Ask John: How Many Anime Series Share a Continuity?

Question:
While waiting to receive the first 5 DVDs of the “King Of Braves GAO-GAI-GAR” series, I was very surprised to learn of a tie-in between this series and one from 1999-2000, namely “Betterman.” Just from recollection, where else has such a “connection” occurred between other anime properties?

Answer:

Honestly, despite being familiar with both Betterman and Gaogaigar, I wasn’t aware that the two series had a narrative connection to each other prior to reading this question. Some simple research has confirmed that Betterman, created by Gaogaigar director Yoshitomo Yonetani, includes a handful of cameo references to Gaogaigar, establishing that both Gaogaigar and Betterman occur in a shared world.

This type of sharing of continuity has occurred in a number of other anime titles – frequently, but not always, ones from a single creator. The best known example is undoubtedly Leiji Matsumoto’s “Leijiverse.” At least Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Galaxy Express 999, and Millennium Queen occur in a shared universe. References to Space Battleship Yamato have also appeared in Harlock anime, but the extent to which those cameos should be taken literally is debatable.

CLAMP’s Angelic Layer and Chobits, Kenichi Sonoda’s Riding Bean and Gunsmith Cats, Haruka Takachiho’s Dirty Pair and Crusher Joe, Takehito Ito and Sunrise Studios’ Outlaw Star and Angel Links, Tokyo Kids’ Tenshi no Shippo and Saint Beast, Type-Moon’s Shingetsutan Tsukihime and Fate/stay night, and Akihito Yoshitomi’s Ray and Osamu Tezuka’s Black Jack all provide additional examples of multiple series sharing a communal setting.

Examples such as CLAMP’s Tokyo Babylon and X, and Ryo Mizuno’s Record of Lodoss War and Legend of Crystania also conform to the principle of separate series sharing a world, but these examples are more accurately described as sequels than parallel stories. And I have no doubt that there are other instances of multiple anime titles sharing a singular setting, but the question did specify that I answer, “Just from recollection.” I should also point out that I’m identifying formal, canonized narrative connections – not special “one-shot” combinations, or parody/homage cameos.