I've been developing my world for almost a decade, now it looks like a major media company is soon to be releasing a show with a similar plot, world, and character designs

[Kiweevil]

[Kelheor]

Has anyone dealt with having their works compared to a pre-existing franchise

Lots of people in this thread =)

I like when people think I'm making references (The My R was one that showed me something new that I could enjoy, the one from the eroge was funny at least), but that's kinda different to "this is giving me glitter force vibes", isn't it? ^^; Funnily enough no one ever mentions Princess Tutu and that's a genuine inspiration I had XD

Recently me and my writer watched Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and oh boy does it have similarities with what happens in our comic. Will we change anything because of it? Nope. Lion King is called the Hamlet with lions, does it make Lion King less of a "Best animated film in history"? Nope.
But are they really that similar? Try to compare whatever you can, don't rush things ^^ maybe try to change what you can just a bit, but only if to make your story and characters better.

[Darkstrong]

You know, one George Lucas once wrote a story that went basically "the stereotypical fantasy tale you heard a hundred times already" and just added to words to it "in space". It is now one of the biggest franchises in the world. All the stories have been written already, but maybe yours will have that one special ingredient that all the others were missing. You won't know until after.

[Darkstrong]

A bit off topic, but why? Kimba (Leo in original dub) is an anime about wild animals fighting with expanding human civilization, been taken to the zoo and returning to jungle to look for a way to live in harmony. How do you link it to Lion King? O_o

[Maps]

One time years ago I told my brother about this amazing idea I had and he was like “Isn’t that pretty much Dante’s Inferno”? Literally didn’t even know the plot to Dante’s Inferno and when I looked it up I had to laugh.

I understand your pain though. It would be awful to work so hard on something and then fear that people think you’re stealing an idea from elsewhere. I’ve even come across works on Tapas that make me pause when I realize similarities with my own work.

I don’t think you should give up on your work. And I think you should take the time you need to make it as up-to-par as you would like for yourself. I made the mistake of trying to make comics when I was new to my iPad without allowing myself to develop my art. It’s not worth not being happy with what you are putting out, just to get it out.

If you really think about it, so many stories share the same themes but are told slightly differently. Or with different characters. People may try to compare your work, but I can assure you that there will be so many others who will appreciate it.

[Rhonder]

It's hard to say without knowing what your story is like or what series you're comparing it to, but generally speaking I would say don't sweat it too much and don't rush your work at the detriment of quality. Chances are they wont end up being as identical as you think they are. Or like worst case scenario? You do rush it and they are very similar and then yours looks like a rushed copycat instead of a high quality one I kid I kid. Just focus on making your comic the best it can be and have faith in your characters, story, and world

[skicoak]

You're experiencing a fairly common thing.

It's likely a by product of having a shared cultural zeitgeist with other creators. It's unavoidable.

Instead of rushing to get yours out first, you're more likely better served by making yours personal to you and of the highest quality and craftsmanship you can reasonably achieve

[Jenny-Toons]

I'm just gonna be honest.

It's really less about the idea and more about the execution. Having similar concepts/ideas doesn't mean you've stolen something from another place or that another place has stolen from you. We're all inspired by similar things and vice versa.

We're never going to be able to tell a story the same way another creator does because we are NOT that creator. The only stories we can tell are our own, and rushing those stories to get them out before anyone else doesn't mean they'll be good. They'll just be rushed and not to the full potential we'd want them to be.

Moreover, a lot of readers who say "this reminds me of X, Y, Z" -- they are usually comparing 1/20th of another series to yours. I've had people compare my works to other works -- guess what? Literally one thing was related between the two. That's it.

[IndigoShirtProd]

That's not something you should worry about. Your hesitation is understandable but comments comparing your work to others will come regardless of when you release your story. I think a big part of being a creator is realizing that influences come from all kinds of places and the phrase "great minds think alike" is all too true. Release your work when it's ready and when you're ready. Having it be rushed and sloppy will do more to hurt you in the long run.

Take the comparisons off the chin; they don't cheapen the value of you hard work or your story any less legitimate

[Beriah]

Gonna pop in with some more honesty here...

If it’s true that your ideas are really similar, it sounds like the two projects have one MAJOR difference. And that’s that one of them is actually being done. And it isn’t yours.

Luckily, that’s in your control. And it is honestly the more important aspect. Doesn’t matter if you think they’re similar ideas. It matters that you get it done. So don’t drag your feet. Just do it! You don’t even know yet if they’re anything alike. And heck. You might just execute it better. So go for it! You got this. Don’t deny the world this awesome story you’ve been working on any longer!

[TapasCommunityTeam]

[TapasCommunityTeam]