Jordan Peele Reveals The Anime That Shaped His Vision, “That Movie Meant So Much To Me”
Jordan Peele has never been shy about the influences that sneak into his films. Fans spot them, trade notes, and head back to the theater to catch what they missed. He keeps the conversation going by talking about what inspires him, without giving away the magic trick.
That includes his long running affection for Japanese animation. He has borrowed a few stylish touches here and there, while keeping his own voice front and center. As he once put it, “You know, anime in general was a big influence, but I think the choice to go after that real, hardcore homage was a tough one. Because you always can just not.”
So what sits at the top of his list. Peele has repeatedly singled out the 1988 landmark feature Akira. When asked about it, he did not overthink the answer. “I mean, that movie meant so much to me,” he said, a simple line that explains a lot about the choices he makes on set.
His appreciation runs deeper than a casual nod. Years back, the studio world came calling with the offer to take on a live action version of Akira. Peele passed. He explained the decision in clear terms that show where his priorities lie. “Akira is one of my favorite movies, and I think obviously the story justifies as big a budget as you can possibly dream of. But the real question for me is: Do I want to do pre-existing material, or do I want to do original content? At the end of the day, I want to do original stuff.”
That choice did not stop him from tipping his cap. In Nope, Keke Palmer’s character pulls off the famous motorcycle slide that anime fans know by heart. It was a playful tribute, not a remake blueprint, which is exactly how Peele likes it. He has said the reference felt right because the film already carried the spirit of the stories that moved him most. “It felt so good, and it felt so — it’s a moment that’s been paid homage many times in animation, and I hadn’t seen it done like this.”
Looking back, he sounds pleased with the road he chose. The pressure to adapt a beloved title is real, but his instincts pulled him toward new worlds. “It’s a project I’m so passionate about. I’m glad I didn’t do it because I feel like staying away from trying to interpret that IP set me on the path to creating something new,” Peele said.
For anyone who has wondered which anime sits closest to his heart, the answer is clear. Peele keeps building original films that carry echoes of what he loves, and Akira remains the touchstone he returns to. The result is a body of work that feels fresh, even as it tips its hat to a classic that helped shape his imagination.