Top Indigenous Cultures Anime Recommendations

Fumetsu no Anata e

Also known as To Your Eternity.

Studio: Brain's Base
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Psychological , Supernatural

In the beginning, an "orb" is cast unto Earth. "It" can do two things: change into the form of the thing that stimulates "it"; and come back to life after death. "It" morphs from orb to rock, then to wolf, and finally to boy, but roams about like a newborn who knows nothing. As a boy, "it" becomes Fushi.

Through encounters with human kindness, Fushi not only gains survival skills but grows as a "person". But his journey is darkened by the inexplicable and destructive enemy Nokker and cruel partings with the people he loves.



Tags: Shapeshifting , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Philosophy , Rural , Travel , Survival , Ensemble Cast , Body Horror , Agender , Foreign , Gore , Shounen , Animals , Time Skip , Afterlife , Prison , Language Barrier , Historical , Primarily Female Cast , Memory Manipulation , CGI , Snowscape , Orphan , Zombie , Adoption , Demons , Battle Royale , Yandere , Medieval , Indigenous Cultures

Mononoke-hime

Also known as Princess Mononoke.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

A calm village residing in the mountains comes under attack from a demon-possessed boar one day.

Ashitaka, a young man and prince of the tribe, engages the creature in an attempt to save his village. During the battle, the boar bites him on the arm, leaving it blackened and cursed. Following his village's traditions, Ashitaka is exiled and becomes a wanderer, looking for a solution to the curse before it engulfs him.

Iron Town is a fortress under the leadership of Lady Eboshi. Through the clearing of the surrounding forests, Iron Town produces large amounts of Ironsand, used for gunpowder and other machinery. However, because of the forests destruction, nearby animal clans seek revenge led by a human girl of the Wolf clan called San.

When Ashitaka comes to Iron Town, he discovers the area consumed in battle. Horrified, he attempts to create peace and befriend the Wolf Clan. However, after the forest's eradication and the ongoing war between Human and Beast, will the Spirit of the Forest be forgiving and accept Ashitaka's request to expel his curse?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tags: Environmental , Animals , Mythology , Philosophy , Eco-Horror , War , Gods , Wilderness , Demons , Rural , Youkai , Revenge , Female Protagonist , Curses , Historical , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Guns , Disability , Travel , Urban Fantasy , Samurai , Archery , Tomboy , Outdoor Activities , Body Horror , Gore , Slavery , Swordplay , Kaiju , Indigenous Cultures

Samurai Champloo

Also known as Samurai Champloo.

Studio: Manglobe
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy

Let's break it down. Mugen's a reckless sword-slinger with a style that's more b-boy than Shaolin. He's got a nasty streak that makes people want to stick a knife in his throat. Then there's Jin, a deadbeat ronin who speaks softly but carries a big blade. He runs game old-school style, but he can make your blood spray with the quickness. When these roughnecks bring the ruckus, it ain't good for anybody, especially them. Enter Fuu, the ditzy waitress who springs her new friends from a deadly jam. All she wants in return is help solving a riddle from her past. She and the boys are tracking the scent, but there's 99 ways to die between them and the sunflower samurai.



Tags: Travel , Swordplay , Samurai , Rural , Historical , Orphan , Martial Arts , Anachronism , Episodic , Assassins , Primarily Adult Cast , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Anti-Hero , Prostitution , Kuudere , Tanned Skin , Politics , Drugs , Yakuza , Ninja , Religion , Heterosexual , Crossdressing , Nudity , Language Barrier , Zombie , Noir , Baseball , LGBTQ+ Themes , Indigenous Cultures

Golden Kamuy

Also known as Golden Kamuy.

Studio: Geno Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy

In the early twentieth century, Russo-Japanese War veteran Saichi “Immortal” Sugimoto scratches out a meager existence during the postwar gold rush in the wilderness of Hokkaido. When he stumbles across a map to a fortune in hidden Ainu gold, he sets off on a treacherous quest to find it. But Sugimoto is not the only interested party, and everyone who knows about the gold will kill to possess it! Faced with the harsh conditions of the northern wilderness, ruthless criminals and rogue Japanese soldiers, Sugimoto will need all his skills and luck—and the help of an Ainu girl named Asirpa—to survive.



Tags: Historical , Outdoor Activities , Seinen , Survival , Ensemble Cast , Military , Snowscape , Primarily Adult Cast , Guns , Food , War , Primarily Male Cast , Gore , Educational , Anti-Hero , Assassins , Male Protagonist , Gender Bending , Crime , Body Horror , LGBTQ+ Themes , Episodic , CGI , Archery , Torture , Twins , Transgender , Medicine , Oiran , Cute Boys Doing Cute Things , Indigenous Cultures

Fumetsu no Anata e Season 2

Also known as To Your Eternity Season 2.

Studio: Drive
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Psychological , Supernatural

After seeing enough death and tragedy, the immortal Fushi secludes himself on an island, defending himself from enemy Nokkers. However, instead of attacking Fushi in isolation, Nokkers begin targeting the settlements outside of his reach in hopes of luring him out. Soon, a group known as the Guardians—led by Hisame, the descendant of the deceased warrior Hayase—finds Fushi.

Inspired by how Fushi protected Janada Island from the Nokkers years ago, the Guardians have grown a considerable following and are recognized throughout the world. Initially reluctant, Fushi allows the Guardians to accompany him to the site of the Nokkers' recent attack. In their village, Fushi meets a few valuable allies, both new and old. But as the conflict with the Nokkers only leads to more loss, Fushi must find the inner strength to face his inevitable sorrow.



Tags: Shapeshifting , War , Tragedy , Time Skip , Found Family , Ensemble Cast , Philosophy , Cult , Ghost , Religion , Body Horror , Gore , Shounen , Animals , Historical , Suicide , Yandere , Zombie , Crossdressing , Agender , Gender Bending , Indigenous Cultures , Boys' Love

SHAMAN KING (2021)

Also known as SHAMAN KING (2021).

Studio: Bridge
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Supernatural

On a starry night, middle-schooler Manta meets Yoh Asakura, a young shaman who has the ability to talk to spirits, and also has the ability to let them possess him to use their powers. Yoh has a heavy duty on his shoulders: he must become the Shaman King by winning the Shaman Fight, a tournament between shamans that happens only once every 500 years. Joined by his spirit medium fiancée Anna Kyouyama, his personal samurai spirit Amidamaru, and his other friends, Yoh must also face a larger evil: Hao, a powerful man who aims to create a new world with only shamans by becoming the Shaman King himself.



Tags: Ghost , Super Power , Shounen , Mythology , Urban Fantasy , Primarily Teen Cast , Reincarnation , Male Protagonist , Slapstick , Twins , Spearplay , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Religion , Revenge , Samurai , Kuudere , Necromancy , Demons , Afterlife , Youkai , Survival , Gods , Angels , Chibi , Indigenous Cultures

Golden Kamuy 2nd Season

Also known as Golden Kamuy Season 2.

Studio: Geno Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy

The high-stakes search for gold continues in the harsh wilderness of Hokkaido! More and more people seek the treasure map, and the race to find its living pieces is brutal as all get-out. War veteran Sugimoto and his guide to the wilds, Asirpa, are hot on the trail, and as long as they stick together through thick and thin—chitatap and miso—they’ve got a shot at finding that gold.

Tags: Historical , Seinen , Military , Primarily Adult Cast , Survival , Anti-Hero , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Crime , Guns , Food , LGBTQ+ Themes , Educational , Language Barrier , Gore , Fugitive , Animals , Male Protagonist , Nudity , Archery , Gender Bending , Transgender , Body Horror , Prison , Indigenous Cultures

Shaman King

Also known as Shaman King.

Studio: Xebec
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Supernatural

Shamans possess mysterious powers that allow them to commune with gods, spirits, and even the dead…and Manta Oyamada's about to learn all about them, because his class just welcomed a new transfer student: Yoh Asakura, a boy from way off in Izumo…and a shaman in training!



Tags: Shounen , Ghost , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Mythology , Primarily Child Cast , Twins , Reincarnation , Environmental , Primarily Male Cast , Kuudere , Swordplay , Travel , Indigenous Cultures

Wolf's Rain

Also known as Wolf's Rain.

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery , Sci-Fi

In some distant future, it's common knowledge that all wolves have been extinct for 200 years. However, it seems this is false as wolves have not disappeared but rather have taken human form. Kiba, a lone wolf, wanders into a city, trying to sniff out the Lunar Flowers that are supposed to lead whoever follows the scent to paradise. The source of the smell is Cheza, a girl who sleeps in what appears to be suspended animation in a lab. She and the wolves are drawn to each other, and Kiba hopes to find paradise once he finds the source of the scent of Lunar Flowers. However, once Kiba finds Cheza, she is kidnapped by a mysterious person called Darcia, and his search begins anew. Before he leaves the city, he meets 3 other wolves, Tsume, Hige and Toboe. All four wolves have very different personalities and ideas, and their friendliness towards each other is a little rough around the edges. However, they soon band together to continue to search for paradise.



Tags: Survival , Primarily Male Cast , Dystopian , Animals , Werewolf , Tragedy , Memory Manipulation , Tanned Skin , Snowscape , Found Family , Post-Apocalyptic , Primarily Adult Cast , Boys' Love , Indigenous Cultures

Golden Kamuy 3rd Season

Also known as Golden Kamuy Season 3.

Studio: Geno Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy

Separated from Sugimoto, Asirpa now travels toward the Russian border, focused on discovering more about her and her father’s involvement with the coded tattoos. But Sugimoto is determined to find and protect Asirpa! Along the way, he’ll discover new people, new cultures rich with history, and an unforgiving terrain. Will Sugimoto and Asirpa survive their journeys and reunite?



Tags: Historical , Seinen , Primarily Adult Cast , Ensemble Cast , Outdoor Activities , Foreign , Educational , Guns , Military , Primarily Male Cast , Male Protagonist , Revenge , Food , Language Barrier , Anti-Hero , Politics , Animals , Survival , Gore , Crime , Archery , Prison , Swordplay , Samurai , Gender Bending , Circus , Travel , Indigenous Cultures

Golden Kamuy 4th Season

Also known as Golden Kamuy Season 4.

Studio: Brain's Base
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy

The fourth season of Golden Kamuy.

The race to obtain the lost Ainu gold is nearing its peak, as even more formidable ex-prisoners are set on keeping their tattooed skins intact. Saichi "The Immortal" Sugimoto and Asirpa can finally move forward together, but Asirpa's time with Kiroranke and Ogata Hyakunosuke has slightly altered her ambition and strengthened her determination. As their party leaves the Russian territory, they gain a peculiar follower.

Meanwhile, Toshizou Hijikata's crew makes major moves to get invaluable skins, falling into the poisonous trap of a dangerous convict. Although each group possesses a strong advantage over the others, even First Lieutenant Tokushirou Tsurumi—the most powerful and ruthless contender—cannot advance without Asirpa's help. However, his ominous plans for when they will inevitably meet remain a mystery.



Note: On November 7, 2022, it was announced that the seventh episode of the season and beyond would be postponed due to the passing of a main staff member. The season restarted broadcasting from the first episode on April 3, 2023, with the seventh episode released on May 15.

Tags: Military , Gore , Historical , Guns , Survival , Seinen , Primarily Adult Cast , Educational , Outdoor Activities , Travel , Animals , Revenge , Rural , Ensemble Cast , Food , Tanned Skin , Nudity , Swordplay , Detective , Language Barrier , Environmental , Fishing , Archery , Acting , Foreign , Oiran , Indigenous Cultures

Okinawa de Suki ni Natta Ko ga Hougen Sugite Tsura Sugiru

Also known as OKITSURA: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She's Saying.

Studio: Millepensee
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Romance

When Teruaki Nakamura transfers to laid-back Okinawa, he falls for the lively Kyan-san—but her dialect is a complete mystery to him. With Higa-san translating, Teru’s misunderstanding-filled island life takes off...and subtle hints suggest Higa-san might want his heart too. On this serene island, love flows as freely as the ocean breeze!



Tags: Male Protagonist , Seinen , Language Barrier , Episodic , Heterosexual , Love Triangle , Tanned Skin , Educational , Coastal , Iyashikei , School , Slapstick , Gyaru , Primarily Teen Cast , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Chibi , Food , Baseball , Indigenous Cultures

Golden Kamuy OVA

Also known as Golden Kamuy OVA.

Studio: Geno Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure

Bundled with the 15th volume of the Golden Kamuy manga.

"Barato no Ugou" (Showdown in Barato) depicts the battle in Barato. Hijikata and Nagakura sides with the Hidoro clan and get information about the tattoed convicts in the city. On the other hand, Ogata joins Kusuda Umakichi and threatens the police chief to join his cause.



Tags: Guns , Primarily Adult Cast , Historical , Seinen , Primarily Male Cast , Ensemble Cast , Urban , Anti-Hero , Yakuza , Swordplay , Indigenous Cultures

Golden Kamuy 2nd Season OVA

Studio: Geno Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy

OVAs bundled with the 17th, 19th, and 23rd tankoubon volumes of the Golden Kamuy manga.

Tags: Historical , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Gore , Seinen , Guns , Animals , Primarily Adult Cast , Rural , Archery , Fugitive , Survival , Zoophilia , Anti-Hero , Crime , Military , Prison , LGBTQ+ Themes , Indigenous Cultures

Taiyou no Ko Esteban

Also known as The Mysterious Cities of Gold.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Sci-Fi

1532. Esteban (12) is a foundling from Barcelona, with a mysterious power of ordering the Sun to appear, for which he is called "Child of the Sun". Upon the death of his adoptive father, Esteban learns he was rescued as a baby from a sinking ship in the ocean. The mysterious medallion that Esteban wears since ever has a trace somewhere in the New World, probably coming from the Mysterious Cities of Gold. Esteban leaves Spain to find his parents and find out who he is. On the way he meets Zia, an Inca girl who was kidnapped from her people years back and has exactly the same medallion as him. Later on they are joined by Tao, a young Galapagos robinson, the last descendant of the Empire of Heva, an Empire said to have built the Cities of Gold. Following Coyolite, the shining star represented on their medallions, the three children travel through the unexplored New World, searching for the Cities of Gold, believing that this way is leading them to their lost parents.



Tags: Foreign , Historical , Outdoor Activities , Lost Civilization , Anachronism , Ships , Mythology , Male Protagonist , Primarily Child Cast , Tragedy , Educational , Aviation , Indigenous Cultures

Kamui no Ken

Also known as The Dagger of Kamui.

Studio: MADHOUSE , Project Team Argos
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

A young boy named Jiro finds his mother and sister murdered in his home. Falsely accused of the crime, he flees from his village and meets a priest named Tenkai, who has him kill a rogue ninja named Tarouza. After fulfilling that task, Jiro undergoes training to become a master assassin. Many years later, Jiro finds out that he was an orphan and his real father was Tarouza, who had worked for Tenkai until he aborted his mission when he fell in love with an Ainu woman. The young ninja discovers that the Shogunate was to retrieve the lost treasure of Captain Kidd and use it to once again isolate Japan from the rest of the world. Using the clues that Tarouza had kept secret, Jiro - along with the female ninja Oyuki and a slave named Sam - travels to Russia and America to search for the treasure in hopes of using it to extract revenge from Tenkai.



Tags: Historical , War , Ninja , Revenge , Guns , Ships , Slavery , Animals , Drugs , Swordplay , Foreign , Indigenous Cultures

Golden Kamuy: Golden Douga Gekijou

Studio: Geno Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Slice of Life

These shorts revolve around Golden Kamuy's characters in a comedic light, with some shorts being direct adaptations of omake sections of the manga. Streamed on the official website and YouTube.

Tags: Primarily Adult Cast , Slapstick , Seinen , Indigenous Cultures

Jikuu Tenshou Nazca

Also known as Dimension Movement of Nazca.

Studio: Genco , Radix
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

Miura Kyoji, a dedicated kendo student, discovers that his shisho (master) Tate Masanari is a reincarnated Incan warrior named Yawaru who wishes to destroy the world to purify it. Kyoji himself is the warrior Bilka, who foiled Yawaru's plans in their previous lives. Yawaru gathers other awakened spirits to release the powers of nature. Now Koyji must wrestle with his own fate and decide if he is merely a vessel for the reincarnated soul or if he is truly Miura Kyoji and which will be better able to save the world and the future as he knows it.



Tags: Magic , Swordplay , Mythology , Foreign , Urban Fantasy , Indigenous Cultures

Seton Doubutsuki: Kuma no Ko Jacky

Also known as Monarch: The Big Bear of Tallac.

Studio: Nippon Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Drama

One day a native American boy named Lan meets two little bears at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, where he lives with his father.
Lan names the brother bear ‘Jacky’ and the sister bear ‘Jill’. As Lan plays with the two bears, they become good friends. However their happiness doesn’t last for long. Lan’s father accidentally shoots the two little bears’ mother to death. Feeling sorry for them, Lan decides to take Jackie and Jill back home to live with him.

(from AniDB)

Tags: Historical , Kids , Animals , Rural , Classic Literature , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Indigenous Cultures

Nakoruru: Ano Hito kara no Okurimono

Studio: Arms
Status: Cancelled
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

Nakoruru, finally returned to her home Kamuikotan after a long, fierce battle, receives a warm welcome from dear friends and the village children. Her spirit is uplifted by her reunion with companions Manari and Yantamuu. But as the trauma of battle falls away, Rela appears and challenges Nakoruru and the shadow of misfortune creeps closer... Nakoruru is a popular Ainu girl from SNK's Samurai Spirits fighting game (PC and Dreamcast), now she has her very own OVA series.



Tags: Shrine Maiden , Swordplay , Historical , Indigenous Cultures