It isn’t uncommon for anime series to deal with a couple of resemblances as mangaka frequently have a tendency to draw inspiration using their company works, particularly with the anime industry being very saturated. However, there is a certain limit with regards to drawing inspiration, as crossing that specific line leads towards the territory of plagiarism. While there aren’t most cases within the anime industry in general, however, an example which comes close may be the striking similarity between two popular shonen series – One Piece and Fairy Tail.
A couple of resemblances in some places aren’t anything unusual, the peculiar similarities between both of these series has brought fans to think that this can be a situation of deliberate replication. It is also common understanding the series’ authors, Hiro Mashima and Eiichiro Oda, are lengthy-time buddies, meaning it is highly likely that Mashima based several facets of Fairy Tail on Oda’s works. While these resemblances continue to be quite vague, exploring a few of these aspects can shed more light onto this trouble.
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Almost Identical Character Designs
The main similarity backward and forward shows is the character designs, with lots of bearing a nearly identical outline. The main thing on this similitude is Fairy Tail’s Gildarts who bears an enthusiastic resemblance with One Piece’s Shanks. Their character design includes a bulky build having a wide stature face, together with slightly lengthy hair having a tint of red. With your a saturated industry, character designs will likely be replicated in various series, however in this situation, even their role within the series are very similar. Both Gildarts and Shanks act as a mentor and father figure for his or her particular protagonists, yet their role will get reduced because the plot progresses.
Another apparent replication is of Monkey D. Dragon by means of Gajeel in Fairy Tail. Their hair do, facial expression, and overall expressions appear to become almost carbon copies of one another. Aside from both of these notable examples, other figures with oddly similar features is visible through the two series. Mangaka have a tendency to draw inspiration using their company anime series quite frequently, however the extreme similitude during these two series points perfectly into a deliberate imitation.
Protagonists Having a Similar Disposition
The 2 series’ particular protagonists, Monkey D. Luffy and Natsu Dragneel, bear a nearly identical disposition when it comes to personality design. Both figures boast an over-the-top personality along with a radiating souped up that appears to create almost every other character together. Both hold the same feeling of adventure, along with a reckless, carefree, and positive personality that is able to undertake any challenge which comes their way.
Their morals and values will also be oddly similar, because they encompass a righteous attitude, creating a indicate clearly portray their contempt for cruelty and evil. Loyalty is another shared value that both figures emphatically illustrate, his or her particular guild and crew comes first, and they’ll visit any lengths to safeguard those they are concerned concerning the most. Even though many shonen anime protagonists bear these values and traits, none compare to how identical Natsu and Luffy’s personalities are.
Similar Supporting Figures

As the primary ancillary figures within the two series are somewhat distinguishable, their dispositions and roles are nearly identical. This really is noticably in Lucy and Nami’s situation, both supporting figures which are somewhat weak at first from the series, yet overtime, they create themselves more viable and aid the protagonist in achieving their set goals. Their hot-headed personalities will also be quite similar, especially while coping with the protagonist’s unhinged behavior, which makes them even more indistinguishable.
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Both in series, among the primary ancillary figures bears a reserved yet inflammed personality, a job that’s performed by Grey in Fairy Tail and Zoro in One Piece. Their places because the protagonist’s friend and reliable brother-in-arms can also be oddly similar, nearly as if a person was entirely in line with the other character.
Similar Worldbuilding

While One Piece puts more effort into its worldbuilding, the 2 anime inherently have similar features when it comes to this aspect. In addition to the apparent difference of One Piece’s pirates and Fairy Tail’s mages, both series center around happening adventures, fighting battles, and overcoming challenges that they’re going to face on the way, with everything else leading perfectly into a looming primary plotline. An expansive world with mythical creatures and inexplicable mysteries will also be commonplace both in series, fortifying a obvious resemblance backward and forward.
While Fairy Tail and One Piece get their great amount of distinguishing aspects, these peculiar similarities clearly point to a deliberate imitation that lies backward and forward anime. Visiting a reference or perhaps a coincidental similarity between two series is comparatively common, but entire figures as well as their roles being with different preexisting series goes beyond just drawing inspiration, forcing fans to take a position whether it was just a coincidence or perhaps a deliberate imitation through the author.
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