Ken Wakui, the creator of the successful action-packed and emotive manga Tokyo Revengers, that received an equally popular anime adaptation, is known for using various mythologies from around the world to inspire his work. His newest series, Astro Royale, seems to be following this trend, this time drawing heavy inspiration from Japanese myths and legends. From attack names to the main character Hibaru, Wakui’s story is filled with references to his home country’s folklore.

Many characters’ Astros, powers granted to those who made a wish before a comet crashed on Earth, are named after beings or objects found in Japanese myths.

These inspirations could be indications of what Wakui has planned for his characters and the story of his latest, promising manga.

The Comet Granted Divine Powers

The series’ Japanese inspiration can be seen through the power system.

One of the biggest examples of Japanese mythology being an inspiration for the world of Astro Royale comes from the powers granted to its characters. Terasu, the deuteragonist of the series and Hibaru’s most loyal friend, can create a powerful shield capable of stopping attacks that could destroy buildings. This shield is named Yata no Kagami, directly inspired by one of Japan’s Imperial Treasures. It is said that this piece of equipment is said to have been created by the Japanese Goddess of Happiness to bring Amaterasu, the deity of the sun, out of hiding.

Terasu was tasked by his father, Kongo, to become the shield that would protect their family. Giving him a sacred treasure said to have protected Japan in the past fits perfectly with his duty. The late father of the Yotsurug Family seems directly inspired by an important figure in Japanese Buddhism. Kongo Rikishi, better known as Nio, is one of the powerful and violent guardians of Buddha. Although Kongo tends to act violently, he is not malevolent, as he often fights to protect the innocent, just as Hibaru’s father used to do.

Kou, the series’ first antagonist, was revealed to be named Asura. In Japanese mythology, these beings are some of the most powerful demons, born with an innate desire to fight and destroy. Despite having sparse appearances in the series, Kou has been shown to have similar tendencies. His instinct after obtaining his powers was to fight his brother Kuran for control of the Yotsurugi Family’s Ikebukuro branch. According to the legend, Asura often fought against Devas, powerful beings who fought to protect humanity. Hibaru and Terasu, who do not wish to accumulate power, are destined to defeat Kou.

The Heroes of Legend

Astro Royale’s protagonists could be inspired by two important deities

In Japanese legend, the deity who created the Yata No Kagami was called Ame-no-Uzumi-no-Mikoto. This deity was tasked with making sure that Amaterasu, the goddess of the Sun who has been featured in various anime, would come out of her cave and bring light back to Earth. Another deity assigned to this mission was Ame-no-Tajikarao, a deity often associated with physical strength and overwhelming power. Due to this connection, Wakui likely inspired his protagonist, Hibaru, in the legend of this god. Both beings are extremely powerful and have fighting styles focused on devastating punches.

The mission of these deities seems to have inspired the goals of Hibaru and Terasu in the manga. The siblings want to bring their brothers and sisters out of hiding and convince them to join their fight against Shio. This mirrors the mission of taking Amaterasu out of her cave and making her join the battle against her brother Susanoo. A new character, inspired by the Sun Goddess, could make an appearance soon in the series, becoming a powerful ally for Hibaru and Terasu.

While this connection between Astro Royale’s protagonists and the deities who help Amaterasu has not been confirmed, it does fit with Wakui’s writing style. In his most popular series, Tokyo Revengers, various belief systems served as inspiration for the antagonists of the series. Valhalla, a rival gang named after the Nordic equivalent of heaven, was formed by young delinquents desperate to prove themselves in combat. It would make sense for the creator of Astro Royale to continue allowing myths, legends, and religions to inspire his work.

As the story of Astro Royale continues developing, more references to Japanese mythology may be included. These details will not only be there to captivate audiences but also as possible hints as to what will come next in the manga. This series could become not only an iconic shonen manga, but also an innovative way to learn more about Japan and its culture.