Michael B Jordan not only starred but also directed the latest film in the Creed series, Creed III. This is his directorial debut, and he took on the challenge with enthusiasm. The movie follows Aldonis Creed (Michael B Jordan), who has retired from boxing but must confront his past in the form of his childhood friend, Damien “Dame” Anderson (Jonathan Majors). Their reunion takes a dark turn when they face each other in the ring. While this theme is not unique, Creed III sets itself apart by concluding with a dramatic and emotional boxing match. Michael rose to the challenge of his directorial debut and made the film more engaging by incorporating influences from his favorite anime.
In an interview with IGN, Michael shared that anime has been a significant part of his life and creativity. As a fan of shounen fight anime, which typically revolve around intense battles, Michael even drew inspiration for his character, Erik Killmonger, in Black Panther from Vegeta. Michael’s love for anime is evident in his collaboration with Coach, where he created a line of apparel inspired by Naruto’s iconic costume. He has also been influenced by mecha and other mainstream anime genres.
Here are some of the anime that Michael claims influenced his direction of Creed III:
1. Hajime no Ippo
Hajime no Ippo is a popular boxing anime that focuses on Ippo Makunouchi, who is always the victim of bullying until he is rescued by a boxer named Mamoru Takamura. After taking him to the Kamogawa boxing gym, Takamura discovers Ippo’s incredible punching power and trains him to become a skilled boxer. Ippo’s journey to achieve victory has similar themes to Creed, and it is no surprise that Michael was inspired by the anime in creating Creed III. Speaking to Total Film, Michael said, “With boxing anime like Hajime no Ippo, I really love the internal monologues that characters have in the ring.”
2. Megalo Box
Another anime that influenced Creed III is Megalo Box. It shares a similar theme of an underdog’s journey to success starting from the bottom. Set in a dystopian future where a sport called megalo-boxing, which combines boxing with cybernetics, dominates culture, the story revolves around a hero called Gearless Joe, who tries to rise from the lower class by using his natural boxing skills. Megalo Box is available on Netflix.
3. Naruto
Naruto is Michael’s favorite anime, and it has had a massive impact on his life and work. The anime follows a boy named Naruto who strives to become the Hokage, or head of the village in Konoha, despite being an untalented troublemaker. Naruto’s perseverance and determination to achieve his dreams despite the bullying and rejection he faces inspires many viewers of the anime.
4. My Hero Academia
Creed III focuses on the legacy of underdogs, and My Hero Academia shares a similar theme. The anime centers around the protagonist Izuku Midoriya, also known as Deku, a boy born without superpowers in a world where having them is the norm. Despite this, he dreams of becoming a hero and, with the help of his mentor, All Might, he trains and overcomes challenges to achieve his goal.
In conclusion, Michael B Jordan’s love for anime has influenced his direction of Creed III, adding more depth and internal monologues to the film’s intense boxing scenes. His love for Hajime no Ippo, Megalo Box, Naruto, and My Hero Academia has motivated him to create more engaging content that inspires and resonates with the audience.
