Jules Verne was a French author born in Nantes on February 8, 1828, who became a foundational figure in world literature and is often regarded as one of the originators of the science fiction genre. Growing up in a family with a maritime tradition, he developed a fascination with travel and exploration that would come to define his literary career. After moving to Paris to study law, he instead dedicated himself to writing, producing a vast body of work that included novels, plays, poems, and essays. His landmark collaboration with publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the Voyages extraordinaires, a series of adventure novels that wowed readers with their imaginative yet scientifically grounded depictions of exploration.

His career as an originator for anime and manga works stems from the extensive adaptation history of his novels, which have been translated worldwide and frequently reimagined in Japanese animation. Among the most notable anime productions based on his writings is the 1984 television series Anime 80 Nichikan Sekai Isshuu, known in English as Around the World with Willy Fog, which presented the characters of Phileas Fogg and Passepartout as anthropomorphic animals. Another significant adaptation is the 1990 series Fushigi no Umi no Nadia, or Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, which is credited as being based on an original plan derived from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas. His novel Two Years' Vacation served as the basis for the television special Juugo Shounen Hyouryuuki in 1982, as well as a later adaptation, and his work has continued to inspire productions such as Patapata Hikousen no Bouken.

The recurring themes in Verne's work that made him such a frequent source for anime adaptations include a focus on technological imagination, exploration of unknown worlds, and the triumph of scientific inquiry. His novels often feature young protagonists in extraordinary circumstances, whether journeying to the center of the Earth, navigating the ocean depths, or surviving on deserted islands, elements that translate readily into the adventure and science fiction genres popular in anime.

Verne's industry significance as a source for anime is profound. His works were among the first Western science fiction novels to be translated into Japanese in the late 19th century, helping to establish the science fiction genre in Japan. His influence extended deeply into Japanese pop culture, directly inspiring major anime creators such as Hayao Miyazaki and Hideaki Anno, the latter of whom directed the Verne-inspired series Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water after it was initially developed by Miyazaki. The themes of machinery, adventure, and human ingenuity found in Verne's novels became foundational elements for the steampunk aesthetic and narrative structures prevalent in numerous anime and manga works.