Storytellers in many mediums take inspiration from real life, and anime is no exception.
Anime does not exist in a vacuum. Most anime creators take at least the basics of their material from the society before adding other elements to it. This leaves anime lovers constantly try to figure out creative origin of a certain character. There’s often a feeling of familiarity about an anime character, and the hunch is not always wrong.
Sometimes, it finally dawns that the character bears a striking resemblance to a certain MMA fighter, or a legendary actor, or even has the mannerism of a certain historical figure they read or heard about. Hence, a lot of popular actors, athletes, and even historical figures have been used as inspirations for anime characters.
Bruce Lee is a household name and the childhood hero of many. A lot of anime fans can easily spot the similarities between the character Rock Lee in Naruto, and the legendary actor and martial artist.
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From his attire, hairstyle, and body language down to his fascination with taijutsu and mastery of martial art, Rock Lee is a doppelganger of Bruce Lee. Another dead giveaway is the fact that the creators were not very inventive with the character’s name.
Victor Nikiforou from Yuri on Ice is a complex character derived from the amalgamation of the Soviet skater, Evgeni Plushenko, and the critically acclaimed actor, John Cameron Mitchell. No wonder the character is such a resounding success with most of the fans.
The series’ writer revealed that Victor’s character was designed to possess the mannerisms and achievements of the former, and the physical attributes such as the trademark silver locks and the boyish good looks of the latter.
The fiery pirate Jewelry was modeled after Anne Bonney, an infamous real-life pirate who led a colorful life in the Caribbean. The creators barely made any effort to mask the connection, as evidenced by the similarity in their names.
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The real-life pirate’s hard-headedness, temperamental nature, love for adventure, and extraordinary independence are all traits that can be found in the animated character, Jewelry Bonney.
