10 Best Anime Inspired by American Franchises
Here are the top 10 anime adaptations inspired by renowned American franchises such as Marvel, Supernatural, and more. Each anime brings a unique twist to the original source material, making them a must-watch for fans of both Western and Japanese pop culture.
Ultraviolet: Code 004
Ultraviolet: Code 004 is a Japanese reimagination of the American sci-fi film Ultraviolet, released in 2006. Due to a failed project in an illegal laboratory in the US, half of the population contracts a vampire-like disease. People start behaving like blood-sucking creatures as their DNA gets infected by the deadly virus.
Screenshot from Ultraviolet: Code 044
While the anime plays around the same concept, it chooses a different path. In the live-action version, Violet, a super soldier, is chosen to beat the crap out of every \\u2018hemophage\\u2019. However, the anime features 044, who becomes the strongest female warrior of humanity when her DNA is altered with the hemophageous virus.
Supernatural: The Animation
Who isn\u2019t familiar with the American supernatural series featuring two brothers, Dean and Sam, fighting the horrors that haunt humanity? From werewolves to vampires, the brothers deal with everything. Warner Bros. Japan announced the anime adaptation of the popular series in 2010, and it finally arrived on the screens in 2011.
Screenshot from Supernatural: The Animation
Supernatural: The Animation has one season of 22 episodes that cover the first two seasons of the live-action and several original elements. Unlike the source material, the anime version sheds some light on the childhood of the main protagonist while also focusing on the supporting characters. Interestingly, the English dubbed version sees Sam getting voiced by the one who played him originally, i.e., Jared Padalecki. On the other hand, Jensen Ackles voices Dean in the last two episodes of the English dub.
Powerpuff Girls Z
Originally produced by Cartoon Network Studios, the American television show was adapted into an anime to celebrate the critically acclaimed Toei Animation\u2019s 50th anniversary. The anime version of the series titled Powerpuff Girls Z was produced collaboratively by Toei, Aniplex, and Tokyo TV.
Screenshot from Powerpuff Girls Z
The anime is not an exact copy of the American cartoon. The Japanese version\u2019s narrative sees Professor Utonium and his son creating Chemical Z accidentally out of Chemical X. While protecting the city from a disaster, Ken uses the chemical, and that\u2019s when the three ordinary girls, Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles, become the superheroines known as the Powerpuff girls.
Batman: Gotham Knight
Batman: Gotham Knight is a collection of six standalone films that takes inspiration from DC Comics\u2019 highest-grossing franchise, Batman. The intriguing set of films involves various prestigious animation studios, including Madhouse, Production I.G, and Bee Train.
Screenshot from Batman: Gotham Knight
The narrative revolves around four friends who share their perspectives on Batman. Even though the anime is based on the events between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, the producers revealed that the films are not necessarily replicas of the source material.
Ben 10: Kakusei
Here\u2019s another anime that\u2019s based on an American Cartoon Network television show. If you are a fan of Solo Leveling anime and Sword Art Online, you must watch Ben 10: Kakusei, as it has been co-produced by A-1 Pictures. Ben 10 is one of the most popular and longest-running American media franchises that has blessed the community with four films and four series.
Screenshot from Ben 10
The story follows a boy named Ben, who mysteriously transforms into an alien after wearing a high-tech watch, Omnitrix. However, he doesn\u2019t misuse the newly found powers; instead, he uses them to fight against the alien threats on humankind. In this battle, he is accompanied by his grandfather and cousin, Gwen.
