Key findings

• Historical fiction in anime and manga advances narratives that address modern issues and grapple with complex ideas against the backdrop of the past.
• Some cult titles such as “The Rose of Versailles” and “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” have influenced the growth and commercial success of the medium.
• From dark and violent stories like the Vinland Saga to lighthearted and humorous tales like Gintama, historical fiction in anime offers a diverse range of vivid and beautiful narratives.

In anime and manga, there are countless stories based on historical backgrounds. From reinterpreting historical figures to creating new perspectives on historical events, it is clear that anime and manga, which draw from various inspirations like any other entertainment medium, are very interested in the past.

How important was the fictionalized exploration of history – historical fiction – for the overall development of anime as a medium?

What exactly is “historical fiction”?

The concept has several levels

Historical fiction is a genre in literature and other forms of entertainment media in which a fictional plot takes place within the context of actual historical events. For this discussion, “historical fiction” also refers to the concepts of alternate history; that is, when a narrative resolves actual historical events differently, leading to speculation about how things could We have moved within the new parameters commonly described by the phrase “what if…” and counterfactual history, which seeks to understand what did not happen or what could have happened in order to better understand what actually happened.

While some historical novels may adhere closely to the conditions of the time period depicted, others deliberately insert anachronisms or speculative elements into the narrative. In literature, historical novel is a very old concept that gained prominence in different places at different times. For example, Wu Cheng’en’s 16th-century novel Journey to the West is about the pilgrimage of the 7th-century Buddhist scholar Xuanzang; while Murasaki Shikibu’s 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji, considered the first novel in history and the first novel by a woman to achieve worldwide acclaim, is a fictional account of life at the Japanese court. The concept is extremely versatile, and stories can either adhere closely to historical context or make loose use of it.

Historical fiction that had a major influence on anime and manga

Some of the most influential titles

Among the vast list of historical novels, there are many that have gone down in history as some of the best stories the medium has to offer.

• The Rose of Versailles (1972)

  

Riyoko Ikeda’s The Rose of Versailleswhich first appeared in the manga magazine Margaret from 1972 to 1973 before being revived from 2013 to 2018, and was adapted into an anime in 1979, is one of the most important titles in the history of anime and manga. It was a historical drama that used a combination of historical figures and original characters and closely followed the lives of the French queen Marie Antoinette and Oscar François de Jarjayes, the commander of the royal guard. It is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. The Rose of Versailles played an important role in the development of shōjo manga and its evolution from a magazine primarily aimed at children to one aimed at a more mature readership, as more complex, realism-driven stories and themes such as politics and sexuality became more common, leading to a major change in shōjo’s target audience.

Due to these factors, Ikeda is considered part of the Year 24 Group, an unofficial collective term for female mangaka who emerged in the 1970s, and the success of The Rose of Versailles has had a major impact on the development of shōjo and manga in general, as its commercial success led publishers to publish manga forums in tankōbon (stand-alone book) format, not to mention it is a testament to the commercial viability of the previously overlooked shōjo audience as a whole. The anime is being remade by MAPPA to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the manga’s release.

• JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (1987)

  

Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a title that needs no introduction. A huge inspiration for various other media, from video games to movies to music, JoJo’s is a franchise that is a great example of historical fiction, with each generation of JoJo living in a different time period from the last, starting with Jonathan Joestar in the late 19th century. The JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure The universe is essentially like our own, with supernatural phenomena and science fiction concepts woven into the story. The concept of Stands, the psycho-spiritual manifestations of the characters’ abilities, and the characters’ names were largely taken from music from various eras of the 20th century, which further enhanced the feeling that each generation’s JoJo story is heavily influenced by the time in which it is set.

• The Last Fireflies (1988)

  

Studio Ghibli’s animated adaptation of Akiyuki Nosaka’s semi-autobiographical short story is considered one of the greatest war films in history. The last firefliestells the story of two orphaned siblings who desperately fight for survival in the final months of World War II. The screenplay and direction are by Isao Takahata, who himself experienced the terror of war. The last fireflies is a heart-wrenching portrayal of the catastrophic effects of war, set against the backdrop of the devastation caused by Japan’s participation in World War II and other conflicts. It is one of the most important works in the history of Japanese animation.

• The film: Fushigi Yūgi (1991)

  

Created by Yū Watase, Yugi is one of the best-selling manga of all time, with over 20 million copies in circulation (as of 2015). It follows two girls named Miaka and Yui who are transported into the pages of a novel set in a version of ancient China. Miaka becomes the priestess of Suzaku, while Yui promptly disappears from the pages of the book. With a narrative that balances comedy, romance, fantasy, and combat, Fushigi Yūgi is one of the first manga to use the “reverse harem” motif that has become a staple of shōjo manga.

• Samurai Champloo (2004)

  

The main work of Studio Manglobe, Samurai ChamplooDirector: Shinichiro Watanabe, is exemplary when it comes to discussing historical fiction in anime. With its heavy hip hop inspiration, which was anachronistic for its setting in the Edo period, a time largely characterized by over 250 years of foreign isolation. It follows fictional characters Fuu, Jin, and Mugen on their journey to find a samurai that Fū believes to be their father, encountering various interesting individuals in a way that reflects the time period, but a conscious decision was made to include various forms of minorities, subcultures, and niches that would not normally play a major role in an anime. It covered a wide variety of topics, with its episodic format lending itself to many side stories and characters, culminating in a dramatic three-part ending. Its ambient boom bap-inspired soundtrack, largely composed and curated by the likes of Nujabes, Tsuchie, Fat Jon, and Force of Nature, is hailed as one of the best soundtracks in anime to this day.

• Black Butler

  

Yana Tobosos Black Butler follows a 12-year-old orphan named Ciel, heir to the Phantomhive estate and part of a long line of secret investigators who take orders directly from Queen Victoria herself. After the death of his parents, Ciel was kidnapped by a child-killing cult, but at the last moment made a deal with a demon named Sebastian, who became his butler. Although it is aimed at a shonen audience, Black Butler has a huge female fan base. With over 35 million copies in circulation, it is one of the best-selling manga of all time.

• Golden Kamuy (2018)

  

Satoru Noda’s Golden Kamuy is one of the few anime and manga titles to acknowledge the existence of Japan’s indigenous population, the Ainu people. Set after the Russo-Japanese War (1904/05), the series follows former military man Sugimoto as he learns of a rumor of a hidden treasure and a map to that treasure that can only be found by collecting the skins of former prisoners, each with a portion of the treasure map tattooed on it. The series is set during an interesting historical period in Japan where the country and its people became more westernized. It’s a hilarious, action-packed adventure set entirely in its early 20th century setting with great characters and is definitely one of the best anime/manga titles of the 2010s. Until March 2023 Golden Kamuy With over 24 million copies in circulation, it was one of the best-selling mangas of all time.

• Vinland Saga (2019)

  

“I have no enemies.”

Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga is a dramatization of the expedition of real-life explorer Thorfinn Karlsefni to find the site of Vinland. Set largely in 1013 in England, which was then under Danish rule, the plot draws on various historical accounts and follows the development of Thorfinn, a Viking who evolves from a vengeful, brutal killer in his youth to a pacifist after fully experiencing the devastating effects of war, against the backdrop of medieval Europe. Vinland Saga is praised for its expressive and realistic portrayal of brutal violence as well as the incredible development of Thorfinn’s character throughout the story.

Conclusion: Historical fiction contributes significantly to the development of anime and manga

There are countless historical anime that deserve to be celebrated

At its best, historical fiction in anime and manga has given the medium some of its most important stories, some of which have changed the trajectory of manga aimed at specific audiences; others have used the historical backdrop to explore modern themes and grapple with complex issues. From something exaggerated and comical like Gintama or the dark and violent Drifters; the characters from different eras of history are transported into a dark fantasy world; the Fate Franchise in which historical figures compete against each other in the war for the legendary Holy Grail; or Oda Nobuna’s ambition; which chronicles Nobunaga’s journey as an anime girl to unify Japan, historical fiction in anime has spawned countless vivid, beautiful stories, and the ones mentioned here are some truly influential, medium-defining stories that have brought anime to its current peak as a storytelling medium.