Top Anime Inspired By Classic Literature Posted Apr 22, 2022

Could you imagine Japanese anime getting their Western adaptations and becoming Hollywood blockbusters? It is hard to imagine, you might say. Yet, the reverse scenario has already played out several times. Anime and manga creators have successfully retold and adapted numerous classic stories through quality productions.

Most of you have probably watched the Oscar-winning animation Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli. Or at least heard about the most prominent series, such as Dragon Ball, Pokémon, One Piece, and Cowboy Bebop. And animes based on West-originating writing don’t fall behind. Multiple fascinating animations stem from the best literary works and children’s books.

Here are the top five classic-inspired anime worth your attention. Japanime addicts will undoubtedly have a blast with these one-of-a-kind versions we found in the sea of many.

1. Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water

The master of anime, Hayao Miyazaki, stands behind Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water, and Hideaki Anno was its director. This piece contains 39 episodes, each 25 minutes long, created and aired in the early 90’. As for the inspiration, we can loosely relate the story to the novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne.

The plot revolves around the 14-year old girl Nadia, young inventor Jean Ratlique, and Captain Nemo of the Nautilus. Together, they are fighting to improve the world, and the Gargoyle is their sworn enemy. Besides stopping the Gargoyle from his plan to restore the Atlantean empire, Nadia learns a lot about her past. The adventures of this memorable trio enjoy the support of numerous fans worldwide.

The series got broadcasted in the US by ADV films. After their closure, Sentai Filmworks re-released Nadia on Blu-ray and DVD in 2014.

2. Romeo X Juliet

Needless to say, this cartoon is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s written equivalent. And though his plays are not the first choice to turn into animes, his most famous work penetrated the animation realm in Japan. Written by Reiko Yoshida, the animation features 24 episodes, first aired in 2007. The English dubbing came in 2009 when Funimation released it in the US theater setting.

Although the anime plot bears a few resemblances to the book, the author took many liberties. Everything starts on the floating island named Neo Verona. There the Montague family leads a sinister coup and kills the Capulets who rule the isle. Julie, the younger daughter of the king, is the only one who survives. Once she turns sixteen, she fights against the iron fist of Leontes Montague, masked as the Red Whirlwind. But her plans get twisted when she meets Montague’s son and falls in love with him.

The adaptation doesn’t follow the original play accurately. Still, its make-believe setting and dramatic details have appealed to the audience. The magical tree fed on human sacrifices to keep the island floating and the winged horses are some of the most impressive elements.

3. Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

Gankutsuou is a fascinating journey through one of the most renowned novels by Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo. The anime offers a unique viewing experience because it blends fantasy and science fiction. Plus, the action is set in the year 5053.

Еhe central themes of the read remain intact. The Count is cold-hearted and determined to destroy everyone who wronged him in the past. Albert de Morcerf is another significant figure in the show. He grows from hating Edmond for ruining his life to forgiving him and becoming a better person. The evolution of the character is also the dominant theme in The Crucible essay examples from PapersOwl where the complex nature of a human being is extensively analyzed by the author. Such analysis allows us to understand the character’s actions a bit deeper which, in some cases explains, his or her wrongdoings.

By twisting the plot, Mahido Maeda makes an impressive adaptation and creates an entirely novel artwork. The animated show contains 24 episodes that originally aired in 2004 and 2005. Anime Limited from the UK licensed the retelling for commercial release in 2014, and the Blu-ray version came out in 2016. The essence of Gankutsuou’s story revolves around Edmond Dantes, presented as an alien vampire.

4. Moriarty the Patriot (Yuukoku no Moriarty)

Sherlock Holmes stories conceived by the ingenious Sir Arthur Conan Doyle have provided source material for endless movies and animations. The fascination with this intriguing character is partly due to the twists and turns exposed throughout the storylines.

However, the anime’s protagonist isn’t Sherlock but his enemy James Moriarty. Represented as Moriarty the Patriot, the villain in this series is manipulative and evil.

The plot revolves around the cat-and-mouse race between these two characters. Sublimely, the story represents the aristocracy and the atrocities they do to subdue the lower classes. The show’s premiere was in 2020 and 2021, with 24 episodes + 2 OVAs directed by Kazuya Nomura.

5. Hellsing, Castlevania, and Others

Rarely can someone be oblivious of the Dracula novel written by Bram Stoker. And this fascinating character hasn’t left manga-anime creators indifferent. More specifically, the authors of Hellsing and Castlevania have independently decided to take Dracula as a starting point. They both picked the same name for their lead character Alucard (backward spelling of Dracula).

Both protagonists have had a massive audience since vampire accounts are prevalent in anime. All credits go to Bram Stoker, the inventor of the most prolific horror genre in history. Hellsing features 13 episodes, while Castlevania 32. The later version is more current, with the first release on Netflix from 2017 to 2021.

Final Thoughts

As art pieces, anime have introduced numerous enthusiasts from across the globe to eastern history and culture. And yet, ingenious minds have used this medium as a tool to transform classics from the West into popular animations. The top five series we shared draw inspiration from some of the most impressive written takes in human history.

Whether you choose the storyline of Shakespeare, Dumas, Doyle, or Verne, you’re bound to have a whale of a time. Are you aware of other anime that people connect to literary masterpieces? Feel free to share your insight in the comments below.