10 Best Anime Series Set In Feudal Japan

Through these anime, we see Feudal Japan in a whole new light and blended with adventure, drama, and humor, they're nothing short of phenomenal.

Feudal Japan, or the Edo Period, was an intricate and volatile one for the country. On one side there was political conflict and civil wars, and on the other, social hierarchies were shifting, and traditional arts were flourishing. Journeying back to such an important and enigmatic era calls for some real wonder and mysticism. And stories to tell. After all, we’re talking about a land that was shaped by an unending war and stern warrior codes.

For the imaginative souls, what do you think exists outside the books? Well, feudal Japan has posed such an inspiration that its significance extends toward modern storytelling, especially anime. Anime is known for transporting its audience across time and space. Whether depicting fantastic samurai tales or exploits of legendary heroes, the anime series on this list are vibrant with culture and history. Moreover, their characters face struggles that are unconventional yet familiar. Through these series, we see feudal Japan in a whole new light, and blended with adventure, drama, and humor, they're nothing short of phenomenal.

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10. Katanagatari

Few fantasies manage to capture the intrigue and reality of feudal Japan like this epic series centered around different sword-fighting practices by the brightest and the strongest. Shichika Yasuri is a martial artist who uses the most unique style in his fights – Kyotouryuu, where the person uses their own body as a sword. His content life with his sister is interrupted when Togame enters with a mission to help her retrieve the 12 Deviant Blades for the shogunate.

Together, they embark on a quest and face power-hungry fighters and seasoned welders, all of whom have the same goal. Katanagatari is filled with sweeping animation and over-the-top fights but its representation of an era shaped by blades and politics is quite realistic.

9. Samurai Champloo

Blending historical adventure, samurai action, and a truckload of comedy is this popular anime Samurai Champloo. It follows two opposite samurai – the cold-blooded Jin whose fighting style is very traditional, and hip hop aficionado Mugen, who infuses break-dancing into his sword-wielding routine – forced to fight for a similar cause when Fuu Kasumi, a waitress who not only rescues them from a death-like situation but in return, also requests them to be her bodyguards because of the many samurai harassing her at her small teahouse.

Mugen and Jin’s mismatched duo stumbles upon several adventures with Fuu, ultimately sparking laughter and blade clashes through Edo’s alleys. Paired with a neat hip-hop soundtrack and completing character art, Samurai Champloo shows warriors’ codes emerging to find meaning and friendship amidst history.

8. InuYasha

InuYasha begins in modern times but transports you to the Sengoku period in Japan when there were civil wars and conflicts in the military. On her 15th birthday, Kagome Higurashi is mysteriously pulled by a demon and sent to feudal Japan where she is constantly hunted by evil creatures seeking a powerful artifact owned by her – the Shikon Jewel.

Fate leads Kagome to a half-demon named Inuyasha who immediately despises her because she looks like someone he once knew. But after putting their differences aside, Kagome and Inuyasha work together to not only fight those who attack them but find the broken shards of this jewel as well. The series proves that history matters no matter what. There may be borders and battles, but adventure always ends up lending wisdom and courage.

7. Time Of Shura

Feudal anime need not feature historical stories and extreme bravado in order to captivate the audience. Time Of Shura isn’t wholesome, but it isn’t dark either. It follows a renowned but fictional clan of martial artists living in a land where hope still glimmered. This family practices the legendary technique of martial art known as Mutsu Enmei-Ryu. Apparently, you’re supposed to be unarmed in battle and only use your speed and strength to defeat any opponent and be invincible.

Following three generations of fighters, the series indulges in several immersive battle scenes and showcases the unique bond between souls fighting to forge purpose through their actions. Time Of Shura, or Shura no Toki, is quite enjoyable if you’re a fan of martial arts.

6. Hakuouki

The year is 1864, and bloodshed and betrayals form the backdrop of Japan. Chizuru Yukimura is a young woman who hasn’t heard from her father Koudou, a doctor, in months. Worried about his safety, she wears the get-up of a man and reaches Kyoto to look for him when she finds herself amidst a gruesome attack on a ronin by crazed white-haired men.

Soon, Chizuru is taken captive by members of Shinsengumi, who let her stay alive after they hear who her father is. Stuck in the middle of a long-standing fight between Shinsengumi and one legend, Chizuru has no choice but to acquaint herself with the politics of the era. With atmospheric scenes and thoughtful action, Hakuouki spins anime gold from its source material, which is a Japanese otome video game series.

5. Afro Samurai

Based on a seinen dōjinshi manga series illustrated by manga artist Takashi Okazaki, Afro Samurai takes its period setting to thrilling and absurd heights. Working best as a revenge anime, the series introduces us to a lawless landscape where the Number One headband is most prized and the one who wears it is the most powerful and revered. Afro was a young boy when he witnessed a man known as Justice beat his father in a duel and shed his Number Two headband to acquire the Number One Headband.

Now older and stronger, Afro seeks vengeance against his father’s killer. Stylized mayhem and outstanding one-liners pay tribute to samurai lore while telling a deeply personal story of healing past wounds. Overall, Afro Samurai is a charismatic and inventive series that can be enjoyed by any genre hopper.

4. House Of Five Leaves

A minimalist yet character-driven story packed with a lot of emotion, Saraiya Goyou, or House Of Five Leaves is a beautiful five-episode anime that you can watch in one day. It centers around Masanosuke "Masa" Akitsu, a skilled and wandering ronin who may be a good fighter but doesn’t like to flex it because of his meek personality. He is often ridiculed and dismissed by his employers, leading him to question his purpose in life.

When he hits rock bottom, Masanosuke is rescued by Yaichi, a kind man draped in pink who insists that Masanosuke be his bodyguard. Turns out Yaichi isn’t as harmless as he seems. He’s a member of a gang known as the Five Leaves. The series illustrates the meaning of dwindling morals and the power of one’s own principles with simplicity and beauty.

3. Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings

For those craving the pure, unhinged samurai chaos of feudal Japan, this anime adapted from the Capcom video game series of the same name is a literal prize. Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings follows the unofficial reign of a powerful dark lord named Nobunaga Oda – the “Demon King of Owari” – in the entire country. Knowing the man is a brutal fighter and a tyrannical leader, several warlords unite and decide to overthrow him.

Their army is led by two daring fighters. One is Masamune Date, also known as the One-eyed Dragon of Oshu, and the other is Yukimura Sanada, who belongs to the Takeda clan. These outlandish heroes may not get along, but they sure bring a shonen spectacle to the screen and capture the idealized spirit of the era.

2. Gintama

Spanning nine seasons and consisting of over 300 episodes, this long-running anime series blends heart and hilarity in its fictional narrative. Set twenty years prior to the time it was released, Gintama made us familiar with Edo Period Japan but soon flipped the tables by introducing an alien invasion. These aliens, known as “Amanto,” haven’t just overthrown the government, but also replaced skyscrapers and trains with their own odd inventions.

Amidst it all, we witness the absurdities of Gintoki Sakata, an eccentric silver-haired man who is known for being considerate to others and often helps them in weird ways. The series builds a thoughtful commentary on humanity while still being humorous, comforting, satirical, and nostalgic all at the same time.

1. Rurouni Kenshin

Inarguably the one historical romance/samurai action anime that sets the bar for melding depth and action into one, Rurouni Kenshin is the story of former assassin Kenshin Himura who seeks atonement with his Reverse Blade style while helping the innocent. Set in the Bakumatsu era, his tale begins when he is known as Hitokiri Battousai, a merciless killer whose mere mention of the name was enough to send shivers down the enemy’s spine. But one day, Battusai gave up on his sword and disappeared, only to return as a harmless swordsman. His past and the foes he made, however, catch up on him.

As Kenshin’s journey unfolds, you will find yourself being emotionally invested. Rurouni Kenshin proved feudal settings can make even familiar tropes feel fresh and end up being regarded as a timeless masterpiece.