The Heavenly Delusion anime was inspired by The Last of Us

At this year's Anime Central convention, attendees were given exciting details about the creation of the "Heavenly Delusion (Tengoku Daimakyou)" anime. During the Production I.G panel, anime director Hirotaka Mori shared how the critically acclaimed video game "The Last of Us" influenced the art direction of the series.

Mori, who declared himself a fan of "The Last of Us," commented that the game's post-apocalyptic world and visual atmospheres left a deep impression on him. So fascinated was he with the game's art that he bought the art book for "The Last of Us" to use as a reference in the art direction of "Tengoku Daimakyou." In addition, he made direct requests to Production I.G studios for the anime to reflect a similar aesthetic.

"The Last of Us" is an action-adventure video game series created by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The franchise has received critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including several accolades such as Game of the Year. The first game has been cited as one of the best video games ever made, and the second installment won a variety of Game of the Year awards.

The anime "Tengoku Daimakyou", produced by Production I.G, aired during the Spring-2023 season (April-June). The series was directed by Hirotaka Mori, with scripts written by Makoto Fukami, character designs by Utsushita of Minakata Laboratory, and music composed by Kensuke Ushio.

These revelations offer a fascinating insight into how outside influences can shape the creation of an anime, connecting two different worlds of video games and animation. Fans of both franchises can appreciate how the artistic vision of "The Last of Us" has left its mark on "Tengoku Daimakyou," further enriching the anime's viewing experience.

Source: Manga Mogura