It’s no secret that the originalStar Warsfranchise was heavily inspired by Japanese culture. From the force sharing parallels with Zen Buddhism to the Jedi being likened to the samurai warrior caste, elements of Japanese culture and ideas are abundant within theStar Warsplot and worldbuilding. George Lucas himself even admitted thatA New Hopewas heavily inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s 1958 film,The Hidden Fortress, which told the story through the lenses of its peasant protagonists. InStar Wars,the ‘peasant’ perspective is seen through the two droids R2-D2 and C3PO.
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Fast forward to the present, the east-west cultural exchange has come full circle. It wouldn’t be hard for anime enthusiasts to point out several Sci-Fi anime shows that have elements fromStar Wars. From certain story elements to the iconic lightsaber being reimagined, it goes to show that nothing is truly original under the sun. That being said, it doesn’t mean that reinventing the wheel means a drab and unoriginal story, it can be quite the opposite.
Most of these examples are not confirmed to be inspired byStar Wars, but they share a few key things in common.
6Star Wars: Visions
This entry does not need a “might” qualifier.Star Wars: Visionshappens to be an animated anthology series created for Disney Plus. Released in 2021, the series is divided into nine standalone short films that take place within theStar Warscanon mythos and it was meant to offera new, diverse take on the franchise.
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Maintaining the feel and theme of theStar Warsworld, each film is helmed by a different director and different animation studio. Whilst maintaining no coherent storyline with one another, the series does allow viewers to witnessStar Warsthrough an alternative lens.Perhaps it evokes the idea and demonstrates how theStar Warslegacy has come full circle, cementing itself as a cultural zeitgeist even today.
5Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
On the surface,Code Geassmay not seem to share elements withStar Warsat all. Sporting mechs, multiple political factions, and magical powers whilst also partially set at a school, it just doesn’t add up. However, looking at the show from a macro lens, the series is at its roots about a rebellion against a tyrannical empire whereby theprotagonist must defeat his fatherwho sits at the helm of the autocratic regime.
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Whilst Lelouch isn’t as altruistic and lawfully good as Luke Skywalker and the magic systems are vastly different in how they operate, one can’t discount the threads that tie both franchises together.
4Mobile Suit Gundam
Released 2 years afterA New Hope,Mobile Suit Gundampaved the way for Sci-Fi anime and its popularity.As the granddaddy of the ‘mecha’ genrein anime, the series focuses on the political turmoil and conflicts taking place within space. Whilst there are no Jedi and evil Sith, the show features armored mech units wielding their versions of guns and lightsabers.
Though not parrotingStar Wars, the series does share similarities with its visual elements and plot devices - a rebellion brewing up against powerful empires with super weapons. Sound familiar?Mobile Suit Gundamperhaps also owes a lot toStar Warsas it did give audiences a taste and desire for more sci-fi stories.
3Cowboy Bebop
A classicsci-fi masterpiece,Cowboy Bebopshares many elements with the originalStar Warstrilogy. Both being space westerns,Cowboy Bebopperhaps captures the more ‘romantic’ themes and spirit of its western counterpart, more so than any other anime series on the market. Both feature an extraordinary soundtrack that evokes the vast expanse, epicness, and loneliness of space. One has to see both to find the threads of connection, for, as they say, seeing is believing.
Cowboy Bebopalso followsa rag-tag band of bounty huntersseeking their fortunes and a way to escape their pasts. Apart from that, there isn’t much else that tethers the franchises together. Those who haven’t checked this gem out should do so immediately as it’s quite the (emotional) ride.
2My Hero Academia
My Hero Academiashares many similar tropes one would expect from the superhero genre - interesting powers, several big baddies, hero school, and the theme of good vs evil. All in all, it’s atypical anime superhero seriesinspired heavily by its western superhero counterparts. WhilstMy Hero Academia’scharacters and story arcs are a far cry fromStar Wars, several aspects tether both franchises together.
Main protagonist Deku’s training ground in the story’s first arc: Takoba Municipal Beach Park is a nod to Dagobah where Luke trains with Yoda. Speaking of Yoda, Deku (who very much resembles Luke in his outlook) spends time with an old, short mentor named Gran Torino who is at the same time, an extremely powerful yet eccentric mentor figure.
1Legend Of The Galactic Heroes
Whilst some shows are inspired by or take story beats and technological concepts from theStar Warsmythos,Legend of the Galactic Heroespractically screamsStar Wars. A politically heavy Sci-Fi space opera, the series explores the struggle between the democratic Free Planets Alliance against the monarchic Galactic Empire with a third power known as the Dominion of Phezzan caught up in the mix. The show explores the conflict through the lenses of both sides plus neutral parties trying to navigate through the epic conflict.
Featuring complex characters and intricate politics, the series doesn’t shy away from its fair share of epic space battles and awesome war strategies. It’s basicallyStar Warsin full glory whilst going deeper into some of the themes and concepts that were touched on in the original trilogy. Some concepts of the anime even share similarities with the prequels. Talk about an insane cultural exchange of ideas.
