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When it comes to live-action adaptations, it is as if finding a needle in a haystack. Out of a sea of bad adaptations, there exist a handful of good ones, includingThe Last of Us.The series was both critically acclaimed and immensely loved by fans. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay’s performances as the protagonistic characters were beyond exemplary but it was something else that caught the eye of Hirotaka Mori.
Of all the new-gen anime,Heavenly Delusionis one whose name has been popping up time and again. There aren’t as many post-apocalyptic anime that gather the attention of fans in the way this one did. Its animation was already a topic of discussion just as the trailer came out and once the series was released, people knew that it deserved more recognition than it got.
The Last of Us‘ Setting Holds Its Own Ground
The Last of Us,both as a game and as a hit series, gathered a fan following that was dedicated to numerous factors revolving around the works. From the characters to the story and the direction; one after the other there were categories that deserved immense praise. Its setting in particular stands out. The post-apocalyptic world has been captured so perfectly within the game and even in Neil Druckmann’s live-action adaptation.
If it was enough to captivate fans all around the world, there was no doubt artists would find inspiration in it too. Hirotaka Mori, the director ofHeavenly Delusion,found himself inclined towards the designs just as well. The series was also based in a post-apocalyptic world and for it to take inspiration from the game wasn’t something out of the ordinary.
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While speaking with fans (viaX), the director confirmed that the moment he found himself immersed in the world of the game, there was no going back. He wanted to bring that very world into the anime and perhaps that was one of the many reasons why fans saw it as the Anime of the Year for 2023.
Heavenly Delusions of an Apocalyptic World
The director ofHeavenly Delusionwas so mesmerized by the wayThe Last of Usdepicted a post-apocalyptic world that he went out of his way to buy the coloring book of the game. Moreover, he urged the art director and staff to make the setting of the anime look similar. The way he was so captivated, it helped the series shine out.
The setting created an eerie yet explorative area around the characters, giving them life in a world that was dead for over a decade and a half ago. The way Production I.G. was able to capture the essence of the series while also bringing into the pictureThe Last of Us,it was enough for many fans to root for its success.
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While it was only the visual aspects that were inspired by the game and series, the dynamics between Maru and Kiruko would remind many fans of Ellie and Joel as well. Both stories deal with different aspects of an apocalypse while showcasing just how unfortunately beautiful some disasters can be.
The Last of Usis available to watch on Max andHeavenly Delusionis available to watch on Hulu.
Adya Godboley
Anime Content Manager
Articles Published :1879
Adya Godboley is the Anime Content Lead at FandomWire with over 1800 published articles. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-certified critic with a background in literature. From The Case Study of Vanitas to Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, her anime knowledge is one she’s gathered with years of experience. She also enjoys Marvel, DC and Superhero media with her works having been recognized by prominent figures such as Dwayne Johnson, Abby Trott and the Blood of Zeus creators.
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Bella RamsayNeil DruckmannPedro PascalThe Last Of Us
