As fictional mediums, anime and literature go hand-in-hand. Although mostly taking place in an imaginary world full of ninja, wizards—or even robots—some anime takes inspiration from the written word. This, at times, even includes the protagonists of said stories.
From the mischievous gentleman thief created by Maurice Leblanc Arsène Lupin to the tragic yet passionate love story between Romeo and Juliet, various anime drew from these characters and spun a tale of its own. Here are 10 anime characters that are based on literature from various authors worldwide.
10 William James Moriarty (Moriarty The Patriot)
William James Moriarty is the anti-hero and protagonist of the anime Moriarty the Patriot. He is based on the character Professor Moriarty, a fictional character created by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
He acts as a criminal mastermind in the original concept of the character and is Sherlock Holmes' arch nemesis. This setup isn't that different in the anime, as he works as a criminal consultant for cases that the police couldn't—or wouldn't—work on.
9 The Count of Monte Cristo (Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo)
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo is based on Alexandre Duma's 1844 The Count of Monte Cristo. The main character is based on the titular protagonist of both the anime and the novel, The Count of Monte Cristo—a nobleman living a luxurious life.
The series focuses on themes of betrayal and revenge, with the titular protagonist concocting a plan to exact revenge upon all those who have wronged him by befriending Viscount Albert de Morcerf.
8 Romeo Candore De Montague (Romeo X Juliet)
Gonzo's Romeo x Juliet is based on William Shakespeare's classical play, Romeo and Juliet. The main hero is based on 16-year-old Romeo Candore De Montague. In the anime version, Romeo's backstory is somewhat similar, but only on a surface level.
He is the son of Lord Leontes and Lady Portia and heir to the throne of Neo Verona—the setting of the anime version. He falls into a tragic star-crossed love story with the heroine, Juliet Capulet—the last member of the Capulet family and his destined enemy.
7 Juliet Fiammata Arst De Capulet (Romeo X Juliet)
Gonzo's Romeo x Juliet is based on William Shakespeare's classical play, Romeo and Juliet. The heroine is based on 16-year-old Juliet Fiammata Arst De Capulet. In the anime version, Juliet's backstory is somewhat similar, but only on a surface level.
She is the last member of the Capulet family, but she disguises herself as a boy so no one can discover this fact. She is also known as the Red Whirlwind throughout Neo Verona as a vigilante of justice. She falls into a tragic star-crossed love story with the heroine, Romeo Montague—her enemy as his father killed her own.
6 Alucard (Hellsing)
Hellsing fans may not be aware that Alucard is based on the 1943 horror film Son of Dracula created by Robert and Curt Siodmak. The original iteration is the son of Count Dracula and a vampire.
In Hellsing, Alucard takes both a male and female appearance—a male in the original series and a female in Hellsing: The Dawn. In the original series, he is the ultimate vampire hunter as well as the strongest one alive.
5 Shirayuki (Snow White With The Red Hair)
Shirayuki from Snow White with the Red Hair is based on the protagonist of the Brothers Grimm 1812 fairy tale, Snow White. There are vast differences between the two—the first being how Shirayuki is noticeably older than Snow White, and how there is no mention of dwarfs.
In Snow White with the Red Hair, Shirayuki escapes from being a concubine and strikes up a friendship with Prince Zen, which eventually leads the two into a heartwarming romance that challenges the status quo.
4 Alice (Pandora Hearts)
Pandora Hearts focuses on the main character Oz Vessalius, but Alice is the character who is most recognizable for inspiration. Alice draws inspiration from the main heroine of Alice in Wonderland.
Although she is the Chain of Oz, she acts as the secondary protagonist in the latter half of the series that was, unfortunately, not adapted. She shared some similarities with the original character, such as her innocence and sharp tongue she had at times.
3 Arsène Lupin (Lupin The III)
Lupin III is one of the most recognizable anime series. Created by Monkey Punch, the series is inspired by Maurice Leblanc's series of novels about the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin.
The anime and manga series follows the various escapades and adventures of Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsène Lupin.
2 Elise (Bungo Stray Dogs)
Bungo Stray Dogs draws immense inspiration from real-life figures, such as authors and poets. However, some of the characters' abilities draw inspiration from the books of said authors and poets.
This is the case with Mori Ogai's ability, Vita Sexulis. It is the manifestation of his ability in the shape of a young girl with blonde hair named Elise. She is based on a character from the real-life Mori Ogai's first short story about star-crossed lovers, The Dancing Girl.
1 Goku (Dragon Ball)
It's no surprise that fans may not know Goku from Dragon Ball is actually influenced by the 16th-century Chinese novel, Journey to the West. Akirama Toriyama was influenced by the protagonist of the story, The Monkey King—Sun Wukong.
Akin to Goku who hails from Planet Vegeta and is extremely powerful, Sun Wukong had many powers—super strength, the ability to run with the speed of a meteor, and great fighting skills.