Michael B. Jordan Shares His Favorite Anime That Shaped Him

Depositphotos
Our Editorial Policy.

Share:

Michael B. Jordan once revealed that his love for anime played a big role in shaping the fight scenes in Creed III.

Speaking to IGN, the actor said he wanted to bring a fresh approach to the franchise’s boxing sequences. “Without nerding out too much, you’ve seen so many fights throughout the Rocky and Creed franchise, and I really wanted to put my spin on it,” Jordan explained. “How to make these fights different. From Hajime no Ippo to Megalo Box to Naruto to My Hero Academia, all those different anime that I’ve watched growing up.”

Jordan pointed out that what drew him to these shows wasn’t just the action, but the way they explore relationships and bonds.

“There’s an inherent spirit to them in how they fight, you know? Their bonds and relationship and all that good stuff. But it’s very similar to the brotherhood and bond that we have, and his [Creed’s] relationship to his family as well. So I tried to key in on some of those key moments. And yeah, they’re in there. They’re in a lot of the fights,” he said.

In a separate interview with the BBC, Jordan discussed how anime uniquely shows a character’s inner thoughts even during intense battles. “Usually in anime, when the protagonists and antagonists are fighting, physically they’re trying to take each other’s heads off, they’re trying to kill each other, they’re trying to win the physical battle. But emotionally, they’re usually someplace quiet, talking about how they feel. Because fighting was the only way they could communicate with one another,” he explained.

Jordan also shared his all-time favorite anime series that influenced him, including some of the most popular titles in the West. These include Naruto, Dragon Ball, Bleach, One Piece, Hunter X Hunter, My Hero Academia, Hajime no Ippo, and Megalo Box.

It’s clear that Jordan sees anime as more than just entertainment it’s a source of inspiration for storytelling, emotion, and action. By bringing this influence into Creed III, he hopes to make the fights feel fresh while also highlighting the emotional connections between characters.

It’s fascinating to see a major Hollywood star openly credit anime for inspiring his work. It shows how global media can influence big blockbuster films in ways audiences might not expect. What do you think about anime shaping live-action movies? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments