What is this genre all about? An anime that takes place in an alternative past is an anime that clearly does not belong to the future or the present, and isn't tied particularly closely to our history, or has ties to our history but only as a premise: there are too many things that don't make sense for the time-period. In some cases there is futuristic technology present, but the overall setting still feels that of the past. However the setting must still take place on Earth, since we can not know if the history of a fantasy world is an alternate one or not.
We present you the list of Alternative Past manga you should read right now.
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Top 17 Alternative Past manga you should read right now. [2025 List]
- 17. Berserk
- 16. Youjo Senki
- 15. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
- 14. Lord of the Mysteries
- 13. Youjo Senki
- 12. Lord of the Mysteries
- 11. Shi ni Modori, Subete wo Sukuu Tame ni Saikyou He to Itaru
- 10. Kou 2 ni Time Leap Shita Ore ga, Touji suki Datta Sensei ni Kokutta Kekka
- 9. Shi ni Modori, Subete wo Sukuu Tame ni Saikyou He to Itaru
- 8. Kakumei no α
- 7. Kunoichi no Ichi
- 6. I Raised My Childhood Friend as a Tyrant
- 5. Tokeijikake no Ringo
- 4. Power Antoinette
- 3. Gosick RED
- 2. Bandeusi Happy Ending
- 1. Arata Primal
17. Berserk
His name is Guts, the Black Swordsman, a feared warrior spoken of only in whispers. Bearer of a gigantic sword, an iron hand, and the scars of countless battles and tortures, his flesh is also indelibly marked with The Brand, an unholy symbol that draws the forces of darkness to him and dooms him as their sacrifice. But Guts won't take his fate lying down; he'll cut a crimson swath of carnage through the ranks of the damned—and anyone else foolish enough to oppose him! Accompanied by Puck the Elf, more an annoyance than a companion, Guts relentlessly follows a dark, bloodstained path that leads only to death...or vengeance.
Notes:
- Volumes 1-5 contain the 16 prequel chapters 0A - 0P.
- Chapter 83 was omitted from Volume 13 due to the author’s request.
- Volume 14 includes “Berserk: The Prototype”.
- Due to the author's passing, starting from Chapter 365, the manga is illustrated by Studio Gaga (Miura's assistants) and supervised by Kouji Mori (a close friend of Miura's).
Berserk is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ベルセルク, Berserk: The Prototype
16. Youjo Senki
On the front line of the war, there's a little girl. Blond hair, blue eyes and porcelain white skin, she commands the army with lisping voice. Her name is Tanya Degurechaff. But in reality, she is one of Japan's most elite salarymen, reborn as a little girl after angering a mysterious being X who calls himself "God." And this little girl, who prioritize over anything else efficiency and her own career, will become the most dangerous being amongst the sorcerers of the imperial army...
The Saga of Tanya the Evil is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 幼女戦記, The Military Chronicles of a Little Girl
15. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
The story of Rurouni Kenshin takes place during the early Meiji period in Japan. It tells the story of a peaceful wanderer named Himura Kenshin, formerly known as the assassin Hitokiri Battōsai. After participating during the Bakumatsu war, Kenshin wanders the countryside of Japan offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed as an assassin. When arriving in Tokyo, he meets a young woman named Kamiya Kaoru, who was in the middle of a fight with a murderer who claims to be the Hitokiri Battōsai from her swordmanship school. Kenshin decides to help her and defeats the fake Battōsai. After discovering that Kenshin is the real Battōsai, she offers him a place stay at her dojo as she notes Kenshin is a gentle person instead. Kenshin accepts and begins to establish lifelong relationships with many people, including ex-enemies, while dealing with his fair share of enemies, new and old. (Wikipedia)
Also includes the one-shot: Crescent Moon Over A Country At War (Vol.6)
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story has finished publishing and it has 259 Chapters. It is also Known as: るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚-, Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
14. Lord of the Mysteries
Waking up to be faced with a string of mysteries, Zhou Mingrui finds himself reincarnated as Klein Moretti in an alternate Victorian era world where he sees a world filled with machinery, cannons, dreadnoughts, airships, difference machines, as well as Potions, Divination, Hexes, Tarot Cards, Sealed Artifacts… The Light continues to shine but mystery has never gone far. Follow Klein as he finds himself entangled with the Churches of the world—both orthodox and unorthodox—while he slowly develops newfound powers thanks to the Beyonder potions.
Lord of the Mysteries has finished publishing and it has 65 Chapters. It is also Known as: Lord of the Mysteries
13. Youjo Senki
On the front line of the war, there's a little girl. Blond hair, blue eyes and porcelain white skin, she commands the army with lisping voice. Her name is Tanya Degurechaff. But in reality, she is one of Japan's most elite salarymen, reborn as a little girl after angering a mysterious being X who calls himself "God." And this little girl, who prioritize over anything else efficiency and her own career, will become the most dangerous being amongst the sorcerers of the imperial army...
The Saga of Tanya the Evil is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 幼女戦記, The Military Chronicles of a Little Girl
12. Lord of the Mysteries
With the rising tide of steam power and machinery, who can come close to being a Beyonder? Shrouded in the fog of history and darkness, who or what is the lurking evil that murmurs into our ears?
Waking up to be faced with a string of mysteries, Zhou Mingrui finds himself reincarnated as Klein Moretti in an alternate Victorian era world where he sees a world filled with machinery, cannons, dreadnoughts, airships, difference machines, as well as Potions, Divination, Hexes, Tarot Cards, Sealed Artifacts…
The Light continues to shine but mystery has never gone far. Follow Klein as he finds himself entangled with the Churches of the world—both orthodox and unorthodox—while he slowly develops newfound powers thanks to the Beyonder potions.
Like the corresponding tarot card, The Fool, which is numbered 0—a number of unlimited potential—this is the legend of “The Fool”.
Lord of the Mysteries has finished publishing and it has 1430 Chapters. It is also Known as: LotM, 诡秘之主
11. Shi ni Modori, Subete wo Sukuu Tame ni Saikyou He to Itaru
“I’ll redo every single one of my regrets. I’ll live my life with my head held up in pride, and change my fate!”
Eric's life was stricken with hardship, and after years of enduring the losses of those most precious to him, he finally dies on the battlefield. However, the end of his life was really a second beginning. He finds himself reborn at the very start of his life, with all his memories intact. Now, as the only one who knows the dark fate that awaits everyone he cares about, he must do what he can to become the strongest and save them all.
After Being Reborn, I Became the Strongest to Save Everyone is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 死に戻り、全てを救うために最強へと至る, The Strongest Savior's Second Chance
10. Kou 2 ni Time Leap Shita Ore ga, Touji suki Datta Sensei ni Kokutta Kekka
I was a corporate worker in my 30’s, when I woke up and found that I had time leaped to the spring of my second year of high school. At the time, there was a teacher that I had regretted not confessing to, so I confessed to her in the heat of the moment, and now we’re dating! However, the teacher is one who would make any man a good for nothing person, so I end up being spoiled by her a lot.While secretly dating my overworked teacher (lover), a sweet school life filled with flirting awaits. A 2nd year high schooler with a 30 year old me on the inside and the teacher (lover) that I want to pamper, our everyday romantic comedy begins.
Note: Chapter count includes 3 extra chapters
The Results From When I Time Leaped to My Second Year of High School and Confessed to the Teacher I Liked at the Time has finished publishing and it has 58 Chapters. It is also Known as: 高２にタイムリープした俺が、当時好きだった先生に告った結果, Kou 2 ni Time Leaped Shita Ore ga, Touji suki Datta Sensei ni Kokutta Kekka, El resultado de cuando viaje en el tiempo a mi segundo año de secundaria y me confesé a la profesora que me gustaba en ese momento., Hasil Dari Ketika Aku Melompati Waktu ke Masa Saat Aku Kelas 2 SMA dan Menyatakan Perasaanku Kepada Guru yang Aku Suka Saat Itu, 고2로 타임슬립한 내가, 당시 좋아했던 선생님한테 고백한 결과
9. Shi ni Modori, Subete wo Sukuu Tame ni Saikyou He to Itaru
Eric has had a hard life. At the age of 16, his village was overrun by monsters, who killed his friends and family. He soon became a soldier, but failed to save the life of the woman he loved. In the end, he died on the battlefield, surrounded by the bodies of those who he couldn’t protect.
When Eric wakes up, he finds himself in a baby’s body. Realizing he has been reincarnated, he quickly wonders what is going on before he gets another shocker: the man and woman who are raising him are in fact his previous life’s parents!
That’s right - Eric was reincarnated, but as himself. No alternate worlds, no skill trees, just his memories sent back to the moment he popped out of his mother. Armed with the knowledge of his past self, Eric vows to save everyone now that the universe has pushed the reset button for him.
After Being Reborn, I Became the Strongest to Save Everyone is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 死に戻り、全てを救うために最強へと至る, The Strongest Savior's Second Chance
8. Kakumei no α
It’s the heyday of the alpha. Alphas have all of the riches and all of the power, which they indulge in without regard for anyone else. They look down on the obsequious omegas and betas… making waves in this inequitable society is landowner Maurice, with his shiny blond hair and skin like porcelain. He’s the beautiful, smart, noble-minded son of the prestigious house of Seychelle. He’s close with his personal attendant, Simon, but since he’s the family heir, his fate of marrying an omega and having his own heirs is inescapable. Gender, status, and fate all set themselves against love.
A gorgeous tale of the omegaverse.
The Revolutionary α has finished publishing and it has 6 Chapters. It is also Known as: 革命のα, Kakumei no Alpha, The Revolutionary Alpha
7. Kunoichi no Ichi
On a school trip to shinobi-themed Ninjatown, a young man named Ichi Kuno accidentally springs a mystical ninja trap which sends him back to the Age of the Ninja. Having no other path, he must pose as a girl and infiltrate an Kurenai Academy, a school of kunoichi students, to retrieve a mystical scroll that can return him to the future. But when everyone around him is already far better at stealth and infiltration than he could ever imagine being, it's not going to be easy. He'll need to employ his own special bag of tricks, and have a lot of luck, if he's going to last more than 5 minutes surrounded by hot kunoichi girls, every one of whom would happily kill him in a moment if he's discovered.
Kunoichi no Ichi has finished publishing and it has 48 Chapters. It is also Known as: クノイチノイチ, Kunoichi no Ichi
6. I Raised My Childhood Friend as a Tyrant
"I'm not interested in the throne." I reincarnated as the person who makes the male lead become a tyrant, "the short-lived childhood friend." I took the blame for him and died, just like the original story. And, I thought that I could finally return to my original world, but… "Why am I back to ten years old??"
I Raised My Childhood Friend as a Tyrant is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Raised My Childhood Friend as a Tyrant
5. Tokeijikake no Ringo
Short story collection of a variety of more mature Tezuka work.
Chapter 1
A Nazi faces a firing squad, but does he have a way out of it.
Chapter 2
Alone in space a man and a robot fall in love, but tragedy happens. Can miracles happen?
Chapter 3 - ClockWork Apple
A bustling town is suddenly quiet. Where are all the people? Has it been cut off from the rest of the world?
The story "Clockwork Apple" was borrowed from the book, before the movie was made, but has very little to do with the book either as Tezuka admits to writing it without reading Clockwork Orange.
Chapter 4
A man and a cabbie share horrifying stories with each other on the way to their destination.
Chapter 5
Chic hipsters fall in love but one of them is hiding a secret.
Chapter 6 - Yellow Dust
Vietnam vets hold a class of children and there teacher hostage.
Chapter 7 - Curtains
An assassination attempt but who is really behind it all?
Chapter 7 - Return Ship
Humans traveling space encounter another ship in dire need of help. Given the situation will man be his at best or at his worst?
Tokeijikake no Ringo has finished publishing and it has 8 Chapters. It is also Known as: 時計仕掛けのりんご, Clockwork Apple, Tokei Jikake no Ringo
4. Power Antoinette
"If the people don't have bread, let them pump iron!"
The queen's proclamation echoed across the Place de la Révolution. Chased from her palace and sent to the executioner's block, Marie Antoinette exploded in anger at the people who were basking in the euphoria of the Revolution. The people she loved were no more.
The muscular queen (of France) Marie destroyed the executioner's block and confronted the revolutionary horde, wielding the guillotine she had taken from them!
"I am France. The one and only France."
This is a story of rebirth. Muscles only become stronger after it has been injured.
The story of the strongest queen who reversed the French Revolution with her own strength!
Power Antoinette is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: パワー・アントワネット, Power Antoinette
3. Gosick RED
Gosick RED is a light novel that acts as the sequel to the Gosick light novels written by Kazuki Sakuraba. It is followed by the upcoming Gosick BLUE. The story is set in New York City in 1931, where Kazuya Kujou and Victorique de Blois live new lives after their experiences in Sauville.
This page includes the following volumes:
Gosick RED
Gosick BLUE
Gosick PINK
Gosick GREEN
Gosick RED has finished publishing and it has Chapters. It is also Known as: GOSICK -ゴシック- RED, Gosick BLUE, Gosick PINK, Gosick GREEN
2. Bandeusi Happy Ending
Yeon-Woo's husband died the day they ended their sham marriage. Yeon-Woo, who is swept in sorrow, is given a chance to return 100 days back in time! As she struggles to prevent the death of her husband Seon-Jae, their 'real' marriage has only just begun. This is the story of a late budding romance, faced with danger and a life at stake.
"This time, I will make sure we have a happy ending!"
Happy Ending In Need has finished publishing and it has 112 Chapters. It is also Known as: Surely a Happy Ending, Must Have a Happy Ending
1. Arata Primal
The key to save the world is in the primeval period!? Connecting the present and the past. Burning passion opens up the future!! A primeval survival mystery that passes through time and civilization!!
Arata Primal: The New Primitive has finished publishing and it has 35 Chapters. It is also Known as: アラタプライマル, Arata Primal
