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knoxyal

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History of Japan Through Anime

A list of shows that are based on historical events that took place in Japan or are set in a specific era in Japanese history. Hence they reflect the events, lifestyle, fashion or social values of the era in some kind of way. Fantasies are included. Sorted in chronological order. No sequels.
1 The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

794-, some time during the Heian era

Fantasy, based on literature written during this period 

2 Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master

Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master

Fantasy reminiscent of the Heian era, some time between the 8th and 12th century, legend of the Yatagarasu

3 Otogi Zoshi

Otogi Zoshi

Eps 1-13 take place in the midst of the Heian era, featuring Minamito no Yorimitsu, 10th to early 11th century 

4 Onmyouji

Onmyouji

Heian era, 10th-11th century, story of Abe no Seimei

5 Genji Monogatari Sennenki

Genji Monogatari Sennenki

11th century, Heian era

Based on literature written during this period 

6 The Heike Story

The Heike Story

13th century, End of Heian to early Kamakura period, based on literature that depicts the rise and fall of the Taira clan (heike).

7 Kurozuka

Kurozuka

Kamakura period 

8 Shoka

Shoka

Shōka Era Japan. After Kōgen and before Shōgen. This period spanned the years from March 1257 to March 1259, Kamakura period.

9 Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion

Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion

1274, the Mongol invasion, Kamakura era

10 Utakoi

Utakoi

Early 14th century, Kamakura period

Based on classical poems compiled during this period

11 The Elusive Samurai

The Elusive Samurai

1333, end of the Kamakura

12 Inu-Oh

Inu-Oh

14th century, Muromachi period, featuring Sarugaku Noh dance and modern rock music, after the fall of the heike clan

13 Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke

Late Muromachi period of Japan, fantasy

14 Sengoku Youko

Sengoku Youko

Sengoku period, fantasy

15 InuYasha

InuYasha

Some time during the Sengoku period, fantasy

16 Dororo (2019)

Dororo (2019)

15th century, Sengoku period, fantasy

17 Sword of the Stranger

Sword of the Stranger

Mid 15th to 16th century, Sengoku period

18 Asura

Asura

Mid-15th century Kyoto ravaged by successive waves of floods, drought, and famine...

19 Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings

Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings

16th century, Sengoku period

20 ONIMUSHA

ONIMUSHA

Sengoku period, the Honnouji Incident, 1582

21 Kochoki

Kochoki

16th century, Sengoku period 

22 Nobunaga Concerto

Nobunaga Concerto

16th century, Sengoku period

23 Ninja Girl & Samurai Master

Ninja Girl & Samurai Master

16th century, Sengoku period 

24 Hyouge Mono

Hyouge Mono

16th century, Sengoku period 

25 Yasuke

Yasuke

Sengoku period, the story of “Yasuke”, the black samurai.

26 Gifuu Doudou!! Kanetsugu to Keiji

Gifuu Doudou!! Kanetsugu to Keiji

16th-17th century, Sengoku-Azuchi Momoyama period

27 Ooku: The Inner Chambers

Ooku: The Inner Chambers

Edo period, the inner palace during the Tokugawa reign 

28 Basilisk

Basilisk

17th century, Edo era

29 Fuse: Memoirs of a Huntress

Fuse: Memoirs of a Huntress

Edo era

30 Ninja Scroll

Ninja Scroll

Edo period

31 Shigurui: Death Frenzy

Shigurui: Death Frenzy

17th century, Edo era

32 Onihei

Onihei

18th century, Edo period 

33 House of Five Leaves

House of Five Leaves

Some time during the Edo era

34 Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo

Some time during the Edo era

35 Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai

Edo period featuring black music and culture 

36 REVENGER

REVENGER

Edo period, Nagasaki

37 Blade of the Immortal (2019)

Blade of the Immortal (2019)

Some time during the Edo era

38 Requiem from the Darkness

Requiem from the Darkness

19th century, some time during the Edo era

39 Tono to Inu

Tono to Inu

Edo period, story about a warrior and his corgi dog. How cute!

40 Gintama

Gintama

Some time during the Edo period 

41 Oh! Edo Rocket

Oh! Edo Rocket

Edo in 1842, the thirteenth year of the Tenpō era.

42 Katanagatari

Katanagatari

Edo-era Japan

43 Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror

Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror

Horror stories from the Edo period

44 Mononoke

Mononoke

Mostly Edo period, featuring ukiyoe art, but episodes 10-12 are set in the Taishou era.

45 Miss Hokusai

Miss Hokusai

19th century, latter half of Edo period 

46 We Rent Tsukumogami

We Rent Tsukumogami

Some time during the Edo era 

47 Mushishi

Mushishi

Set in an imaginary time between the Edo and Meiji periods, featuring some 19th-century technology but with Japan still as a 'closed country'.

48 Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku

Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku

Towards the end of the Edo period

49 Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto

Bakumatsu, Edo period

50 Hakuouki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom

Hakuouki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom

1863–, pre Meiji restoration, Bakumatsu, Edo period, shinsengumi

Comments

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demision Nov 4, 2021

Just found this list, totally cool. Looks like it's missing Taisho Baseball Girls! Set in the Taisho era, looks at this era's sports advancements and women's personal rights and arranged marriages.

Anyway, great job! 

matrixen Jun 18, 2021

very cool list, have you watched Golden Kamuy?? If not, I highly recommend, you won't be disappointed w S2 and S3 especially 

yurimaruXsenpai Feb 22, 2021

Great list! I can now combine my two greatest loves... Anime and History. Awesome work!

Halex Sep 2, 2020

Great List! You always create very interesting lists. Some contributions: