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Dragon Ball may not have gotten a worthy live-action adaptation yet, but one epic Jackie Chan fantasy movie comes close to qualifying as a spiritual adaptation of the renowned anime. Created by Akira Toriyama in 1984, Dragon Ball went on to become one of the biggest and most internationally acclaimed shounen anime franchises in the 90s and the aughts. Over the years, the franchise has only grown from strength to strength, paving the way for newer additions, including video games, manga spinoffs, and films.

In 2009, Dragon Ball was also loosely adapted as a live-action movie, Dragonball Evolution, which turned out to be a commercial and critical disaster. Owing to its inability to get anything right about the original anime and manga, the movie was panned by viewers and critics worldwide, forcing many to grow skeptical towards anime-to-cinema adaptations in general. However, before Dragonball Evolution presented one of the worst live-action takes on anime,...

The two biggest anime series in the world, One Piece, and Naruto, have been in tough competition with each other since the early 2000s. Both of them have a vast fan following that helped them acquire legendary status and inspire many other prominent stories. However, fans might not know this, but both Naruto and One Piece have been inspired by the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West.

Naruto and Luffy | Credit: Weekly Shonen Jump

Journey to the West was written by Wu Cheng’en, and it follows the story of Sun Wukong, who was born from a stone and somehow acquired supernatural powers through Taoist practices. Sun Wukong had many names, but the most prominent one that is used even today is the Monkey King, and he has inspired a lot of popular stories that made a name for themselves, including Dragon Ball.

Both Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto have...

40 years ago today, Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga had its official debut in Weekly Shonen Jump. To commemorate this landmark moment in shonen history, the official Toriyama Archive has re-released a rare draft of the manga's debut page for a limited time.

Chapter 1, Page 1 of Dragon Ball depicts Son Goku cheerfully rolling a large piece of firewood through the woods. Nearby, a pair of monkeys happily greet him as he walks by. This lighthearted illustration sets the stage for an action-comedy tale that went on to inspire dozens of future manga creators, including Toriyama's successor, Dragon Ball Super's Toyotarou. As detailed on Dragon Ball's official website, Toriyama's draft of the page features a "stunning water color background" not used in the final version. Cbr readers can check it out below.

Related Dragon Ball Releases 40-Year-Old Announcement Artwork Revealing the Series' Original Genre

The official Akira Toriyama Archive...

Updated on September 19, 2024 : Added Another Journey to the West to the lineup! Get ready to find your next grand adventure as Crunchyroll announces its fall 2024 anime season lineup! Starting October 2024, join Goku and new friends in the latest Dragon Ball Daima series! Subaru and Emilia also return for the royal selection in Re:zero -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3 ! And a new Shonen Jump series prepares to go out of this world in Dan Da Dan ! Other hit anime also continue throughout the season including Tower of God Season 2 , Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest and One Piece ! Read on for even more shows to add to your fall 2024 anime lineup on Crunchyroll! See Also: Crunchyroll's Fall 2024 Dub Lineup here! In this article: New Fall 2024 Anime Season Picks New Fall 2024 Anime Season Simulcasts Continuing Fall 2024 Anime Simulcasts New Fall 2024 Anime Season Picks Studio: Toei Animation Sub Airtime :...

With its remarkable plots, iconic characters, and epic battles, Dragon Ball has captivated viewers for decades. But many fans might not know that this $23 billion franchise owes much of its foundation to one of China’s legendary tales from the 16th century — Journey to the West. The primary reference to this old tale can be seen in Son Goku, the protagonist of Dragon Ball, who takes direct inspiration from Sun Wukong, the Monkey King.

Action-rpg game Black Myth: Wukong | Credit: Game Science

Similarly, the recently released Journey to the West video game adaptation Black Myth: Wukong highlights the lasting appeal of Sun Wukong’s persona. Black Myth is bringing Wukong’s legacy into the present day with cutting-edge technology and compelling storytelling, much like Dragon Ball did with anime and manga.

Sun Wukong as the Origin of Dragon Ball‘s Goku

Journey to the West, a beloved Chinese tale, served...

Despite the obvious differences and the never-ending comparisons, manga heavyweights Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece share a common source of inspiration and ideas in Sun Wukong - the irrepressible Monkey King who is the protagonist of the Chinese epic Journey to the West. It's a connection that not only marks the Monkey King's indelible influence on the Shonen Jump manga series but also makes titles much more alike than their fandoms may realize.

Journey to the West is a 16th-century Chinese novel attributed to Wu Cheng'en. It's one of the greatest parables of human civilization and a classic tale of heroes, demons, and Gods that is as widely known in China - its country of origin - and Japan as King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table is in the West. Moreover, just as King Arthur serves as a constant source of inspiration for the Western comic book industry,...

The streaming service is capable of interesting works for children, with this one based on 16th century novel Journey to the West featuring an irritating protagonist

Despite recent budget cuts, Netflix’s in-house animation division continues to produce lively, interesting works that, if released theatrically, might be diverting some of the applause that gets automatically lavished on Disney and Pixar’s currently mediocre output. Not that this is anywhere as rich and strange as the streaming service’s last big title, the Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. The latest in a 10,000-mile-long line of adaptations of Journey to the West, the 16th-century Chinese novel attributed to Wu Cheng’en, bounces along energetically, and has some exceptionally fun frills around the edges, such as a flouncy vocal performance from Bowen Yang as spiteful, effete baddie the Dragon King, who gets to sing the film’s best musical number.

Sadly, the Dragon...

The Monkey King is an animated movie on Netflix that adapts a 16th-century novel, featuring the charismatic Monkey on a quest to defeat demons. The movie explores Monkey's ego as his greatest challenge and how a young girl helps him change his perspective on the world. The adaptation incorporates classic characters from Chinese mythology, offering a fresh take on the legendary tale with important lessons for today's audience.

Screen Rant is thrilled to present a clip from Netflix's new animated movie, The Monkey King. The movie adapts the first few chapters of the 16th-century novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en. The Monkey King follows a charismatic monkey, aka Monkey King, who has a magical fighting Stick, on a quest to defeat more than 100 demons and an eccentric Dragon King. However, the Monkey King's greatest challenge will be overcoming his own ego.

On his journey, a young village girl...

An exclusive new featurette delves deeper into the legend of The Monkey King, the computer-animated fantasy adventure that is due to land on Netflix on Friday. Coming courtesy of the streaming giant, The Monkey King will take audiences back to a time of ancient gods and demons and, of course, the egotistical outcast known as The Monkey King. You can check out our exclusive featurette below.

Inspired by an epic Chinese tale, The Monkey King is an action-packed family comedy that follows a rebellious and charismatic monkey and his magical fighting stick on an epic quest for victory over 100 demons, an eccentric Dragon King, and Monkey’s greatest foe of all —his own ego. Along the way, a young village girl challenges his self-centered attitude and shows him that even the smallest pebble can have a big ripple effect on the pond of time.

The Monkey King is directed by...

Where to Watch Powered by The Monkey King is an animated Netflix adaptation of Wu Cheng'en's classic novel, Journey to the West, featuring the iconic character from Chinese mythology. It incorporates new elements while staying true to the original story. The creative team, including director Anthony Stacchi and producer Peilin Chou, aimed to preserve the authentic personality of Monkey as an original superhero and anti-hero. They emphasize Monkey's transformative spiritual journey and his unique character traits that don't fit into a typical Western animated film structure. The adaptation prioritizes Monkey's character preservation, integrates spiritual elements from the original story, and introduces new aspects such as the character of Lin and anthropomorphizing Monkey's magical stick. The animation style and visual choices aim to create a visually stunning and fresh viewing experience.

Netflix's upcoming animated movie The Monkey King is an adaptation of the first few chapters of Wu Cheng’en...

After foiling a Nazi plot to unleash the power of the Ark of the Covenant on the world, the intrepid archaeologist, Indiana Jones, is heading beneath the Pankot Palace in India to recover the mystical Sankara Stones from the evil Thuggee cult, led by the deranged priest Mola Ram. This mission is all in a day’s work for Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones Jr., whose heroism is becoming a legend worldwide after his thrilling adventure in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Grab your trusty braided kangaroo leather whip, bury your entomophobia deep, and bring your appetite for chilled monkey brains because we’re looking back on the second chapter of Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!

When executive producer and story writer George Lucas teamed up with Steven Spielberg for the Indiana Jones project, the creator of the Star Wars Universe said he...

It’s hard to pin down the identity of “American Born Chinese,” the new live action adaptation of Gene Luen Yang’s acclaimed graphic novel of the same name from creator Kelvin Yu. Is it a fantasy epic of warring ancient gods? A modern-day high school romp about a second generation Chinese American teenager trying desperately to fit in? A tender examination of multigenerational trauma and the scars that can unwittingly be passed on from parents to children?

The answer is all of the above and, as you may expect, it comes with mixed results. At its best, “American Born Chinese” is a delightful and refreshing exploration of diasporic identity, a thrilling martial arts fantasy and a heartwarming tale of family and friendship. However, the series’ disparate storytelling styles don’t often blend as seamlessly as we might like, making the whole show just a bit less effective than the sum of its parts.

When Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel American Born Chinese came out in 2006, it was a gamechanger. Yang has built his career on Asian-inclusive comics and American Born Chinese has been his most influential to date. It earned several comic book awards when it came out, and is still taught in schools today, complete with a study guide in Gale’s acclaimed Novels for Students series.

The slang “American born Chinese” is commonly reduced to the acronym “ABC” within Chinese communities. When used by certain Chinese, it can be slightly derogatory, implying that the ABC has lost the connection to Chinese culture. Yang’s graphic novel grapples with Amerasian issues in a coming-of-age story that has now been adapted into an eight-episode series for Disney+. While there are distinct references to the Asian American experience, the story embraces outsider themes that anyone can relate to.

American Born Chinese has underlying autobiographical elements.

When Everything Everywhere All At Once burst into the multiverse, it rocked our cinematic world like never before. Not only did Michelle Yeoh become the first Asian woman to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards, Eeaao captured six other Oscars including Best Picture, and both Best Supporting Actor and Actress. Beyond that, Eeaao collectively earned over 300 honors and nominations from film festivals all over the world.

Hot on heels of the Eeaao victory lap, Disney+ announced the debut of American Born Chinese, a miniseries based on a celebrated graphic novel created by Gene Luen Yang in 2006. Yang is an executive producer of this television adaptation. His original graphic novel won tons of accolades including the 2007 Eisner Award and Best Comic of the Year from Publishers Weekly, Time, Amazon, and others. A pioneering exploration of the Asian American experience, American Born Chinese is even used as a teaching aid in schools to this day.

Netflix has unveiled the official teaser art for its new animated film The Monkey King, and Screen Rant is proud to present an exclusive first look. The movie's adventures are derived from the infamous character from Chinese mythology, Sun Wukong (孫悟空), who was popularized in Wu Cheng’en’s 16th-century novel Journey to the West. In this action-packed family comedy, the charismatic Monkey finds himself on an epic quest to fight 100 demons, the Dragon King, and his own ego.

The Monkey King's titular character is portrayed by Jimmy O. Yang, but the story is about more than just one trickster and his mission. A young village girl named Lin (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) will serve as a king of guide, challenging his narcissistic worldview and teaching him how to care for more than his own needs. The rest of the ensemble cast features some of the most exciting Asian talents in the industry today,...

Jackie Chan and Jet Li first appeared on-screen together in 2008's The Forbidden Kingdom, but there is on added bonus of it that has not gotten as much attention. In The Forbidden Kingdom, American teenaged kung fu movie fan Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano) finds himself warped back to ancient China after coming into possession of the golden staff of the Monkey King (Jet Li). With the help of Lu Yan (Jackie Chan), Silent Monk (also Jet Li), and Golden Sparrow (Liu Yifei), Jason embarks on a mission to free the Monkey King in order to topple the Jade Warlord (Collin Chou).

Written by John Fusco from a story he once told his son, The Forbidden Kingdom is an ode of sorts to Wu Cheng'en's classic novel Journey to the West. The movie also showcased Jackie Chan and Jet Li in a martial arts battle for the very first time,...

The Lunar New Year is a time of feasting and family gatherings. It’s also a time for new movies. China’s Lunar New Year film rush is on par with the holiday film rush in the West, with dozens of premieres jockeying to be the season’s number one blockbuster. In the Chinese queue for this year are films like Donnie Yen’s Kung Fu fantasy Sakra, The Wandering Earth II, the prequel to China’s visionary 2019 sci-fi, and the eagerly anticipated action comedy, Everything Under Control.

It often takes a few months for new Chinese films to cross the pond to the West, and they seldom get theatrical showings. However, Western theaters are becoming increasingly aware of the drawing power of the Lunar New Year and have begun to showcase some special releases in honor of the holiday. This year the U.S. market is treated to a...