Golden Kamuy quickly became one of the most beloved new historical anime series, and deservedly so. It's one of the military animes that gets dark at times but thanks to the great character development and its lighthearted moments the story never becomes overbearing. It's also a story-rich anime with fascinating twists that even gives a bit of insight into Japanese culture.
Golden Kamuy is now one of the greatest historical animes with a passionate cult following and its fans are craving more similar stories. Thankfully, there is a handful of brilliant new and classic anime series that have similarly adventurous, highly emotional, and character-driven stories with powerful militaries that are set in all kinds of fascinating historical and fantasy settings.
8 Record Of Grancrest War
Record of Grancrest War is one of the greatest war animes that's beloved by both female and male audiences. This fantasy action war anime is filled with epic fights, demons, magical powers, and romance. It's a thrilling anime that has gorgeous visuals and even gives a good insight into Nobel life and how war politics work.
The story is set in a fantasy-inspired historical land where demons invaded the human realm and the two opposing Nobel armies kept fighting against each other for more Crest power instead of defeating the demons. So Siluca, a mage, and Theo, a knight, decided to team up to liberate their lands from nobility and end the demon invasion.
7 Sound Of The Sky
Sound of the Sky is one of the best music anime that takes its viewers on a highly emotional ride. It's regarded as one of the most underrated but brilliant anime in which the story, the characters, the world-building, the graphics, and the sound are all perfect.
This post-apocalyptic military anime is set in a fictional historical Japanese land called Helvetia that's having troubles with the neighboring Roman Empire. Its story focuses on Kanata, a sweet young girl who only joins the army to learn how to bugle. It's perfect for anime fans who are looking for a thought-provoking show that blends light and heavy elements without gore and too much violence.
6 The Heroic Legend Of Arslan
The Heroic Legend of Arslan is one of the best anime for Final Fantasy Lovers and Golden Kamuy fans too. It's not only a beautiful anime with a fascinating story, but it's great for those fans who are especially interested in military tactics and are looking for a war anime filled with surprising twists and intrigue.
While the anime has many fascinating characters the main story focuses on prince Arslan and his companion Daryoon and their journey to reclaim the prince's lost throne and save hundreds of thousands of soldiers from certain death. With great character development and a greatly detailed world, this anime easily immerses its viewers in its thrilling story.
5 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the most beloved classic anime with great world-building, iconic anime heroes, and powerful Sin-Based Homunculi. It's not only another anime with a historical setting but similarly to Golden Kamuy the story also greatly focuses on the military. The anime's two leaders and their enemies are searching for a kind of treasure in the form of the Philosopher's Stone.
Its story focuses on the young Elric brothers who are desperately trying to get their hands on the Philosopher's Stone because they think that with its help they'll be able to restore their bodies. It's a deeply emotional anime filled with twists, battles, and powerful warriors.
4 Blade Of The Immortal
Blade of the Immortal is one of the most beautiful anime of recent years set in Feudal Japan. It's best for those Golden Kamuy fans who are looking for a historical anime in which the anime's two leads have a similarly strong bond as Saichi and Asirpa and get into all kinds of similarly thrilling and bloody adventures.
The story follows the infamous swordsman Manji who killed a hundred innocent men and was punished with immortality by Yaobikuni. However, Manji doesn't want to stay immortal and promises to kill a thousand evil men if Yaobikuni frees him. She agrees but just before Manji's journey, the young Rin arrives and asks Manji to kill those who murdered her parents. Manji eventually agrees to protect Rin for four years and the two set out on their unforgettable journey filled with vengeance and death, so they can earn redemption.
3 Katanagatari
Katanagatari is one of the most underrated anime series set in a historical fantasy world. While it's not a bloody or gory anime it doesn't mean that it's without battles and anime fans can meet two of the most fun and bravest fighters and join them on an epic quest.
The story follows a swordsman, Yasuri, and young strategist Togame, who join forces and go on a dangerous adventure to find twelve legendary swords. Since all the swords have owners, they'll have to create battle strategies and use Yasuri's excellent fighting skills and take the swords by force.
2 Drifters
Drifters is a fascinating dark fantasy anime with a unique plot and gorgeous visuals. It's perfect for those Golden Kamuy lovers who enjoy the show because of its powerful warriors and epic battles between mighty military forces.
The story follows Shimazu, a great samurai who was summoned from his own timeline to be transported to an alternate Earth to become a part of a league of some of the greatest warriors in history. Their job is to defeat the Ends, a similar group of villains who are trying to take over Earth.
1 Angolmois: Genkou Kassenki
Angolmois: Genkou Kassenki is one of the most thrilling historical military anime series of all time about the Mongol Invasion of Japan. It's a beautifully animated show with intriguing characters that even teaches a thing or two about medieval Japan to its viewers.
The story follows a small group of exiled prisoners on Tsushima island who decide to form an alliance and be the first ones who defend Japan from the brutal Mongol forces. Despite its classical style, the story does get dark and even bloody and violent at times.