9 Anime Set in the Real World - Investment Policy

Anime isn’t just limited to stories set in fantasy realms or futuristic dystopias. Remarkable tales can also be found that mirror our own lives, taking place in towns we frequent, schools we attend, and communities we belong to. These range from heartfelt slice-of-life dramas to gripping realism-based thrillers, as well as science fiction subtly interwoven within contemporary settings. Such anime resonate more deeply because they seem genuine.

These narratives often concentrate on everyday struggles, personal emotional paths, and settings so realistically portrayed that viewers feel compelled to travel there. These tales frequently erase the boundary between fact and fiction, leaving their characters and dilemmas resonating powerfully even when the movie ends.

9. Barakamon

Rural Life and Artistic Redemption

Barakamon narrates the story of Seishuu Handa, a young calligrapher who finds himself banished to a secluded island following a heated argument with a critic. On this isolated island, Handa’s traditional outlook on life and art begins to soften due to his encounters with the eccentric locals, particularly a spirited young girl named Naru.

In the authentic backdrop of Fukue Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Handa’s artistic development and personal maturity are significantly shaped, as he discovers inspiration in unforeseen corners.

Barakamon delves into the strife between urban and rural ideals, old customs and modernity, and the pursuit of genuine personal creativity within a genuinely relatable, everyday environment.

8. March Comes in Like a Lion

Tokyo’s Shifting Seasons and Inner Battles

Introducing Rei Kiriyama, a skilled shogi player grappling with depression, who encountered a supportive family in modern Tokyo. After losing both parents at an early age and struggling with personal turmoil, Rei experiences comfort and recovery through his connection with the three Kawamoto sisters, whose presence brightens his otherwise gloomy high school life.

In this anime, the settings in Shinkawa and adjacent areas are accurately depicted, including frequent scenes along the Sumida River that symbolize Rei’s emotional journey. The depiction of Tokyo’s seasonal transformation parallels the protagonist’s psychological evolution, as the cold solitude of winter transitions to the rebirth of spring.

Artists skillfully portray the vast range of human emotion within common urban backdrops such as apartments, shogi halls, and school classrooms, demonstrating that these seemingly ordinary settings encompass the full breadth of human experience.

7. A Place Further Than the Universe

Antarctica and the Journey to Get There

Four high school girls choose, for various personal and chance-driven motives, to embark on an adventure: they explore Antarctica, starting from locations in Japan, Singapore, and everywhere in between.

Mari Tamaki, eager to seize the opportunities of her youth, teams up with Shirase Kobuchizawa, who is resolute about traveling to Antarctica, the place where her mother vanished. Accompanied by two other young women, they surmount various challenges in pursuit of their lofty aspiration.

This anime exhibits a remarkable dedication to portraying geographical authenticity and practical realism. It meticulously explores the hurdles involved in gaining access to research ships, coordinating global travel, and effectively preparing for harsh environments.

In this series, real-world locations like Antarctica serve as authentic stages for personal journeys, as the physical travels inspire deep internal changes. These places aren’t just scenic backdrops; they play crucial roles in shaping the emotional storyline.

6. Kids on the Slope

Jazz in 1960s Kyushu

1966 finds this period drama, directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, set in Kyushu and depicting post-war Japan as it undergoes cultural metamorphosis. Pianist Kaoru Nishimi relocates to a quaint town, forging a strong connection with the troubled Sentaro Kawabuchi over their shared love of jazz music.

In my gaming world, those basement jam sessions felt like rare, heartfelt connections that transcended social barriers. The intricate portrayal of Sasebo, with its residential areas clinging to the hillsides, echoing the impact of the nearby naval base, provides an authentic historical backdrop for our tale.

These settings – record stores, jazz venues, and classrooms – are accurately depicted with historical elements that firmly anchor the emotional story within a distinct era and location.

5. Laid-Back Camp

The Serene Outdoors of Mount Fuji

A group of high school girls find delight in pitching tents near Mount Fuji and the Yamanashi Prefecture. Initially shy Rin Shima enjoys her alone time camping until she encounters an exuberant girl named Nadeshiko Kagamihara, fostering a friendship that embodies the harmony of solitude and companionship amidst nature.

The anime provides strikingly authentic representations of actual camping spots, well-known landmarks, and weather conditions during different seasons, leaving a strong urge in many viewers to explore these locations in person.

Laid-Back Camp is so engaging because it beautifully portrays the calming influence of nature. Through authentic settings, it delves into the contrast between solitude and camaraderie, city life versus the outdoors, and cherishing everyday moments mindfully.

4. Run with the Wind

Marathon Training Through Tokyo’s Streets

This sports story centers around a multicultural team of college students who are preparing for the highly esteemed Hakone Ekiden relay marathon in Japan. Previously an elite runner himself, Haiji Kiyose convinces nine other residents from his dormitory – including the skilled but demotivated Kakeru Kurahara – to create a team, even though many of them have no prior running experience.

As a dedicated runner, I’m utterly captivated by this series that meticulously portrays actual running paths across Tokyo and its surroundings with an uncanny precision. From the university tracks to the challenging mountain trails, it’s like I’m living the experience myself!

In this anime, the real-world geography serves as a backdrop for character growth. The challenging hikes during training symbolize individual challenges, and the diverse terrains echo the different origins of the teammates.

3. Shirobako

Behind the Scenes of Anime Production

This meta-series provides a glimpse into the real-life anime industry based in Tokyo, focusing on five companions who are employed in diverse roles within animation production. Aoi Miyamori functions as an assistant in production at Musashino Animation, while her four friends strive for their desired creative positions they had envisioned since their high school days in the animation club.

Shirobako provides a meticulous, behind-the-scenes look at actual studio functions, production hurdles, and business practices within the industry. The depiction of office environments, recording studios, and Tokyo locales is crafted with a focus on realistic details, thus lending credibility to the characters’ professional journeys and hardships they face.

The series sheds light on the creative journey of anime production, employing a realistic backdrop to delve into the theme of collaborative artistry, and discovering meaning in one’s professional endeavors.

2. Hyouka

Mystery in Everyday School Life

Located in the imaginatively depicted town of Kamiyama, inspired by Takayama in Gifu Prefecture, Hyouka unfolds the routine activities of the Literature or Classic Club within a Japanese educational institution.

Reluctant energy-saver Hotaro Oreki is persuaded by his sister to join a club, and there he encounters Eru Chitanda, who has an insatiable curiosity about ordinary mysteries, eventually involving him in solving these enigmas with his analytical skills.

The show meticulously depicts everyday school settings such as clubrooms, libraries, and festival grounds, turning them into arenas for intellectual challenges and self-discovery. What sets Hyouka apart is its focus on accurately portraying the intricate details of a realistic school environment and small-town Japanese life, revealing that even mundane locations are steeped in captivating histories and tales yet to be explored.

The animation pays close attention to minor aspects like sunlight passing through windows and shifts in the scenery with each season, transforming common surroundings into visually captivating landscapes for teenage exploration.

1. Violet Evergarden

Post-War European-inspired Landscapes

Violet Evergarden is based on post-World War I European architecture and societal structures, giving it a sense of historical verisimilitude instead of an entirely fantastical setting.

As a fervent admirer, let me share that the narrative unfolds around me, Violet, once a child soldier, now transformed into an “Auto Memory Doll,” a scribe who assists others in articulating their feelings. I embark on a journey, seeking to comprehend the last words of my commander: “I love you.

The series depicts town squares, post offices, and rural villas with authentic period elements, helping to anchor the emotional story within a familiar historical context.

This setting stands out due to its unique blend of literal and symbolic portrayal of post-conflict scenarios. The restored urban landscapes and healing countryside mirror the protagonist’s personal journey from war trauma, while communication tools such as a typewriter play a pivotal role in both the narrative development and the deeper examination of human relationships.

2025-04-02 01:10