Buzz
Trilogies are a staple in fiction, and it’s only fitting that our series of lists about fictional islands follows this trend. This is the third installment in our series (check out the previous entries here and here, with the first also featured in Mytour.com’s Ultimate Book of Bizarre Lists, perfect for last-minute holiday gifts). We delve into mysterious islands from ancient, medieval, and modern American, British, French, Greek, and Japanese cultures. While we’ve covered many, some might argue that the islands listed here hold as much cultural significance as those in earlier lists. Presented in reverse chronological order, we embark on a fascinating journey through popular culture. As we near 2011, we conclude our trilogy with 11 entries this time!
11. Kigan Island made its debut in Tekken 6 (2009)
The thirty-seventh stage in the Scenario Campaign of this popular game is described in the official strategy guide as an “island marked on a mysterious map, with an ominous cave that lures the brave—or foolish—to enter.” For more details, see Adam Deats, Joe Epstein, and Ian Rogers, Tekken 6: Bradygames Signature Series Guide (Indianapolis: Bradygames, 2009), 38. The stage’s boss is Yoshimitsu, a character introduced as a decoy in the game.
10. The Island made its debut in Resident Evil 4 (2005)
As the climactic setting of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful game Resident Evil 4, this island may not appear as frequently as Rockfort Island (featured at number 7 on the second list), but it hosts unforgettable boss fights against mutated foes like Jack Krauser and Osmund Saddler. It is here that protagonist Leon Kennedy uncovers the remaining secrets of the game’s storyline.
9. Isla del Muerta first appeared in House of the Dead (2003)
The director’s cut of this often-criticized film turned out to be surprisingly humorous. While the theatrical version is widely disliked, it features zombies, rogue experiments, and a villain reminiscent of Spanish sailors, drawing loose parallels to the more popular Lost. There’s even a German boat captain who evokes memories of Captain Englehorn from Peter Jackson’s King Kong. Regardless of the film’s reception, the “Island of the Dead” is undeniably mysterious and shares many traits with the more renowned islands on this and previous lists.
8. Yoshi’s Island made its debut in Super Mario World (1990)
This iconic island, central to Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (1995), first appeared in its predecessor and became a pivotal location in one of gaming’s most influential franchises. While the story and characters lean toward the whimsical and absurd (Yoshi, after all, is a friendly reptile far removed from the terror of a Godzilla), the island, part of Dinosaur Land in the Mushroom Kingdom, is a hub of mystery and adventure. It serves as the backdrop for a semi-epic quest where Yoshi battles a formidable villain.
7. Absalom first appeared in The Penal Colony (1987)
Herley’s novel inspired the film No Escape (1994), featuring notable actors like Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) and Lance Henriksen (Aliens). Set in 2022, the story revolves around a futuristic penal island reminiscent of Devil’s Island or Alcatraz. Released in some regions as Escape from Absolom, the film also spawned a three-issue comic adaptation by Marvel Comics. This island stands out as one of the few on these lists set in a future timeline.
6. Summerisle first appeared in The Wicker Man (1973)
This fictional island, featured in two films (the original inspired by Scottish islands and the remake by Puget Sound), is the site of intense suspense and horror. Beyond the infamous wicker man burning, the protagonist faces terrifying encounters with fanatical pagan islanders. The original film is a must-watch for its chilling atmosphere and outstanding performances.
5. Monster Island made its debut in All Monsters Attack (1969)
Home to iconic creatures like Godzilla, Mothra, and Rodan, Monster Island is a nightmarish realm of colossal beasts, much like King Kong’s Skull Island. Featured in several films, primarily from the 1970s, it has also been referenced in mainstream pop culture, including appearances on The Simpsons.
4. The Island of Misfit Toys first appeared in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Though not mentioned in the comments on Mytour, the Island of Misfit Toys, home to King Moonracer, Charlie-In-The-Box, Spotted Elephant, and other rejected toys, remains a cherished part of 20th-century pop culture. South Park humorously referenced it in 1999 with their Island of Misfit Mascots, where Kenny meets his demise due to one of the island’s troubled inhabitants. This parody follows a tradition of animated shows, like The Simpsons with Ape Island, reimagining iconic fictional islands in their own unique ways.
3. Aeaea first appeared in The Odyssey
Topping the list is another island with an “A” name, this time from ancient Greek literature. Like the second entry, it originates from The Odyssey, a cornerstone of Western and global literature. Odysseus spends a year on Aeaea, the island of the sorceress Circe (portrayed by Bernadette Peters in the 1997 mini-series). Here, she transforms his crew into swine and offers vital guidance for his journey. The island may draw inspiration from a real Mediterranean location, blending myth and reality. Aeaea, like many settings in Homer’s epic, holds immense cultural significance. The Odyssey is a staple in American high school curricula and has inspired countless adaptations in literature and film. Predating Plato’s Atlantis by centuries, its influence is undeniable. While some may question two islands from the same work appearing consecutively, the cultural impact of Circe and Calypso’s islands is beyond dispute.
2. Ogygia first appeared in The Odyssey
Though mentioned earlier in The Odyssey than the top entry, Ogygia is chronologically visited after Aeaea (SPOILER: the number one spot!). Odysseus spends seven years here, stranded on the island of the nymph Calypso. Like many locations in Greek mythology, its real-world counterpart remains debated. This island is pivotal in one of Western literature’s earliest adventure tales and has inspired artists like Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568–1625) and modern adaptations, such as the 1997 TV mini-series starring Vanessa Williams as Calypso. The character has also influenced figures like Marvel’s voodoo priestess and the sea goddess in Pirates of the Caribbean.
1. The Coral Island first appeared in The Coral Island (1857)
This novel’s importance stems from its influence on William Golding’s Lord of the Flies (1954), a direct response to Ballantyne’s work. The Coral Island follows three boys—Ralph and two others—stranded on a Polynesian island, facing pirates and cannibals. Golding’s adaptation features characters with the same names, but his version delves into the darker aspects of human nature, with some boys descending into savagery. Jack Merridew, in particular, embodies a villainous archetype no one would wish to emulate.
