Animation created outside Japan that deliberately adopts the visual style, storytelling methods, or production sensibilities of anime, but has no direct roots in Japanese studios, creators, or source material.
Examples: Canon Busters, Castlevania, Devil may cry (Netflix series), Lord of Mysteries
In short:
Anime’s twin that grew up outside Japan.
Personal note:
Coined as a universal term to clearly separate anime (Japanese animation) from anime-inspired works made in other countries. “Paranime” comes from para- (parallel) + anime, meaning it runs alongside anime without being the same.
Examples: Canon Busters, Castlevania, Devil may cry (Netflix series), Lord of Mysteries
In short:
Anime’s twin that grew up outside Japan.
Personal note:
Coined as a universal term to clearly separate anime (Japanese animation) from anime-inspired works made in other countries. “Paranime” comes from para- (parallel) + anime, meaning it runs alongside anime without being the same.
Friend: “Bro, Castlevania is the best anime ever.”
Me: “It can’t, because it’s not even an anime—it’s paranime.”
Me: “It can’t, because it’s not even an anime—it’s paranime.”
by UmbrellaReviewer37 September 5, 2025
Get the Paranimemug.