Don't know who these guys are? Well, too bad.
Mythology Gag in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2021).- At the start of the series Adam has been adopted and raised by a tribe of forest dwellers who distrust both magic and technology. This is likely a nod to the original mini-comics that came with the figures where He-Man was depicted as a Barbarian Hero.
- Two recurring guards with blue and purple skin are named "Tuvar" and "Baddrah" respectively. Tuvar and Baddrah were the names given to the two thugs that were combined into the 2003 version of Two-Bad.
- In the first episode, Tuvar and Baddrah discuss catching the latest game of Modulok- a sport played by running on your hands and carrying the ball with your feet. Modulok was the name of a villain from the original Masters of the Universe line that was known to have multiple limbs as part of their gimmick.
- The 2021 design of He-Man calls back to design of He-Man
◊ in DC's Masters of the Universe comics, especially how initially his new transformation looked like◊, and Adam's ultimate He-Man form◊ in the finale of the Eternity War storyline. - The design of the Sword of Power, resembles a combination of it in the 2002 He-Man cartoon, how it looked after being reforged during the Eternity War's finale, even splitting in half like them◊. It's design also has strong resemblance to the Sword of Protection in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.
- When Keldor tells Adam he is the prince of Eternos, Adam sarcastically asks if that would include him, "prancing around with white tights and a silly haircut". A Take That! at his own character design in the original series.
- The Power of Grayskull being used to transform Adam's companions isn't as new as you might think. In the original series, Adam would use the power to turn his cowardly tiger Cringer into the ferocious Battle Cat. Which makes it all the more appropriate that this version of Cringer is the first to trigger a transformation without Adam.
- During Cringer's Transformation Sequence into Battle Cat, when the power-induced lightning strikes down around him, visuals show that he's clearly scared as he backs away and cowers in apprehension before the lightning that begins his transformation strikes him.
- The region where Snake Mountain is located is known as The Fright Zone, which was the name for the Evil Horde's base of operations in the original series.
- The Fright Zone and Snake Mountain are revealed to be the ruined domain of the Snake Men, who in this setting were an ancient empire ruled by King Hssss that tried and failed to exterminate early life on Eternia.
- During the assault on Snake Mountain, Skeletor talks to the heroes via a microphone, a reference to a feature on the original playset.
- Season one ends with Skeletor breaking the power sword and taking control of Eternos, both of which were also plot points in Masters of the Universe: Revelation.
- More specifically however is Skeletor's ascension to the throne at the end of the season recalls poetically enough his introduction in the 1987 live-action movie, in which he had already conquered Castle Grayskull and plants himself on the throne in front of his army while emphasizing his earned power to his ambitious minions.
- In season two, King Stratos refers to the Masters of the Universe as his "Heroic Warriors", the traditional title of the protagonists in the Masters of the Universe franchise.
- In the episode "The World Below", he also refers to himself as the "winged warrior", which is what he's described as in his early toy packaging.
- In the episode "Meanwhile...", Duncan gets some frosting on his upper lip that's the same color as his hair, making it look like he has a moustache. Man-At-Arms in all other continuities is an adult and always has a full moustache.
- Several references to Skeletor's animal ally Panthor are made throughout the series:
- When the Masters of the Universe first transform and face off against Kronis and Evelyn, Evelyn uses her magic to create an Evil Knockoff of Battle Cat that is dark with a purple hue, very much a nod to Battle Cat's Evil Counterpart in older series.
- Skeletor mentioned wanting a Battle Cat for his birthday, referencing Panthor's old role to Skeletor.
- During "Meanwhile...", Trap Jaw gives Skeletor a new Cool Bike named Painthor for his birthday, as Skeletor proceeds to note how panther-like it is.
- The gem in Krass's helmet is revealed to be a Ram Stone. An artifact of the same name in the 2002 series possessed the ability to overcome any barrier, magical or otherwise, regardless of strength.
- At the end of Season Two, just like in Masters of the Universe: Revelation, Skeletor is supposedly Killed Off for Real in a climatic showdown between him and He-Man, only to later be revealed that he's actually still about and simply waiting to play his hand within an artifact under his power. Although, instead of his scepter, it's Ram Ma'am's jeweled helmet which ends up playing a role in her Face–Heel Turn.
- Ork-0's serial number is 1-9-8-3, the release year of the original cartoon, which was Orko's debut to the franchise.
- When King Grayskull was corrupted by Havoc, his voice became the familiar nasally tone of the original Skeletor, as they are played by the same actor.
- King Grayskull becoming corrupt by going to extremes to defeat the Snake Men including (and especially) the use of Havoc, references the possible Bad Future shown in DC MOTU comics Eternity War series, were He-Man became a tyrant who threatened the very universe after defeating Hordak, and was killed by She-Ra, like King Grayskull had to be killed by the Eldress. In the same episode, Adam being close to going the same route as King Grayskull, also references this.
- The Beginning of the End parts 1 and 2 (aka the season 3 finale) further reference Eternity War comic series Adam giving up his power as He-Man, but regaining it. And with Skeletor being able to wield the power of Grayskull, thanks to altering his body - Eternity War getting He-Man's blood in his body, and here by possessing King Grayskull's corpse/bones. He also intends to use his newfound power, like in Eternity War, to remake the universe in his image.
- Teela's full name is Teela Na, the same as the original Sorceress.
- Due to a magical mishap, the Masters of the Universe are briefly turned into the versions of themselves from Masters of the Universe: Revelation, 2D animation and all.
- Ork-0's pep talk to Orko the Great harkens back to the original series's And Knowing Is Half the Battle segments, complete with it looking like Ork-0 is talking to the audience.
- The lesson of the pep talk is also the same lesson from the original He-Man episode "The Cosmic Comet"; To not let a mistake keep you from trying again and to believe in yourself.
- After Skeletor is brought Back from the Dead using King Grayskull's bones, his new body greatly resembles his Skelegod form from Masters of the Universe: Revelation.
- Kronis and his Dark Master form are one. Trap Jaw had a fully green body in at least his debut comic, but in the toyline his body was blue and his face green. Kronis is completely green and he turns into the blue bodied, green faced Trap Jaw.
