History Expy / AnimeAndManga

*** Both have a mentally unstable sibling with a more powerful version of their powers. In [[spoiler: Dabi/Touya]]'s case, he can only control blue fire. In Azula's case, she's able to manipulate both blue fire and lightning.
*** [[spoiler: Or so it seems. It's later revealed in chapter 387 of Manga/MyHeroAcademia that Dabi/Touya has a more powerful version of Shouto's ice quirk as well.]]

* ''Anime/FutureGPXCyberFormula'': Osamu Sugo/Knight Shoemach. Let's see, he has a SecretIdentity, he's a [[TheAce really fast driver]], he has a little sister who's in love with the main character, also being the [[LongLostRelative long lost brother]] of said little sister, he's TheRival of the hero, he has a cool accessory covering his face ([[CoolShades his sunglasses]]), he's [[EnsembleDarkhorse really popular with the fans]] and he drives a white and red machine (in his case a race car)...does this [[CharClone remind you]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam of somebody?]]

* Expy/DragonBall
* Expy/{{Gundam}}

* Eva Marie Parallels/Cyborg 0015 from ''Manga/{{Cyborg 009}} VS Franchise/{{Devilman}}'' is an Expy of Rina Hirokoji from Creator/ShotaroIshinomori's earlier series ''Blue Zone''.

* The {{manhwa}} ''Manhwa/WitchHunter'' is quite an expy of ''Manga/DGrayMan''. The main protagonists both have white hair, wear black uniform which are the same color as their respective comrades', show sympathy towards their enemies' ''race'', and have [[PlayedForLaughs hilarious]] financial problems.

* ''Manga/HunterXHunter'': Upon arriving to an unknown land, two main characters run into a female martial artist who puts them through days-long TrainingFromHell to hone their skills, has trained one of the characters' mentors, and [[spoiler:can conceal her true age through manipulation of said martial art.]] Is this Biscuit or [[Manga/BattleTendency Lisa Lisa]]? She also draws many parallels with [[Manga/YuYuHakusho Genkai]] from Togashi's previous work, ''Yu Yu Hakusho''.

** Jonathan Joestar from ''Manga/PhantomBlood'' is this to [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar Kenshiro]], being a [[HeroicBuild muscle-bound]] AllLovingHero who can make his enemies explode.
** In ''Manga/StardustCrusaders'', Joseph Joestar is one to Franchise/IndianaJones, wearing a [[AdventurerOutfit similar outfit]] (right down to the fedora) and being able to use his [[FightingSpirit Stand]], Hermit Purple, as a whip.
** Like Jonathan, Jotaro Kujo's appearance can make him seem like one to [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar Kenshiro]]. However, [[WordOfGod Araki has stated]] that he based [[TheStoic Jotaro]] on characters played by Creator/ClintEastwood.
** Let's see, a skilled fencer who [[HeelFaceTurn initially opposes the heroes before siding with them]], currently on a quest for {{Revenge}} [[YouKilledMyFather for the death of a family member]] who was murdered by a man with a [[RedRightHand deformed left hand]]. The question is, are we talking about Jean-Pierre Polnareff, or [[Film/ThePrincessBride Inigo Montoya]]?
** Ebony Devil, Devo's Stand, is a {{sadist}}ic, foul-mouthed, blade-wielding CreepyDoll who [[LaughingMad laughs like a maniac]] as it kills its victims. It's very clearly meant to be a homage to [[Franchise/ChildsPlay Chucky]].
** [[WordOfGod According to Araki]], Yukako Yamagishi from ''Manga/DiamondIsUnbreakable'' was inspired by [[Literature/{{Misery}} Annie Wilkes]], both being {{Yandere}}s who kidnap their crush and trap them in an isolated house.

* Tsukiko Sagi from ''Anime/ParanoiaAgent'' is heavily based, design- and personality-wise, on Osaka from ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh''.

** Izuku Midoriya is one for Franchise/SpiderMan. It helps that Horikoshi has said that Spider-Man is his favorite American superhero.

%%* In ''Manga/{{Bakuman}}'', several of the main characters resemble ones from the duo's previous series. Moritaka resembles Near, Takagi resembles Light, Kosugi resembles Mikami, Miho resembles Misa, Aiko resembles Kiyomi Takada, and Hiramaru resembles Matsuda. Niizuma's character of Crow also shares some visual traits with Ryuk. Hattori also resembles Ryuk, and both appear to have been based at least partially on a real life ''Magazine/ShonenJump'' editor.

* ''Manga/BlackLagoon'': Hansel and Gretel are a pair of blond-haired, mentally unstable CreepyTwins, the boy wearing a shirt and shorts while the girl wears a long dress, who are [[EnfantTerrible hitmen for hire despite their young ages]] -- just like Danny and Demi from ''VideoGame/TheOutfoxies''.

%%* Ciel of ''Manga/BlackButler'' is incredibly similar to Literature/ArtemisFowl.

** Cioccolata from ''Manga/GoldenWind'' is a very obvious [[PracticallyJoker expy]] of ComicBook/TheJoker, being an AxCrazy psychopath with green hair and an almost [[MonsterClown clownish appearance]].

* Tomoe from ''Manga/KamisamaKiss'' has more than a few things in common with Manga/InuYasha. Not only do you have a physical resemblance (both are LittleBitBeastly White-Haired Pretty Boys with HellishPupils and UnusualEars) they also have similar mannerisms ([[DoesNotLikeShoes both don't like shoes]], both are [[DeadpanSnarker Deadpan Snarkers]] and both are [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Jerks with Hearts of Gold]]). Then you have the fact that both are forced against their will into being bodyguards and servants to a Type B TsunDere OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent who is afflicted with ChronicHeroSyndrome and both eventually fall in love with said student.

** In ''Manga/StardustCrusaders'', Joseph Joestar is one to Franchise/IndianaJones, wearing a [[AdventurerOutfit similar outfit]] (right down to the fedora) and being able to use his [[FightingSpirit Stand]], Hermit Purple, as a [[WhipItGood whip]].

* Azuma Rin from ''LightNovel/IsekaiCheatMagician'' is identical Inoue Ritsuko from ''Manga/ThoseWhoHuntElves''. Their personalities as tomboys match as their roles are very similar in their Isekai parties, that as they deal with most area of effect cleanup.

%%* ''Anime/HighSchoolStarMusical'''s main characters have shocking resemblances to the boys of ''LightNovel/UtaNoPrinceSama''.

* ''LightNovel/KyouranKazokuNikki'' gives us Himemiya Senka, another expy of Suigintou from ''Manga/RozenMaiden''. When first introduced, she shared Suigintou's white hair (intended to resemble silver), unnatural eye color, and creases under the eyes showing her disturbed mentality, and even remarkably reminiscent dress as well as obsessive jealousy and hatred towards a main character. She's even referred to as a "Solitary Doll," though in this case it refers to her replacement role as her family's shared abuse victim. [[spoiler: Like Gin, though, you eventually learn to empathize with her a bit once you know her background.]]

* Nana-sempai of ''LightNovel/GoldenTime'' dresses and acts exactly (though with more ComedicSociopathy) like Nana Osaki of ''{{Manga/Nana}}''.

* ''Anime/CrossAnge'''s protagonist Ange is Character and Story Arc-wise, according to Series Director Mitsuo Fukada, she is intended to be an Expy Daughter of Lelouch vi Britannia and Kallen Kozuki, with their character traits and even the abilities of the mecha they pilot being an Overt Crossing of the two. The parallels increase when the commonalities of an incompetent brother (Clovis and Julio), a sister they have a need to protect but inevitably end up at odds with (Nunnally and Sylvia), their lives being shattered by a man playing God (Schneizel and Embryo), and the interpersonal conflicts with their allies are all taken into account. Even the nature of their paramour relationships applies here. Design-wise She is based on Fate Testarosa from ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' due to her voice actress Nana Mizuki having previously portrayed the character. This allusion is made greater, as Ange's rival (and later 9ne of her potential [[LoveInterest love interests]]) [[LovableAlphaBitch Hilda]] is voiced by Nanoha herself, Yukari Tamura. She also bears similarities to some of the girls of ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Gundam SEED]]''; she carries the blonde hair, magenta eyes, and [[AcePilot piloting skills]] of [[TykeBomb Stella Loussier]], the [[HotBlooded tomboyish attitude]] and [[WarriorPrince royal heritage]] relating her to [[LadyOfWar Cagalli Yula Athha]], and a BeautifulSingingVoice to match that of [[IdolSinger Lacus Clyne]].

* ''Anime/CrossAnge'''s protagonist Ange is Character and Story Arc-wise, according to Series Director Mitsuo Fukada, she is intended to be an Expy Daughter of Lelouch vi Britannia and Kallen Kozuki, with their character traits and even the abilities of the mecha they pilot being an Overt Crossing of the two. The Parallels increase when the commonalities of an incompetent brother, a sister they have a need to protect but inevitably end up at odds with, their lives being shattered by a man playing God, and the interpersonal conflicts with their allies are all taken into account. Even the Nature of their paramour relationships applies here. Design-wise She is based on Fate Testarosa from ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' due to her voice actress Nana Mizuki having previously portrayed the character. This allusion is made greater, as Ange's eventual Girlfriend Hilda is voiced by Nanoha herself, Yukari Tamura
* Eva Marie Parallels/Cyborg 0015 from ''Manga/{{Cyborg 009}} VS Franchise/{{Devilman}}'' is an Expy of Rina Hirokoji from Creator/ShotaroIshinomori's earlier series ''Blue Zone''. She also bears similarities to some of the girls of ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Gundam SEED]]''; she carries the blonde hair, magenta eyes, and [[AcePilot piloting skills]] of [[TykeBomb Stella Loussier]], the [[HotBlooded tomboyish attitude]] and [[WarriorPrince royal heritage]] relating her to [[LadyOfWar Cagalli Yula Athha]], and a BeautifulSingingVoice to match that of [[IdolSinger Lacus Clyne]].
** Ange's boyfriend [[BadassNormal Tusk]] is something of an expy to Kira Yamato as well, being an AcePilot of his own right, a strong desire to protect someone (namely Ange), and [[PlotArmor the penchant to survive an experience that should've killed him.]]

** Suzaku at one point was fairly regularly compared to Kira Yamato. He's a brunette with a super mecha, opposed to violence, has a best friend for a [[TheRival Rival]], a romance with a pink-haired pacifist princess... The problem with the comparison is Suzaku is frequently lying to himself to excuse his own actions and uses what powers he has to enforce oppression onto others as opposed to fighting against all sides to find better solutions people had blinded themselves to as Kira did, as Suzaku never fought to PROTECT anything. As time as moved on and Both CG and Seed been re-evaluated the comparison has died a slow death to bearing only superficial similarities. Comparisons to Suzaku being an AMURO RAY Expy however, have risen immensely; due to renewed analysis of the original Gundam series finding that Amuro fought to maintain an oppressive status quo from an Authoritarian Government which the Colonies (Area's in Code Geass) sought liberation from.

* ''Anime/CrossAnge'''s protagonist Ange is Character and Storyarc-wise, according to Series Director Mitsuo Fukada, she is intended to be an Expy Daughter of Lelouch Vi Britannia and Kallen Kozuki, with their character traits and even the abilities of the mecha they pilot being an Overt Crossing of the two. The Parallels increase when the commonalities of incompetent brother, a sister they have a need to protect but inevitably end up at odds with, their lives being shattered by a man playing God, and the interpersonal conflicts with their allies are all taken into account. Even the Nature of their paramour relationships applies here. Design-wise She is based on Fate Testarosa from ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' due to her voice actress Nana Mizuki having previously portrayed the character. This allusion is made greater, as Ange's eventual Girlfriend Hilda is voiced by Nanoha herself, Yukari Tamura
* Eva Marie Parallels/Cyborg 0015 from ''Manga/{{Cyborg 009}} VS Franchise/{{Devilman}}'' is an Expy of Rina Hirokoji from Creator/ShotaroIshinomori's earlier series ''Blue Zone''.

* Sharnid Elipton from ''LightNovel/ChromeShelledRegios'' is a pretty much a copy of ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'''s Kurz Weber: a sniper, whose skill is matched only by his laid-backness, with long blond hair and a propensity for womanizing.

* Because of their many similaries ([[TheStoic Stoic]] ChildSoldiers who [[CharacterDevelopment grow more human]] after meeting and [[BodyguardCrush protecting]] an {{Ojou}}, have CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass goofball [[TheLancer Lancers]], and pilot HumongousMecha with dangerous but powerful technology), Sousuke Sagara from ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'' is often considered an Expy of Heero Yuy from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing''. When the two finally met in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'', their similarities were [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]], and Heero actually mentors Sousuke in an attempt to do something about his FishOutOfWater-ness. In addition to this, Sousuke shares some chracter stylings from both Sanousuke and Kenshin from ''Manga/RurouniKenshin''.

* In ''LightNovel/GoblinSlayer'', Heavy Warrior is a dead ringer for [[Manga/{{Berserk}} Guts]] - a daunting warrior with a hidden soft side, charges into battle clad in ScaryImpracticalArmour with a massive, thick sword in his hands and a face decorated with {{Rugged Scar}}s and a audacious grin.

%%* Lots of people note how the ''LightNovel/No6'' characters Shion and Nezumi are similar to Kanda and Allen from ''Manga/DGrayMan''.

%%* Chizuru from ''Manga/SquidGirl'' definitely rings a bell regarding Ryouko from ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya''.

* Azuma Rin from LightNovel/IsekaiCheatMagician is identical Inoue Ritsuko from ''Manga/ThoseWhoHuntElves''. Their personalities as tomboys match as their roles are very similar in their Isekai parties, that as they deal with most area of effect cleanup.

* Yuu in ''LightNovel/UnlimitedFafnir'' is an expy of Kamito from ''LightNovel/BladedanceOfElementalers''. Both are child assassin with a supernatural power normally only possessed by girls, which causes them to be placed in an all-girls' school. Additionally, both of them are born with a unique legacy [[spoiler:to save the world.]]

* Yui and Takeo Sasaki from ''Anime/XMen'' are Expies of Moira and Kevin [=MacTaggert=]/Proteus from the comics, right down to Yui being a famous researcher and Xavier's old flame [[spoiler:, and Takeo being Xavier's bastard son, much like [[Comicbook/UltimateXMen Ultimate]] Proteus]].

** The [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils Godhand]] are likely based on the [[Franchise/{{Hellraiser}} Cenobites]], being [[WasOnceAMan former humans]] [[DemonOfHumanOrigin turned demons]] who can be summoned via an ArtifactOfDoom, and have an interest in turning humans into monsters. For a specific member, Slan is most likely based on [[TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}} Slaanesh]], being a HornyDevil who believes that SexIsViolence.

** Kenny seems to be one to [[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV Trevor Phillips]], as seen in his random outbursts, tendency towards brutality, and surprising sentimental side. Given that Isayama is a fan of GTA, this is quite possible.

** [[spoiler:Design-wise, Willy Tybur seems to be based on [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse Chris Hemsworth's Thor]], which would make sense, given his connection to the '''War-Hammer''' Titan]].

** Tamaki Damo from ''Manga/{{JoJolion}}'' is possibly this to [[Film/AmericanHustle Irving Rosenfeld]], having a similar appearance and hot girlfriend.

** Shinji and Kaworu are somewhat based on [[Franchise/{{Devilman}} Akira and Ryo]], respectively. A male duo consisting of a dark-haired guy and a light-haired guy? The light-haired guy outright loves the dark-haired one? The light-haired one is actually attempting to destroy the world? All check. There are only some differences: Akira does not return Ryo's feelings while Shinji returns Kaworu's, and while Ryo succeeds in destroying the world, Kaworu lets Shinji kill him instead because he wants humanity to be alive.

** Charlotte Pudding is most likely based on [[Manga/SazanEyes Pai]], a girl with a ThirdEye who makes use of non-human familiars. Her overall physical appearance, however, seems to take cues from [[Anime/CodeGeass Nunnally Lamperouge]].

** Paul himself may be this to Silver, the rival from VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver, who has a similar hairstyle and JerkAss attitude, and shared at least one Pokemon with Paul (a member of the [[AnIcePerson Weavile]] evolutionary family, Silver using Sneasel while Paul had Weavile), the incarnation from Manga/PokemonAdventures not only had Weavile, but had [[CreepyCrows Honchkrow]] and [[BearsAreBadNews Ursaring]], two other Pokemon Paul used..
** Iris was somewhat of an expy for Misty. She had a tendency to tease Ash, specialized in a certain Pokémon type, Dragon-types to Misty's Water-types, and was terrified of another type, Ice-types to Misty and Bug-types.

* ''LightNovel/ReignOfTheSevenSpellblades'' draws heavy inspiration from the ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' franchise. The TrueCompanions of the series map conveniently as {{Decomposite Character}}s of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but the most obvious example is Professor Darius Grenville, who is ''very'' like Severus Snape: he's a thoroughly unpleasant SadistTeacher with long dark hair, is the alchemy instructor and covets another teacher's job (Luther Garland's sword arts position), and was connected to the primary protagonist's MissingMom. [[spoiler:Only instead of having been in love with her, he helped murder her.]]

* ''Anime/LittleWitchAcademia'':

** Charlotte Perospero is this to [[Literature/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory Willy Wonka]], a sharp dressed man with a NiceHat who runs a candy factory.