Chinese mythology is a source of inspiration for video games, movies and, of course, anime. Its legends, characters and legendary battles have served as inspiration for many works. Dragon Ballfor example, was inspired by the well-known legend of the Monkey King.
Along with the story of Goku, inspired by the novel The journey to the westwhich is one of the cornerstones of Chinese mythology, there are other anime that have also followed the same path. Whether you're interested in Chinese mythology or curious to embark on a journey into China's more mythological past, we recommend you keep reading to discover some great anime series.
Fruit basket
The romantic comedy Fruit basket is a symbol of its genre and one of the best anime in its category. It has had two different adaptations, the most recent being in 2019, which adapted the entire original manga. However, both versions are highly recommended and entertaining.
IN Fruit basketwe meet Tohru Honda, a high school student who finds it difficult to live in a tent. A series of events lead her to accept an offer to live with the Sohma family, where every member is possessed. Not by demons, but by the spirits of the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Their transformation into these animals makes life with Tohru a fun, messy and romantic experience. It's a classic.
June Taisen: Zodiac War
It's easy to see that the Chinese zodiac signs are a source of inspiration for a lot of anime. In this case, the tone of the series changes, then June Taisen: Zodiac War is an anime of battle and violence. It was a huge success when it premiered in 2017 and even though it only had 12 episodes, it became one of the most talked about shows of the season.
IN June Taisentwelve warriors representing the signs of the Chinese zodiac meet in a battle where only one can remain alive. They all consume a poison that will kill them in 12 hours, and only the winner of the confrontation will receive the antidote. In addition, they will also get a wish for what they desire most. The combat is wild, violent and extremely brutal, resulting in a very punchy anime.
Fushigi Yuugi
If you ignore the weight of Dragon Ballamong all anime inspired by Chinese mythology, Fushigi Yuugi is the one that has left the biggest mark. The anime adapts the manga by Yuu Watase, one of the queens of 90s manga, with a 52-episode series. It is a delightful, charming series, full of love and romance, but also with high levels of action. It managed to blur the lines between shonen and shojo, uniting the entire audience in front of the television.
At the same time, Fushigi Yuugi is an isekai from a time when no one talked about isekai. The main character is Miaka Yuki, a high school student who after reading a strange book is transported to another world, a medieval era. Upon arrival, a boy rescues her from a dangerous situation, and from there begins a journey full of adventure. Along with her, her friend Yui Hongo also moves to that world and ends up on the opposite side of Miaka's group.
Monkey Magic
It's not the best adaptation of The journey to the westbut it has something special. It was televised in both Japan and the US in 1998 and only had 13 episodes. Its visual style is particularly distinctive, given that it features character designs by Susumu Matsushita, an illustrator for Famitsu magazine and character designer for the game Maximo: Ghosts to Glory.
IN Monkey MagicKongo, as we know Son Goku, travels with his allies with the intention of saving the world and becoming stronger. The one who will try to stop him is Death Voyd, who rules the underworld and wants to rule the rest of the universe. It's a fun anime, but one that has been forgotten and hasn't become a classic.
Sumomomo, Momomo
Sumomomo, Momomo was one of those short series that still provided a lot of entertainment. With 22 episodes and two OVAs, the anime is an adaptation of the original manga by Shinobu Ohtaka. It does so by incorporating elements of the Chinese zodiac, as has been the case in other anime we've discussed.
Sumomomo, Momomo introduces 12 families trained in special styles of martial arts, each representing a sign of the Chinese zodiac. The main character is the representative of one of these families, the one representing the dragon. Her story begins when she surprises Koshi Inuzuka, a boy, by telling him that they will get married and have a child together. Koshi is also part of the 12 families, although he does not want to fight. They will soon face a drastic situation. With battles and romance, Sumomomo, Momomo is a light anime that is easy to enjoy.
Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kings
An anime adaptation of a novel series that began publication in 1987 and is still ongoing, currently spanning 15 books. Written by Yoshiki Tanaka and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano, known for his work with Final Fantasythe books were adapted into 12 OVAs released between 1991 and 1993.
In the world of The SohryudenDragon Kings rule the world. These dragons from Chinese mythology are reborn in the form of four young brothers who must face a dangerous threat from the other side of the earth. Each of the brothers has a unique power and the ability to transform into a dragon. Their distinct personalities contribute to an anime that remains engaging even today. Unfortunately, no more books have been adapted.
The Twelve Kingdoms
This is one of the most ambitious anime projects inspired by Chinese mythology. Based on an isekai premise, it takes the viewer to a complex world of twelve kingdoms full of conflicts, stories and battles. It's a story that goes beyond the characters' adventures or their lives, transcending them in a very satisfying way.
It has 45 episodes produced by Studio Pierrot, although the story does not have a definitive ending. The main reason is that this novel series is still being published. Written by Fuyumi Ono, these books have reached nine installments since debuting in 1992. The world of The Twelve Kingdoms contains many aspects inspired by traditional Chinese folklore and legends. The heroine, Youko Nakajima, is a young student who moves from Earth to the world of the Twelve Kingdoms. From the moment she arrives, she will encounter risks and problems, but she will also experience many adventures.
Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger
The Chinese zodiac signs, again. But this time in a completely different way. The story of Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Rangeran anime that premiered in 1995, features a group of heroes who must save novel worlds, various fantasy locations. Each of them is one of the animals of the Chinese zodiac, starting with the mouse, who is their leader.
Using their unique abilities, these heroes must confront the spirit of the cats, which has returned to seek revenge. Led by the evil cat Nyanmar, they try to wreak havoc on the worlds the heroes try to protect and save. With 39 episodes, it is a fun anime whose style somewhat resembled the previous success of Samurai Pizza Cats. The animals triumphed on television once again, and while the show hasn't aged well, it retains its charm.
Hoshin Engi
Based on the manga by Ryu Fujisaki, published between 1996 and 2000, this anime had 26 episodes adapting the original series. It arrived in the US under the title Soul Hunteralthough a remake retained the original title, which has remained to this day. It is one of the adaptations that delves most deeply into Chinese mythology, including a connection to the 16th century book Act of the Gods.
Although at first glance it may seem like a straight shonen anime, Hoshin Engi has a complex story that explores the conflict between gods and mortals. It also immerses the viewer in a technologically advanced fantasy world and creates a unique atmosphere. Its main character is Taikobo, who with the help of his powers and the help of his allies must defeat 365 enemies. Along the way, he will discover all about the Hoshin List and some of the secrets related to the eternal conflict with the gods. It's a good anime.
Gensomade Saiyuki
Saiyuki has become one of the most important anime series of recent decades. Its popularity has been so high that it has spawned five anime adaptations. To understand the significance of these series, it is important to know that three of them were produced by Studio Pierrot. The manga on which they are based also gained great importance.
The anime draws inspiration from The journey to the westfirmly in his own style. It premiered in 2000 and had the audacity to introduce a character named Son Goku, something producers had always tried to avoid due to the popularity of Dragon Ball. But as an anime inspired by the story of the Monkey King and his adventures, it is an important recommendation. Saiyuki became a hit and thrilled all the fans with its action-packed adventure where the group of heroes had to save the world. It's a real classic.
Dragon Ball
- Release date
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1986 – 1989
- Network
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Fuji TV
- Directors
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Osamu Kasai, Daisuke Nishio, Kazuhisa Takenouchi, Minoru Okazaki, Mitsuo Hashimoto, Yoshihiro Ueda, Yutaka Satoh, Yûji Endô
- Author
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Akira Toriyama, Keiji Terui, Toshiki Inoue, Takao Koyama, Michiru Shimada, Yasushi Hirano, Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Yuichiro Oguro, Miho Maruo, Shunichi Yukimuro
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Masako Nozawa
Son Goku (voice)
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Mayumi Tanaka
Krillin (voice)
