Fantasy Counterpart Cultures in anime and manga.
- In Attack on Titan, the culture within the Walls seems to borrow heavily from Germany. The Shogun/Oriental clan that Mikasa is descended from appears to be based on Japan. Once the world outside the Walls is introduced, things go further with the introduced groups all resembling early 20th century cultures. Marley is Nazi Germany, with its captive Eldian population dressing (and treated) like European Jews of the same era.* Hizuru is based on Japan, and the Middle-East Union appears to be based on the Ottoman Empire. We also see that some of the Anti-Marleyan volunteers were came from Marley-occupied nations that appears to be based on Russia (Yelena) and an African nation (Onyankopon).
- Berserk: Midland is medieval Denmark, Kushan is a combination of India and the Middle East (but mostly India, it is named after the Kushan Empire
), Chuder/Tudor is most likely based on the medieval Holy Roman Empire, Serpico and Farnese's homeland is Italy (with the Holy See as a stand-in for the Papal States), Farnese's fiance's homeland Ys seems based on England, and Griffith's Falconia takes on Ancient Rome with its aesthetic. - The Elf Tribe from Black Clover is one of the Biblical Jews. The elves are a race "blessed by mana" similar to the belief that the Jews are the chosen people of God. The elves were massacred by the Clover Kingdom, a country with Roman names including "Julius", "Augustus", and "Nero", drawing a parallel to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman Empire. The Kabbalah is heavily associated with the elves, with their strongest members comprising the Apostles of Sephira and the elves reincarnated by placing the magic stones in the Tree of Life Monument. Elves like Kivn have Hebrew-inspired names, and they are resurrected using a spell named "Noad Nephesh", Hebrew for "destined soul". Patry's first outfit has him wear a kippah, a traditional Jewish cap.
- In Daimos, the main villains are The Baam Empire, an alien race of winged humanoids that have allusions to several Real Life cultures.
- The Prince wears a headdress that resembles the one often worn by Roman Emperors, and the Awful Truth is that his own father was assassinated by someone he trusted very much, just like Ceasar with Brutus.
- The etymology of the term Barmian/Balmian (Baam-Seijin) might root from the Brahmin caste within Hindu society. In the Vedic and post-Vedic Indian subcontinent, Brahmins were designated as the priestly class. This is possibly reinforced in theur superiority complex towards the human race.
- Meanwhile, there's more Egyptian influences with their architecture and religion, as seen in the pyramid-like appearance of the Baam Asteroid City (Little Baam), and its Temple of the Serpent.
- As for the winged appearance of the Barmians, it's reminiscent of the painterly Renaissance depiction of angels in Christianity. TL;DR, the Baams are Roman-Hindu-Egyptian-Christians.
- Roshtaria and the other human lands of El-Hazard: The Magnificent World are fantasy stand-ins for the Middle East of the Arabian Nights.
- For the Evillious Chronicles franchise, all of the setting is inspired by real world countries and their cultures. It takes place on the fictional continent of Bolganio, which is overall Eurasia, with the titular region of Evillious being Europe. In Evillious, the country of Lucifenia is France, Elphegort is Germany, Marlon is Great Britain (with a country that's absorbed into it, Lioness, as Ireland,) Asmodean is the Arabian Peninsula (with Eastern European elements), Beelzenia is Italy/Spain, Levianta is Russia, and at one time there is the Tasan Empire which parallels Ancient Rome with Beelzenia. Some of these countries later form the Union State of Evillious, representing the modern European Union, and on the Eastern side of the continent in a Japan parallel. Off the continent is Maistia, which parallels the Americas.
- Shinka in Flower Flower is a counterpart to India.
- Fullmetal Alchemist:
- The country of Amestris is based on a combination of European countries. It's ruled by a military dictatorship similar to Nazi Germany, but they speak English, and the military ranks are also English based (with the rank of Field Marshal replaced with the rank of Führer); however, their badges to denote their rank are inspired by Imperial Japan. Character names are based on names found in various European nations such as the U.K and France. The technology used is the same or similar to the technology found around World War II.
- Xing from the manga is the counterpart of the East Asian countries, most prominently China, though Fu and Lan Fan have obviously ninja-influenced fighting styles and weaponry and Ling wears sarashi, so there's a little bit of Japan in there, too.
- Ishval is perhaps the counterpart of the Western Asian countries, but their persecution by Amestris is heavily based on the plight of the Ainu people in Japan.
- Additionally, Drachma is the counterpart to Russia, Xerxes seems to represent a mix of ancient European and Near-East civilizations, most predominately Greece, Persia, and maybe Rome, and the Japanese-exclusive Brotherhood/Mangaverse games seem to suggest that Aerugo is FMA's version of Italy.
- In the 2003 anime version only, we find out this is literal, as Amestris is an actual Alternate Universe version of central/eastern Europe in the 1920s.
- Paninya, Jerso, Focker, and an unnamed Central Library employee (anime only) are all black, implying that there's likely an Alternate Universe equivalent of the African continent as well.
- There is no Xing in the 2003 anime-verse; however, a passing reference to an eastern country, along with chopsticks and Asian-looking characters existing, imply a similar country exists.
- Judging by the name, Sciezka/Sheska could be from a FMA counterpart of Poland (or said Poland-counterpart could be part of Amestris).
- Fushigi Yuugi has each of the locations in the Universe Of The Four Gods designed after a real-world counterpart.
- Kounan (the realm led by Suzaku and Miaka) is basically Southern Imperial China.
- Kutou (protected by Seiryuu and Yui) is Eastern Imperial China.
- Sairou (represented by Byakko and Suzuno) is based on Western China and The Silk Road.
- Hokkan (under the watchful eye of Genbu and Takiko) is based off of Inner and Outer Mongolia.
- Basically every planet that's not a Planet of Hats in Galaxy Express 999 ends up being one of these.
- Dozens of planets are clones of The Wild West — it pretty much seems to be the default setting for a planet in this universe.
- "The Planet of a Pint Sized Room" is an exact doppelganger of early-60s Tokyo complete with a college-aged Expy of the creator in his starving artist phase.
- Planet Prometheum and Idle Reflection are very unflattering Eagle Lands (Type 1 and 2 respectively.)
- Masspron is China.
- The Planet of Forgotten Parents is the Philippines.
- Planet Kilimanjaro's Grasshopper Men are white African settlers.
- The other Planet Kilimanjaronote is WWI-era Europe.
- Planet Fury is New York City.
- Planet Future is Canada.
- The Planet of Illusive Love is Gay Paree complete with berets, baguettes, and a Foreign Legion.
- Windy Hill is Scotland.
- The Cheyenne Fish are Native Americans, the Waterpress are white settlers. (Just how a New World-Old World scenario managed to develop on a Water Planet is not explained.)
- Hello! Sandybell's Fictional Country, Romanek, is likely Vatican City based on it's proximity to France.
- There are a few in Hunter × Hunter as well, though they tend to deviate sharply from what they're based on:
- The Republic of East Gorteau has a number of similarities to North Korea. The most obvious is its dictator, Ming Jol-Ik, whose name is an anagram of Kim Jong-Il, though his style of ruling—via cult of personality and with an incredibly uneven mix of technology, alongside extremely strict rules of who can get in and out of the country—suggest that too.
- Kakin appears to be the series's version of China. The royal family have the name of Hui Guo Ruo, the Chinese phrase for twice-cooked pork, and the emperor has a very stereotypically Chinese look. The country is depicted as an emerging world power, quickly gaining influence and able to gain leverage with the rest of the world. Kakin is also located on the continent of Azia (though it's actually pronounced "AH-zee-ah")
- A counterpart to Japan exists as well, called Jappon (a portmanteau of Japan and Nipponnote ), with the ninja Hanzo coming from that country. He is one of the few characters to know what sushi is.
- Though it's unclear if Yorknew City is its own country or part of a larger one, the architecture, dense population, and fashion of the area, as well as its name and the fact that one of the world's busiest airports is located there, definitely evoke New York City.
- In Knights of Sidonia, Sidonia is basically Japan IN SPACE!
- Many of the nations in Kyo Kara Maoh! are vague approximations of Real Life nations, with Makoku being Medieval Europe and Konanshia-Subererea being the Middle East, among others. One of the most obvious is the Shildkraut nation. We are originally led to believe it's a parallel to Japanese hot spring towns, but then it's then used for a Viva Las Vegas! episode, right down to the lights being recreated with magical stones.
- Magi: Labyrinth of Magic has a lot, but the most prominent ones include the Kou Empire, which is Ancient China, and the Reim Empire, which is the Roman Empire. Other notable examples include Heliohapt being Ancient Egypt, Sasan being Ancient Persia, and Kina being Japan while Imuchakk looks like a hybrid of Inuit and Norsemen.
- Two of the three invading countries in the second season of Magic Knight Rayearth are clearly based off of Earth cultures. Fahren is mostly based off of Chinese culture and stereotypes, although it does have a few Japanese things (such as ninjas). This is explicitly lampshaded by Fuu. Chizeta's culture seems to be based off of Middle-Eastern and Indian cultures, and the princesses fight using Djinn. However, they also have Osakan accents. Autozam's highly technological culture, while not as clear cut as Chizeta or Fahren, has a few parallels with the United States of America: the President's son is named Eagle Vision, the military has green berets, strongest of the three superpowers, and so on.
- There is a major case going on in Maiden Rose where half the countries aren't named but are easily culturally identifiable. Klaus comes from a small German state that was conquered by the Western Alliance superstate, also primarily German. This superstate is fighting the Eurotean superstate, which has pre-revolution Russia as the dominant culture. Eurote in turn subdued Taki's country, an unquestionable Japan analogue. If it weren't for the Magical Realism the story would probably be an outright Alternate History.
- Mobile Suit Gundam:
- The Principality of Zeon is primarily based on Imperial Japan (a militaristic power led by a royal family which wages a campaign of expansion under the guise of "liberation") with an aesthetic based predominantly on Nazi Germany, including a salute that goes "Sieg Zeon".
- The Earth Federation in general is the US (a democratic union governed by elected representativeness, albeit one that still has issues with corruption and inequality) with the uniforms of the Imperial Japanese Army.
- Mobile Suit Victory Gundam: The Zanscare Empire meanwhile seems to be both the Ancien Regime and Revolutionary France IN SPACE.
- The Vagan civilians in Mobile Suit Gundam Age dress and build in very Middle-Eastern style, while their soldiers and upper class dress in Space Clothes and feudal Japanese styles.
- In My-Otome, set in the distant future on another planet, there are some more or less evident matches between fictional and real nations, at least judging by the names of known inhabitants. Artai seems to be an Eastern European/Slavic/Chinese nation, Florince is France, the United Kingdom of Lutesia is a blend of ancient Rome and modern Italy, Aries is the United States, Annam is Vietnam, and Zipang is Japan (in fact, for the last two, those are real-world, if ancient, monikers for these countries).
- Altai is named after a region that's adjacent to China, Russia and West Asia.
- One Piece:
- Wano Country is clearly this for feudal Japan, what with its isolationism and its samurai. ("Wa no Kuni" is in fact an old way to refer to Japan, meaning "Country of Harmony".)
- The Shandians are pretty clear analogues for disenfranchised and displaced Native American populations. Their ancient home Shandora meanwhile is analogous to pre-Columbian Central and South American civilizations, with Mayan-like architecture and often being referred to as the "City of Gold".
- Alabasta is a fairly obvious portrayal of Ancient Egypt (with additional Middle Eastern influencing).
- Water Seven looks very much like Venice, particularly its trademark channels crisscrossing the island and the fact that it's slowly sinking.
- The duel between Ace and Blackbeard takes place on Banaro Island, an island that looks like The American West. It was a town filled mostly with taverns and cowboys with guns.
- Dressrosa looks like a combination of Spain and the Island of Misfit Toys.
- The city that Trafalgar Law hails from, Flevance, seemingly takes cues from Casale Monferrato, as both are nicknamed "The White City" and are prosperous because of the materials that are exclusive to their city, the Amber Lead (Flevance) and the asbestos (Casale Monferrato), and both materials are also toxic.
- Amazon Lily is a mix of ancient China (evident by the architecture) and mythological Themiscyra, with a strong warrior culture where strength equals beauty.
- On that note, Kano Country is unmistakably one for feudal China, boasting pagodas, martial artists and those really tall, narrow mountains.
- Elbaf is based on medieval Scandinavia, particularly Viking culture, as can be seen by the inhabitants' horned helmets, thatch houses, and that they travel via longboats.
- Speaking of the Vikings, the Whole Cake Island arc introduces the Germa Kingdom, a kingdom of rapacious pillagers and conquerors who plough the seas on massive ships and favor big crumbling castles; they might be a fantasy version of Vikings. They even use a Nordic cross in their decorations. For the record, Eiichiro Oda has described the Vikings as his favorite band of historical pirates.
- The Levely arc introduces a number of nations that have clear analogues to real-world places: Ballywood is based on the United States (including a "King Ham Burger" who resembles Abraham Lincoln), the Shishano Kingdom is based on Mexico (also with a "King Tacos" who wears a multicolored serape and a cactus-shaped sombrero), the Roshwan Kingdom is based on Russia (the king wears an ushanka and the princesses look like matryoshka dolls), and the Tajine Kingdom is based on Morocco. There are also unnamed delegates who strongly suggest there are countries in the One Piece world themed on the United Kingdomnote , on Germany, and on the Inuit as well.
- Mariejois, where the Levely conference takes place, seems more politically structured like the Vatican, but Pangaea Castle itself is designed after the Château de Chambord in France, so it's likely that the rest of the city is designed after the Loir-et-Cher region in France.
- The six countries in Saber Marionette J are based on the countries their founders came from. Japoness is based on feudal-era Japan, Xian is based on Imperial China, Romana is like a mix of Roman and Renaissance Italy, Peterburg is a mix of Czarist and Soviet Russia, Gartland is Nazi Germany, and New Texas is based on modern-day United States.
- Shaman King: Patch and Seminoa sounded a lot like Apache and Seminole. But the similarity is only linguistic. Not to mention the fact that the Big Bad has the name Hao, which is strangely similar to "How" (the stereotypical greeting used by the natives of North American in fiction).
- Starzinger: Planet Baster is one to the Middle East/Arabic nations. It is very sandy and desert-like, while the inhabitants wear white clothing that cover their entire bodies, with females wearing veils that cover everything but the eyes. The two inhabitants the team encounter even have Arabic-style names, Jirardnote and Amira.
- Strike Witches is very guilty of this, considering it's set in an alternate version of Earth during World War II. Based on the names of various characters, the Fuso Empire is Japan, Liberion is the United States, Karlsland is Germany (minus Those Wacky Nazis), Suomus is Finland, Orussia is Russia, Romagna is Italy, Gallia (no not that one — or that one) is France, and Britannia (not that one either) goes without saying. References are also made to Real Life locations, such as London, Yokosuka, and the Ural Mountains. Some of the Real Life currencies also carry over: While stationed in Britannia, the main character is paid in pounds, and Fuso's currency is the yen.
- Nihon-koku in Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE- is quite obviously a mixture of a magical and historical version of our Japan. It's actually noted upon in-universe when the gang arrives at Ichihara Yuuko's shop for the first time and she tells Kurogane that her Japan is his Japan too, just a different version of it.
- Voltes V: The Boazanian Empire is essentially 17th century Space France.
- The noble class dress like French aristocrats, complete with Gorgeous Period Dresses and Everything's Sparkly with Jewelry, while the lower class have no rights and are forced into slavery.
- In the series finale, the slaves revolt and overpower the nobles - Does This Remind You of Anything?note .
- Those familiar with French language and history may have noticed that the name is derived from the French word voisin, which means "neighbour"note
- Their flag has a heavy resemblance to the flag of the Arms of the French Empire.
