In recent years, the concept of a shared universe in film and television has gained immense popularity. The idea of multiple films or shows existing within the same world, interconnected by a common narrative or set of characters, has become a driving force in modern storytelling. While this phenomenon is often associated with franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and DC Extended Universe (DCEU), anime has long been a pioneering force in the development of shared universes. From interconnected storylines to cross-media franchises, anime has had a profound impact on how shared universes are conceived and executed in global entertainment. In this article, we will explore how anime has influenced the creation of shared universes in film and television, and how its innovative storytelling techniques have shaped the future of cross-media universes.
The Origins of Shared Universes in Anime
Anime has a rich history of creating interconnected worlds and expanding narratives across multiple media formats. Long before Hollywood embraced the shared universe concept, anime studios were already experimenting with interconnected storylines and multi-faceted universes. These early anime series set the stage for the complex, interwoven universes that would later inspire global franchises.
Classic Examples of Shared Universes in Anime
- The Galaxy Express 999 Universe: One of the earliest examples of a shared universe in anime is the Galaxy Express 999 series, created by Leiji Matsumoto. The Galaxy Express 999 anime was part of a larger, interconnected universe that also included Space Battleship Yamato and Captain Harlock. These shows were set in the same universe, with shared characters and themes, creating a cross-media experience that allowed fans to dive deeper into the universe with each new series.
- The Nasuverse by Type-Moon: Another notable example is the Nasuverse, created by Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi, which encompasses a series of interconnected anime, visual novels, and manga. This universe includes the Fate series, Tsukihime, and other works, all set within the same narrative framework. Characters from different stories occasionally cross over, creating a cohesive world that rewards fans who engage with multiple pieces of media. The Nasuverse has demonstrated how shared universes can be constructed across different formats, including anime, video games, and books.
The Influence of Anime on Modern Shared Universes in Film and TV
Anime’s influence on the creation of shared universes can be seen in the way modern franchises are structured. Hollywood has borrowed many ideas from anime’s approach to interconnected storytelling, where multiple films or series exist within the same universe and contribute to a larger narrative. The success of anime in creating expansive worlds has inspired Western studios to adopt similar practices in their own franchises.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Anime Influence
- Cross-Media Storytelling: The MCU has been a major force in popularizing the idea of a shared universe in modern cinema. However, the structure of the MCU is strikingly similar to how anime franchises have historically handled interconnected universes. For example, the MCU draws from anime’s ability to have multiple protagonists and subplots that interweave across various films. Anime series like Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Naruto often juggle multiple storylines, characters, and arcs that converge into a larger, overarching narrative, a technique adopted by Marvel in its approach to interconnecting films.
- Influence of Anime on Crossovers: In anime, characters and stories often cross over into other series within the same universe. The MCU took a page from anime’s playbook by bringing together multiple superheroes in crossover films like The Avengers. This idea of blending characters and narratives from different media forms has been a staple of anime for decades, and the success of the MCU shows how anime has influenced this storytelling approach in Hollywood.
Anime’s Cross-Media Approach: A Blueprint for Modern Franchises
Anime has long been a master of cross-media storytelling, where a single property exists across various platforms, including anime series, manga, video games, and films. This approach to building a multi-faceted, interconnected universe has served as a blueprint for modern franchises that seek to expand their universes beyond a single medium.
Cross-Media Franchise Models in Anime
- Sword Art Online and The Idolmaster: These franchises have mastered the cross-media approach, where anime, video games, manga, and even live-action events are all interconnected within the same universe. Sword Art Online, for instance, has expanded from a light novel into anime, video games, manga, and movies, all of which contribute to a larger narrative universe. Similarly, The Idolmaster has branched out from its origins as a video game into an anime series, movies, and music albums, offering fans a multi-dimensional experience that spans several media formats.
- Pokémon as a Global Shared Universe: Perhaps one of the most successful examples of anime influencing cross-media storytelling is the Pokémon franchise. Originating as a video game, Pokémon has expanded into an anime series, films, trading cards, and merchandise. Each of these mediums tells its own stories while contributing to the larger Pokémon universe. The continuous growth of Pokémon as a multi-faceted brand is a perfect example of how anime has paved the way for modern shared universes that thrive across various formats.
Expanding Beyond Anime: The Influence on Video Games and Streaming Platforms
The impact of anime’s approach to shared universes extends beyond just television and film. Video games and streaming platforms have also adopted anime-inspired models of interconnected worlds and expansive narratives.
Video Games and Anime-Inspired Shared Universes
Fighting Games and Crossovers: Video games like Super Smash Bros. and Jump Force are heavily inspired by anime’s ability to bring together a variety of characters from different worlds. These games feature characters from multiple anime series, allowing players to interact with and experience different anime universes within a single game. This is reminiscent of the way anime series like One Piece or Dragon Ball create crossover events, where characters from different storylines come together to drive the plot forward.
Streaming Services and Anime Universes: Streaming platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll have embraced anime’s cross-media approach by creating shared universes within their platforms. Shows like The Witcher on Netflix have spurred the development of related video games, books, and upcoming anime adaptations. This interconnected model is heavily influenced by anime’s ability to expand a single narrative across various forms of media.
Anime’s Lasting Legacy in Shared Universe Creation
Anime has had a profound and lasting influence on the creation of shared universes in film and TV. From its early experimentation with interconnected worlds and cross-media narratives to its impact on the structure of modern film franchises, anime has been a trailblazer in the art of creating expansive, immersive universes. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the lessons learned from anime’s approach to shared universes will continue to shape the future of storytelling, offering audiences even more intricate and interconnected narratives to enjoy.
The Impact of Anime’s World-Building on Global Cinematic Universes
One of the most significant aspects of anime’s influence on modern cinematic universes is the way it approaches world-building. In anime, the construction of detailed and expansive worlds is essential to creating immersive stories. These worlds often feel alive, with complex histories, characters, and lore that interconnect across multiple storylines. This focus on world-building has influenced major Western franchises, such as Marvel and Star Wars, in the way they create and develop their own expansive universes.
Anime’s Approach to Complex Universes
- Detailed World-Building in Attack on Titan and Fullmetal Alchemist: Anime series like Attack on Titan and Fullmetal Alchemist are prime examples of how anime excels in world-building. Both series have intricate political structures, diverse regions, and a deep mythology that intertwines throughout their stories. These elements not only enhance the depth of each individual series but also create a foundation for spin-offs, films, and even games, much like how the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) interconnects its films and television shows. The success of these anime demonstrates the power of detailed world-building in creating a lasting, multi-layered universe that can be expanded across multiple platforms.
- The Role of Anime in Shaping Cinematic Worlds: Filmmakers and studios working in the Western entertainment industry have recognized the value of this kind of deep world-building. Many studios now look to anime as a model for creating interconnected universes. The intricacy of anime’s narrative structures has led to Western creators borrowing similar world-building techniques to construct their own expansive cinematic universes, from the MCU to the Star Wars franchise.
Cross-Cultural Influence and the Popularity of Shared Universes
One of the most exciting aspects of anime’s influence on shared universes is how it has facilitated cross-cultural exchanges in the entertainment industry. The popularity of anime around the world has allowed its unique storytelling conventions to shape how people consume media in various countries, especially in the context of interconnected narratives and franchises.
Anime’s Cultural Influence on Hollywood and Global Cinema
- Inspiration for Multiverse Storytelling: Anime’s long history of multiverse storytelling has directly inspired global franchises that embrace similar narratives. Dragon Ball Z introduced the idea of multiple universes and parallel worlds, a concept that would later influence films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), which explores multiple realities in the same way anime series often do. Similarly, shows like Neon Genesis Evangelion with their philosophical exploration of identity and existence have found echoes in contemporary Western science fiction and superhero films.
- The Growth of Anime Fandoms: The widespread appeal of anime has encouraged global audiences to embrace these complex universes, whether it’s through watching anime on streaming platforms or engaging in anime fan conventions. These fandoms, which span cultures and borders, have proven that stories with intricate, shared universes can resonate with international audiences. Fans of Naruto, One Piece, and My Hero Academia can discuss the expansive lore and interconnected storylines, much like they would with a Marvel or DC movie.
The Evolution of Anime-Inspired Spin-offs and Expanded Universes
In the world of anime, the concept of expanding universes is not limited to television shows or movies. Many anime franchises have expanded into multiple formats, such as video games, novels, and merchandise, creating interconnected universes across different types of media. This approach has inspired Western franchises to take a more cross-media approach to storytelling, allowing fans to engage with their favorite universes through a variety of different formats.
Expanding Beyond the Screen: Anime’s Cross-Media Universe
Video Games and Anime Worlds: Anime-inspired video games have become a major part of global gaming culture, offering fans the chance to step into the worlds they’ve seen on screen. Games like Persona 5 and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm have expanded anime universes, allowing players to experience the stories and characters in interactive environments. These games often introduce new storylines or deepen existing narratives, creating a fuller experience for fans. By embracing cross-media narratives, these anime worlds have expanded beyond their original formats, creating more immersive experiences for their fans.
Books, Manga, and Anime: Manga and light novels are another way anime universes expand. Many successful anime are adapted from manga, which provide fans with more in-depth stories and character arcs. Conversely, anime adaptations of successful light novels often create new narratives and characters that expand the lore even further, creating richer shared universes. For example, Sword Art Online started as a light novel, and its anime adaptation, along with its spinoff manga, has expanded the franchise into video games and even live-action adaptations.
The Future of Anime-Inspired Shared Universes
Looking to the future, anime will continue to influence how shared universes are built in film and television. As the boundaries between traditional animation and live-action blur, anime-inspired universes will likely become more integrated into global film production, offering new possibilities for storytelling and cross-media experiences.
New Technologies and Expanding Worlds
- The Role of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality: As virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies evolve, the opportunity for anime to influence shared universes will grow. Imagine being able to walk through the worlds of Attack on Titan or One Piece in virtual reality, or use augmented reality to interact with characters from your favorite anime series in real time. These new technologies will offer fans more immersive ways to experience shared anime universes, further solidifying the bond between anime and global entertainment.
- Collaborations Between Eastern and Western Creators: The collaboration between anime creators and Hollywood studios is already on the rise. Films like Alita: Battle Angel (2019) and the upcoming live-action adaptations of popular anime series demonstrate how anime’s influence on shared universes will continue to shape global storytelling. These collaborations will lead to a more integrated and expansive entertainment universe, where anime and Hollywood work together to create interconnected narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Anime’s Legacy in Shared Universe Creation
Anime has been a groundbreaking influence in the creation of shared universes, offering new ways of connecting characters, stories, and worlds. From the early days of interconnected anime series to the rise of expansive, cross-media franchises, anime has paved the way for the shared universes seen in modern global franchises. As technology and storytelling continue to evolve, anime’s influence on shared universes will undoubtedly continue to grow, leaving a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry and shaping the future of global cinematic storytelling.
