Anime is an incredible medium because of the sheer flexibility in its storytelling. No medium is more suited to genre-bending than anime, as the animated visual style enables viewers to accept what they are watching with a level of seriousness that seldom feels forced.
There are plenty of anime that mix two or more genres of storytelling. One of the more interesting ones to watch is the mix betweenfantasy and history. There are plenty of anime that straddle this line beautifully, and for lovers of history and fantasy, these are some of the best to try.
10The Heroic Legend Of Arslan
MAL Rating: 7.50
TheHeroic Legend Of Arslan, orArslan Senkias it is called in Japan, is one of those shows that came out in the 2010s and flew a little under the radar. It tells the tale of a young prince who was betrayed and seeks to regain his throne.
Theprotagonist is a do-gooderwho sometimes defies belief thanks to how pure-hearted he is. The setting is an amalgam of Persian nations, as it depicts some of their culture and the wars they were embroiled in.
9Raven Of The Inner Palace
MAL Rating: 7.53
Raven Of The Inner Palaceis a great watch for anyone who enjoyed theApothecary Diarie.It has a similar setting (ancient China) and also has elements of mystery and intrigue. On top of that, both shows feature very likable female protagonists.
Where the shows differ is the addition of magic and fantasy inRaven,in which the protagonist is capable of speaking to ghosts and performing magic. The mix between history and fantasy is seamless, and combines to present a lovely piece of animation for fans.
My Happy Marriage
My Happy Marriageis another underrated show. This is likely because it came out on Netflix and was overshadowed, so not many people caught onto how good it is. The setting of 19th century Japan is a major point for this show, and the themes from that period are essential to the story.
The show follows Miho, a young woman who loses her mother and is shunned by her family for not inheriting the family’s magic ability. She is set up with a seemingly horrible husband to compound her suffering, but the heartwarming romance that ensues is one of the best aspects of the show.
Yona of the Dawn
The story of this show could be considered a bit cliche. A friend kills the main character’s father; the protagonist is forced out of the palace and seeks revenge. However, the adventure element of this show is so engaging that the weakness of the story hardly matters.
The historical setting of the show, which draws inspiration from ancientChina and Korea, is one of the stronger points ofYona. The villages, towns, and locations that Yona visits as she searches for the fantastical dragons who would help with her quest bring life to the viewing experience.
Set in the Edo period of Japan,Hell’s Paradiseis one of the many darker shonen anime that have become a lot more prevalent in recent times. Gabimaru is tasked along with other death row inmates to find the elixir of life for the emperor. This will lead them to a mysterious island unlike anything they had ever seen before.
The historical setting ofHell’s Paradiseis evident from the very start. The expert melding with fantasy elements and the vivid colors of the art style make the show a hard one to put down.
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Magiis a fictionalized tale of a fictionalized story. It takes inspiration from One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle-Eastern tales with some memorable characters.
These characters are brought to life in the anime as viewers follow the adventures of Ali Baba, Aladdin, and the irrepressible Sinbad as they battle the various political obstacles before them. The show even had a spinoff featuring Sinbad, which was also a lot of fun to watch.
Dororo
Most fans might rememberDororofor its incredibleopening song by Eve, or might know that it is actually a remake of a 1969 anime. What this anime did well was tell a compelling story of a man who came from nothing to find his place in the world.
The story takes place in the Sengoku Jidai era of Japan and shows some of the realities of life in that period, including crippling poverty and religious fanatism.
Baccano
Baccanois a weird show. It’s one of those shows that many people praise, but few have actually seen. For those who haven’t seen it, though, it’s definitely worth watching.
Baccanois set inprohibition era Americaand follows…well, no one in particular. The story can get convoluted and difficult to follow, but it more than makes up for it with memorable characters and some of the best jazzy music in anime.Baccanoalso has some fantastical elements, including a storyline that follows an alchemical incident and some immortal characters.
Demon Slayeris set in the Taisho era of Japan, which lasted roughly from 1912 to 1926. The time period is evident in the clothing, mannerisms, and architecture of Japan. Couple this with the demon-slaying and a villain that looks a bit like Michael Jackson, and the result is the show that everyone was talking about in 2019.
Demon Slayerhas a lot of things going for it, including some excellent characters. Andof course, there’s Nezuko, whom everyone wants nothing but the best for. It’s a great show and harmoniously handles both historical and fantasy elements, making it just about perfect.
MAL Rating: 8.59
Berserk
In his quest for revenge, Guts confronts sinister forces, including violent criminals, evil spirits, and a devout adversary. Despite the immense personal cost, he fights relentlessly, relying solely on his human strength and swordsmanship to face enemies with unnatural powers.
Everyone knowsBerserk,and anyone watching will also notice the inspiration taken from medieval Europe. From the towns, to the political intrigue,Berserkdoes feel like a genuine period piece.
Thenm the addition of the dark fantasy elements adds another layer of intrigue to the show.Berserkfollows the life of Guts, and a large portion of it centers on his friendship with Griffith, the leader of the Band of the Hawk.Berserkis a masterpiece, and for anyone who wants an amazing show that blends both history and fantasy,Berserkis the best example one could hold up.
