How did Anime Shape MBJ’s Creed 3?
When Michael B. Jordan stepped into the director’s chair for Creed 3, he brought more than just his talent as an actor and filmmaker—he brought his lifelong love of anime. That passion didn’t just influence his creative choices; it supercharged them, making the film a unique blend of sports drama and anime-inspired visual storytelling. Here’s how anime influenced Jordan’s directorial debut and why it matters.
Anime’s Underdog Spirit
One of anime’s hallmark themes is the journey of the underdog—a character clawing their way to greatness despite impossible odds. Think of Naruto Uzumaki chasing recognition in a village that dismissed him, or Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia striving to become a hero without powers.
In Creed 3, Jordan drew from these stories to shape Adonis Creed’s emotional and physical battles. The film isn’t just about boxing; it’s about resilience, personal growth, and overcoming inner demons—all themes anime fans know by heart.
Jordan himself said in interviews that anime helped him see the emotional depth that could be added to action scenes, making Creed 3 as much about the characters’ internal struggles as their punches.
Visual Storytelling That Packs a Punch
Jordan didn’t just adopt anime’s emotional core—he infused its bold visual style into Creed 3.
Fight Choreography: Jordan cited anime like Naruto and Dragon Ball Z as direct inspirations for the film’s fight scenes. The slow-motion shots, dramatic angles, and hyper-focused emotional moments mirror the intense face-offs anime fans love.
Iconic Moments: Jordan brought the concept of “signature moments” from anime into the boxing ring. Think of the way a climactic punch lands in One Punch Man or the emotional crescendo in Attack on Titan. Those iconic frames? They’re all over Creed 3.
By incorporating these techniques, Jordan created fight scenes that feel as personal and electrifying as an anime battle. Every punch tells a story.
Bigger-Than-Life Rivalries
Another anime influence in Creed 3 is the dynamic between Adonis Creed and Damian Anderson, his former friend turned rival. Their relationship echoes classic anime rivalries like Naruto vs. Sasuke or Goku vs. Vegeta.
Anime rivalries aren’t just about conflict—they’re about history, betrayal, and redemption. Jordan tapped into this dynamic to elevate the stakes in Creed 3, making the audience feel the weight of every interaction between the two characters.
Breaking New Ground in Hollywood
Jordan’s decision to weave anime influences into Creed 3 is part of a larger movement to bring traditionally “niche” inspirations into mainstream storytelling. By doing this, he’s breaking barriers, proving that anime isn’t just a subculture—it’s a global storytelling force with lessons every filmmaker can learn from.
Michael B. Jordan’s love of anime didn’t just inspire Creed 3—it made it unforgettable. He took the emotional depth, visual flair, and larger-than-life drama of anime and translated it into live-action filmmaking. The result? A film that stands out in the Creed franchise while connecting with fans on a whole new level.
Whether you’re a filmmaker, a fan of anime, or both, Jordan’s work is a powerful reminder to embrace your influences unapologetically. Because when you do, you create something uniquely your own. So curb your consumption and kick up your creation. ABS: Always. Be. Scribbling.
