Anime has its reach, from fandom to inspiring filmmakers.
Anime has gained its popularity since the last decade or two. The range of genres and emotions in Japanese animation called Anime has received well. The spread of anime fandom is global with classics like Cowboy Bebop, Princess Mononoke giving old fans of anime the start of a love for anime. The growth of anime has been tremendous and the genres expanding well into high school romance to quick witted drama, from action to thrillers creating characters, plot, music, visuals that grab the attentions of anime lovers.
The influence of anime has reached its roots from its homeland to countries far West. Many films have also been inspired from anime. If Matrix and Ghost In the Shell feels sort of similar, it’s because the Keanu Reeves movie was directly influenced by the anime, among countless others. Here are the movies you didn’t know were inspired by anime.
Inception
Influenced by: Paprika
The most striking resemblance between Paprika and Inception is accessibility of dreams and altering them with the aid of a device. Visual wise, both the movies feature a striking action scene in a corridor. Christopher Nolan acknowledged Paprika as the source of the inspiration.
The Matrix
Influenced by: Ghost in the Shell
The Matrix filmmakers pitched the idea to producers by showing them he cyberpunk action classic Ghost in the Shell. Tons of similarities between the two: ports at the back of the necks, green digital typography that Wachowki brought in from the anime and made it into live action.
Van Helsing
Influenced by: Vampire Hunter D
Hugh Jackman plays the eponymous vampire hunter much as an influence of Vampire Hunter D. Both the movies feature a half-human, half-vampire hunter hero that has heavily influenced the trope of such a hero. Blade movies is just another example.
Black Swan
Influenced by: Perfect Blue
Santoshi Kon’s yet another masterpiece Perfect Blue was an influence to Darren Aronovsky’s Natalie Portman starring Black Swan. Both feature a trouble young girl, a doppelganger, overindulging parents, the shedding of the ‘good girl” figure, all on the way to fame. Aronovsky bought rights to Perfect Blue and have borrowed shots from the film.
Looper
Influenced by: Akira
Looper director considers originality as overrated and is not shy when borrowing. So Cid, the protagonist holds true resemblance to Akira. The hero uses his powers eventually turning them into monsters. Both are action packed and dramatic cyberpunk action, if you haven’t watched Akira, yet, watch it.
