Influences on The Darkest Awakening Franchise

The franchise is conceptually influenced by the modern-day world with a mix of ancient Greek and east/southeast Asian culture. The series is set in many modern-day places such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK. And the style of the powers are largely based on action movies and anime. The light and dark spirit storyline is largely based on east Asian culture such as Chinese and Japanese culture.

Series and Film
The plotline borrows elements from various British, Australian and American teen drama shows such as Wolfblood, Nowhere Boys, Greenhouse Academy, Get Even, The A-List, The Unlisted, 13 Reasons Why and Riverdale. Especially adding teenage characters as part of the ensemble cast of mostly young adult characters. This also adds to the darker elements in the series. However, they were only small elements from Volume 1-3. But in Volume 4, the series shows more elements from teen dramas as the narrator (Zach) is also a teenager. Toby and Tommy also became leaders in Volume 4.

It also shows an ensemble cast borrowed from Lost and Grey's Anatomy in which the plotline also shows elements from these shows. Such as the plane crash scenario with survivors being stranded on an island in Volume 3 which is borrowed from Lost. Brad's medical knowledge as shown in Volume 4 is borrowed from Grey's Anatomy. The use of the fighting styles of the heroes were borrowed from Hollywood and Asian action films such as The Avengers, Bleach, Fullmetal Alchemist, Rush Hour and CZ12.

The series also features characters with chronic and terminal illnesses such as cystic fibrosis, gastroparesis and cancer inspired by Five Feet Apart, The Fault in Our Stars and Bates Motel. Notably, Volume 1 and 2 shows them (notably Calum, Devan, Raphael, Kandace, Brad, Connor, George and Blake) as side characters similar to Bates Motel. Later in the series, Brad and Zach are shown to be the main protagonists and narrators who are both suffering from cystic fibrosis. And each and every character with long-term illnesses show more character than the previous volumes.

The spin-off film, The Darkest Awakening: Heimlich Hospital, borrows medical elements from Grey's Anatomy and Five Feet Apart (along with the series since it features characters with cystic fibrosis and other chronic illnesses). Along with elements showing that the characters were being experimented and trying to escape the hospital from The Maze Runner and The Darkest Minds. Coincidentally, the entire series' title is a combination of the 2 films, The Darkest Minds and The Awakening.

Powers
The powers used by the heroes in the series were largely influenced by east Asian culture and superhero and sci-fi films. Each character has a unique set of skills and were split into 4 hero types and 11 power bases and only 2 leaders have the ability to use all of these powers. The use of the term 'light spirit' is based on east Asian culture and it is among the species of heroes who are in the form of teenage and young adults (only a few are known to be babies or pets). Each light spirit can have 1 or 2 power types (with the exception of Carm who has 3 power types after her merger with Bailee) and only the 2 leaders (eventually 3) have the ability to have more than 1 power type.

General Influences

 * The concept of the powers being based on Western and Chinese Zodiac signs is largely based on the Star Darlings
 * The elements were inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra and Nowhere Boys

Hero types

 * The Deity hero type is the oldest hero type and these heroes were reincarnated versions of Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese deities who were originally dragon light spirits
 * The Elemental hero type comes after the Deity hero type and these heroes (like many others) were reincarnated dragon light spirits. They are in charge of the power types of each light spirit (with the exception of agility and flight)
 * The Zodiac hero type comes after the Elemental hero type and these heroes were also reincarnated dragon light spirits. They are the guides of the light spirits to bring peace and defeat the dark spirits.
 * The Dark Syndrome hero type comes after every hero type and they were originally warriors in their past lives. They form the majority of the dragon light spirits (though this title goes to Deity heroes) and are capable of weapons. They are also the only spirits who can't be replaced while the other heroes can be replaced via spirit transfer.
 * All heroes were reincarnated from the dragon spirits from ancient China and were printed in the heroes' amulets to show that they are light spirits

Power types

 * Water-based heroes have the ability to use telekinesis on water, blood or any type of fluid inspired by the Water tribe from the Avatar franchise as well as use ice powers and summon storms
 * Fire-based heroes have the ability to summon fire inspired by the Fire nation from the Avatar franchise
 * Light-based heroes have the ability to summon lightning as well as summon and redirect light
 * Earth-based powers have the ability to use telekinesis on rock, summon lava and grow vines inspired by the Earth kingdom from the Avatar franchise
 * Metal-based powers have the ability to bend metal and is the rarest power type with only 1 known user
 * Air-based powers have the ability to summon winds inspired by the Air nomads from the Avatar franchise
 * Psychic-based powers have the ability to have their user to use their minds to fight the dark spirit, it is also useful for leaders to contact other spirits, remove spiritual potential and restore or transfer it
 * Crystal-based powers have the ability to summon crystals and is the rarest power type with only 1 known user
 * Poison-based powers have the ability to transform heroes into hydras and summon venom as well as being the rarest power type with only 3 known users
 * Agility-based powers have the ability to be athletic and agile which is one of the most common hero types used by almost all Zodiac heroes
 * Flight-based powers have the ability to make a hero fly and is the rarest known hero type
 * Spirit-based powers are only used by the 2 leaders and have the ability to access all power types
 * Nothing-based powers are usually used for Dark Syndrome heroes and they are irreplaceable

General Influences

 * The series is set in the modern-day and westernised world where technology is advanced and the most common language is English
 * The culture of the Zodiac heroes are largely influenced by East Asian and Greek mythology
 * The amulets the main characters wield have their names printed in Traditional Chinese and have a pattern to show that they're light spirits
 * The concept of light and dark spirits are based on the Chinese yin and yang
 * Every Zodiac hero house has varied from place to place
 * In Australia, their house symbolises modern-day architecture as well as suburban houses in the outer suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales
 * In New Zealand, their house is shown to be old-fashioned with a mix of Victorian-era and WW2 styles
 * In Christmas Island, their house resembles Southeast Asian resorts near beaches in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines
 * In Norfolk Island, the campsite is largely based on North American campsites in the American midwest and Hawaii
 * In the United Kingdom, the heroes' dorms largely resemble a house with rooms for 2 heroes which reference the dorms used in Star Darlings
 * The use of the term, 'leader' usually defines someone who is able to have the power of all of his/her teammates which is similar to the Avatar from the Avatar franchise
 * Because Luke only has the power of light, it might be possible if he is only a substitute before Brad officially became leader in Volume 2.5 and Zach in Volume 4 and Toby and Tommy in Volume 5
 * It is also similar to the Avatar in Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra where they have the ability to master all 4 elements while the leaders have the ability to master all power types
 * A team member with a disability or chronic/terminal illnesses are the most powerful ones which is similar to Percy Jackson
 * It also makes sense considering that Brad, Zach and Toby all suffer from cystic fibrosis (Zach and Toby also has dyslexia) and Tommy suffers from low blood pressure and are leaders
 * Every characters' names follow Western naming customs (though some follow Chinese, Eastern Slavic and Spanish) but their names are also written in Traditional and Simplified Chinese
 * The soundtrack (along with the opening) follows the Japanese rock genre which is inspired by anime
 * Later in Volume 4, the soundtrack not only follows the Japanese rock genre but also punk and alternate rock
 * One Day by Lovejoy can be heard halfway through Volume 5
 * The architecture, clothing and arts are mostly Western but in some cases, mixed with East Asian influences
 * Many of the characters believe in Abrahamic religions such as Christianity and Judaism though neither are completely religious
 * It is clearly shown in the prologue of Volume 4
 * The series is a mix of Western and Asian culture
 * The use of amulets is recycled from Zoe's previous works, from Night Knights to A Crazy EX Battle
 * They were inspired by the bracelets used in PJ Masks and the Miraculouses in Miraculous Ladybug which were one of the few shows that influenced Zoe's works
 * The way Zach pays respect to Blake in Season 7 is similar to the Chinese funeral rituals
 * However, Zach has stated that the rituals have varied throughout history which means that his previous incarnations have varied from different origins and nations all over the world
 * Josh stated that cremation is also still a thing for light spirits which is a common method of final disposition of a dead body which is mostly common in Asia (specifically China, India, Japan, Nepal, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand)
 * It is also commonly used in places where the franchise is set such as Australia, New Zealand and the UK
 * Yuansu park, a park in the University of Cambridge is inspired by a mix of Asian and Western parks
 * The temples are inspired by Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai temples
 * Touxiang temple or Wat Sanyalak is mostly inspired by Wat Pho in Bangkok, Thailand and Wat Buddhapadipa in London, England
 * Zoe Tria initially wanted to add some Thai culture in the series because she grew up in Thailand so she decided on making one of the temples in Yuansu park based on Thai temples such as Wat Pho
 * The other temples are inspired by Chinese, Korean and Japanese shrines
 * Despite the main characters' fashion senses are inspired by the 80s, 90s and 2000s, the series is set in the late 2010s and early 2020s

Characters

 * The concept of some characters suffering from chronic/terminal illnesses along with disabilities is inspired by Five Feet Apart, The Faults in Our Stars and Bates Motel
 * The majority suffer from cystic fibrosis even though their actors don't have this condition
 * Certain actors who have asthma in real life also has asthma in the series such as Connor Ball, Cooper Stout, Jonah Marais, Wilbur Soot nd Cara
 * Troye Sivan has Marfan's syndrome in real life
 * Daniel Seavey suffers from various food allergies in real life which is added in his character
 * Raphael Lau and Cara are actually lactose intolerant and avoids dairy
 * Collins Key and Toby Smith are actually dyslexic in real life
 * Niall Horan, George Davidson, Karl Jacobs and Cara are actually colourblind
 * Wilbur Soot is also hypochondriac and lacks taste
 * All of the main characters wear Western 80s, 90s and 2000s inspired clothing
 * The school uniforms worn by the secondary school students in Volume 4 are based on British high school uniforms
 * Most of the characters wear grey-scale clothing which is inspired by 2000s punk and emo fashion
 * It is also similar to the e-boy and e-girl teenage subculture
 * Starting from Volume 5, some characters started wearing colourful clothing, opposed to the grey scale-inspired clothing the majority of characters wear in previous volumes
 * The majority of the characters were born in the mid 90s (with the exception of Louis, Selena and Kris) to late 2000s (with the exception of Lavender, Theo and Wes) signify Gen Z showing that Gen Z characters are more mature than millennials
 * Caligula, Genghis and Bloody Mary are based on historical figures, Caligula, Genghis Khan and Mary I of England
 * Kan and Carm's last names, Chan, is named after Hong Kong actor, Jackie Chan who also made one appearance in Volume 1
 * The light spirit concepts are based on Chinese culture
 * The characters eating Chinese takeout in Volume 3 in the campsite is based on how Americans order takeout during busy times at work
 * Rivalries that are shown in the series are inspired by various teen dramas
 * The majority of the characters have Western names showing that the series is set in the Western world (primarily Australia, New Zealand and the UK)
 * Most of the characters are White/Caucasian showing that the series is set in the Western world
 * But to show diversity (especially Australia's diversity), there are also POC characters such as:
 * Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Malay and Filipino)
 * The reason why the most POCs in the series are Asians is to show Australia's diversity and the fact that the series is heavily influenced by a mix of Western and Asian culture
 * Hispanics (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Venezuelan, Cuban and Dominican)
 * African
 * Polynesian (Maori and Samoan)
 * An ensemble cast used in the series is inspired by Lost, Grey's Anatomy and The Avengers
 * Brad's medical knowledge is similar to Grey's Anatomy
 * Luke (Hemmings) and Brad are the only characters wearing dress shirts signifying that they are leaders (though Luke is a former leader) while the other characters wear t-shirts, jackets and sweaters as their casual wear
 * Though Zach is also the leader, he is the only known leader to be wearing casual clothes showing that he's a teenager before Tommy joined and became leader, also wearing casual clothes
 * Toby, also the leader, is also shown wearing dress shirts but occasionally wears polo shirts
 * His redesign after his recovery from Lunatite Poisoning and paralysis shows him with a dress shirt being slightly torn and partially tucked
 * The characters introduced in Volume 1, 2 and 2.5 were recycled from Zoe Tria's previous work, A Crazy EX Battle, both introduced in the series physically to having concepts written for them to be in the series
 * An almost all-male ensemble cast is used in the series so that Zoe Tria could show the audience that not all males could be able to man-up and have mental health issues
 * This has been criticised by many feminist viewers though Tria defended that guys can be able to feel pain too because she grew up with guy friends
 * In the series, this has been signified where Brad has cystic fibrosis and has been going through depression and PTSD throughout his life but he can overcome it thanks to his friends
 * Brad has also been sexually assaulted by Arzaylea which shows that men can also be assaulted
 * Connor also has PTSD which caused him to have issues but he overcame it
 * Shawn, Niall and Harry have been bullied by Justin in the past which caused Harry to commit suicide which turned out to be fake
 * Ashton has been going through depression throughout his life
 * Zach has also been going through depression and grief from the mass killings in Norfolk Island
 * Collins has been grief-stricken due to the loss of his brother, Devan
 * Ryan (Herron) has been grief stricken due to his brother, Zach, going missing
 * Daniel has been grief stricken like many other passengers during the crash of Delta Air Lines Flight 2119
 * Cooper and Henry have been neglected by their parents due to their health issues
 * Some characters (the majority are male) have been grief stricken due to the loss of their parents in the Fire of 2012
 * Many characters went through depressive episodes after Toby's attempted execution
 * Toby and Tommy also suffered from PTSD and Toby developed trust issues afterwards
 * Some characters had started self-harming throughout their depressive episodes, however, this was mostly censored due to being too graphic
 * Alex (Quackity) suffered from an eye injury and eventually blindness in one eye from Technoblade
 * Joshua James' character is a merger with his actor and Zoe's internet friend who is also named Josh
 * The Volume 5 Season 6 redesigns consist of post-apocalyptic-inspired clothing. This includes:
 * Slightly torn-up and dirty casual clothing
 * Bandages (to cover up self-harm wounds or just as a style)
 * Karl changes from a sweatshirt hoodie to a rolled-sleeved zip-up hoodie as well as brown fingerless gloves
 * Alex (Quackity) wears his jacket around his waist
 * Niki changes into a light brown sweater under blue loose overalls
 * Wilbur changes from a sweater and beanie into a shirt and coat, a lot similar to his revived and outcast skin from the Dream SMP