Anime With a Real-Life Historical Setting
Anime
A curated collection of anime set in specific, factual historical periods and locations around the world. Organized for history buffs and curious viewers alike. Focus on on the accuracy of the setting, not alternate history or fantasy (Descriptions provided).
Movie, 1995,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
(WWII, Netherlands) A direct animated adaptation of the real-life diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during the Holocaust.
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
(16th Century Renaissance Italy) Set in Florence during the Italian Renaissance, it portrays the social restrictions on women and the inner workings of artists' workshops and guilds.
Movie, 2011,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
(1963, Pre-Olympics Japan) Perfectly captures the mood of Japan on the cusp of modernization just before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The film deals with the nation's struggle to reconcile its recent wartime past with its futuristic ambitions.
TV, 2005,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
(Victorian England, 19th Century) An accurate depiction of the class structures, social etiquette, fashion, and daily life of upper-class and working-class London in the 19th century.
TV, 2018,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Set in the late Meiji/early Taisho period (around 1900s) in Hokkaido. It meticulously explores the culture of the Ainu people and the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War.
TV, 2011,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
(1924, Fictional European Country) While set in the fictional country of Sauville, it is a clear analogue for post-WWI Europe. The series directly deals with the aftermath of the Great War, including economic depression, political instability, and the lingering trauma that would lead to WWII.
Movie, 1983,
1 ep
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Author:-
(1945) A semi-autobiographical film based on the creator's own experiences as a child survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. It is an account of the bombing and its immediate aftermath.
TV, 2022,
11 eps
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Author:-
(Heian Period) A direct adaptation of the classic The Tale of the Heike, which recounts the Genpei War (1180-1185) between the Taira and Minamoto clans, a pivotal conflict in Japanese history.
Movie, 1988,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
(1945) A stark and realistic portrayal of two siblings struggling to survive in Japan during the final months of World War II, specifically the firebombing of cities.
TV, 2016,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
(1937, pre-WWII) Set in the tense geopolitical climate on the eve of World War II. The series follows Japanese spies operating in various real-world locations, dealing with factual international conflicts and alliances.
TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:3
(Hundred Years' War Period, France) While it features magic (the witch Maria), the setting is a meticulously researched depiction of the Hundred Years' War, including the clothing, weapons, and the brutal, chaotic nature of medieval warfare. The magic is used to comment on the period's violence.
Movie, 2013,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
(Heian Period) Based on the Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, it is a foundational piece of Japanese literature. The film recreates the aesthetics, court life, and social customs of the Heian period.
Movie, 2013,
1 ep
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Author:-
(1920s-1930s) A fictionalized biography of Jiro Horikoshi, the real-life designer of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane used in WWII. It captures the interwar period, the Great Kanto Earthquake, and the march towards war.
TV, 2012,
38 eps
Me:-
Author:-
(Warring States Period, China) Based on the real historical period of the Warring States in China (475-221 BCE). It features real historical figures like the King Zheng of Qin and the military strategies and wars of the era.
Movie, 2016,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
(1933-1945) Follows the life of a young woman in Hiroshima prefecture before, during, and after the atomic bombing. Noted for its detailed depiction of daily life in wartime Japan.
Movie, 1992,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
(Interwar Period, Adriatic Sea) Set in the 1930s, it captures the atmosphere of Italy between the World Wars, including the rise of fascism, the culture of seaplane pilots, and the economic anxieties of the time.
TV, 2006,
24 eps
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Author:-
(18th Century France) A supernatural thriller that heavily features real historical figures like King Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, and the political intrigue of the French court in the years leading to the Revolution.
TV, 2007,
52 eps
Me:-
Author:-
(Early 19th Century France) A direct adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel, which is itself a monumental work of historical fiction set against the backdrop of the French Revolution's aftermath, the June Rebellion of 1832, and the social struggles of the poor in France.
TV, 2010,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
(Post-WWII Japan, 1955) A story about teenage delinquents trying to survive in the harsh socio-economic landscape of post-war Japan. It captures the struggle, corruption, and desperation of the era.
TV, 1996,
94 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Set in the early Meiji era (late 1870s), a period of rapid westernization and social upheaval following the fall of the samurai class. It features many real historical figures and events.
TV, 2004,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:8
(Edo Period) While anachronistic with its hip-hop soundtrack, the settings, social structures, and locations (like the closed Nagasaki port) are authentically Edo period.
Movie, 2002,
1 ep
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Author:-
(20th Century Japan) While a personal story, it is framed through the history of 20th-century Japan, using real events like the Great Kanto Earthquake, WWII, and the post-war economic boom as a direct backdrop for the narrative.
TV, 2016,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
A brilliant depiction of the life and decline of the traditional Japanese storytelling art of rakugo throughout the Showa era (1926-1989), covering post-war recovery and economic growth.
TV, 2009,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
(Taisho Era, 1920s) Set in the culturally liberal Taisho era, it follows a group of schoolgirls who form a baseball team, reflecting the period's gradual social shifts and the introduction of Western sports.
OVA, 1993,
3 eps
Me:-
Author:-
(WWII) A trilogy of OVAs by Leiji Matsumoto, each focusing on a different pilot and aircraft from WWII (German jet pilot, Japanese kamikaze, and a B-29 crew).
TV, 1979,
40 eps
Me:-
Author:9
(18th Century France) Set before and during the French Revolution. It features real historical figures like Queen Marie Antoinette, Count Fersen, and the fictional Oscar interacts with the actual events leading to the revolution.
TV, 2019,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:9
(11th Century Europe) While dramatized, it is deeply rooted in real history. It features the Danish invasion of England, real historical figures like King Sweyn Forkbeard and his son Canute, and a realistic depiction of Viking society, warfare, and exploration.
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