Historical animes have earned a special place amongst many anime fans. From the warring states of China to Viking adventurers seeking new pastures in the middle ages, many unique and fascinating stories have emerged to widespread acclaim. Therefore, it is no surprise that Japan’s history has been reimagined through the lens of anime.
The 17th century saw the end of one of Japan’s most tumultuous and bloody epochs, the Sengoku Jidai (Warring States) saw the fall of the Ashikaga shogunate and the establishment of the Edo period. Before the emergence of the Tokugawa Bakufu, multiple Daimyo and samurai heroes would clash against one another to acquire more power and expand their influence before Tokugawa Ieyasu secured his power at the climatic battle at Sekigahara in 1600. Despite being an era that saw a slow transition towards peace and prosperity, anime creators and storytellers would inevitably be drawn to this epoch that still saw flashes of bloodshed and political unease. Spoilers will be kept to a minimum.
5 Samurai Champloo
Released in 2004 and helmed by the same director of the acclaimed Cowboy Bebop,Samurai Champloo is a historical action-adventure series that follows three protagonists in search of the ‘samurai who smells of sunflowers.’ Set during the Edo period in the aftermath of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s brutal crackdown on Christianity, the series follows this unlikely trio as they journey through a scarred Japan still reeling from the effects of war and bloodshed.
Whilst portraying a very engaging and entertaining storyline, the anime integrates hip-hop influences seamlessly into its atmosphere and narrative. A choice to perhaps mirror the protagonists and their contrasting personalities and personal codes. It is an unlikely combination that is as alluring as it is captivating. This show incorporates lo-fi hip-hop before it was even a thing. A tale about death, acceptance of one’s self, and unlikely friendship, viewers will ease into this single-season anime with a fresh new take on history and hip hop.
4 Inuyasha
An Isekai before the genre became mainstream, Inuyasha follows the journey of 15-year-old high school girl Kagome Higurashi who falls into a well and gets transported to a version of the Sengoku Jidai, filled with magic and demons. There she meets her half-demon counterpart, Inuyasha, and embarks on a quest to recover sacred jewel shards to defeat the ultimate evil.
Meeting various allies and enemies along the way, Kagome attempts to locate the various jewel shards from the many humans and demons who have acquired them. A story about friendship, sacrifice, and love, Inuyasha is a feudal-fantasy series that is a must-watch for any devout anime viewer.
3 Basilisk: Kouga Ninpo Chou
Set during the aftermath of the Sengoku Jidai, Basilisk follows the deadly feud between two rival and prominent ninja clans: the Kouga and the Iga who must battle one another to determine which grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes the next Shogun. Choosing their best ninja to engage in a deadly competition to see who wins, the two ninja factions reopen the generational wounds as their elite warriors set out to best the other side.
Although ninjas are undoubtedly cool, the series takes things a bit further by showcasing the various unique powers of each ninja and how they apply them. Seeing how each ninja engages in combat (and ultimately meets their demise) is extremely rewarding and a delight for anime viewers who enjoy complex magic systems.
2 Yasuke
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Another story set during the late Sengoku Jidai, Yasuke tells the tale of a black samurai in a reimagined 16th/17th century Japan filled with magic and super advanced technology. Based on the actual historical figure who served as a retainer of Oda Nobunaga, Yasuke takes place after the death of Lord Nobunaga.
Living the life of a recluse, Yasuke eventually finds himself taking care of Saki, a young girl with mysterious powers who may be the key to defeating the demonic overlord known as Yami no Daimyo. An interesting story that takes inspiration from classics such as Afro Samurai and 7 Samurai, Yasuke is a thrilling ride for any hardcore anime fan.
1 Drifters
Whilst this show is set in a parallel fantasy world, Drifter’s primary protagonists are from the late Sengoku period. The story follows Shimazu Toyohisa from the famed Shimazu clan in the aftermath of the battle at Sekigahara, in which the clan fought for the losing side. After saving his uncle and the head of the Shimazu clan, Toyohisa is 'Isekai-ed' into another world despite being grievously wounded. There he meets other legendary warriors including Oda Nobunaga and the famed archer Nasu No Yoichi and learns that he is in a fantasy world that is on the cusp of being annihilated by an apocalyptic army known as the Ends.
Being outmatched by the Ends and having to rely on their abilities and wits to survive, Toyohisa becomes the leader of the Drifters and slowly carves out his ambition in this new world. A gem for fantasy and history geeks, Drifters features numerous historical characters including Joan of Arc, Butch Cassidy, Rasputin, as well as Adolf Hitler.