5 Anime References From My Childhood

TV & Film

Oct 21

Anime collage — Image Source: CultureSlate

Anime, for those of you who don’t know, refers mainly to Japanese animation. Though once considered a “niche” interest in much of the West, Anime has risen in popularity since the mid-90s, becoming mainstream in a way that hasn’t been thought possible. It has influenced several series both inside and outside Japan. There are probably dozens of Anime references you never even realized were there! I can give the readers a list of 5 such anime references from my childhood in the mid-00s to the early 10’s. Maybe you might spot something you recognize as well.

5. 'Chowder'

The 2007 animated series Chowder, as shown on Cartoon Network, seems like one of the last places to have an Anime reference, but there it is. It can be found in the episode “Tofu-Town Showdown”, which is otherwise mostly a parody of East Asian action cinema. During the final showdown with antagonist Peking Duck, Schnitzel gets a powerup, during which he gets a blonde spiky hairstyle reminiscent of the Super Saiyan transformations from Dragon Ball Z. It’s not that noticeable, but it’s worth mentioning considering how unexpected it is.

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4. 'Codename: Kids Next Door'

Staying in the world of Cartoon Network originals, Codename: Kids Next Door is no stranger to references. In the episode "Operation: R.E.P.O.R.T." (Ridiculous Exaggerations Possess Occasional Real Truth), the five members of Sector V give their own report about how they failed to retrieve a package. Numbuh 4’s report, in particular, is a clear parody of Dragon Ball Z; 4 resembles a Super Saiyan, while the Delightful Children from Down the Lane resemble Frieza. Numbuh 4 loses the package after “powering up” into a form that just gives him longer hair, likely a parody of the Super Saiyan 3 transformation.

3. 'The Fairly Oddparents'

We moved from Cartoon Network to Nickelodeon with The Fairly Oddparents. The fictional anime series Maho Mushi serves as a major plot element in the 2004 special “Channel Chasers”, serving as the backdrop of the climax. It’s an eclectic mix of many anime tropes but is mainly based on Dragon Ball, with the setting resembling the famous World Martial Arts Tournament. Also, in the special, Timmy Turner travels to a show based on Speed Racer, which parodies many elements of the show, in particular its dubbing style of fast words.

2. 'Homestar Runner'

And now we go to the Internet with Homestar Runner’s Stinkoman 20X6 recurring sketch. Originating in a Strong Bad Emails segment, Stinkoman is very deliberately a mix of cliches made by someone who probably wasn’t familiar with the medium. Despite this, the skit remained popular with the community, even spawning a game on the website. Though not really “children’s” media, the Homestar Runner series of online cartoons holds a nostalgic place in many people’s upbringings, and this Stinkoman was likely one of their first introductions to the anime medium if not the first period.

1. 'Teen Titans'

This one is technically cheating, but we’d be foolish not to bring up the 2000’s Teen Titans animated series. The show’s art style is heavily inspired by anime of the time, and several jokes and plot elements are further influenced by the medium. The main theme, in particular, is sung by Japanese pop-rock duo Puffy (who coincidentally also had a Cartoon Network show), with a version of the song performed in Japanese during wackier episodes. The show itself is based on the DC Comics, but one can’t deny the influence anime had on the show. Say what you will about Teen Titans Go, but many fans were introduced to both Comics and Anime through this series.

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