Best Japanese Historical Anime to Watch

Watching historical anime is a great way to gain insight into significant events from different perspectives, blending fact with fiction. It exposes both the harsh realities and spine-chilling moments of the past.

Japanese historical anime provides a unique perspective on Japan’s rich culture and significant moments in history. Here are some of the top Japanese historical anime recommendations.

10. Who’s Left Behind

During the Showa Era, Who’s Left Behind, also known as Ushiro no Shoumen Daare, chronicles the struggles of a young girl as she navigates the harsh realities of World War II. Kayoko, a first-grader at the time, had been excited about becoming a big sister.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWUAqLoftEI

Despite leading a normal life filled with the innocence of youth alongside her three older siblings, Kayoko Ebina’s world was turned upside down when war broke out. The tumultuous atmosphere and changes brought by the war completely altered her once beautiful life. This story is based on the real-life experiences of Kayoko Ebina during World War II.

Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings

During the Sengoku period, there was a strong desire for power and unity, resulting in widespread violence and turmoil. Among those seeking control was Nobunaga Oda, a renowned General known as the Demon King of Owari. He showed no mercy towards anyone who opposed his goal of establishing a tyrannical central government, regardless of their relationship to him.

Despite their differences, two individuals dared to challenge him – Masamune Date, known as the one-eyed Dragon of Oshu, and Yukimura Sanada, a hot-blooded warrior from the Takeda clan. Although they couldn’t stand each other, they realized that having a common enemy meant they could be allies. As a result, they put aside their animosity and joined forces to achieve their shared goal.

This is the tale of O-ei, whose skill was overshadowed by her father, Katsushika Hokusai. In the year 1814, in Edo, Tetsuzo, also known as Katsushika Hokusai, was renowned as one of the most celebrated artists. His pieces were widely admired and accepted. However, his third daughter from his second marriage, O-ei, possessed equal talent to him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg0dJUvFgAg

Despite often painting instead of him, she never received credit for her works. Even as he gained recognition as a great artist in Europe, she remained in the background. This is the story of a talented and vibrant woman.

7 Barefoot Gen

This film explores the atrocities of World War II, specifically the atomic bombing of Hiroshima known as “Little Boy”, through the perspective of a young boy named Gen Nakaoka. It depicts the reality of life in Japan during the war, where people struggled to survive in the midst of scarcity of essential resources.

Keiji Nakazawa, the original author of the manga, was a survivor of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. Through his character, he depicted his personal experience of the devastation and attempted to save his family, including his pregnant mother.

6 In This Corner of the World

This is yet another poignant tale centered on the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. The narrative centers on Suzu, a resident of the seaside town of Eba near Hiroshima. Following her marriage to a young military clerk, she relocated to his residence in Kure.

Despite the worsening conditions in Japan due to the war, she continued to strive to make ends meet. She also assisted those around her, as there was a shortage of food and other essential items. Additionally, she observed a towering cloud in the direction of Hiroshima.

5-The-Wind-Rises

The Ghibli film, The Wind Rises, draws its inspiration from the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the World War II fighter plane, Zero. The protagonist, Jiro, initially aspired to become a pilot. However, after being visited by Caproni in his dreams, he becomes determined to pursue a career in plane design.

Jero enrolled in aeronautical engineering at Tokyo Imperial University. However, he soon came to the realization that his life had a greater purpose beyond simply designing aircraft. This realization was prompted by the use of his planes in the war, which caused a significant shift in his perspective and life path.

Golden Kamuy

This tale takes place in Hokkaido during the early 1900s, after the Russo-Japanese war. It chronicles the journey of Saichi Sugimoto, who is determined to earn enough money to fund his late friend’s wife’s medical expenses. Along the way, he meets Asirpa, a young Ainu girl whose father was murdered by an unknown assailant.

Eager to uncover the gold, the two of them set out on a journey as a team. With Sugimoto’s keen survival skills and Asirpa’s impressive swordsmanship, they make for an intriguing duo who can successfully navigate their way to the elusive treasure.

Samurai Champloo

Despite being harassed by a group of samurais due to her clumsiness, Fuu Kasumi called out for assistance and was rescued by a skilled samurai whose sword style involved breakdancing and slashing. However, this samurai, named Jin, ended up getting into a deadly altercation with another strong Ronin. As a result, the son of the local magistrate lost his life and both Jin and Fuu are facing execution for their actions.

Fuu arrived just in time to rescue them and offered them positions as her bodyguards. Since they had nowhere else to turn, she, along with Mugen and Jin, set out on a quest to locate a Samurai who had the scent of sunflowers. The series follows their thrilling journey, complete with humor, intense sword fights, and the constant attempts of two friends to kill each other.

Grave of Fireflies

In a world ravaged by the aftermath of World War II, this tale chronicles the struggles of Seita and his sister Setsuko, who were left orphaned by the destructive war. With their home destroyed by bombing, they are forced to wander the countryside, battling both starvation and the lingering effects of the war on the people of Japan.

This film from Studio Ghibli is undeniably a masterpiece, as it effectively portrays the aftermath of war and the ways in which individuals can be consumed by their suffering and spread negativity to others. It effectively demonstrates how war not only affects a nation, but also has a profound impact on the lives of its citizens and their future.

Kenshin

As the Meiji era began and the conflicts finally ceased, Kaoru Kamiya faced a difficult situation. Someone was impersonating her swordsmanship style, Kamiya Kasshin-ryu, and using it to murder innocent civilians, damaging her dojo’s reputation that was already struggling. In her efforts to protect her dojo, she crosses paths with Kenshin Himura, who offers his assistance.

Gradually, it is revealed that the unassuming traveler is actually the notorious hero Hitokiri Battousai, known for his legendary actions during the Bakumatsu period and his role in its conclusion. He is now confronted by figures from his past who seek to disrupt the current era of peace and reignite war. With the aid of the allies he has acquired on his journey, he must confront these adversaries.