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12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others

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Not every anime is entirely original. Many shows borrow from others, but that doesn't make them ripoffs. With so many ideas out there, similarities are inevitable - like high school sweethearts falling in love or heroes saving the world. What matters is how a series handles its material. Guilty Crown and Code Geass, for example, are great shows despite their similarities. Some series on this list put their own spin on familiar ideas, while others, like Monsuno: World Master, seem to be cashing in on trends, resembling a lackluster Pokémon clone.

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  • 1
    'Duel Masters' Borrows From 'Yu-Gi-Oh!'

    If you like anime where card games decide everything but you skip watching hundreds of episodes, you might watchDuel Masters is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Duel Masters is instead of something in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Yu-Gi-Oh! is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.However, you must accept watching a rip-off that is not as good. Shobu Kirifuda seeks mastery in Kaijudo, a game where other dimensions arrive on Earth via cards. This premise works if you ignore that it is exactly the same asYu-Gi-Oh! is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.or the lack of meaningful character development.Duel Masters is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.This show passes the time, but it would have been more memorable if it tried to stand apart fromYu-Gi-Oh! is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.any way.

  • 2
    Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress' Borrows From 'Attack On Titan'

    Both Duel Masters and Attack on Titan are in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Attack on Titan is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Attack on Titan and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress are in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.The story shows humans fighting to survive in a fortified community against terrifying man-eating beasts that might have been human. The protagonists then fight to defeat the enemy and protect their communities.

    Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.The same studio made Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress as it did Attack on Titan.Attack on Titan is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress borrows from Attack on Titan, but it is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Kabaneri borrows from Attack on Titan, and it is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.is an original production, whileKabaneri borrows from Attack on Titan in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.is based on a manga by Hajime Isayama. Wit Studio tried to copy Attack on Titan's success but failed to do so.Kabaneri borrows from Attack on Titan's in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.success, but they did not manage it.Kabaneri borrows from Attack on Titan in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.has its own appeal, but it is not a titan of the anime industry.

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  • 3
    'Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch' Borrows From 'Sailor Moon'

    Take is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Sailor Moon and Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch are in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.remove the space theme, add mermaids and music, and you getMermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.This is a magical girl show where the blonde pigtailed lead must hide her real identity. Her other magical girls look like members of the Sailor Scouts. It is a cute anime if you already watchedSailor Moon is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.and like that wholesome magical girl feel, but it is not a unique show.

  • 4
    'Sword Art Online' Borrows From '.hack//sign'

    Sword Art Online is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.This may be one of the most popular anime ever made, but that is not because of its originality. BeforeSword Art Online is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Sword Art Online came out; there was something in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others..hack//Sign is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.which tells the story of an MMORPG player named Tsukasa who cannot log out of the game.SAO is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.SAO expands that idea to the whole player base. Each anime has a different tone and story, but this point cannot be denied. Every anime involving transport to a game reality, includingLog Horizon and Overlord are in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.and others, gets its start from this 2002 classic.

  • 5
    'Dive!!' Borrows From 'Free!'

    A look atDive!! borrows from Free! and is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.shows it tried to be the newFree! is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.It focuses on a diving club closing due to money problems, then moves to the members' relationships, many based on childhood bonds. It tries to attract a straight female audience with beautiful characters and feeling, but whereFree! is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Dive!! succeeds in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Dive!! is in the list of 12 Popular Anime Series That Borrowed From Others.Most characters in this show are one-note. The art and animation do not match Kyoto Animation's quality. The story does not stand out.

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  • 6
    'Guilty Crown' Borrows From 'Code Geass'

    Some writers who worked onCode Geassalso worked onGuilty CrownOne cannot call this plagiarism, but the two shows share wild similarities. Both tell the story of a smart teen who gets a strange power after meeting a gorgeous magical girl. These boys use this power, plus guerrilla warriors, to help Japan fight colonial rule.Guilty Crown isIt remains different enough to watch even if you already saw it.Code Geassbut the experience offers moments of recognition.

  • 7
    'Monsuno: World Master' Borrows From 'Pokémon'

    DigimonThis has often been called the biggestPokémonPokémon is a history rip-off, but those shows share little besides creatures whose names end in -mon. ButPokémonPokémon has plenty of real imitators worth mentioning, and one obvious example isMonsuno: World Master.This anime follows Chase Suno and his father. They try to escape an organization targeting Suno's research on Monsuno, a strange creature category that fights human problems.

    What makes this anime weird is its 2012 release date, long after the 'monster anime' craze from Pokémon faded.PokémonLarx Entertainment was not riding a hype train.

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  • 8
    'Yuki Yuna Is A Hero' Borrows From 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'

    Love it or hate it,Puella Magi Madoka MagicaThis fundamentally changed what viewers expect from amagical girl animeInstead of flashy, cheerful power, it showed a grim breakdown of the genre. Characters suffer greatly while fighting evil.Yuki Yuna Is A HeroYuki Yuna Is A Hero attempts the same. Allies fight each other, and characters make sacrifices as serious as losing sight or using their legs. These two shows are not the same, but it is clear thatYuki Yuna Is A Herotakes many ideas fromPuella Magi Madoka Magica.

  • 9
    'Buso Renkin' Borrows From 'Fullmetal Alchemist'

    Buso Renkincame out afterFullmetal Alchemist 2003but beforeBrotherhood.Xebec's 2006 offering, there is a high chance it was inspired byBuso Rankin,may have used the first FMA series as inspiration.FMAFMAFMAFMA was a popular show. It aired just as Xebec likely began planningBuso Renkin.

    Watch Buso Renkin regardless of similarities.Buso Renkin. Papillon dresses like a butterfly at a club. No one should miss that experience.

  • 10
    'Samurai Champloo' Borrows From 'Cowboy Bebop'

    If Shinchiro Watanabe keeps reusing his material, that helps the anime community.Samurai ChamplooSamurai Champloo borrowed elements fromCowboy Bebop -They share directors. Both series use music as a theme. Both follow two men and a woman on a journey. Both feature main characters with very similar personalities. Both use standalone episodes and an unfolding plot.

    Watanabe did not rip off his own work. He used what worked in his show to create something equally compelling.

  • 11
    'Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time Borrows From 'Fushigi Yugi'

    A young girl enters a magical past. She becomes a priestess, summoning a deity with men possessing magic powers who protect her. Glowing marks on their bodies show them their destiny. She falls for one, but has romantic tension with the others. This is the exact plot of the 1995 classic.Fushigi Yugi,but this is also the plot of the 2004 animeHaruka: Beyond the Stream of TimeThis anime came from a dating sim. It likely took serious notes from Fushigi Yugi, a show much older thanHarukaCreators could have grown up on classic shows. Taking inspiration from old shows is fine; stealing their story is not.

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  • 12
    'No Game No Life' Borrows From 'Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They?'

    Brilliant people whose lives feel empty are moved to a game-like world. They must use their smarts to get back the honor of their new home, all while around attractive anime girls with animal ears.

    Does this sound likeNo Game No Life,or does it sound likeProblem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They?If you say both, you are correct. These two shows share a similar setup. WhileNo Game No Lifegot more press, it aired afterProblem Children,so Madhouse likely took some parts from Diomedia's offering.

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