Anime is a storytelling medium with virtually limitless freedom. It feels like anything is possible in anime and even specific genres with rigid rules have been able to gradually evolve and subvert expectations. The only real requirement in anime is that the production is made in Japan. At least, that’s how it used to be.
Anime’s growing dominance has led to curious co-productions and stylistic experiments that attempt to emulate anime’s energy and aesthetic. Some of these productions are more successful than others, but there’s genuine value in recontextualizing anime through different cultural lenses. Some of the most impressive efforts in this regard have come straight from Europe.
France’s Lastman Chronicles A Boxer’s Vengeance In A Supernatural World Of Crime & Corruption
France’s Lastman immerses audiences in a dense world of crime and superpowered creatures in a framework that’s reminiscent of anime’s seinen demographic. Lastman is such a natural fit for anime fans because its source material graphic novel — a bande dessinée in France — was intentionally designed as a “French-style manga.”
2016’s Lastman is actually a prequel to its source material comic, but is still completely accessible to newcomers. The series follows Richard Aldana, a struggling boxer whose life takes a frightening turn when his mentor is kidnapped by superpowered criminals, and he’s suddenly in charge of a young orphan, Siri. Siri is hunted by dangerous acolytes who want to abuse her power to open up an alternate dimension.
Lastman celebrates heightened anime-style action and dynamic fight choreography. It feels like a true cultural blend between anime and pulpy European comics. The series’ retro aesthetic should resonate with anime fans that grew up with the gritty action anime and OVAs of the ’70s and ’80s. It’s not hard to imagine Lastman‘s Richard crossing paths with City Hunter‘s Ryo Saeba.
France’s Wakfu Crafts A Heroic Story About Heritage In A Magical Realm
Wakfu is a totemic French property that started as a popular free-to-play tactical MMORPG. The Wakfu universe has gradually evolved into a broader transmedia franchise, which includes an animated series that’s produced 78 episodes across four seasons.
It’s easy for the lines to be blurred between Wakfu and anime. The latter’s influence on Ankama Animation’s Wakfu: The Animated Series is undeniable, right down to a wide range of accomplished anime voice actors being involved with the show’s English dub.
Set in the fantastical realm of Krosmoz, Wakfu explores the titular life-force energy, its connection to magic, and its tenuous balance with its destructive counterpoint, Stasis. The series follows Yugo, a young orphan who turns 12 and learns that he has the ability to create magical portals.
Yugo uses this power to find his biological family, but his altruistic quest leads to seismic discoveries about his lineage and history. They form a proud party of allies who find themselves up against a time-obsessed villain who aims to reverse history by harnessing the power of Wakfu.
Wakfu creates a captivating world that evolves through exceptional long-form serialized storytelling. There’s meticulous attention to detail, especially with the lush environments’ gorgeous backgrounds, that bring to mind classic Studio Ghibli masterpieces. Yugo’s journey and his inspirational character development feel like they’re pulled right from a shonen classic.
Ulysses 11 Is Greek Mythology-Inspired Space Opera From France & Japan
Ulysses 31, also known as Space Legend Ulysses 31, is a co-production between France, Japan, and Luxembourg that reimagines the Greek myth of Odysseus as a 31st-century space opera. Produced by DIC Audiovisuel, Tokyo Movie Shinsha, and Telecom Animation Film, the 26-episode anime follow Ulysses — leader of the massive spaceship Odyssey — who angers Zeus by killing the Cyclops.
Zeus sentences Ulysses to travel through space with his frozen crew until he’s able to locate the Kingdom of Hades. Ulysses 31 features an interesting array of figures from Greek mythology, all of which receive futuristic makeovers so that they appropriately mesh with the series’ sci-fi setting.
Odysseus’ story is an evergreen classic for a reason, so the idea of transforming it into a sprawling space epic makes a lot of sense. All the anime’s reimagined versions of classic characters ring true and help make this classic piece of literature even more accessible. It’s all clearly geared towards a younger audience, yet it’s appreciated that it still tackles some heavier themes and dark ideas.
Ulysses 31‘s unique evolution of its source material is also complimented by a distinct visual style that borrows from both French and Japanese aesthetics. This quality is also present in the show’s unconventional soundtrack, which is dense in a synth score and a heavy prog rock influence.
Code Lyoko Is A Sci-Fi Power Fantasy That Won Hearts in America
France’s Code Lyoko was a pop culture phenomenon in Europe during the 2000s, and a title that international anime fans continue to discover. The serialized sci-fi series centers on a group of four teenagers in boarding school who stumble upon a vast digital world — Lyoko — that’s contained within a supercomputer.
Code Lyoko‘s tension comes from these teenagers’ struggles to juggle their ordinary lives at Kadic Academy with their superpowered efforts to prevent a malevolent A.I. named XANA from destroying the real world. Code Lyoko banks on a formulaic-but-fun premise that mixes apocalyptic action with character-driven drama.
Code Lyoko also builds a unique identity through its ambitious blend of traditional 2D animation and innovative 3D CGI visuals that are present in the digital world of Lyoko. This aesthetic, while occasionally jarring, helps establish Lyoko as a fantastical realm that’s completely different from reality.
Oban Star-Racers is A French & Japanese Co-Production About A High-Stakes Space Race
Oban Star-Racers is an English-language anime from France and Japan that confidently holds its own with many of the medium’s most popular racing titles, such as Redline, Initial D, and even JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run. Set in 2082, Oban Star-Racers looks at an intergalactic tournament that’s held once every 10,000 years to determine the rightful ruler of the galaxy.
Whoever wins the Great Race of Oban is granted a single wish, which can be used for selfless purposes or megalomaniacal whims. Earth must defend itself from an eclectic mix of alien threats, determined racers, and ever-evolving rules.
Oban Star-Racers never feels repetitive, despite its continued focus on this epic race. It’s also helpful that this grandiose story about the fate of the galaxy boils down to a daughter’s earnest goal to reunite with her father and heal her family’s heartbreak.
Oban Star-Racers is 26 episodes of adrenaline-pumping brilliance that highlights vibrant and creative visuals that blend 2D and 3D animation. Yoko Kanno is even responsible for the anime’s theme song, having previously offered her talents to Cowboy Bebop and Vision of Escaflowne.
