Japanese animation, popularly known as anime, has influenced the world over with its specific style and thematic tropes. While animation from other countries isn’t technically called anime, many are considered to be a part of the genre and certainly are beloved by anime fans both new and old.
The medium has been used by several countries including the United States, France, and Italy. Unlike Japanese anime, these series tend to have more a more diverse cast as well as being set in locations other than Japan. While Japan will forever be the origin of anime, the medium has inspired animators from around the globe.
10 Cannon Busters (America)
Cannon Busters is a Netflix original series that is based on LeSean Thomas’ American comic book of the same name. While the show was partly produced in Japan, LeSean directed all of the episodes while borrowing heavily from the anime medium. The show follows robots S.A.M. and Casey Turnbuckle and the immortal outlaw, Philly the Kid as they search for a missing prince.
The series resembles popular anime such as Cowboy Bebop and Trigun but with an American-western twist. Cannon Busters has been praised for its majority cast of color, which tends to be missing from most Japanese anime. Sadly, there is no mention of a Season 2 just yet but Season 1 will not disappoint. That, and the show has an amazing theme song.
9 Teen Titans (America)
DC Comics created several successful animated shows , but none more anime than Teen Titans (2003 - 2006). Not only are the show's visual gags distinctly inspired by anime, but its theme song is performed by Japanese artist Puffy AmiYumi. The song is even sung in Japanese for certain episodes.
In addition, the show has many references to East-Asian culture, notably in the episode, “The Quest”, where Robin hikes up a mountain to train with Master Chu-hui. On the journey, Robin encounters three of the five animals associated with Kungfu and the Monkey even has the Japanese symbol for 'wood' on his chest. The series even had a movie -- Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo -- where the team heads to Tokyo and even fights a Kaij-sized villain. This anime-inspired series can be streamed on both HBO Max and DC Universe.
8 Avatar: The Last Airbender & The Legend of Korra (America)
When most people think of non-Japanese, anime they almost always look to the universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The Fire Nation specifically conveys Japanese history through their feudalism, culture, and fashion. The first series even includes Shonen tropes, such as the main protagonist becoming stronger throughout the series to overtake his enemies.
Avatar not being created in Japan has allowed the series to feature many traits not commonly found in most anime. First, there is a very diverse cast that resembles people from all over Asia. Second, it includes more romantic storylines, specifically in The Legend of Korra which focuses heavily on Mako’s relationships with both Korra and Asami. Finally, LGBTQ+ representation which sadly is only hinted at in the final moments of the series between Korra and Asami. Luckily, their relationship is further explored in the comic book, The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars. Both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra are streaming on Netflix, and they both hit the service's top ten the moment they dropped.
7 Gen:LOCK (America)
Famous U.S. production company Rooster Teeth known for online shows like Red vs. Blue created an anime-inspired show called gen:LOCK. The series takes place in a futuristic world where humans are in a war with an alien species. Similar to other Anime like Gundam, teens are recruited to pilot giant mech robots in order to help win the war.
One of the kids even has mechanical bunny ears, resembling many Anime characters that have animal-like features. The show features famous voices like Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther, Creed) and Maise Williams (Game of Thrones). Fans can check out this eight-episode series, currently on the Adult Swim app.
6 RWBY (America)
In addition to gen:LOCK, Rooster Teeth created the long-running original series’ RWBY. The series came from the genius mind of the late Monty Oum, a web-based animator who created the hit video game mash-ups Haloid and Dead Fantasy.
RWBY follows four young ladies who are training to become Huntresses and must protect the world from monsters. The series has even been adapted into a manga series with the same name, being published in Viz Media’s Weekly Shonen Jump. The series has seven seasons with another two already greenlit. RWBY can be seen on both Crunchyroll and Prime Video.
5 Code Lyoko (France)
Code Lyoko is an anime hailing from France and follows a group of friends who are able to access a digital world that needs saving. Their digital avatars are inspired by anime such as Ulrich becoming a samurai and Yumi becoming a geisha.
The series tackles classic tropes of good versus evil and children becoming saviors of the world. While more of a cult favorite these days, Code Lyoko was featured on Cartoon Network’s anime-block, Toonami, and can currently be streamed on Prime Video.
4 W.I.T.C.H. (America & France)
Another anime-like series to come out of France was W.I.T.C.H. based on the Italian comic book of the same name. The show follows five girls who possess magical powers and become the guardians of different elements. The elements include Water, Fire, Earth, Air, and Quintessence. Together and with the help of the magical realm Kandrakar, the girls must protect both the human and magical worlds from evil.
Contrary to the show’s title, the girls are not actually witches since W.I.T.C.H. is an acronym for the names of the five girls (Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin). While this show is sadly not available for streaming, the now completed graphic novels are available for purchase on Amazon.
3 Voltron: Legendary Defenders (America)
Dreamworks Animation has created several shows for Netflix including Trollhunters, She-Ra and the Princess of Power, and Dragon Riders; but none are as anime as Voltron: Legendary Defenders. This modern reboot of the famous 80’s anime of the same title was originally influenced by the anime Beast GoLion.
Like other Japanese shows such as Super Sentai a.k.a. Power Rangers, the titular Voltron consists of five Lion Robots that combine together to make a larger Mech. The series -- unlike most episodic Western animations -- has a more serialized plot, with arcs spanning both seasons and the series as a whole. The complete Voltron can be seen on Netflix now.
2 Megas XLR (America)
Inspired by the mecha anime genre, Cartoon Network developed Megas XLR. It revolved around two mechanics who discover a mech robot from the future and use it to defend the world from an alien race.
Unlike the sleek mechs in the Gundam franchise, Megas sports flame decals with an 8-ball gear shift because of course it does. Megas can even summon a blazing energy sword when he puts his hands together, just like the 80’s show Voltron a.k.a. Beast King GoLion in Japan. Did we mention that Megas is totally cool and radical?
1 Jackie Chan Adventures (America & China)
While inspired by the Chinese actor Jackie Chan, Jackie Chan Adventures borrows heavily from the shonen anime medium portrayed in its style and themes. Similar to the popular anime Inuyasha, Jackie Chan's anime blends the modern world with creatures from history and legend. In this case, Jackie's show is inspired by Chinese lore as opposed to Japanese.
Like in real life, Jackie Chan’s character has impressive durability and fighting prowess, allowing him to take on those who would use the magic talismans for evil. The series was so similar to anime that it was featured on TV blocks with other anime series like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Dragon Ball Z.