, we aren't categorizing any of these entries as bad – in fact, some of them actually add some really pleasant elements to the narrative - so lower the pitchforks!
We're also gonna get a little deep into some of the shows so – here's your spoiler warning.
We good? Alright deep breath, here goes.
#10: “Brain Powerd” (1998)
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Anime certainly owes a lot to Mr. Yoshiyuki Tomino. He was the mastermind behind the Gundam franchise, which has served as the inspiration for an incalculable amount of other mecha shows, so we really can’t fault him for trying his luck with other projects. Thus, we have this little experiment. In terms of themes, characters and the way it handles its giant robots, this series is clearly borrowing from Neon Genesis Evangelion. While that sounds like a potentially winning combination, it lacks the impact to really give Shinji and company a run for their money. Ironically enough, Eva creator, Hideaki Anno has expressed in the past that his series was inspired by Tomino’s classic anime “Ideon”. So hows about that.
#9: “Yuki Yuna is a Hero” (2017)
A magical girl series that seeks to explore the very limits of the genre by infusing it with mature themes, a sense of foreboding and realistic elements. Can’t think of anyone whose done that before. While not without some interesting concepts, the parallels between Yuki Yuna and Madoka Magica’s foundations are pretty hard to deny. That being said, Madoka isn’t exactly guilty free either, since creator Gen Urobuchi has pretty much admitted that he pulled the story from the premise of the tokusatsu series, Kamen Rider Ryuki. Go figure.
#8: “Love Live!” (2013-14)
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Woah. Guys stop. Put the weapon down, we’re not picking a side on the idol wars here. Each series certainly has its own brand of charm and quirky cast of characters, but despite being based on a video game, the delightful idols from 765 Production were the ones to lay the foundation. True though, Love Live has taken on a life of its own, spawning waifus with equally an equally rabid fanbase… buuut…let’s just say we’ve never seen Umi and Chihaya in the same room…coincidence? We think not.
#7: “RahXephon” (2002)
Out of all the numerous Evangelion clones out there, aside from itself, none are more blatant than this show. Honestly, you can pretty much tick the boxes for everything this series copies from Anno’s work. Incredible awkward main character? Check. Giant robot that isn’t actually a giant robot? Check. Awkward and uncomfortable romance? Check. Need we continue? Yes. Use of Abrahamic symbolism? Check. NERV-style organisation? Check. A what the fuck just happened ending? Double check. But somehow…the series doesn’t come across as a cheap rip-off and its actually pretty good. Huh.
#6: “Fairy Tail” (2009-)
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In recent years the show has done its best to go its own way with monumental success, and now there’s nothing quite like it. However, before the likes of Black Clover came along, this was the series known for being the amalgamation of every shonen trope. Let’s admit, we all remember a time when people referred to it not-so-affectionately as bleach-piece. The most blatant example of this comes in the form of some of the character designs, I mean just look at Shanks and Gildarts. Hiro Mashima - You’re not even trying, mate.
#5: “Guilty Crown” (2011-12)
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Don’t get us wrong, this is a stunning series to behold, but that’s not going to stop us from noticing the clear comparisons to Code Geass. Yeah, we know it has some of the same writers, but there’s a pretty clear amount of copy & pasting going on here… You’ve got a lead thrown into a position of responsibility after coming into contact with a mysterious girl and gaining supernatural powers, an oddly familiar war between a totalitarian society and a resistance movement trying to restore Japanese independence. Hell, They even managed to find away to kill Shirley again.
#4: “Parasyte” (2014-15)
While this is indeed a great show, the recent release of Devilman Crybaby reminded us just how much of Go Nagai’s classic work inspired Shinichi’s bloody escapades. Both the parasites and the demons assume human form to blend in, love nothing more than to feast on humans, and its all down to a teenage guy whose forcefully been turned into a hybrid in order to stop them. All the while his own humanity comes into question as paranoia slowly starts to alter the masses. It’s safe to say Devilman had a profound effect on many works such as Evangelion, but perhaps Parasyte is the most transparent of the bunch. It may not have gay satan in it, but it ticks most of the other boxes.
#3: “Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress” (2016)
It’s not even funny how desperately this series wants to be Attack on Titan. Which is a shame in certain aspects because the series does show some promise. Instead we have wannabe Eren (Ikoma) doing his best to defend the wannabe walls (a train) from wannabe Titans (zombies). Studio Wit knew they did a good job with Titan and, instead of pumping out another season, they padded out their portfolio with this number. Perhaps the potential of this series wouldn’t feel as wasted if not for its glaring influences…
#2: “Digimon” (1999-)
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We’ll be the first to say that in terms of characters, narrative and general direction these franchises could not be more different. Ash wants to be the very best like no one ever was, while the Digidestined must save the Digital World from certain destruction. Pokemon take part in gladiatorial matches, Digimon strive for peace with humans. However, it can’t be denied that the Digital Monsters did steal that whole “mon” thing, and given how it rode the Pokemania hype train, there’s no chance this conflict will ever end.
#1: “Duel Masters” (2002-)
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It involves a children’s card game; we’ll give you three guesses as to what its accused of ripping off. Okay, okay the characters and plot are radically different but lets consider the history of the series. Wizards of the coast wanted to make a simplified version of Magic the Gathering in order to appeal to a younger audience AND cash in on the Yu-Gi-Oh! Craze. So basically, Yu-Gi-Oh’s duel monsters which copied Magic the Gathering is being copied by Magic the Gathering and called duel MASTERS. It’s beautiful. It’s the circle of life. Even the dub acknowledged the fact that it was a rip-off! Y’know what, since we’re here let’s take a moment to appreciate how good this dub was.
