Top 10 Star Wars References In Anime
Top 10 Star Wars References in Anime
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 10 Star Wars References in Anime. For this list, we’re going over the times that the legendary sci-fi saga somehow slipped its way into anime. You know, before Star Wars actually became an anime! Did we miss any force sensitive examples? Channel your inner Palpatine in the comments below!
#10: The Poster
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“Pokémon Sun & Moon” (2016-19) I mean, they were both chosen ones and have absentee fathers, so why shouldn’t Ash be able to pull off a decent Luke Skywalker? While out on his Alola travels, Ash and the gang partake in a Pokemon school play. Shenanigans soon follow, as to be expected, but what really sells the whole thing is when Rotom announces the follow up to his theatrical magnum opus, including promotional posters. Which, of course, mirrors the one from A New Hope. Wait, does that mean Pikachu is going to be playing Leia?
#9: Destroyer
“KonoSuba” (2016-17) This is kind of genius. As opposed to all the other in your face Star Wars references, this one is far more subtle, which is crazy when you consider that this is Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin and Darkness we’re talking about. While discussing a possible contract, the girls describe the nature of the so-called destroyer…and it starts to sound frighteningly similar to an At-At. If that wasn’t enough, if you perk your ears up, you can actually hear an off-kilter version of the Imperial March playing in the background.
#8: Opening
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“Dagashi Kashi” (2016-18) Sometimes a slice of life has to put all their action in their opening. While mainly focused on the relationship between the heirs to two family legacies centred around candy, the opening animation decided to take a more…cinematic approach to things by filling it with references to western movies. The Matrix, Indiana Jones, and of course, Star Wars. In this instance, Kokonotsu battling his father a la Empire Strikes Back. Guess his refusal to take over the family business really fractured their relationship.
#7: Another Poster
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“Asobi Asobase” (2018) Anything these girls touch turns to hilarious, vulgar gold, so as you’d expect, them slipping in a Star Wars reference is just about as outrageous as you’d expect. Whilst designing their own movie, the infamous trio settle on making a sci-fi…and it pretty much goes downhill from there. The only thing funnier than their attempt and tossing in the same poster as A New Hope is that they also tried to use it as a springboard to land themselves a Season Two! It was about as successful as Rise of Skywalker.
#6: Opening (Again)
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“Princess Jellyfish” (2010) Apparently, Star Wars and slice of life shows featuring adorable female characters go hand in hand. Dedicating a large portion of the opening to a parody of the sci-fi superstar, we see Tsukimi and her fellow NEETs all bundled together in the Millennium Falcon. Not sure why they cast Tsukimi as R2-D2, but we have to admit Kuranosuke sure makes for the ultimate pretty boy version of Luke. You have to love how instead of the Death Star they’re trying to blast away their own insecurities and crushing fear of the outside world!
#5: Shin Wars
“Crayon Shin-Chan” (1992-) Because of course this little troublemaker had an entire episode parodying Star Wars, and it’s filled with about as many butt-related gags as you could expect. Honestly this is the most graphically lewd version you’re ever likely to find, what with Jedi being swapped for Hentai, full on drug endorsement, and of course, using their lightsabers between their legs like…well, you get the imagery. In all honesty, we’re in favour of this episode being rebroadcast for every subsequent Star Wars Day.
#4: Various
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“Gintama” (2006-18) Much like everything else under the sun, Gintoki and the rest have no problem when it comes to going all in on making satire out of pop culture. Case and point, the times where they had to face off against the infamous Dark Vader…which is just a Sith Lord in a duck costume. Or how about when a swordsman named Obi showed up and recounted his many intergalactic tales as a Galaxy Sword Master. Seriously, between this and Gundam it’s a wonder they haven’t been sued yet!
#3: Droids
“Transformers: Victory” (1989) Finally, three of the most famous robots in all of nerd-dom, together at last…in cameo form at least. This anime spin-off to the much beloved Generation 1 was…certainly something, and while many may not look back on it as the greatest portrayal of the Autobots’ ongoing battle against the Deceptions, they did slip in a few easter eggs for those with eagle eyes. Ewoks, Jawas, even C3PO and R2-D2 show up on screen for a brief time. Meh, at least they’d make for better Cybertronian warriors than Starscream.
#2: Fever Dream Homage
“Urusei Yatsura” (1981-86) Ever had one of those moments when you’re so devastated that your life flashes before your eyes? Only instead of your life, it’s a warped version of Return of the Jedi? After Lum reveals that she’s planning on getting jiggy with Ataru, her personal guard…somewhat lose their minds, and as a result we’re greeted to a barrage of scenes taken right out of the final movie in the original trilogy. You’ll never look at TIE Fighters or Admiral Ackbar the same way ever again.
#1: So Many!
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“My Hero Academia” (2016-) We get it Horikoshi! You really love Star Wars! That being said, most of the time he’s at least somewhat subtle when dropping the references, mostly in the form of naming various places after famous locations from the galaxy far, far away. Tatooine, Nabu, Alderan, Dagobah, Hoth, Wookies, they’re littered everywhere. We’re not buying into All for One being a Darth Vader rip-off, because that’s a bit of a stretch. That being said, the anime certainly didn’t shy away from dropping his most iconic line!
