Best Historical Isekai Anime & Manga, No

The isekai genre has long been popular for its escape element. Who doesn't want to transition from their stagnant life to a more exciting and dreamy life? While many of the isekai worlds go the route of medieval European fantasy, others get more creative and borrow from other historical or mythological settings.

Whether it's Sengoku-era Japan, ancient China, medieval Europe, or any other period in history, these anime take world-building to a whole new level. These series add richness and depth to the fantasy world, weaving together elements of time travel, mythological figures and ancient battles.

8 Amatsuki

It was transferred to another version in the Edo period of Japan

• Date of publication: April 4, 2008
• Creator: Takayama Shinobu
• Studio: Studio Deen
• Number of sections: 13

Amatsuki is about a high school student named Tokidoki Rikugou. He struggles with history class, attends museum lectures with virtual reality recreations of Japan in the Edo period. In true isekai fashion, a series of strange events lead him to become trapped in a fantastical version of the Edo period.

Amatsuki perfectly blends history and fantasy, combining elements such as yokai, mystical creatures, and spirits with the aesthetics of the Edo period. Fans of isekai and Japanese folklore will no doubt find Amatsuki a treat to watch.

7 How a real-life hero built the Kingdom

Medieval European Fantasy with a Touch of Realism

Although the isekai genre is no stranger to medieval European-inspired worlds, How a real-life hero built the Kingdom It puts a different spin on the formula by discussing the real problems of the era, such as political corruption, malnutrition, and inefficient systems.

Kazuya Souma, a man summoned to Elfrieden's dream world, does not use a sword or possess magic. Instead, he uses his knowledge of the world to implement economic and social policies to strengthen the state. The series focuses more on political strategy and intrigue than fast-paced action.

6 Oda Nobuna's wish

It was transferred to another version in the Sengoku period of Japan

Oda Nobuna's wish puts a light twist on Japan's historical figures. It follows a high school boy named Yoshiharu Sagara who is transported back to the Sengoku period, except the historical figures are assumed to be girls.

Working with the female versions of famous figures of the Sengoku period, including Mitsuhide Akechi, Hisahide Matsunaga, and Nagahide Niwa, Yoshiharu helps Oda Nobunaga's wife (pronounced Oda Nobuna) to achieve his wish for a united Japan.

5 Fushigi Yuugi: The Mystery Game

Transported to a world inspired by ancient China

Fushigi Yuugi is one of the first shojo isekai manga, perfectly combining romance and action in a fantasy world. It tells the story of two high school girls, Miaka Yuki and Yui Hongo, who are transported to the world of a story they read in the world of Ancient China.

The series introduced the isekai genre to the shojo audience and was very influential in both isekai and shojo fantasy. Fushigi Yuugi also spawned the inverted wealth that is common in modern shojo isekai novels such as My next life as a villain: all roads lead to disaster!.

4 The story of Tanya the bad

It was taken to a place taken in World War I

For fans who want a dark and gloomy historical isekai setting, look no further The story of Tanya the bad. The story follows a mercenary who is transported to a world similar to Europe during World War I after angering a god-like being. He finds himself trapped in a girl's body and vows to resist the powerful force until his last breath.

The anime stands out in the isekai world for its morally dubious nature and violent war scenes. It's definitely not a 'turn your brain off and enjoy the train ride' kind of show, as it deals with a lot of difficult questions about morality, faith and power.

3 Inuyasha

Traveled back in time to the Supernatural Version of the Sengoku period

This classic Rumiko Takahashi series is still talked about for a reason. Inuyasha blends fantasy, romance, action and history in a way that appeals to both shonen and shojo audiences. The story is about a 15-year-old girl named Kagome Higurashi who is transported to Japan's Sengoku period when she falls into a well.

She soon learns that she is the reincarnation of a powerful priestess named Kikyo and that she carries a powerful artifact known as the Shikon Gem within her. After accidentally breaking the gem, she teams up with a half-demon named Inuyasha to recover the piece before it falls into the wrong hands.

2 The Twelve Kingdoms

It was brought to parallel areas reminiscent of ancient Japan and China

The history of The Twelve Kingdoms occur in island groups on the other side with distinct cultures similar to ancient Japan and China. It follows Yoko Nakajima, a high school student who is unexpectedly brought to this state by a strange man. He learns to live in a world of mythical creatures, various kingdoms and a complex political system.

The comics and anime were very much ahead of their time when it came to the isekai genre, focusing more on the protagonist's growth, leadership challenges, and complex world building than the fantasy of the power or escape.

1 Drifters

Historical figures are transported to a torn fantasy world

Many historical isekai stories involve people traveling back to a certain historical period, and may also meet historical figures. How about a series where historical figures are transported to other worlds? Created by the person behind it Hellsing, Drifters it also features dark humor and historical intrigue.

Drifters is about a 1600's samurai named Toyohisa Shimazu, who is seriously injured on the battlefield. Instead of dying, however, he finds himself in another world with historical figures such as Nobunaga Oda, Joan of Arc, and Akechi Mitsuhide.