Entertainment
Top 20 Series About Small Towns With Dark Secrets
15. Upside Down
Upside Down plays with gravity in a wild way, just like in Patema Inverted, turning the world into a topsy-turvy place where up feels like down. Even though Patema Inverted came later, its long development shows how timeless and cool the idea of gravity gone wild can be. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
14. Transcendence
Transcendence explores ideas much like Serial Experiments Lain, where the line between human and machine becomes blurry. Its plot follows a journey into the digital world that mirrors Lain’s path to unlocking godlike powers. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
13. Clash of the Titans
Clash of the Titans sports armor inspired by the anime Saint Seiya, where heroes wear striking Cloths in epic battles. The film blends classic Greek myths with a cool anime vibe, giving its action scenes a fresh, memorable look. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
12. Her
Her tells the story of an average, antisocial dude falling in love with an AI that, unlike Chi in Chobits, exists only as a disembodied voice. Both characters eventually become more than just machines, but Her’s unique emotional tone and modern look set it apart. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
11. Van Helsing
Van Helsing has a cool look that references Vampire Hunter D – an all-black Johnny Cash outfit and a wide-brimmed hat. His bold style refers to the anime classic, while also marking him as a fearless modern hero. | © Universal Pictures
10. Dark City
Dark City borrows wild duel scenes and eerie, shriveled characters straight from the anime Akira. Its final moments, where buildings magically come back to life, pay a clear tribute to Akira's unforgettable finale. | © New Line Cinema
9. Lucy
Lucy mirrors Elfen Lied with its main character sharing the same name and boasting incredible powers that challenge the norm. Both stories explore themes of high intelligence, deep compassion, and the harsh treatment of those who are different. | © Universal Pictures
8. Avatar
Many of the motifs from Avatar seem to be shared with Princess Mononoke, like a fight against the destruction of nature and the battle against greedy oppressors. It tells the story of a man chosen by the elements who falls for a brave warrior and joins the fight to save the natural world. | © 20th Century Studios
7. The Lion King
The Lion King borrows many ideas from Kimba the White Lion, with scenes like Mufasa on Pride Rock and his ghost in the sky looking very similar. Even actor Matthew Broderick once thought he was working on a version of Kimba because of these shared moments. | © Walt Disney Pictures
6. Kill Bill: Vol 1
Kill Bill: Vol 1 borrows wild and over-the-top action from the famous anime Ninja Scroll, where a lone hero ends up fighting off dangerous foes after a twist of fate. Its fierce fight scenes and bold style give off a cool, anime-like vibe that’s hard to miss. | © Miramax Films
5. Pacific Rim
Just like in Evangelion, Pacific Rim tries to deal with the creation of gigantic, humanoid robots who should defend Earth from alien invasions. Its twist of having two pilots share a neural connection inside each machine gives it a unique, anime-like edge that makes the action even more thrilling. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
4. Black Swan
Black Swan shares similarities with the famous anime Perfect Blue with its dark storytelling and unsettling visuals. The film follows a gifted young dancer whose grip on reality begins to unravel when she is haunted by a mysterious doppelgänger, setting her on a journey similar to Perfect Blue. | © Searchlight Pictures
3. The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is not from the anime, but from the manga Battle Royale – both are about a society where teenagers are forced into deadly contests organized by the government. The intense action captures the same sense of fear and defiance found in manga, making the fight for survival in the movie even more gripping. | © Lionsgate Films
2. Inception
Inception shares a creative spark with the anime Paprika by using a dream machine that blurs the line between reality and imagination. Its mind-bending plot and vivid exploration of dreams capture the same surreal spirit that makes Paprika so captivating. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
1. The Matrix
The Wachowski brothers have both said that they have been inspired by the cyberpunk aesthetic of Ghost In The Shell when creating The Matrix (that's why the opening credits from the movie mirror the anime). Its creative design, from the glowing green code to the dramatic entry into cyberspace, gives it a cool, anime-like vibe. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
