The anime universe is expansive and offers many different tales with compelling characters, engaging plots, and epic moments. While some anime come and go, many deliver outstanding and memorable experiences that’ll last with viewers for a lifetime.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, we’d like to highlight the best anime that handles the concept of war well. From Legend of the Galactic Heroes to Vinland Saga, there’s sure to be a show on this list that’ll interest you.
Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll add them when we can!
Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is an old but marvelous sci-fi series with incredible depth and clever writing. It’s a slow-burn anime, so it won’t appeal to everyone. However, it does have some intricate mind games and space warfare that’ll provide viewers with little breathing room to take in the information it presents.
Our tale follows two strategic individuals named Reinhard and Yang. They run specific superpowers and must find a way to win this war. At the same time, they must overcome their personal conflicts if they hope to become stronger people.
Reinhard, Yang, and other characters receive incredible personalities and engage in mental disputes that relate to their rise to status. Through these characters, the anime explores the human costs of war, the psychological impact of leadership, and the importance of political scheming in war.
The anime has dense and immersive worldbuilding that expertly balances the military tactics of space combat with political schemes, alliances, and betrayals. This is a must-watch space opera for those looking for something complex and unique.
Grave of the Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies is a gut-wrenching film from Hayao Miyazaki. It follows two children named Seita and Setsuko, as they struggle to survive in war-torn Japan during World War II. Through their endeavor, we explore a world about family, identity, and the harsh realities of war.
Grave of the Fireflies’ visuals will strike viewers at their core with its opening scene alone. From firebombs raining down on the city to the haunting visions of Setsuko’s tragic fate, this anime captures the horror and beauty of life amidst war. Additionally, the anime’s visuals give viewers a chance to peer into the everyday lives of its characters amidst war, allowing viewers to empathize with their struggles.
This is a must-watch anime for those looking for something that will make them question war and the sacrifices people make to withstand it.
Barefoot Gen
Jormungand
Jormungand is a great anime with great music, phenomenal action, and intriguing characters. It’s set in a world torn apart by conflict and follows the exploits of an arms dealer named Koko and her team who sell weapons to various global factions.
This series tackles the intricacies of warfare from a political, social, and economic standpoint. Koko and her team receive great backstories, personalities, and motivations. With the amount of time it spends fleshing out its characters, viewers will be motivated to invest interest in them. Koko and her subordinates establish great chemistry, giving viewers something wholesome to enjoy alongside its cold depiction of warfare.
While the fights in the series serve as visual spectacles, Jormungand finds a way to make most battles serve a narrative purpose. Whether it’s to advance the plot forward or to develop its characters, viewers will adore the action sequences inserted into this work.
Jormungand is worth adding to your watchlist if you’re looking for a war-themed anime that’s more than just mindless brutality.
Kingdom
Kingdom is a fun anime based on a popular manga by Yasuhisa Hara. It’s set in ancient China and follows Shin, who dreams of becoming a great general. This series’s known for having great world-building, complex characters, and stunning fight scenes. Kingdom’s story is wonderfully-crafted, weaving together intricate details of ancient Chinese history with a gripping plot.
This plot contains strong political intrigue, ambition, and betrayal. The anime’s high stake battles, deeply human characters, and intricate plotlines make it a thrilling watch that keeps the audience engaged in its tale. It boasts great fights that capture the rawness of war and the intricate strategies executed by most armies.
Kingdom also explores the psychological aspects of the war on soldiers and civilians. This anime delves deep into its characters’ minds and explores their motivations, fears, and desires.
In conclusion, Kingdom is a great anime about war because it delivers an unforgettable experience for all viewers.
The Heroic Legend Of Arslan
The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a great anime with a riveting narrative and an interesting cast. Our tale revolves around Prince Arslan, who gets exiled from his kingdom when his father gets betrayed and overthrown by a neighboring kingdom. Viewers will find Arslan’s journey to reclaim his kingdom and earn the respect of his people both riveting and motivating.
This tale features grandiose battles that are smooth and fluid. The world feels immersive with its multiple civilizations, different customs, and detailed structures. This anime focuses on the human aspect of war and shows how it can affect civilians and soldiers alike. It proves that wars aren’t just about the battles that occur within them. They demonstrate the struggle between people’s conflicting ideals.
In addition to having phenomenal music, The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a must-watch for anyone who is a fan of war-themed narratives.
Vinland Saga
Vinland Saga is an incredible Viking-themed anime that delves into the journey of a young warrior named Thorfinn. He’s on a journey to kill Askeladd, a powerful foe who murdered his father. However, Thorfinn’s quest spirals into one of self-reflection and growth as he’s forced to confront the harsh aspects of war and its impact on society.
This anime will appeal to history buffs with its accurate depictions of Viking culture from their customs to their ways of life. This adds realism and authenticity to the tale and helps immerse people in its world. The animation quality is top-notch, despite the show switching hands between seasons one and two. Wit Studio and Studio Mappa did an excellent job of adapting this story through their own methods.
If you’re looking for a complex story with equally intricate characters, check out Vinland Saga.
Code Geass
Code Geass is an incredible mecha series with a thought-provoking plot and intelligent cast. The series follows Lelouch on his quest to seek vengeance upon the Brittanian Empire through the power of Geass. Geass allows Lelouch to control people’s actions as long as they make eye contact with him.
This anime’s filled with political intrigue, action-packed and strategic mecha battles, and mind-bending plot twists. Code Geass has excellent pacing, managing to balance character development with its alluring mecha fights. Lelouch comes off as a complex protagonist whose motivations and actions blur the line between good and evil. The supporting characters are equally interesting with their diverse personalities, struggles, and motivations.
The character designs can look jarring at first, but if you’re into shows with depth and thrills, then Code Geass should satisfy you.
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
Mobile Suit Gun Wing is a classic anime that played a major part in shaping the mecha genre. The series follows a group of teenagers who are sent to Earth to wage war against the ruling government, The United Earth Sphere Alliance. This anime delivers a stellar take on mecha anime with its emphasis on politics, memorable characters, and well-animated action scenes.
The five teenagers have interesting personalities, motives, and backstories that are explored throughout the series. The supporting cast is equally engaging, playing important roles in political affairs that move the story forward. Viewers will adore seeing our characters grow and develop into formidable adversaries.
The world-building is great in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. It introduces many neat historical lore and locations that’ll keep viewers invested in the plot. It’s filled with many complex military tactics, systems, and technologies to add more depth to the Mobile Suit Gundam universe.
This is a must-watch for anyone who likes mecha anime with depth.
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Saga of Tanya the Evil is a war-themed anime with a protagonist fans will love or despise. In it, we follow Tanya, a rowdy soldier who used to be a male in her previous life. We examine Tanya’s life on the battlefield as she attempts to climb the ranks and find the person who turned her into this young female.
This anime delivers a war-like setting with a magical twist. Viewers can expect our cast to utilize brooms, spells, and other magical artifacts to fight. This allows Saya of Tanya the Evil to stand out from other militaristic series that only utilize realistic weaponry like tanks and guns. Saya of Tanya the Evil also has incredible visuals from its well-drawn characters to its detailed scenery. The anime’s soundtrack enhances the emotions felt throughout each of Tanya’s battles, making everything feel more impactful.
If you ever wanted an anime that mixes magic and war together, Saga of Tanya the Evil is worth your time.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best anime about war through the years!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!