Anime like Otogizoushi

Seirei no Moribito

Also known as Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit.

Studio: Production I.G , Media Blasters
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

Balsa’s prowess in battle is legendary, but the weight of death bears heavily on the spear-wielding mercenary’s soul. To atone, she has sworn to save 8 lives, no matter what the cost, and now only one life remains. Prince Chagum has been blessed with the power to stave off the droughts that threaten to starve and destroy his father’s empire, but he has been accused of being possessed by evil spirits, and court officials have set his own father against him. Condemned to death, he is saved by Balsa’s intervention and now, together, the two must unravel the secret of Chagum’s powers and the spirit behind them… before the armies sent to murder them can succeed!



Tags: Spearplay , Fugitive , Mythology , Female Protagonist , Historical , Found Family , Primarily Adult Cast , Swordplay , Politics , Magic , CGI , Coming of Age , Rural , Cosmic Horror , Tomboy

Nobunaga Concerto

Also known as Nobunaga Concerto.

Studio: Fuji TV
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Romance

The story centers around Saburou, a high school boy who time-travels to Japan's Sengoku Era. He must become Nobunaga Oda, the famed warlord who helps unite Japan.



Tags: Historical , War , Time Manipulation , Full CGI , Male Protagonist , Anachronism , Parody , Shounen , Tanned Skin

Hidamari no Ki

Studio: MADHOUSE , VAP
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

A story set in the mid-1800's about a young doctor who has been trained in Western-style medicine and a young samurai who is trying to live up to the old traditions of his class and culture. The story is actually based upon real people - the doctor, Ryo-an, was Tezuka's great grandfather.

During the Second Year of Ansei (1855) in Edo's Koishigawa are two young men, Manjiro Ibutani and Ryoan Tezuka. Ibutani is a low-ranking samurai who is a gifted swordsman and has a straightforward and strong sense of justice. Tezuka has a more carefree attitude. He has an eye for the ladies, but he is passionate about becoming a doctor. The two opposite characters come of age during the backdrop of the turbulent end of the Tokugawa Period (1600-1868 CE).



Tags: Medicine , Historical , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Conspiracy , Pandemic , Seinen , Samurai , Coming of Age , Swordplay , Work , Time Skip , Biographical , Nudity

Mononoke

Also known as Mononoke.

Studio: Toei Animation , Asmik Ace , Sony Music Entertainment , Dentsu , SKY Perfect Well Think , Fuji TV , Discotek
Status: Finished
Genres: Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

Mononoke is a spin-off of the Bakeneko story arc of Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror. It follows the Medicine Seller as he deals with various spirits or "Mononoke" in feudal Japan. Just like in the Bakeneko story, he combats with a series of tools and his vast knowledge of the supernatural on his side, but can only slay the Mononoke when he uncovers its form (Katachi), the truth behind its appearance (Makoto) and the reason for its unusual behavior (Kotowari).



Tags: Youkai , Demons , Ghost , Historical , Anthology , Detective , Philosophy , Body Horror , Gore , Exorcism , Male Protagonist , Episodic , Cosmic Horror , Primarily Adult Cast , Cult , Travel , Incest , Trains , Time Skip , Mixed Media , LGBTQ+ Themes

Souten Kouro

Also known as Beyond the Heavens.

Studio: MADHOUSE , VAP
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure

Souten Kouro's story is based loosely on the events taking place in Three Kingdoms period of China during the life of the last Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao (155 – March 15, 220), who also serves as the main character.

The Three Kingdoms period has been a popular theme in Japanese manga for decades, but Souten Kouro differs greatly from most of the others on several points. One significant difference is its highly positive portrayal of its main character, Cao Cao, who is traditionally the antagonist in not only Japanese manga, but also most novel versions of the Three Kingdoms period, including the original 14th century version, Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. Another significant difference from others is that the storyline primarily uses the original historical account of the era, Records of Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, as a reference rather than the aforementioned Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel. By this, the traditional hero of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei, takes on relatively less importance within the story and is portrayed in a less positive light. Yet, several aspects of the story are in fact based on the novel version, including the employment of its original characters such as Diao Chan, as well as anachronistic weapons such as Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade and Zhang Fei's Viper Blade.

A consistent theme throughout the story is Cao Cao's perpetual desire to break China and its people away from its old systems and ways of thinking and initiate a focus on pragmatism over empty ideals. This often puts him at odds with the prevalent customs and notions of Confucianism and those that support them.



Tags: Historical , Military , Seinen , War , Swordplay , Coming of Age , CGI , Anti-Hero

Kingdom

Also known as Kingdom.

Studio: Studio Pierrot , Funimation , NHK , Sogo Vision
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama

When low-born servant boys Piao and Xin set out to become the world’s greatest war generals, they quickly find themselves caught up in a violent struggle between two noblemen plotting to overthrow the King. After Piao is killed protecting the rightful ruler of the kingdom of Qin, Xin sets out on a campaign for revenge that leads him straight into the fire of war.

Now, with a target on his back and an army of enemies standing in his way, it will be up to a boy with no name and a young king without a throne to return order to their war-torn country in this historical action-drama based on the Tezuka Award-winning manga, Kingdom.



Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of 50 minutes as opposed to the standard 25 minute runtime.

Tags: War , Military , CGI , Historical , Foreign , Primarily Male Cast , Politics , Swordplay , Ancient China , Coming of Age , Royal Affairs , Male Protagonist , Seinen

Kingdom 2nd Season

Also known as Kingdom Season 2.

Studio: Studio Pierrot , NHK , Sogo Vision
Status: Finished
Genres: Action

The second season of Kingdom.

A year after the devastating battle against the formidable Zhao, the State of Qin has returned its focus to pursuing King Ying Zheng's ambition of conquering the other six states and unifying China. Their next target is Wei, a smaller state which stands as a geographic stepping stone for the sake of conquest.

Xin, now a three hundred man commander of the swiftly rising Fei Xin Unit, continues to seek out lofty achievements in order to garner recognition for himself and his soldiers, motivated by those previously lost in battle. In the preliminary battles ahead of Qin's invasion of Wei, Xin finds competition in other young commanders who are of a higher social status than him. Back in Qin, the royal palace faces turmoil as opposing factions begin to make their move against Ying Zheng's regime.

With their hands full both abroad and at home, Zheng and Xin must lead the way in this era of unending war, resolved to etch their names in history by creating a unified China.



Tags: Foreign , War , Military , Politics , Historical , Swordplay , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Seinen , Primarily Adult Cast , Coming of Age , Royal Affairs , Ancient China , Ensemble Cast , CGI

Heike Monogatari

Also known as The Heike Story.

Studio: Science SARU , Asmik Ace , Dentsu , Fuji TV , bilibili , Pony Canyon , BS Fuji
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Supernatural

A young orphan named Biwa is taken in by the powerful Taira Clan—also known as the Heike—after their leader witnesses her extraordinary psychic abilities. Unfortunately, what she predicts is a future of bloodshed, violence, and civil war. Inspired by the 12th-century epic tale Heike Monogatari.



Tags: Politics , Classic Literature , Tragedy , War , Historical , Philosophy , Military , Religion , Suicide , Ghost , Female Protagonist , Orphan , Conspiracy , Archery , Samurai , Time Skip , Tomboy , Adoption , Ships , Transgender

Juuni Kokuki

Also known as The Twelve Kingdoms.

Studio: Studio Pierrot , Sogo Vision , Discotek
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy , Supernatural

Nakajima Youko is your average somewhat timid high school student. One day, a strange man named Keiki appears before her, swearing allegiance. Before she could properly register what was happening, demon-like creatures attack Youko and her friends, after which they are pulled into a different world. A world unlike what she has ever known. Separated from Keiki, Youko and her friends must do whatever they can if they wish to survive in this new world.

Tags: Isekai , Female Protagonist , Coming of Age , Politics , Language Barrier , War , Tragedy , Kingdom Management , Conspiracy , Youkai , Swordplay , Bullying , Anthropomorphism , Shapeshifting , Magic , Shrine Maiden , Royal Affairs , Military , Alternate Universe , Tanned Skin , Chimera , Travel

Arslan Senki (TV)

Also known as The Heroic Legend of Arslan.

Studio: LIDENFILMS , SANZIGEN , Magic Capsule , NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

The manga’s story: In the prosperous kingdom of Pars lies the Royal Capital of Ecbatana, a city of splendor and wonder, ruled by the undefeated and fearsome King Andragoras. Arslan is the young and curious prince of Pars who, despite his best efforts, doesn't seem to have what it takes to be a proper king like his father.

At the age of 14, Arslan goes to his first battle and loses everything as the blood-soaked mist of war gives way to scorching flames, bringing him to face the demise of his once glorious kingdom. However, it is Arslan's destiny to be a ruler, and despite the trials that face him, he must now embark on a journey to reclaim his fallen kingdom.



Tags: Military , War , Politics , Royal Affairs , Swordplay , Historical , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Slavery , Foreign , Tomboy , Ensemble Cast , Spearplay , Orphan , Found Family , Primarily Male Cast , Desert , Crossdressing , Primarily Adult Cast , Magic