Historical anime are generally anime that take place in the far past, usually during times of great strife. Whether it be climactic events like wars and revolutions or the lives of exemplary people who have left their mark on the world, historical anime generally have a lot of ground to work with.
While it might not be as far-flung as stories that take place in ancient or medieval times, some historical anime can take place in periods as recent as the 20th century. While these eras may not be as detached from modern life as others, there are still plenty of interesting events for anime to base their stories around. Here are a few historical anime that have set their stories during the 20th century.
10 Mars Red
A sudden increase in the number of vampires in Tokyo due to the spread of an artificial blood source called ascra prompts the creation of Code Zero, a vampire-hunting unit composed of vampires themselves. Led by Colonel Yoshinobu Maeda, the vampires of Code Zero struggle to keep the peace while also dealing with their inhuman identities and lifestyles.
Mars Red is set in the year 1923, and is largely a vampire hunting anime with a psychological and philosophical edge to it. The vampires are not just enemies to be taken out, but real people who struggle with their own problems as they do with the monsters that threaten peace.
9 Sirius The Jeager
Vampires descend on the city of Tokyo, and in return, the Jaegers, vampire hunters affiliated with the V Shipping Company, are hired to take them down. Their strongest hunter is Yuliy, who has werewolf blood in his veins. While the Jaegers are working to protect the populace from vampires, they are also hunting for the mysterious Ark of Sirius, an artifact containing untold power that the vampires are also searching for.
Sirius the Jaeger is a vampire anime set in the 1930s, though the era has little to do with the main plot. The series is full of high octane action scenes with all sorts of supernatural powers and abilities.
8 Taisho Otome Fairy Tale
After losing the use of his right hand in a terrible car accident, Tamahiko Shima lives alone, estranged from his father and his siblings. One day, Tamahiko receives a visitor in the young Yuzuki Tachibana, who has been sold and given to Tamahiko by his father as a bride in order to pay off her family's debts. Despite her unfortunate situation, Yuzuki is a ray of light that shines unfalteringly on Tamahiko's dreary life.
Taisho Otome Fairy Tale is a historical romance story set in the 1920s, as indicated by the Taisho in its name (a period that ran from 1912 to 1926). It is a simple and sweet love story with fairly little drama or conflict.
7 Fist Of The Blue Sky
Many years before the events of Fist of the North Star took place, Kenshiro Kasumi made a name for himself in Shanghai as the King of Hell, Yan Wang. Having returned to Japan for a short stint as a professor, Kenshiro returns to Shanghai in order to help out his old friend, who has been attacked by Chinese gangsters.
Taking place in the 1930s, Fist of the Blue Sky is quite different from its parent story. Focusing more on martial arts and gang warfare, the series features much of the high-octane action that Fist of the North Star fans love and adore.
6 91 Days
Having lost his family in a mafia dispute, Angelo Lagusa decides to leave his childhood home of Lawless behind, taking on a new identity as Avilio Bruno. After seven years, an anonymous letter prompts Avilio to come back and take revenge on his family's killers: the Vanetti family. By chance, Avilio befriends Nero Vanetti, the Don's son, and infiltrates the family in order to find the ones that killed his family and take his revenge on them.
91 Days is a crime thriller set in the 1930s, during the era of Prohibition. Fans of mafia or gangster stories will certainly get a kick out of this series, as well as those who can't get enough of revenge stories.
5 Gosick
Kazuya Kujo is a Japanese student at the presitigious Saint Marguerite Academy, where he is shunned by his fellow classmates due to his appearance. His lonely days end when he meets Victorique de Blois, a young doll-like girl with intelligence that belies her age.
Gosick takes place in the year 1924, though in a fictional European country called Sauville. The series mainly centers itself around the many mysteries that Victorique and Kazuya encounter, and is perfect for fans of stories of crime and intrigue.
4 Baccano!
The story of Baccano! is quite complex, involving a wide cast of characters living and acting during a number of time periods. The various stories involving the cast of Baccano! are quite varied, with the only point of similarity being the mystery of the immortality elixir.
While Baccano! takes place during multiple time periods, the most frequently reoccurring time period is the 1930s, where the majority of the characters are active. A thrilling adventure series, Baccano! is an easy recommendation for anyone seeking an exciting experience.
3 Kids On The Slope
Kaoru Nishimi has been constantly moving around ever since he was young, making it impossible for him to ever have any long-lasting relationships. His new school in Kyushu seems like more of the same, until he encounters Sentaro Kawabuchi, who brings Kaoru into a world he never dreamed of entering: jazz.
Kids on the Slope is a heartwarming coming-of-age story centered around jazz music. While this series takes place around the year 1966, it does not necessarily involve itself with the historical debates of that time.
2 Rainbow
Mario Minakami and five other teenagers are sent to Shonan Special Reform School, having all committed a number of serious crimes. They are assigned to the same cell as Rokurota Sakuragi, and quickly establish a close bond. Surrounded by abusers and dangers, the seven declare that they will endure whatever humiliation and pain necessary to make it back out to the world.
Rainbow is a historical drama that takes place in the year 1955. The series is deeply psychological and delves into a lot of highly sensitive topics that can be hard to talk about. Nevertheless, Rainbow is an incredibly impactful anime that shouldn't be ignored.
1 Golden Kamuy
While panning for gold, Saichi Sugimoto is told a strange story by a drunkard: a large hoard of gold that could only be found using map pieces tattooed onto a number of convicts from the Abashiri prison. While Sugimoto initially ignores the rumor, he soon finds it to be the truth when he finds the same drunk man dead with one of the tattoos on his back.
Golden Kamuy is a treasure-hunting adventure anime with plenty of comedy and cooking to keep things fresh. While the actual time period the anime takes place in is vague, it is generally considered to have taken place some time after the Russo-Japanese War.