Anime has a long tradition of taking inspiration from real historical figures and events to create compelling stories and characters. Though the characters themselves are fictional, seeing their historical roots shine through can be fascinating for history buffs and anime fans alike.
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Some anime feature verydirect adaptationsof major historical personalities, while others subtly weave in references or parallels to lesser-known legends and lore. Though their anime incarnations may havesupernatural powersor live in fictional worlds, core aspects of their real life origins and deeds are often retained or payed homage to.
10Miyamoto Musashi Of Vagabond
Musashi’s character is based on his fictionalized account in Eiji Yoshikawa’s novel Musashi. The manga follows Musashi’s journey from his youth, where he was known as Shinmen Takezō, a violent and unruly child, to his transformation into Miyamoto Musashi, the swordsman striving for enlightenment through the way of the sword.
Miyamoto Musashi is a legendary historical figure in Japan, renowned for his skills as aswordsmanand his strategic mind. Some of the most exciting parts of Vagabond are its depictions of Musashi’s famous duels. For example, his duel with Sasaki Kojirō, another famous swordsman of his time, is a significant moment both historically and in the manga.
9Jack The Ripper From Record Of Ragnarok
Record of Ragnarok is aNetflix animeand manga series written by Shinya Umemura. It features a tournament in which gods from various mythologies fight against the greatest humans in history to determine the fate of humanity. In this series, Jack the Ripper is one of the human fighters.
He is indeed based on a historical figure – or rather, a historical mystery. The real Jack the Ripper was an unidentified serial killer active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. In Record of Ragnarok, Jack the Ripper is depicted as a psychopathic killer, known for his intelligence.
8Oda Nobunaga In Nobunaga the Fool
Oda Nobunaga is one of the main characters in Nobunaga the Fool anime. He is indeed based on Oda Nobunaga, a major daimyo (feudal lord) during the Sengoku period in Japan. Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) was a powerful daimyo of Japan in the late 16th century who initiated the unification of Japan near the end of the Warring States period.
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The Nobunaga in the series is portrayed as a brash young man who dreams of unifying the two planetary systems: the East Star and the West Star. The anime uses the historical figure as a starting point to create a uniquescience fictionnarrative.
7Robert E. O. Speedwagon From JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Manycharacters in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureare named after famous musicians and bands, but one surprising historical inspiration is the character of Robert E. O. Speedwagon. His name is a clear reference to the real-life rock band REO Speedwagon, which itself was named after the REO Speed Wagon, a flatbed truck and fire engine, manufactured by REO Motor Car Company.
Robert E. O. Speedwagon first appears in the series' first part, Phantom Blood. He starts off as a minor antagonist but quickly becomes an ally to the protagonist, Jonathan Joestar. Speedwagon is known for his loyalty and resourcefulness, traits that make him a fan favorite.
6Jewelry Bonney In One Piece
Jewelry Bonney in One Piece is a pirate and the captain of the Bonney Pirates, known for her ability to alter her age at will due to herDevil Fruit. Oda has a penchant for basing his characters on real-life figures, especially pirates, and many characters in One Piece are inspired by actual historical pirates.
Jewelry Bonney’s name appears to be inspired by Anne Bonny, a famous Irish pirate who operated in the Caribbean during the early 18th century. However, Bonney’s storyline in One Piece is largely original and doesn’t have direct parallels to Anne Bonny’s life or history.
5Osamu Dazai From Bungo Stray Dogs
Osamu Dazai in Bungo Stray Dogs is a member of the Armed Detective Agency with a penchant for suicide attempts, a trait that is a dark reflection of the real Dazai’s life— he made several suicide attempts throughout his life and eventually died in a double suicide with his lover. The real Osamu Dazai (1909-1948) was one of the 20th century’s most prominent Japanese authors.
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He’s best known for his novels No Longer Human (Ningen Shikkaku) and The Setting Sun (Shayo). His works often reflect his struggles with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, themes that have resonated with many readers. The fictionalDazai’s supernatural abilityin the series, known as No Longer Human, allows him to nullify others' abilities upon touch, which is a nod to the real-life Dazai’s novel of the same name.
4Himura Kenshin From Samurai X (Rurouni Kenshin)
Himura Kenshin, the protagonist of the anime/manga series Rurouni Kenshin (also known as Samurai X), is a fictional character created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Watsuki has mentioned that Kenshin’s character design and personality were influenced by several sources.
Among these influences, the most cited one is the historical figure Kawakami Gensai, a samurai of the Bakumatsu era known for his high-speed kenjutsu (swordsmanship). Like Kenshin, Gensai was a highlyskilled assassinwho later became a wanderer.
3Katsura Kogorō From Gintama
Katsura Kogorō from Gintama is based on a real historical figure of the same name from the late Edo period in Japan. The historical Katsura Kogorō (1833–1877), whose real name was Kido Takayoshi, was one of the leaders of the pro-imperial faction that fought to restore the Emperor to power during the Meiji Restoration, which led to the end of the Edo (or Tokugawa) period and the start of the Meiji era.
In Gintama, Katsura Kogorō is a samurai who refuses to give up his sword and continues to fight against the alien race Amanto, who have taken over Japan. Despite the serious historical basis of his character, in typical “Gintama” fashion, he’s also known for his comedic aspects, including his obsession with a pet duck named Elizabeth and his knack for disguises.
2Arthur Pendragon In The Seven Deadly Sins
Arthur Pendragon fromThe Seven Deadly Sinsshares many attributes with the legendary figure King Arthur from British folklore. King Arthur is a central figure in the Arthurian legends, where he is portrayed as a noble king who leads the Knights of the Round Table.
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He is known for his sword, Excalibur, and his advisor, the wizard Merlin. The anime puts its own twist on the Arthurian legend, incorporating elements of fantasy and adventure that are distinct to the series. So, the Seven Deadly Sins series develops Arthur Pendragon in its own unique way.
1Thorfinn From Vinland Saga
Thorfinn’s character arc is centered around his search for Vinland, a far-off land described as a place of peace and prosperity, without war or slavery. This vision of Vinland is based on the historical accounts of the Norse saga.
The character, Thorfinn, from the manga and anime Vinland Saga is based on Thorfinn Karlsefni Thordarson, who was an Icelandic explorer around the 11th century. Historically, Thorfinn is believed to have led one of the first attempts to establish a settlement in North America, specifically in what is now known as Newfoundland, Canada.
