The country like Thailand should not surprising if appears in anime. Thailand already known for their influences in popular culture, such as video games and movies. Their original combat sport, Muay Thai was featured in many fighting games, such as Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter.
What about anime? Thailand actually featured in some Japanese anime. It certainly that Muay Thai is the most-appeared Thailand influences in anime.
1. Black Lagoon
Premiered: 9 April 2006
Genres: Action, Seinen
Black Lagoon follows a mercenaries known as Black Lagoon Company. They smuggles goods around the Southeast Asia seas in the early to mid 1990s. Their operation's base located in Roanapur. Roanapur is the fictional harbor city in southeast Thailand (somewhere in the Amphoe Mueang Trat disctrict). In Black Lagoon, the city is the place where Lagoon Company operates, alongside Hotel Moscow, Hong Kong Triad, Mafia and other crime groups. In the episode season 2 episode 2, Roanapur geographic location shown to be very near Trat, Thailand.
2. D.Gray-man
Premiered: 3 October 2006
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Super Power, Demons, Shounen
In the D.Gray-man anime, there is an Indian character named Jerry. He is a supporting character who knows the Muay-thai fighting style. Muay Thai or literally Thai boxing is a combat sport of Thailand. It known uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. In the 21st century, Muay Thai became widespread internationally.
3. Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
Premiered: 7 October 2006
Genres: Action, Comedy, Shounen, Super Power
The Italian's assassin named Lussuria who working for the Varia (the independent assassination squad of the Vongola Famiglia) is the Muay Thai practitioner. Actually, Muay Thai is his preferred style of fighting, which makes use of 8 limbs of the body, the two arms, elbows, knees and feet.
Premiered: 7 October 2006
Genres: Action, Comedy, Shounen, Super Power
The Italian's assassin named Lussuria who working for the Varia (the independent assassination squad of the Vongola Famiglia) is the Muay Thai practitioner. Actually, Muay Thai is his preferred style of fighting, which makes use of 8 limbs of the body, the two arms, elbows, knees and feet.
4. Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi
English: KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple
Premiered: 7 October 2006
Genres: Action, Comedy, Martial Arts, School, Shounen
Although just appears slightly in KenIchi OVA scene, one of member of Yomi named Tirawit Kokin is Muay Thai practicioner. In the aftermath of Okinawa Arc, Tirawit and his master were deported to Thailand and continues his training with his master in Thailand.
5. Yuri!!! on Ice
English: KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple
Premiered: 7 October 2006
Genres: Action, Comedy, Martial Arts, School, Shounen
Although just appears slightly in KenIchi OVA scene, one of member of Yomi named Tirawit Kokin is Muay Thai practicioner. In the aftermath of Okinawa Arc, Tirawit and his master were deported to Thailand and continues his training with his master in Thailand.
5. Yuri!!! on Ice
Premiered: 6 October 2016
Genres: Comedy, Sports
Phichit Chulanont is a Thai figure skater in Yuri!!! on Ice anime. He is so proud of his country and wanting to showcase of Thai media to his audience, and hopes to popularize figure skating back in Thailand. His surname "Chulanont" is actually the same name with Thailand's 24th prime minister, Surayud Chulanont.
Indonesia References in Anime
