Often a non-anime being considered as one is a clear sign that the series has exceeded the expectations of the viewers. There are lots of animated series available apart from Japan that have used similar character styles, plot lines, detailed graphics, and generally any flag bearer of Anime. These have been mistaken for anime for good reason and maybe you have not realized it while watching them. The list of 10 series mistaken for anime is just a shout-out to these amazing works that need to be acknowledged.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
![Avatar The Last Airbender 15th Anniversary Trailer [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IyZ0xetSb9s/mqdefault.jpg)
The show tells the story of Aang who is the Avatar or the person capable of bending the four elements of air, water, earth, and fire. His role as the Avatar is to maintain balance among the four-element nations. He is the bridge between the spirit world and the human world as well. Aang along with Katara, Sokka, and Toph strive to stop Fire Nation which is aggressive towards other nations. Zuko, the exiled Fire Prince needs to capture Avatar to restore his honor is another important character in the series.
Totally Spies!
Totally Spies! is an action-comedy series based on the popular idea of a girl group. The show stars three teenage girls Alex, Sam, and Clover from Beverly Hills California later recruited by WOOHP. Jerry, the head of the World Organisation of Human Protection or WOOHP wants to decrease the escalating rate of crimes for which he recruits the three. The villains in the show are vengeful people having been wronged in the past or those who want to ruin the regular life of the three spies, often failing to do so.
Code Lyoko
Code Lyoko stars Jeremy who accidentally discovered a supercomputer near his school. The supercomputer contains the virtual world of Lyoko where Aelita stays. X.A.N.A. is the malevolent artificial intelligence that resides in the supercomputer. It is able to use Lyoko’s power to possess electronic gadgets in the real world to wreak havoc. X.A.N.A. also eliminates anyone who comes to know about its existence to continue its terror. Jeremy with his friends Ulrich, Odd, and Yumi get virtualized into Lyoko to save both the real and the virtual world.
Jackie Chan Adventures
Jackie Chan Adventures is based on the fictionalized version of a film star from Hong Kong- Jackie Chan. The character is an archaeologist and spy who operates in a magical world in the animated series. The series has an alternative world where magic and supernatural coexist with the humans but the latter are unaware of it. The primary objective of the titular character is to fight against the evil that causes trouble in the world. Close family and friends often accompany him in these endeavors.
RWBY
RWBY stands as an acronym for the four characters attending Beacon Academy- Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang. It also signifies their respective theme colors- Red, White, Black, and Yellow. The fictional world of Remnant trains young people to become Huntsmen and Huntresses. This is done in order to protect the world from the monsters called the Creatures of Grimm. RWBY along with the other team JNPR consisting of Jaune, Nora, Pyrrha, and Ren explore their lives in the Beacon Academy before getting out in the adventurous world of Remnant.
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Teen Titans
![Teen Titans GO! To The Movies - Official Trailer 1 [HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/r9WhJyyTtqo/mqdefault.jpg)
Teen Titans is a superhero team consisting of five unique characters with Robin acting as their proactive leader. Starfire is a curious alien princess from planet Tamaran and Raven is an aloof girl from the alternate world of Azarath. Raven uses dark energy to perform psychokinesis and telepathy. Cyborg is a half-human and half-robot having qualities of both. Beast Boy is a happy-go-lucky fellow who can transform into any of the animals. The assorted team deals with crimes and their own adolescent issues throughout the series.
Martin Mystery
Martin Mystery is based on the French comic book Martin Mystere with the egoistic titular character and his stepsister Diana Lombard. Both attend Torrington Academy in the city of Sherbrooke where their ally Java works as a cook and janitor. Java is a caveman who is sturdy and useful in working with his body rather than the mind. They work for The Center which is a secret organization that protects humans from the paranormal menace.
Castlevania
The Netflix series is on the more mature side with elements of action and dark fantasy. Vampire Count Vlad Dracula Tepes swears revenge on the people of Wallachia after they burn his wife at stake in the false allegation. He summons an army of demons to seek vengeance. Trevour Belmont, an outlawed monster hunter declares war on Dracula. He allies with Sypha Belnades who is a magician and Dracula’s dhampir son Alucard to stop him. The series is adult-rated because of darker themes.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
It is based on the superhero team of the same name in the popular comics with the turtle ninjas. Leo is the quiet and responsible leader of the group along with Raph as the second in command. Raph is a certified hothead who wants to take action before thinking though he greatly cares for his family. Don, the third in command is also the brain of the group and loves working on experiments. Mikey is the life of the party and continuously goofs around often making pop-cultural references in the process. The show is great for a light watch though it has over six seasons.
Steven Universe
Set in the fictional place of Beach City at Delmarva, Steven Universe has Crystal Gems as central characters. They live in a temple near the beach and protect humans from the attacks of monsters and other creatures. The four Crystal Gems are Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Steven. Steven is a half-human, half gem inheriting his abilities from his mother Rose Quartz. The show also explores the themes of gender and sexuality overtly bringing the ideas into the popular media. The show garnered a fanbase because of its good execution of niche themes.
Please let’s give these series credit for being so awesome. If you are a 90s kid you must know at least half of these. In fact, you must have watched one for sure. Now is a good time to feel nostalgic and just pick one for a wistful watch. Meanwhile, I’ll get started with Martin Mystery 😉
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