It is evident that Marvel and DC comic books are successful all over the world. Almost everything related to them gains a lot of space in the media and is quite profitable. We can notice this due to the huge success and impact that the movie Avengers: Endgame had. But before that, Marvel had already gained quite a reputation for its TV animations or movies.
But have you ever thought about whether characters like Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, or Spider-Man were anime characters? What many do not know is that Marvel has already partnered with Japanese studios and from these partnerships, some animes emerged, perhaps not so well-known. But for fans, it’s worth checking out.
There is something called Marvel Anime, which consists of four anime series produced in collaboration with Marvel and the famous and epic studio Madhouse. DC comics also had some animes from the same studio.
Now let’s see a list of some animes based on Marvel characters. Then we will continue with some animes from DC comics.
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animes based on marvel characters
Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers (2014)
This anime was developed by the famous studio Toei Animation, directed by Toshiaki Komura. The animation premiered on Disney XD in Japan and on TV Tokyo in 2014, having a total of 51 episodes.
In summary, Stark Industries creates a new technology called DISK, which allows scanning and capturing criminals in small devices. Loki, knowing this, steals this technology and uses it to free supervillains from a prison. Together, these villains defeat the Avengers and imprison them in the DISKs.
But a group of children appears and temporarily frees the heroes from the DISKs. In this fight against the villains, the DISKs spread all over the Earth, capturing various heroes and villains. Then the Avengers, along with the group of children, join forces to search for all the lost DISKs.
Marvel Future Avengers (2017)
The Madhouse studios, in partnership with Marvel, launched the anime Marvel Future Avengers in July 2017. The anime was scripted by Ryuu King, famous for Dragon Ball Super. The character design was done by Takahiro Umehara of Claymare and Beyblade.
The anime tells the story of Makoto, a young boy who gains powers in a genetic manipulation experiment. With these powers, Makoto and other young people with powers join the Avengers.
These young people are treated as apprentices but are trained by Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, and Wasp to become the Avengers of the Future. The anime has 26 episodes.
X-men: Anime (2011)
This was also produced in collaboration between Marvel and the Japanese studio Madhouse. The story begins with Jean Grey becoming the dark phoenix on Earth. In an effort to save the Earth, she sacrifices herself for the greater good. Her death causes the X-Men group to split.
Some time later, Professor Xavier discovers that in Japan mutants are suffering due to a problem called David Haller Syndrome. In Japan, a new mutant emerges, named Hisako.
She, however, cannot control her powers. All of this leads the X-Men team to unite again. This leads them to find some mutants responsible for Jean’s death.
Additionally, they face a group that steals and transplants mutant organs to build an army. The anime has 12 episodes and is considered one of the best anime adaptations based on Marvel characters.
Iron Man (2010)
This 12-episode anime is also another partnership between Madhouse studio and Marvel. The premise of the anime is quite simple. Tony Stark goes to Japan to produce and promote a new armor called Iron Man Dio.
This suit was intended to replace Stark himself when he retired. But something goes wrong, and the suit goes out of control and becomes a threat. So Tony and some allies join forces to stop the danger of Iron Man Dio.
In 2013, the movie Iron Man: Rise of Technovore was released as a continuation of the anime.
Wolverine (2011)
Logan has his girlfriend Mariko Yashida kidnapped and taken to Tokyo. The mastermind behind this kidnapping is Mariko’s own father, who is the crime boss in Japan. He intended to make her marry another man named Hideki Kurohagi. Logan then dedicates himself to a rescue mission.
In addition to having to face the father and arranged fiancé, other adversaries appear to hinder his path. The anime was also produced by Madhouse studio and is based on a story by the famous Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. The anime has 12 episodes.
Blade
Eric Brooks is a “Daywalker” and vampire hunter. In this anime, Blade visits Japan on a mission where he confronts Deacon Frost (the vampire who killed his mother) and will fight against “Existence,” a mysterious vampire organization.
He is assisted by Makoto, a vampire hunter who was pursuing him to avenge her dead father. Logan also makes a small appearance.
ANIMES BASED ON DC CHARACTERS
There are few DC animes made by Japanese. Among them, we have 2 Batman animes which are Batman: Gotham Knight and Batman Ninja. There are also old Japanese animes like Golden Batman and Galactic Wonder Princess.
- DC Super Heroes vs Taka no Tsume Dan Promotion Eizou
- DC Super Heroes vs Taka no Tsume Dan
Did you know any of these? Which Marvel character would you like to see in an anime?
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