Best Historical Isekai Anime & Manga, Ranked

Ah, the delightful world of historical isekai! It’s as if time travelers and history buffs had a love child, and that offspring decided to pen some fascinating tales. These stories transport us from our mundane lives into realms where history meets fantasy, offering a captivating blend of adventure, intrigue, and the occasional dash of humor.

The appeal of the isekai genre lies in its ability to provide an escape from ordinary life into something more thrilling and fantastical. Who wouldn’t dream of leaving their routine existence for a world brimming with magic and adventure? Although many isekai realms follow the conventional medieval European fantasy path, some showcase their creativity by drawing inspiration from diverse historical or mythological backgrounds.

In various historical epochs such as Sengoku-era Japan, ancient China, medieval Europe, or any other period, these anime create incredibly detailed fantasy realms. By incorporating aspects like time travel, legendary characters, and epic battles from the past, they infuse a unique richness and depth into their stories.

8 Amatsuki

Transported to an Alternate Version of Japan’s Edo Era

Release Date: April 4, 2008
Creator: Takayama Shinobu
Studio: Studio Deen
Number of Episodes: 13

The story, titled Amatsuki, revolves around a high school student named Tokidoki Rikugou. Finding history class challenging, he decides to attend a museum lecture that offers a virtual reality experience of Edo-era Japan. In an unexpected twist reminiscent of the isekai genre, a sequence of peculiar occurrences results in him becoming trapped within an enchanting reimagining of the Edo period.

As I immerse myself in the captivating world of Amatsuki, I’m struck by its unique fusion of history and imagination. Here, yokai, mystical creatures, and spirits intertwine with the enchanting aesthetics of the Edo era. If you’re a fan of isekai or deeply intrigued by Japanese folklore like myself, I guarantee that Amatsuki will be an enthralling journey through time and fantasy.

7 How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom

Medieval European Fantasy with a Touch of Realism

In contrast to other isekai stories that often draw from Medieval Europe, “How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom” offers a unique twist by delving into real-world problems of the time, such as political deceit, scarcity of resources, and poorly designed infrastructure.

In the realm of Elfrieden, Kazuya Souma, who was transported from our world, lacks the traditional means such as swords or magical abilities. Instead, he deploys his expertise in contemporary matters to devise intelligent economic and societal strategies, thereby bolstering the kingdom. This narrative primarily revolves around political schemes and undercurrents, rather than rapid-fire action sequences.

6 The Ambition of Oda Nobuna

Transported into an Alternate Version of Japan’s Sengoku Era

“The Playful Aspiration of Lady Oda Nobuna” offers a humorous take on Japan’s most renowned historical characters. It narrates the story of Yoshiharu Sagara, a high-school boy who finds himself time-traveled to the Sengoku period, but with an intriguing twist – its legendary figures are portrayed as young women.

Working alongside the feminine counterparts of renowned Sengoku-era figures like Mitsuhide Akechi, Hisahide Matsunaga, and Nagahide Niwa, Yoshiharu assists female version of Oda Nobunaga, whom we call Oda Nobuna, in her pursuit of a united Japan.

5 Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play

Transported to a World Inspired by Ancient China

“One of the earliest shojo isekai manga, Fushigi Yuugi skillfully combines romance and action within its fantasy realm. The narrative revolves around two teenage girls, Miaka Yuki and Yui Hongo, who find themselves whisked away into a China-inspired ancient world that they were reading about in a book.

The show significantly launched the isekai genre for young girl audiences and left an indelible impact on both isekai and fantasy stories aimed at shojo readers. Fushigi Yuugi also paved the way for the popular reverse harem plotline, which can be seen in contemporary isekai shojo series such as “My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!”.

4 The Saga of Tanya the Evil

Transported to a World War I-Inspired Setting

If you’re seeking a historical isekai series with a grim, realistic atmosphere, give The Saga of Tanya the Evil a try. The narrative revolves around an office worker who, after clashing with a deity-like being, is magically transported to a world mirroring Europe during World War I. Stuck in a young girl’s body, he pledges to resist the powerful entity until his very end.

This anime distinguishes itself within the realm of isekai by featuring a questionable hero and a harsh wartime backdrop. Unlike some shows that merely entertain without intellectual engagement, this one delves deeply into complex issues regarding morality, religion, and authority.

3 Inuyasha

Transported Back in Time to a Supernatural Version of the Sengoku Era

The enduring appeal of Rumiko Takahashi’s timeless series, Inuyasha, lies in its unique blend of fantasy, romance, action, and history, making it captivating for both shonen and shojo enthusiasts. This narrative revolves around Kagome Higurashi, a 15-year-old girl, who finds herself mysteriously transported to Japan’s Sengoku era after tumbling into a well.

Quickly discovering that she’s the resurrected form of a potent priestess called Kikyo and that the mighty Shikon jewel is housed within her, she unwittingly breaks the jewel apart. Subsequently, she partners with a being who is half-demon, Inuyasha, in order to gather the scattered shards before they end up in harmful possession.

2 The Twelve Kingdoms

Transported to a Parallel Realm Reminiscent of Ancient Japan and China

The tale unfolds across a cluster of islands in another reality, where cultures mirror ancient Japan and China. The narrative centers around Yoko Nakajima, an ordinary high school student, who is suddenly transported to this realm by an enigmatic figure. As she adapts to this land filled with mythical beings, varying kingdoms, and intricate political structures, she embarks on a journey of survival.

These novels and anime significantly surpassed contemporary works within the isekai genre by placing a greater emphasis on character development, leadership struggles, and intricate world creation, rather than relying on power-focused narratives or escapist themes.

1 Drifters

Historical Figures Get Transported to a War-Torn Fantasy World

Many isekai stories set in history have characters moving back in time to an alternate reality, even encountering well-known historical figures. How about a series that flips the script, where famous historical personalities are transported to another world instead? Similar to Hellsing, Drifters by the same creator offers a blend of dark humor and captivating historical mysteries.

Drifters tells the story of a 1600s samurai named Toyohisa Shimazu, who, despite being gravely injured in battle, miraculously survives and finds himself transported to another world. Here, he encounters legendary historical figures such as Nobunaga Oda, Joan of Arc, and Akechi Mitsuhide.

2024-11-12 07:34