As one reads more manga and learns more about Japanese culture, he/she will begin to notice that many anime and manga series have connections with the mythology of Japan.  Some series borrow from mythological figures more than others, with some having characters and references very close if not identical to the mythology of Japan.  Here are several examples of anime characters from the Naruto anime who either use abilities that reference Japanese mythology or are loosly based on the mythology itself.

The anime shown here is Naruto: Shippuuden, episode 137.  The tie to mythology here here is the fire technique, Amaterasu.  In the Naruto universe, Amaterasu is the most powerful fire technique, burning anything and everything it touches, including fire itself.  In Shintoism, Amaterasu is the goddess of the Sun, and was born from Izanagi's left eye.  This also happens to be the same eye that the technique originated from when viewed head on.  In the second video though, the technique is housed in the left eye of the user, which is where Amaterasu was truly born from in Shintoism.  This is probably a plot device by the author that may or may not be revealed later on.

This scene is also taken from Naruto: Shippuuden.  This is short segment that took place at the end of an episode describing the backstory of the series for those who may be unfamiliar with it.  The Nine Tailed Fox shown was also a figure of Japanese mythology, being one of the most powerful and wisest beings alive on the planet.

This is taken from the video game Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm for the Playstation 3.  In the Naruto universe, Tsukuyomi is the ultimate illusionary technique, where the victim is transported to a realm where the only constant is a red moon.  In Shintoism, Tsukuyomi was born from Izanagi's right eye, which is the same eye that holds the technique when viewed head on.

This is taken from Naruto: Shippuuden episode 42.  The focus here is on the pale individual, Orochimaru.  Orochimaru comes from the Japanese folktale "The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya."  In the tale, Orochimaru was a follower of Jiraiya, a powerful ninja who possessed and used toad magic.  Orochimaru fell under the influence of snake magic, and became Jiraiya's arch-rival.  In the Naruto universe, Orochimaru is known and feared for his snake-like abilities, and a major antagonist of the series.  Also, the technique Orochimaru uses named "Rashomon" also happens to be the gate built at the end of Suzaku Avenue in ancient Nara and Kyoto.

These are clips of Naruto Shippuuden episodes 130-133.  The man with white hair is Jiraiya, who based on the hero of the aforementioned folktale.  As you can see, he uses abilities with toads, and in his most powerful state takes on toad-like features.  The individual he fights is named Pain, and possesses a unique eye called the Rinnegan.  It translates to Samsara eye, and is based on the six realms of life in Buddhism.  Each body is named after a particular realm, along with its abilities.

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Deva Path: The Deva Path is the path seen most, and its abilities revolve around gravity manipulation.  In Buddhism, those in the Deva realm is a blissful state, where they are very comfortable, and forget to further their enlightenment.  As a result, they are born into a lower life after they die.

Animal Path: Tha Animal Path's abilities are centered around animals, being able to summon a multitude of creatures including dogs, pandas and rams.  In Buddhism, the Animal realm is the realm where the stupidity and prejudice od previous lives accumulate, and is believed to be the realm of nonhuman animals on Earth.

Asura Path: The Asura Path's abilities are that of a "battle puppet", as it can use its body a weapon(s) in battle.  In Buddhism, the Asura realm is the realm of  the demigods, which may be on Earth because of wrong actions like harming others.  Interestingly, it was the Asura Path that performed the last attack against Jiraiya in the above battle.

Human Path: The Human Path has the ability to read minds and remove the soul from a victim's body.  In Buddhism, the Human realm is seen as the realm of existence, and the point from where enlightenment can be achieved.

Preta Path: The Preta Path has the ability to absorb attacks, and is used defensively.  In Buddhism, those in the Preta realm are extremely hungry, and unable to satisfy their desires.  They are also overweight and have narrow necks, as a result of their insatiable hunger.

Naraka Path: The Naraka Path can summon the King of Hell, Yama, who then interrogates a victim.  If the victim is truthful, he will live, but if he is not, he will die.  This path can also revive and heal those that have fallen in battle.  In Buddhism, the Naraka realm is where the previous hatred of  past lives gathers, and is where one is tortured until their negative karma is used up.  Then he/she is reborn into another realm.

Naruto is just one of the many examples of a series that makes connections to the mythology of Japan.  Naruto is a good place to start as the connections are relatively clear.  Whether it is to pay homage or creative influence, mythology plays a major role in many animes/mangas today and will probably do so for years to come.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_realms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiraiya

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaterasu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukiyomi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsune

http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Six_Paths_of_Pain

See also

Naruto