Best Historical Anime

Stories in anime can take place anywhere from fantasy worlds to the far reaches of space and this includes different time periods as well. Historical anime take viewers into the past, immersing them in what life would have been like centuries ago.

Many historical anime are inspired by classic literature, but some tell entirely new stories or create fresh timelines that use an era as a backdrop or as a launch pad. There are even plenty of fantasy anime that take heavy inspiration from history, be it isekai (Saga of Tanya the Evil) or comedies (Gintama). What are the best historical anime out there?

Updated October 28, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2024 season is underway, and it contains a few historical anime that are worth checking out.

Fantasy anime inspired by history will be largely omitted in favor of more grounded stories. So, that is why
Gintama
is not included.

Best Historical Anime Of Fall 2024

• 	The Blue Wolves of Mibu	Orb: On the Movements of the Earth	Rurouni Kenshin (2023)
  Japanese Title	Ao no Miburo	Chi.: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite	Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
  Genres	Samurai, Action, History	Sci-Fi, Mystery, Historical	Action, History
  Studio	Maho Film	Madhouse	LIDENFILMS
  Creator	Tsuyoshi Yasuda	Uoto	Nobuhiro Watsuki
  Streaming Service(s)	Crunchyroll	Netflix	Crunchyroll

Fall 2024 is well underway by this point, and it is shaping up to be an impressive season so far. Most of the lineup’s biggest names are either pure fantasy (Re:Zero, Bleach, Arifureta, DanMachi, Dragon Ball Daima) or contemporary (Dandadan, Bleach, Blue Box, Ranma ½), and historical outings are not particularly common. However, the season has a couple of anime that fit the theme.

• Blue Miburo (Aka The Blue Wolves of Mibu) – A late starter, Blue Miburo might fly under the radar, especially since the source material is not extremely well-known outside of Japan. Nevertheless, this anime provides an interesting look at the Shinsegumi, albeit framed from the perspective of a fictional character. So far, Blue Miburo has been mostly just fine and entertaining, without necessarily presenting anything too new.
• Orb: On the Movements of the Earth – Fall 2024’s best historical anime, Orb is fascinating. Set in Poland during a century when going against the church’s teachings was suicide, the anime follows a teenager who wishes to understand how the universe really functions. Dark, gripping, and well-animated, this is the season’s one historical anime that everyone should try.
• Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Disturbance – Kenshin is back for another high-quality adaptation, and the sequel has mostly kept up the same standard as its predecessor.

17 Nobody’s Boy: Remi

MyAnimeList: 7.86

While Ie Naki Ko is now over forty years old, this anime from the 70s is still worth watching today. The show is based on Hector Malot’s novel Sans Famille which has become a literary classic since its release all the way back in 1878 and follows Remi after he learns he is adopted and is sold to a traveling musician named Vitalis. While the show isn’t always faithful to the novel, nor is it a perfect representation of historic times, its timeless tale is sure to please fans.

16 Emma: A Victorian Romance

MyAnimeList: 7.62

There’s nothing that quite pulls on the heartstrings like a 19th-century era romance where someone from polite society falls in love with someone far below his station. Emma: A Victorian Romance follows the trials and tribulations of the titular Emma as she slowly falls in love with William. It’s hard to believe this kind of show was made by the same studio that made Bleach but it’s true!

Emma also won an Excellence Prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2005 showing just how much of a must-watch show it is.

15 Les Misérables: Shoujo Cosette

MyAnimeList: 7.89

Victor Hugo’s most famous novel Les Misérables was published all the way back in 1862 and has been the subject of countless incredible interpretations since. Nippon Animation decided to tackle the story as a part of its World Masterpiece Theater collection and thus Les Misérables: Shoujo Cosette was born.

Instead of primarily focusing on prisoner 24601 Jean Valjean, Shoujo Cosette tells the story from the titular character Cosette’s eyes. This offers a fresh new look at a classic tale even those who have never watched anime are likely to know.

14 Hyouge Mono

MyAnimeList: 7.99

The Era of the Warring States commonly known as Sengoku Jidai has been the focus of countless stories throughout the years. Hyouge Mono stands out from the crowd as it focuses far less on the battles and political intrigue of the period and instead follows a tea ceremony-obsessed vassal of Oda Nobunaga named Furuta Sasuke.

The show’s interesting focus on aesthetics, philosophy, and creative moments of silence make it stand out from any other anime out there.

13 The Elusive Samurai

MyAnimeList: 7.85

Based on Hojo Tokiyuki’s life, The Elusive Samurai chronicles the boy’s journey to regain his family’s standing in the imperial court after they are betrayed and nearly annihilated. Over-the-top humor and occasional creative flourishes aside, The Elusive Samurai appears to adhere quite a bit to historical accuracy, providing a respectful look at an important Japanese historical figure who might not be that well-known outside his country of origin.

Focusing solely on its quality (so far), the anime has pretty fantastic visuals, action, and comedy. CloverWorks is recognized for its stellar animation, and The Elusive Samurai compares favorably to any of the studio’s other projects in this area. Tokiyuki is instantly likable as a young heir to a clan whose life of relative comfort is torn away from them, leaving them on the brink of annihilation while also lighting a fire within them. Unlike so many shonen leads, Tokiyuki’s skillset revolves entirely around his capacity to dodge and run away, which the anime has used to great effect in its action sequences. The secondary characters are also generally great, particularly the hilarious but also insightful Yorishige Suwa, a priest who steps in to guide Tokiyuki.

12 The Rose Of Versailles

MyAnimeList: 8.33

Any fan of classic anime will remember The Rose of Versailles. This historical retelling of the French Revolution features all the romance, drama, and political intrigue of 1775.

Seeing how the show diverges from actual historical events to create a fantastic story is truly rewarding for any history buff and those who know little about this important period of turmoil in France will learn a lot about the era along the way.

11 Romeo And The Black Brothers

MyAnimeList: 8.33

Romeo and the Black Brothers was one of the last World Masterpiece Theater shows created by Nippon Animation before they took their famous ten-year hiatus on the project. The story is based on the classic children’s novel Die schwarzen Brüder, known by English speakers as The Black Brothers.

Still, Romeo and Alfredo’s adventures as chimney sweeps are sure to captivate just as many adults as they would kids who are anime fans.

10 Rurouni Kenshin

MyAnimeList: 8.28

One of the most famous and well-regarded shonen anime of all time, Rurouni Kenshin is a must-watch for anyone interested in Japan’s Meiji Restoration. Now, the story takes plenty of liberties and revolves around fictional characters (who are occasionally based on real-life figures), so the historical aspect is primarily about the era, politics, and social tension that defined this turbulent and important period.

As an action anime, Rurouni Kenshin offers exhilarating fights, charming characters with strong personalities and great rapport, and top-notch animation for its era. As a historical anime, Rurouni Kenshin dives into Japan’s post-war climate, one defined by forces acting against or in favor of the Shogunate.

9 Kingdom

MyAnimeList: 7.92 (Season 1)

Kingdom‘s CG animation tends to put people off, which is a shame as this is one of the best war-themed anime of the last few years. While not quite as good as the manga series, the anime still offers a fascinating alternate look at China’s Warring States period, predominantly framed around the experiences of Xin, an orphan.

Kingdom builds up beautifully following its somewhat mediocre opening episode. The anime explores the trials and sacrifices of war while fleshing out a huge roster of characters, and each season has been better than the last.

8 Golden Kamuy

MyAnimeList: 7.88 (Season 1)

Golden Kamuy‘s central storyline, which involves people searching for a huge stash of gold, is pure fiction; however, the anime’s setting adheres faithfully to history. The series is set following the conclusion of the Russo-Japanese War, with a special focus being shown to the Ainu people who live on Hokkaido Island.

Golden Kamuy respectfully presents the different conventions, cultures, and traditions of the Ainu. The anime also explores the effects of war, both physical and mental, all the while delivering a quick-paced adventure with a lot of humor.

7 Rainbow

MyAnimeList: 8.47

Rainbow covers more recent history but still fits into the genre well. Set in 1955, it follows a group of younger Japanese boys who are put into a disciplinary school and the abuses that the carceral system places upon them. The seven teenagers sent to Shounan Special Reform School quickly form a close bond, doing anything they can to survive together.

The story takes place shortly after World War II, a time when Japan was rebuilding as a nation and unfortunately, corruption was something that often slipped under the radar. While some historical stories are a bit fluffier, Rainbow focuses on some of the darker parts of history.

6 Samurai Champloo

MyAnimeList: 8.51

Samurai Champloo is set in Edo-period Japan, although the anime takes quite a few liberties when it comes to historical accuracy. The series also uses anachronistic hip-hop music, creating an experience rooted in both the past and present. Working at a teahouse, Fuu wishes to head out on an adventure in search of a specific samurai, and her wish finally comes true when she manages to rope two swordsmen to serve as her bodyguards.

Samurai Champloo blends episodic and serial storytelling, and the anime handles both styles extremely well. While not driven much by recorded events, the show works well as a fictional trip through an important period in Japan’s history.

5 Baccano!

MyAnimeList: 8.36

Baccano! is one of a kind. While barely scratching the surface of what the light novel has to offer, the anime is nevertheless a gripping ride, albeit one that can be rather confusing. Set in America, the plot is split into three eras, and it takes a while for them to converge in a meaningful way.

Best experienced blind, Baccano! is unpredictable, chaotic, and captivating. While the narrative takes its time to properly come together, the anime nails its world-building immediately as it successfully immerses viewers in its interconnected but still very different storylines.

4 Shouwa Genroku Era Comic Storytelling

MyAnimeList: 8.57 (Season 1)

Sometimes, anime takes on incredibly unique themes and Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju is one of them. The story focuses on the Japanese storytelling art of rakugo and how it developed after World War II. The story begins with two friends learning the art from a rakugo master and follows the complicated adventures of their lives going far off into the future.

The show’s accurate portrayal of rakugo is just one of its major appeals to Western audiences that have likely never interacted with the art form. The series has plenty of hidden mysteries and pieces of lore to uncover — make sure to watch for subtle changes in the show’s opening animations throughout the first season.

3 Kids On The Slope

MyAnimeList: 8.30

Prior to 2012, Shinichiro Watanabe had dappled in historical-leaning anime with Samurai Champloo, but that show isn’t all that cornered with realistically reflecting Edo period Japan. Kids on the Slope is a different beast entirely and covers a post-war era of Japan seldom explored by anime.

Set during the 1960s, Kids on the Slope is predominantly about three teenagers who come together through their love for music. Although only sprinkled lightly throughout the story, the anime touches on political and religious tensions from this era, particularly Japan’s relationship with America.

2 Grave Of The Fireflies

MyAnimeList: 8.51

Grave of the Fireflies is the best historical anime someone will only want to watch once. Directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli, Grave of the Fireflies tells the harrowing tale of two children trying to survive on their own as World War 2 approaches its end.

Although there are a handful of scenes that highlight the war, Grave of the Fireflies is predominantly concerned with the smaller and often forgotten tragedies that happen during these conflicts. It is a devastating and heartbreaking film that leaves a long-lasting impression.

1 Vinland Saga

MyAnimeList: 8.75

Vinland Saga is the best historical anime of all time, and the adaptation has only gotten started. Set during and after the Viking invasion of England, a period rarely touched upon by fictional stories in general, the series follows Thorfinn, a kid who seeks revenge against the person responsible for his father’s death. While interesting enough in its own right, this plot thread merely acts as an entry point into the war and politics of the time.

Defined by nuanced characterization and constant growth, Vinland Saga is an epic in every sense of the word. Even if someone is not interested in Vikings, they should check out this show.