Learn About Japanese History With These 10 Anime | Migaku

Let’s get started!!Japanese history is one of the many fascinating aspects that keeps people coming back to this unique country, and while you could learn about centuries of history through musty old textbooks, you don’t need to when anime exists.

Media has always been used as a way to reflect and represent the world around us, and anime is no different, offering an intimate, engaging look into Japan throughout the ages. These stories not only entertain us, but also offer meaningful insights into Japan’s past—its wars, social transformations, political upheavals, and the everyday lives of its people.

So, we’re going to show off 10 of the best anime to learn about Japanese history, but before we dive into those stories… Let’s take a look at how Japan became the country we know (and love!) today:

What is the basic history of Japan?

For starters, did you know that Japan wasn’t even called “Japan” for centuries? Mind. Blown. In early texts, Japan went by “Oyashima” (mother island) and “Yamato,” written with the characters for “great” and “harmony” (大和).

Now, for a very brief history lesson: Japan’s history is marked by distinct periods of isolation, expansion, civil conflict, and reinvention. The country’s early development was shaped by imperial rule during the Yamato and Heian periods, when Buddhism, Chinese culture, and a strong aristocracy took root.

The rise of the samurai class in the Kamakura and Muromachi periods shifted power toward military rulers known as shoguns, ushering in centuries of feudal warfare, known as the Sengoku period.

The unification of Japan under leaders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu brought about the Edo period (1603–1868), a time of peace, isolation from the world, and strict social order. That isolation ended with the arrival of Western ships in the 19th century, leading to the Meiji Restoration, which rapidly modernised the nation, dissolving the samurai class and embracing industrialisation.

Japan’s path through the 20th century included imperial expansion, catastrophic defeat in World War II, and post-war reconstruction under US occupation. Since then, Japan has emerged as a peaceful, democratic, and highly technological society—one that continues to honor its traditions while shaping global culture.

This historical evolution forms the backdrop of many anime, grounding fictional moments or characters in the very real dramas of Japanese history. So, let’s travel back in time, shall we?

1. The Heike Story (12th Century)

Set during the late 12th century, The Heike Story takes place in the waning days of the Heian period, focusing on the Genpei War—a brutal civil conflict between the Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genji) clans.

The anime follows Biwa, a blind traveling minstrel who is taken in by the powerful Taira family. As she foresees the tragic downfall of her patrons, viewers are taken through a lyrical, often melancholic depiction of the war and its consequences. The show blends real historical figures with poetic license, drawn from the classic Japanese epic, The Tale of the Heike.

This anime is an exceptional window into Japan’s feudal beginnings, the rise of the samurai class, and the early shift from imperial court power to military rule—setting the stage for centuries of warrior-dominated government.

2. Basilisk: The Koga Ninja Scrolls (17th Century)

Basilisk is set during the early Edo period, around the early 17th century, shortly after the Tokugawa shogunate was established. The story is a fictionalised account of a deadly contest between two ninja clans—the Iga and the Kouga—each representing a Tokugawa heir in a struggle for succession.

The anime is steeped in fantasy, featuring warriors with supernatural abilities, but its underlying conflict is based on the political tension that followed Tokugawa Ieyasu’s rise to power. The story's setting reflects the isolationist and militaristic tone of early Edo Japan.

While not a strictly historical anime, Basilisk introduces viewers to ninja lore, Tokugawa-era power dynamics, and the often bloody consolidation of the shogunate. It also portrays how deeply loyalty, honour, and political manipulation permeated feudal society.

3. House of Five Leaves (Edo period, 18th Century)

Taking place during the mid-Edo period (approximately the 18th century), House of Five Leaves is a subtle, atmospheric series set in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). It follows Masanosuke, a timid but skilled ronin (masterless samurai) who becomes involved with a mysterious group of kidnappers known as the Five Leaves.

The anime is less action-oriented and more character-driven, exploring moral ambiguity and psychological depth. Its setting is characterised by relative peace under Tokugawa rule, with an emphasis on urban life, personal relationships, and social structures.

Through its nuanced storytelling, this anime offers a glimpse into the quiet struggles of samurai in peacetime, the emergence of underground networks, and the class tensions that simmered beneath Edo’s seemingly tranquil surface.

4. Rurouni Kenshin (Meiji period, 1870s)

Set in the early Meiji era (around the 1870s), Rurouni Kenshin takes place during Japan’s rapid modernisation following the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate. The protagonist, Himura Kenshin, is a former assassin who has vowed never to kill again and now wanders the country helping those in need. The anime combines sword-fighting action with themes of redemption, identity, and cultural change. As Japan transitions from feudalism to modernity, Kenshin’s internal conflict mirrors the national one—between tradition and progress, violence and peace.

This anime offers rich insights into Meiji Restoration politics, the decline of the samurai class, Western influence on Japanese society, and the lingering trauma of civil war. It paints a compelling picture of a country—and a man—at a historical crossroads.

Good to know: If this setting floats your historic boat, you should know that there are several live-action films to enjoy alongside the anime!

5. Golden Kamuy (Post Russo-Japanese War, 20th Century)

Set during the early 20th century, shortly after the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), Golden Kamuy takes place in the snowy wilderness of Hokkaido. It follows Saichi Sugimoto, a war veteran searching for a hidden treasure of Ainu gold with the help of Asirpa, an Ainu girl.

This anime is a thrilling adventure with elements of survival, military history, and indigenous culture. One of its most unique aspects is its deep focus on the Ainu people, Japan's indigenous population, whose traditions, language, and food are respectfully represented.

Golden Kamuy offers an educational journey through Meiji-era expansion, post-war trauma, and cultural marginalisation, making it a rare and valuable portrayal of lesser-known aspects of Japanese history.

6. Ojiisan no Lamp (20th Century)

Ojiisan no Lamp (Grandpa’s Lamp) is set during Japan’s industrial modernisation period in the early 20th century, believed to be set between the Taisho and early Showa eras. It tells the story of Akira—no, not the one with the futuristic motorbike!—a young boy who becomes a traveling lamp salesman and eventually finds himself swept up in Japan’s technological and economic transformation.

Told through the reflections of the elderly protagonist, the story touches on the transition from oil lamps to electric lighting, symbolising the broader theme of progress and obsolescence.

The anime provides a poignant look at how industrialisation changed everyday life in Japan—altering jobs, relationships, and society at large. It’s a gentle, emotional lesson in modernisation, viewed through a deeply personal, slice-of-life lens.

7. The Wind Rises (World War II, Taisho period)

The Wind Rises spans from the Taisho era through World War II, chronicling the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the real-life engineer who designed the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane. The story blends historical events with dream-like sequences, reflecting Jiro's passion for aviation and the tragic cost of his genius.

While not a war story per se, the anime explores Japan’s interwar period, showing the country’s technological ambition, the influence of Western ideas, and the looming specter of militarisation. It’s a deeply human tale about the moral complexities faced by creators in wartime.

Viewers gain insight into pre-war innovation, the intellectual climate of the 1920s–30s, and the tension between artistic dreams and national duty. The Wind Rises is as much about love and creativity as it is about the sobering realities of Japan’s imperial past.

As the first of two Studio Ghibli films in this list, you know you’re in for a treat of beautiful, hand-drawn animations, memorable music, and likeably feisty characters.

8. Grave of the Fireflies (World War II)

Set during the final months of World War II, Grave of the Fireflies tells the heartrending story of Seita and Setsuko, two siblings struggling to survive in the firebombed ruins of Kobe (close to Osaka). With their parents gone and society in collapse, they face starvation and isolation.

This Studio Ghibli masterpiece is an unflinching depiction of wartime civilian life, portraying the devastating consequences of Japan’s defeat on ordinary people—especially children. It avoids political commentary, focusing instead on the emotional toll of war.

Viewers gain a powerful understanding of the suffering endured by Japanese civilians during WWII, particularly during the US air raids. It serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war, and a profound anti-war statement.

Again, you will cry.

9. In This Corner of the World (1930s to mid-1940s)

Set in Hiroshima and Kure during the late 1930s to mid-1940s, In This Corner of the World follows Suzu, a young woman who marries into a family in Kure and experiences the escalation of WWII firsthand. Unlike more overtly tragic war stories, it paints a slow, domestic picture of how war gradually intrudes on daily life.

With delicate art and a quiet tone, the anime shows the resilience of ordinary people, their routines, hardships, and moments of joy amid escalating destruction. The eventual atomic bombing of Hiroshima is portrayed with quiet, devastating impact.

This film provides nuanced insight into Japanese homefront life, wartime rationing, and social dynamics during WWII. It’s both intimate and historically rich, making it one of the most accessible and emotionally complex depictions of Japan’s wartime era.

10. Rainbow (Post-war Japan, 1955)

Rainbow is set in post-war Japan in 1955, a time of recovery and change. It follows seven teenagers sent to the Shonan Special Reform School for various crimes, most of them petty or unjust. Under brutal conditions, they form strong bonds and try to find hope and purpose beyond their incarceration.

The anime explores the dark side of Japan’s recovery, from systemic abuse to the struggles of reintegration into a rigid society. As the boys face discrimination, corruption, and despair, their resilience and friendship form the emotional core of the story.

Rainbow offers a window into post-occupation Japan, where prosperity was uneven, and the scars of war lingered. It reveals the challenges faced by youth in a society grappling with change, guilt, and the rebuilding of its identity.

5 things you should know about ancient Japan

If you want a few interesting facts about Japanese history to impress friends at your next anime watch party, we’ve got just the thing:

Learn about Japanese history by watching anime

Ready for your historic rise into Japanese fluency? You just need two things:

Here’s how easy it is to start learning Japanese with anime.

Choose whichever Japanese history-related anime is calling you. As an example, let’s say you’re watching The Wind Rises.

If you watch it on Netflix via Migaku, the subtitles will become interactive. Come across a word you’re not sure of? That’s likely to happen when you’re watching a film based on technology! Well, just tap the word and watch your understanding take flight!

You can see a definition of the word you've clicked on, an AI breakdown of how it fits into this particular sentence, a translation of the dialogue to a language of your choosing... and more.

Now let’s say that you keep seeing 基礎 and you don’t yet have the foundation of Japanese vocabulary to know that this means (see what we did there?)—tap that orange button you see in the top-right corner of the pop-up dictionary to automatically create a flashcard that looks like this:

The card contains:

Pull up the landing gear, because your Japanese vocabulary growth is about to soar.

Feel like curling in the cockpit with a book instead? Try learning Japanese through manga!

And the rest is… Japanese history!

You know the drill by now:

By watching Japanese media related to a topic you’re interested in, you’re going to pick up the language and make progress. That same concept also works for culture and history, so if you’re here to learn about Japanese history by watching anime and having fun, you’re in the right place.

From samurai to soldiers and Edo-period courtesans to modern otaku, there’s a story waiting to be uncovered in all Japanese anime, films, and beyond…