What is this genre all about? Historical anime have clear ties to our history and usually occur in a particular epoch.
We present you the list of Historical anime you should watch right now.
Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game
Top 20 Historical anime you should watch right now. [2024 List]
- 20. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
- 19. Kimetsu no Yaiba
- 18. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-hen
- 17. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen
- 16. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-hen
- 15. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Katanakaji no Sato-hen
- 14. Vinland Saga Season 2
- 13. Vinland Saga
- 12. Gintama
- 11. Jigokuraku
- 10. Black Butler
- 9. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (TV)
- 8. Bungou Stray Dogs
- 7. Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon
- 6. Ousama Ranking
- 5. Kanojo ga Koushaku-tei ni Itta Riyuu
- 4. Samurai Champloo
- 3. Baccano!
- 2. 91 Days
- 1. Ookami to Koushinryou: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf
20. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she’s sold as a lowly servant to the emperor’s palace. But she wasn’t meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she’s making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!
The Apothecary Diaries has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: 薬屋のひとりごと, Drugstore Soliloquy
19. Kimetsu no Yaiba
It is the Taisho Period in Japan. Tanjiro, a kindhearted boy who sells charcoal for a living, finds his family slaughtered by a demon. To make matters worse, his younger sister Nezuko, the sole survivor, has been transformed into a demon herself. Though devastated by this grim reality, Tanjiro resolves to become a “demon slayer” so that he can turn his sister back into a human, and kill the demon that massacred his family.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: 鬼滅の刃, Blade of Demon Destruction, KnY, Kimetsu no Yaiba: Kyoudai no Kizuna, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Bonds of Siblings, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc, 鬼滅の刃-兄妹の絆-, 鬼灭之刃, הלהב קוטל השדים, قاتل الشياطين, ดาบพิฆาตอสูร, Miecz zabójcy demonów – Kimetsu no Yaiba, Guardians de la nit: Kimetsu no Yaiba, İblis Keser
18. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-hen
Falling forever into an endless dream... Tanjiro and the group have completed their rehabilitation training at the Butterfly Mansion, and they arrive at their next mission on the Mugen Train, where over 40 people have disappeared in a very short period of time. Tanjiro and Nezuko, along with Zenitsu and Inosuke, join one of the most powerful swordsmen within the Demon Slayer Corps, Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku, to face the demon aboard the Mugen Train on track to despair.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 劇場版 鬼滅の刃 無限列車編, Gekijouban Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-hen, Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Train
17. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen
After visiting the Rengoku residence, Tanjirou and his comrades volunteer for a mission within the Entertainment District, a place where desires are sold and demons dwell. They journey alongside the flashy Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, in search of a monstrous foe terrorizing the town. Sworn to slay creatures of the night, the hunt continues.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Entertainment District Arc has finished airing and it has 11 Episodes. It is also Known as: 鬼滅の刃 遊郭編, Kimetsu no Yaiba 2, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 2, Demon Slayer 2, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Yuukaku-hen
16. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-hen
The TV version of Kimetsu no Yaiba Movie: Mugen Ressha-hen including an entirely new first episode. The first episode depicts Rengoku as he embarks on his journey to the Mugen Train. The remaining episodes will add about 70 new animation cuts and new background music, as well as a new trailer.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mugen Train Arc has finished airing and it has 7 Episodes. It is also Known as: 鬼滅の刃 無限列車編, Kimetsu no Yaiba Movie: Mugen Ressha-hen (TV), The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train Arc TV
15. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Katanakaji no Sato-hen
Tanjiro’s journey leads him to the Swordsmith Village, where he reunites with two Hashira, members of the Demon Slayer Corps’ highest-ranking swordsmen - Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji. With the shadows of demons lurking near, a new battle begins for Tanjiro and his comrades.
Notes:
• The first episode has a runtime of ~49 minutes.
• The final episode has a runtime of ~52 minutes.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Swordsmith Village Arc has finished airing and it has 11 Episodes. It is also Known as: 鬼滅の刃 刀鍛冶の里編, Kimetsu no Yaiba: Swordsmith Village Arc, KnY 3, Demon Slayer Season 3
14. Vinland Saga Season 2
A new millennium begins in the southern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark.
After the death of his longtime enemy, Askeladd, Thorfinn lost his purpose in life. He was bought by the landowner Ketil as a "slave" and engaged in land reclamation work on his farm. Thorfinn meets a young man there, Einar, who was also a slave like him. The encounter with Einar led Thorfinn to face the sins he had committed and began to find meaning in life.
On the other hand, Canute, who became the King of England, attempted to extend his territory for the establishment of "the promised land".
Vinland Saga Season 2 has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: ヴィンランド・サガ SEASON2, Vinland Saga Season 2
13. Vinland Saga
As a child, Thorfinn sat at the feet of the great Leif Ericson and thrilled to wild tales of a land far to the west. But his youthful fantasies were shattered by a mercenary raid. Raised by the Vikings who murdered his family, Thorfinn became a terrifying warrior, forever seeking to kill the band's leader, Askeladd, and avenge his father. Sustaining Throfinn through his ordeal are his pride in his family and his dreams of a fertile westward land, a land without war or slavery … the land Leif called Vinland.
Vinland Saga has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: ヴィンランド・サガ, Vinland Saga
12. Gintama
The Amanto, aliens from outer space, have invaded Earth and taken over feudal Japan. As a result, a prohibition on swords has been established, and the samurai of Japan are treated with disregard as a consequence.
However one man, Gintoki Sakata, still possesses the heart of the samurai, although from his love of sweets and work as a yorozuya, one might not expect it. Accompanying him in his jack-of-all-trades line of work are Shinpachi Shimura, a boy with glasses and a strong heart, Kagura with her umbrella and seemingly bottomless stomach, as well as Sadaharu, their oversized pet dog. Of course, these odd jobs are not always simple, as they frequently have run-ins with the police, ragtag rebels, and assassins, oftentimes leading to humorous but unfortunate consequences.
Who said life as an errand boy was easy?
Gintama has finished airing and it has 201 Episodes. It is also Known as: 銀魂, Gin Tama, Silver Soul, Yorinuki Gintama-san
11. Jigokuraku
The Edo period is nearing its end. Gabimaru, a shinobi formerly known as the strongest in Iwagakure who is now a death row convict, is told that he will be acquitted and set free if he can bring back the Elixir of Life from an island that is rumored to be the Buddhist pure land Sukhavati. In hopes of reuniting with his beloved wife, Gabimaru heads to the island along with the executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri. Upon arriving there, they encounter other death row convicts in search of the Elixir of Life... as well as a host of unknown creatures, eerie manmade statues, and the hermits who rule the island. Can Gabimaru find the Elixir of Life on this mysterious island and make it back home alive?
Hell's Paradise has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: 地獄楽, Heavenhell, Paradition, Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku
10. Black Butler
Young Ciel Phantomhive is known as "the Queen's Guard Dog," taking care of the many unsettling events that occur in Victorian England for Her Majesty. Aided by Sebastian Michaelis, his loyal butler with seemingly inhuman abilities, Ciel uses whatever means necessary to get the job done. But is there more to this black-clad butler than meets the eye?
In Ciel's past lies a secret tragedy that enveloped him in perennial darkness—during one of his bleakest moments, he formed a contract with Sebastian, a demon, bargaining his soul in exchange for vengeance upon those who wronged him. Today, not only is Sebastian one hell of a butler, but he is also the perfect servant to carry out his master's orders—all the while anticipating the delicious meal he will eventually make of Ciel's soul. As the two work to unravel the mystery behind Ciel's chain of misfortunes, a bond forms between them that neither heaven nor hell can tear apart.
Black Butler has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: Kuroshitsuji, 黒執事, Kuro Shitsuji, Kuroshitsuzi
9. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (TV)
In 1868, Dario Brando saves the life of an English nobleman, George Joestar. By taking in Dario's son Dio when the boy becomes fatherless, George hopes to repay the debt he owes to his savior. However Dio, unsatisfied with his station in life, aspires to seize the Joestar house for his own. Wielding an Aztec stone mask with supernatural properties, he sets out to destroy George and his son, Jonathan "JoJo" Joestar, and triggers a chain of events that will continue to echo through the years to come.
Half a century later, in New York City, Jonathan's grandson Joseph Joestar discovers the legacy his grandfather left for him. When an archeological dig unearths the truth behind the stone mask, he realizes that he is the only one who can defeat the Pillar Men, mystical beings of immeasurable power who inadvertently began everything.
Adapted from the first two arcs of Hirohiko Araki's outlandish manga series, JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken follows the many thrilling expeditions of JoJo and his descendants. Whether it's facing off with the evil Dio, or combatting the sinister Pillar Men, there's always plenty of bizarre adventures in store.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012) has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: ジョジョの奇妙な冒険, JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (2012)
8. Bungou Stray Dogs
For weeks, Atsushi Nakajima's orphanage has been plagued by a mystical tiger that only he seems to be aware of. Suspected to be behind the strange incidents, the 18-year-old is abruptly kicked out of the orphanage and left hungry, homeless, and wandering through the city.
While starving on a riverbank, Atsushi saves a rather eccentric man named Osamu Dazai from drowning. Whimsical suicide enthusiast and supernatural detective, Dazai has been investigating the same tiger that has been terrorizing the boy. Together with Dazai's partner Doppo Kunikida, they solve the mystery, but its resolution leaves Atsushi in a tight spot. As various odd events take place, Atsushi is coerced into joining their firm of supernatural investigators, taking on unusual cases the police cannot handle, alongside his numerous enigmatic co-workers.
Bungo Stray Dogs has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 文豪ストレイドッグス, Literary Stray Dogs
7. Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon
Born to a noble family, Miyo is married off to Kiyoka, a soldier so heartless his prior fiancées fled. With nowhere to go, Miyo slowly starts to open her heart to her cold husband-to-be... Could this be love?
My Happy Marriage has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: わたしの幸せな結婚, Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon
6. Ousama Ranking
How prosperous your nation is, how many powerful warriors it boasts, and how heroic and strong its king is. These are the criteria that factor into the system known as the Ranking of Kings. The main character, Bojji, was born the first prince of the kingdom ruled by King Bossu, who is ranked number seven. But Bojji was born unable to hear and is so powerless that he can’t even swing a sword. In consequence, his own retainers and the public, look down upon him as completely unfit to be king. It is then that Bojji finds his first friend, Kage, and Bojji’s life takes a dramatic turn…
Ranking of Kings has finished airing and it has 23 Episodes. It is also Known as: 王様ランキング, Ousama Ranking
5. Kanojo ga Koushaku-tei ni Itta Riyuu
Eunha Park was just a regular girl desperate to get into college, but when she finally does, her elation is cut short as she's pushed off a roof—only to wake up as Raeliana McMillan, a character from a novel whose death serves as the catalyst for the story's events. But Raeliana refuses to die a second time and is determined to change her fate, no matter what!
Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 彼女が公爵邸に行った理由, Kanojo ga Koushaku-tei ni Itta Riyuu
4. Samurai Champloo
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 in the shop, Mugen, who quickly defeats them with his wild fighting technique, utilizing movements reminiscent to that of breakdancing. Unfortunately, Mugen decides to pick a fight with the unwilling ronin Jin, who wields a more precise and traditional style of swordfighting, and the latter proves to be a formidable opponent. The only problem is, they end up destroying the entire shop as well as accidentally killing the local magistrate's son.
For their crime, the two samurai are captured and set to be executed. However, they are rescued by Fuu, who hires the duo as her bodyguards. Though she no longer has a place to return to, the former waitress wishes to find a certain samurai who smells of sunflowers and enlists the help of the now exonerated pair to do so. Despite initially disapproving of this idea, the two eventually agree to assist the girl in her quest; thus, the trio embark upon an adventure to find this mysterious warrior—that is, if Fuu can keep Mugen and Jin from killing each other.
Set in an alternate Edo Period of Japan, Samurai Champloo follows the journey of these three eccentric individuals in an epic quest full of action, comedy, and dynamic sword fighting, all set to the beat of a unique hip-hop infused soundtrack.
Samurai Champloo has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: サムライチャンプルー, SAMURAI CHAMPLOO
3. Baccano!
During the early 1930s in Chicago, the transcontinental train, Flying Pussyfoot, is starting its legendary journey that will leave a trail of blood all over the country. At the same time in New York, the ambitious scientist Szilard and his unwilling aide Ennis are looking for missing bottles of the immortality elixir. In addition, a war between the mafia groups is getting worse. On board the Advena Avis, in 1711, alchemists are about to learn the price of immortality.
Based on the award-winning light novels of the same name, Baccano! follows several events that initially seem unrelated, both in time and place, but are part of a much bigger story—one of alchemy, survival and immortality. Merging these events together are the kindhearted would-be thieves, Isaac and Miria, connecting various people, all of them with their own hidden ambitions and agendas, and creating lifelong bonds and consequences for everyone involved.
Baccano! has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: バッカーノ！, Baccano!
2. 91 Days
During Prohibition, the law held no power and the mafia ruled the town. The story takes place in Lawless, a town thriving on black market sales of illicitly brewed liquor. One day, Avilio receives a letter from a mysterious sender, prompting him to return to Lawless for revenge. He then infiltrates the Vanetti family, the ones responsible for his family's murder, and sets about befriending the don's son, Nero, to set his vengeance in motion. Killing brings more killing, and revenge spawns more revenge. How will the 91-day story of these men guided by a tragic fate end?
91 Days has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 91Days, 91 Days
1. Ookami to Koushinryou: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf
Lawrence is a traveling merchant selling various goods from a horse-drawn cart. One day, he arrives at a village and meets a beautiful girl with the ears and tail of an animal! Her name is Holo the Wisewolf and she brings bountiful harvests. She wishes to return to her homeland, and Lawrence offers to take her. Now, the once-lonely merchant and the once-lonely wisewolf begin their journey north.
Spice and Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf is currently airing and will have 25 Episodes. It is also Known as: 狼と香辛料 merchant meets the wise wolf, Spice and Wolf (2024), Ookami to Koushinryou (2024)
