Historical fantasy is very intriguing with the real-life historic events combined with some fictional elements like magic, supernatural elements to alter that period into a fantastical world. It’s easier said than done to produce something unforgettable in that genre as it requires a lot of research but there are some classic series in that genre that are not just unforgettable but popular among all anime and non anime fans like Full Alchemist: Brotherhood and a recen anime Appare-Ranman that amazed us with lively settings combined with some familiar historic period from real world events. Here is the list of 5 best historic fiction anime series.
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Mo Dao Zu Shi
There is a genera called “xianxia” which has been adapted by this Chinese series. It has been inspired from old Chinese period, folklore and belief that has been blended to produce a fantasy world. Mo Dao Zu Shi takes this complicated and profound tale and created a story about a funny journey of two men who are close to each other but not sure about love, fight against the non-human beings and try to overcome the aftermaths of their own wrong decisions and they actually succeed in it. It is an entertaining gateway series.
Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is set in a different Edo timeline where sword fighting is common but breakdancing is not something alien as the conventional samurai movies stories are filed with the contemporary hip hop. The word “Champloo” is derived from Okinawan which means “mixed” and refers to not just the makeshift word itself but the journey of a motley trio who are looking for a samurai with the ability to smell sunflower. Like Mo Dao Zu Shi, this show is also a comedy with the depiction of some social remarks. The director of Cowboy Bebop, Shinichiro Watanab, has directed this unique historic fiction with an intriguing story and well written characters.
Drifters
Unlike the above mentioned series Drifters is not just set in an ancient historic period but also shows some great warriors of the history like, Nobunaga Oda, Joan of Arc, Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid and Toyohisa Shimazu who are brought together to battle against an utmost evil that is a biggest threat to an alternate world where they all are stuck in. Had it been written by the writer of Hellsing, it can be conveniently called Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure because that’s what truly it is. It’s enthralling and at the same time comical to see different cultures and values and even characters being collided in the same place but from different timeline. This anime has it all from moral debate to energetic battles, so there is no way you would feel bored watching this amazing anime.
Dororo
It is the story that follows a roaming swordsman who is in search of his body parts stolen by demons. It is flawlessly set in the Warring States period of Japanese history. It was the time when the local lords were in the quest of getting more power and wealth by any means and the commoners were being wasted. Hyakkimaru’s father gave away his first child’s body parts to 12 demons in exchange abundant harvests. It is the story about Hyakkimaru and his partner Dororo challenge the subtle balance of wealth and power by fighting against all the evil of that time.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Tanjiro keeps up the trend of upsetting ancient schemes of imbalanced power by slaying demons in Kimetsu no Yaiba which is a historic series set in Taisho period (1912 – 1926) with demons. He has never-ending determination of transforming his demonic sister back into a human form that he pulls off with his kind and gentle nature. For that purpose, he joins Demon Slayer Corps and becomes competitive and powerful enough to fight against the most powerful demon to exist in the world named, Muzan Kibutsuji. Demon Slayer is one of the most distinctive series for its timeline that it is set in, animation, characters and heart-warming story, action-filled story. Demon Slayer has much to offer to offer than intriguing historic fiction elements.
There are some more historic fiction that are equally compelling with the blend of romance like Spice and Wolf or the take of comedy in this genra like Gintama. Let us know what is your pick of the best historic fiction anime series.
