Like all art, anime is almost always a reflection of its creators. Even the medium’s most fantastical exemplars often weave their author’s experiences and personal perspectives into the narrative, the characters mirroring them in sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious ways.

However, some anime creators take it a step further, blurring the line between fiction and reality by inserting themselves into the story more definitively. Author avatars — be it a comical background character or a prominent protagonist — are a unique way for creators to inhabit the universes of their anime. From autobiographical works to brief cameos, these legendary anime and manga creators made themselves part of their fictional worlds.

Related10 Anime Inspired By Their Creators' Lives

Some anime creators are open to borrowing elements of their own lives to incorporate them into their works of art.

Insufficient Direction Is a Comical Tribute to Moyoco & Hideaki Anno’s Married Life Moyoco Anno...