T5W#328-Top 5 Anime/Video Game Influences in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

A couple of weeks ago, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings arrived on Disney+.  Getting a chance to watch it again for the first time since I saw it in theaters, I’ve gotta say, I freaking love this movie.  It stands as an excellent showcase of Asian culture and boasts some great action, energy and just a sense of fun that makes it one of the best movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Watching it this time, as well, I started to notice a couple of familiar elements peppered throughout the movie.  It’s kind of obvious in retrospect (I was enjoying the film too much to look too deeply I guess) but there are a ton of Anime and Video Game influences to spot and today I’m gonna shout out what I saw.  These are my Top 5 Anime/Video Game Influences in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.  Word of warning, I will be talking about some major plot points so if you haven’t seen the movie and still want to be surprised, go check out Shang Chi right away and enjoy the ride.

 
#5-Jaeger Assistance Required? (Godzilla/Pacific Rim)

I have to admit, when I saw the trailers for Shang Chi leading to its release, the last thing I expected to see was Shang Chi battling a giant winged and tentacle bearing Kaiju in a mystical realm (more on that latter bit later).  The second this Soul stealing beast rose from the river, you got epic Kaiju reveal vibes like something out of a Godzilla film or even Pacific Rim.  It actually reminded me the most of the first appearance of the final form of Destroyah in Godzilla vs. Destroyah.  Shang does a good job handling this beast with some added help from his best friend, Katy and his sister, Xu Xailing…still, next time…maybe call Godzilla in too.

 
#4-This is how you Airbend (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

While not an official Anime, Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel series, The Legend of Korra, boast enough Anime visual inspiration that many lump it in there anyway.  So the feeling of disgust and anger when M. Night Shamylan butchered Avatar’s live action debut was immense, especially when it came to showing off the lackluster bending of any particular kind.  Cut to Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and you can see the people of Tao Lo not practicing Air Bending per say but a similar style that allows them to manipulate the air around them.  Michelle Yeoh’s character shows this style off beautifully (it’s Michelle Yeoh after all, any martial art she shows off is dazzling) and uses it to school Shang a bit too.  Just saying, this looked more like Air Bending than what Shamylan thought looked cool.
 

#3-Portals to a Magical World (Miyazaki Movies)

The final act of Shang Chi takes place in another dimension known as Tao Lo.  It’s the birthplace of Shang and Xu’s Mother and boasts a wide array of beautiful scenery and an entire worlds worth of magical creatures.  White Kitsune’s, bearded Water Horses, ginormous Battle Lions, while most might have a Chinese mythology root, there’s no denying that their design looks and feels like it belongs in a Hayao Miyazaki film.  Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, spirts and monsters were abundant in each of these films and then some.  If anything, it’s kind of criminal we don’t see more than what we are shown.  You could probably spend an entire sequel or spin off series exploring Tao Lo and the fantastic beasts roaming its lands.
 

#2-A New Challenger has Appeared (Fighting Video Games)

Shang and Katy’s search for Shang’s sister, Xu, takes the pair to Macau and an underground fight club where dozens of fights happen regularly and are posted for all to see online.  Shang ends up fighting Xu herself as part of the main event of the evening in an arena that looks tailor made for anyone who has pummeled a friend or two in a video game like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat.  The way the fight is staged and choreographed is a sight to behold.  The ring too, seriously it looks like it was heavily inspired by Dead or Alive, right down to a cool DJ giving the play by play.  This movie should inspire a new Marvel populated Video Game like Injustice for DC Comics and have Shang take on the best the MCU has to offer.  Also, how many people just heard a very loud,“KO” when Xu knocked Shang right the heck out in one hit?

 
#1-Rock the Dragon and Get that Dragon Ball (Dragon Ball Franchise)

This should have been the most obvious to me (but I was having too much fun haha).  For the final battle against his father, Wen Wu, and the Soul Stealer, Shang suits up in a red topped battle suit, armed with a red battle staff and ends up riding on a giant dragon.  THIS IS DRAGON BALL in its purest form.  Sure the fight against Wenwu echoes closer to Dragon Ball Z, Katy even says later on he unleashed a Kamehameha attack.  Like I said, I can see the Z but this felt like what Dragon Ball: Evolution wanted to be: an actual proper adaptation of Journey to the West with Dragon Ball style and substance.  Just think about it guys: the MCU pulled off a better Dragon Ball movie here.  Is it no wonder I freaking love Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings that much?  The guy literally runs along side a Dragon just like Gohan in the original opening of Dragon Ball Z for crying out loud.