The one emotion in this entire universe that is timeless is love. It has moved hearts and shaped destinies across eras and mediums. Through television, history has found a way to live again. And while there is cinema and streaming covering endless stories about passion and joy, there is one particular genre that does it best, and it isanime.
From landscapes to costumes, historical romances come alive in lush strokes of brush and astonishing use of special effects. These movies and series focus on generations and their journey to find meaning in little moments and simple acts of kindness. In anime, history acts as a canvas to paint the journey of love. Their settings may differ vastlyfrom beloved showswhere the modern world is ever-so-vivid, but their feelings resonate just the same. Here’s a list of the 20 best historical romance anime.
20Raeliana Ended up at the Duke’s Mansion (2023)
A recent entry into the vast database of historical romance anime, the seriesRaeliana Ended up at the Duke’s Mansionfollows Park Eunha, who is reincarnated as Raeliana McMillan after she dies. Even though her surroundings resemble the Victorian era, she’s actually in a world from her favorite novel. But when Raeliana sees a glitch in the story, she decides to change it.
Unlike otherreincarnation animewhich aim at giving its protagonist the happily-ever-after they lost, this series charms with its empowering take on the trope. Despite being adored by everyone, Raeliana refuses to be a trophy. By episode three, she’s emerged as a multi-faced female lead using her wits and knowledge to survive. Overall, the nuanced setting, skillful storytelling, and the historical backdrop make the anime a must-watch.
StreamRaeliana Ended up at the Duke’s Mansionon Crunchyroll
19Haikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modern (2017)
Waki Yamato’spopular manga gets a wonderful anime adaptationat the hands of Kazuhiro Furuhashi. The filmHaikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modernis the story of the titular character, a young woman who was raised by her high-ranking army officer father. As a result, she turned out to be a complete tomboy. Shunning grace and etiquette, she dresses in Western clothing and drinks sake.
Being a rebel in the 1920s cannot get any cooler than what’s depicted in this anime, which deftly handles clashing ideals and expectations of a historical era. Haikara-San not only lives independently, but also chooses to marry the man of her liking, instead of conforming to an arranged marriage, which allows her to grow beyond stereotypes. Even though the second movie does not live up to the standards,Haikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modernis sure a delight.
StreamHaikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modernon Pluto TV
18Arte (2020)
Period romances aren’t always confined to Japan. Set against the backdrop of 16th century Florence, the seriesArtetells the story of the titular character, a young woman from a wealthy family with a passion for art, wanting nothing more than to contribute to civilization. But after her father’s death, she’s expected to marry a nobleman. Being the headstrong woman she is, Arte sets out to find a master who would take her as an art disciple.
Related:10 Anime Series Not Set in Japan
Working more as the main heroine’s journey of becoming, Arte tries to advocate for women’s rights and the drive to create art as a genuine desire rather than a whim. Arte’s inclination towards Leo, her artisan master, and her growing love for him teaches modern lessons of courage and beauty. Moreover, the lush scenery of the Renaissance and the cultural resonance really strikes a chord with the viewers.
StreamArteon Hulu
17Ooku: The Inner Chambers (2023)
Inan alternate feudal Japan, where the Redface Pox has killed more men than you could imagine and left them outnumbered by woman, the remaining ones serve the new shogun, Yoshimune “Nobu” Tokugawa, by residing in their inner chambers. With such a divide of power in play, there is bound to be a conflict between the male concubines and the women they serve.
Ooku: The Inner Chambersestablishes itself as an intriguing romance thriller. The series’ world-building and clever writing does all the work. Sure, the premise by itself is quite refreshing, and the episodes use lavish settings to portray a unique historical perspective where women rise above the roles expected of them. But its impact wouldn’t have been felt if it weren’t for Fumi Yoshinaga’s courageous writing, which navigates romance, history, gender, sex work, and female empowerment.
StreamOoku: The Inner Chamberson Netflix
16Romeo x Juliet (2007)
William Shakespeare’s timeless tale about two star-crossed lovers has been adapted into several mediums. When loosely translated into this anime show, the story retains the original’s heart while taking the creative liberty by placing Juliet in a situation where she’s on the run from the cruel Montague regime, who slaughtered her family. She takes the identity of a vigilante, the Red Whirlwind, and protects her people, which is also when she meets Romeo Candorebanto Montague.
The ‘forbidden love’ trope still works here, except the setting is both historical and filled with vivid color andbreathtaking action. Romeo and Juliet are both melodramatic leads, but their legacies are what stop them from letting go of their wounds of the past. Making regular references to Shakespeare’s text and using the giant island as an artful backdrop,Romeo x Julietrevitalizes the beloved story.
StreamRomeo x Julieton Crunchyroll
15Taisho Otome Fairy Tale (2021)
The car accident that took his mother’s life also rendered Tamahiko Shima with a useless right hand. Looked down upon by his stern father, Tamahiko is sent to live alone in the mountains and await his death. After a while, a 14-year-old Yuzuki Tachibana comes stumbling to his loft to be his assistant and bride. Together, the two leave behind their pessimism about life and find the will to live and love again.
If you’re someone who enjoys a healthy dose of puppy love and charming romance, thenTaisho Otome Fairy Taleis the perfect anime for you. The series does not have a wide cast or breathtaking visuals of landscapes and lush battles. But it delights in being a beacon of hope, freedom, and beauty through its two characters bound by fate. By immersing you in their romance, it reminds you that pessimistic and nihilism can be stepping stones to something greater.
StreamTaisho Otome Fairy Taleon Funimation
14In This Corner of the World (2016)
Set inthe years before and after World War II,In This Corner of the Worldis a poignant and lighthearted anime film that tells the story of Suzu Urano, who comes of age and marries a man named Shuusaku Houjou, and leaves Hiroshima to live with him. Struggling with life in Shuusaku’s family and community, she ponders upon the ongoing war and if it will also reach her little household.
In This Corner of the Worlddoesn’t portray the war first-hand, but it does attempt to understand the impact of it through the hopeful eyes of its kind-hearted heroine. Through its stunning animation and attention to historical details like the struggle and turmoil and darkness, it captures the insignificant moments of ordinary life and love. Suzu is an outstanding main character who opens the audiences’ eyes to a heartwarming, slice-of-life romance.
StreamIn This Corner of the Worldon Peacock
13Earl and Fairy (2008)
The main protagonist of the showEarl and Fairyis Lydia Carlton, who possesses the uncommon ability to communicate with fairies and is thus deemed as a “Fairy Doctor,” operating in Scotland. Through showcasing her art, she catches the eye of Edgar, who seeks her help and becomes her employer, and claims to be the famous Blue Knight’s Earl.
Earl and Fairyblends elements of fantasy and romancein an outstanding nineteenth century setting. The animation brings the lush forests and fairies to magical life to complement the chemistry between the characters. Lydia and Earl have a beautiful bond, where Earl is initially obsessed with her and indulges in playful banter and harmless flirting, and his feelings later snowball into something profound and beautiful.
StreamEarl and Fairyon Crunchyroll
12Cinderella Chef (2018)
There is something truly irresistible about anime centered on cooking. Ye Jiayao is a celebrity chef who dreams of becoming the best in her profession, so she often experiments with recipes. One day, she makes a horrible dish and tastes it, and is immediately transported to Ancient China, in the body of another girl. She has to use her wit and skills to try and get out of the situation and back home.
Related:20 Animes About Food That Will Have Your Mouth Watering
This anime series may seem focused on Ye Jiayao and the way she breaks free of this strange time travel. But there’s a twist to the tale and a fake engagement to the handsome Xia Chun Yu that makes it oh, so charming. The animation brings imaginative dishes, indelible cuisines, and Chinese culture to vibrant life — a fitting addition to the developing romance. Overall well-written and performed,Cinderella Chefis a lovely anime.
StreamCinderella Chefon Crunchyroll
11Kamisama Kiss (2012)
Kamisama Kissis a fan-favorite shoujo anime series about a fox familiar and a human-turned-deity. It follows high schooler Nanami Momozono who is left homeless and in debt after her father’s death. She saves a man from dogs and is taken in by a couple of spirits and a hot-headed fox named Tomoe, who all ask her to be their deity. This gives birth to a complicated, unexpected bond between Nanami and Tomoe.
Dabbling in both the supernatural and fantasy genre,Kamisama Kissis a peculiar anime that stands out because of thetouching will-they-won’t-they dynamicbetween Nanami and Tomoe. From the start, Tomoe is in denial to accept Nanami as a part of their world. He ridicules her lack of progress and is constantly annoyed. And yet, the most tender and genuinely adorable moments in the series come from the ones they share together.
