Historical anime either tries to be decently accurate or just uses history as a cool costume set and goes wild. *Rurouni Kenshin* is a classic, mixing Meiji-era Japan with samurai drama and stylized action. It's usually more "inspired by" than educational, but the settings make everything feel grounded.
Prefer manga? Best Historical manga
In the American Old West, the world's greatest race is about to begin. Thousands line up in San Diego to travel over six thousand kilometers for a chance to win the grand prize of fifty million dollars. With the era of the horse reaching its end, contestants are allowed to use...
Two years have passed following the Tendoshuu's invasion of the O-Edo Central Terminal. Since then, the Yorozuya have gone their separate ways. Foreseeing Utsuro's return, Gintoki Sakata begins surveying Earth's ley lines for traces of the other man's Altana. After an encounter...
Using her wit and vast knowledge of medicines and poisons alike, Maomao played a pivotal role in solving a series of mysteries and conspiracies that plagued the imperial court. Having recently come to terms with the secrets of her parents, she returns to fulfill her normal...
Following the successful Sanyou campaign, the Qin army, including 1,000-Man Commander Xin, inches ever closer to fulfilling King Ying Zheng's dream of unifying China. With a major geographical foothold in the state of Wei now under its control, Qin sets its sights eastward...
After his father's death and the destruction of his village at the hands of English raiders, Einar wishes for a peaceful life with his family on their newly rebuilt farms. However, fate has other plans: his village is invaded once again. Einar watches helplessly as the marauding...
Twelve-year-old prodigy Rafal believes in living rationally, so as to earn praise and respect from society while not being led astray by his emotions. To this end, he publicly states his intention to study theology—the academic field held in highest regard in early 15th century...
Ghostly, primordial beings known as Mushi continue to cause mysterious changes in the lives of humans. The travelling Mushishi, Ginko, persists in trying to set right the strange and unsettling situations he encounters. Time loops, living shadows, and telepathy are among the...
When mankind's savagery surpasses his fear of death, there is little hope for those who wish to live honest lives. Beneath a full moon, a young boy witnesses the murder of the bandits who had enslaved him, and is then christened with a new name by the man who rescued him. This...
The devastation of the Mugen Train incident still weighs heavily on the members of the Demon Slayer Corps. Despite being given time to recover, life must go on, as the wicked never sleep: a vicious demon is terrorizing the alluring women of the Yoshiwara Entertainment District....
Even after having risen to the utmost rank of shin'uchi, Yotarou struggles to find his own identity in the world of rakugo. Caught between his master's teachings and the late Sukeroku's unique style, his performance lacks an important ingredient—ego. And while his popularity...
Along an empty road in the rural countryside, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji stumble across a stone plaque that reads "Yi City." Still on their quest to unravel the mystery behind the cursed severed arm, they venture into the deserted city to obtain further leads. However, with the...
Although most gods in the heavenly realm avoid dealing with the forgotten god Xie Lian, Heavenly Emperor Jun Wu holds him in good graces. Xie Lian's luck is otherwise terrible, and adding to his troubles, the gods seem to suspect that Xie Lian's recent companion was the dreaded...
As World War II reaches its conclusion in 1945, Japan faces widespread destruction in the form of American bombings, devastating city after city. Hotaru no Haka, also known as Grave of the Fireflies, is the story of Seita and his sister Setsuko, two Japanese children whose lives...
Three years ago, Nalan Yanran, the young sect leader of the Yunlan Sect, rashly broke off her engagement. Feeling deeply humiliated, Xiao Yan made a three-year pact with Nalan Yanran. For this pact, Xiao Yan cultivated tirelessly, enduring trials from the Magical Beast Mountain...
Yotarou is a former yakuza member fresh out of prison and fixated on just one thing: rather than return to a life of crime, the young man aspires to take to the stage of rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling. Inspired during his incarceration by the...
Fuu Kasumi is a young and clumsy waitress who spends her days peacefully working in a small teahouse. That is, until she accidentally spills a drink all over one of her customers! With a group of samurai now incessantly harassing her, Fuu desperately calls upon another samurai...
Fourth season of Fanren Xiu Xian Zhuan.
Wang Lin is a very smart boy with loving parents. Although he and his parents are shunned by the rest of their relatives, his parents have always held high hopes that he will one day achieve greatness. One day, Wang Lin suddenly gained the chance to walk the path of an immortal...
A series of short films. Short film #1: Xie Lian and Hua Cheng's first encounter. Short film #2: Xie Lian and Hua Cheng enjoy the Lantern Festival at the Ghost Market. Short film #3: Xie Lian and Hua Cheng are underwater then they return to Ghost City. Short film #4: A...
In early-1900s London, Lili Ichijouin, a Japanese exchange student travels to England to enroll in the prestigious Saint Thomas Art Academy. Determined to become a painter, she arrives under pressure: her parents expect her to rise to the top of her class within six months or...
Japan, 1955: Mario Minakami has just arrived at Shounan Special Reform School along with five other teenagers who have been arrested on serious criminal charges. All assigned to the same cell, they meet older inmate Rokurouta Sakuragi—a former boxer—with whom they establish a...
After the heavenly lightning, although Ne Zha and Ao Bing survived by becoming Spirits, they would soon dissipate completely. Taiyi plans to rebuild Ne Zha and Ao Bing's mortal bodies with the Seven-colored Precious Lotus. However, during the process of reconstruction, numerous...
In the harem of the Khan, wisdom is beauty. The time: the thirteenth century. The place: Yeke Mongol Ulus, the greatest empire the world has ever known. The woman: Fatima, hailing from Persia, where medical technique and scientific knowledge have been perfected beyond all...
After obtaining information about Asirpa from the foreteller Inkarmat, Saichi Sugimoto, Genjirou Tanigaki, and Cikapasi join the Seventh Division's Otonoshin Koito and Hajime Tsukishima on a journey to Karafuto. Heading further north into the freezing Russian territory, they...
Mysterious, unknowable creatures alien to the laws of nature—known only to some and feared by others—"Mushi" lie behind many of life's strange phenomena. Long ago, a Mushi of terrifying power threatened to extinguish all life. The Minai clan of Mushishi were born from those who...
Right now, Steel Ball Run: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure holds the #1 spot with a 9.09 on MAL. In the American Old West, the world's greatest race is about to begin.
MyAnimePulse tracks over 1,885 historical anime — from 90s classics to shows airing this season. This list focuses on the 25 highest-rated.
If you've never watched historical anime before, Steel Ball Run: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Gintama: The Very Final, and The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 are all safe bets. They're highly rated for a reason — any of them will hook you.
