Early Disney films' animation technique influenced Tezuka's art style, especially his way of drawing childlike features and eyes. The very large eyes were also inspired by Takarazuka's performances. The coloring and layout was influenced by the film "The Tales of Hoffmann". Some aspects of "Princess Knight" are also reminiscent of his previous "shōjo" manga, "Kiseki no Mori no Monogatari", which featured a feathered hat and men in white maillots as well as adventure-driven storylines. It was also influenced by Western literature, Christianity, Greek mythology, and European fairy tales—because of this it has been described as a "trippy pop culture pastiche". Reviewers have perceived influences from "Cinderella", "Fantasia"s "Pastoral", "Pinocchio", "Sleeping Beauty", "Snow White", Betty Boop, "Captain Blood", "Dracula", "Eros and Psyche", "Hamlet", "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", "Swan Lake", "The Scarlet Pimpernel", and William Tell.