Anime is best-known for tales of fantasy and journey, however there’s additionally a subsection of anime devoted to historic romance with out magical parts. These reveals, often tailored from traditional literature, are nice for Bridgerton and Jane Austen followers searching for films and reveals which might be emotional with stunning historic settings.
Sometimes called “slice of life” anime, these films and tv reveals don’t depend on magic, prophesies, epic battles, or mythic settings. As a substitute, they’re grounded in very human experiences. After all, magical anime is simply as enjoyable and simply as participating, nevertheless it serves a special goal. “Slice of life” historic anime focuses on a time and place lengthy gone. There’s one thing slightly gentler, at occasions nearly cozy, in regards to the tempo of those historic romances.
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‘Woman Oscar: The Rose of Versailles’ (1979)
The Rose of Versailles
- Launch Date
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1970 – 1980-00-00
- Administrators
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Tadao Nagahama, Osamu Dezaki, Mizuho Nishikubo, Shunji Ôga
- Writers
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Riyoko Ikeda, Yoshimi Shinozaki, Keiko Sugie, Masahiro Yamada
- Franchise(s)
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The Rose of Versailles
Woman Oscar: The Rose of Versailles is a TMS Leisure sequence that ran for 40 episodes from 1979 to 1980. It was initially directed by Tadao Nagahama and, later, by Osamu Dezaki. The story begins in 18th century Versailles on the cusp of the French Revolution. Woman Oscar is the daughter of a strong basic who raised her as a boy. Now a grown lady with tactical sensibilities, Woman Oscar turns into Commander of the Royal Guards tasked with defending Marie Antoinette.
A Beautiful New Adaptation
The present was well-received on the time and has since been tailored but once more. In 2025, MAPPA made a movie adaptation of The Rose of Versailles. The film is directed by Ai Yoshimura (Dance with Devils: Fortuna) with a screenplay by Tomoko Konparu (Cat’s Eye). Very like the Nineteen Seventies sequence, the replace proves to be a feast for the eyes.
8
‘Tales of Little Ladies’ (1987)
Tales of Little Ladies is an adaptation of Louisa Might Alcott’s traditional 1868 novel Little Ladies that was produced by Nippon Animation. Fumio Kurokawa (Little Princess Sara) directed the present, which premiered in 1987 and ran for 48 episodes. The story follows the March household in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania throughout the American Civil Battle. Whereas the anime adjustments the setting from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, it options all the identical beloved characters, together with Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy, Marmee, and Laurie. The anime takes place slightly earlier than the novel, with a deal with the conflict, and leads into the early occasions established by Alcott in her novel.
Animating a Beloved Basic
The present was made for World Masterpiece Theater, which tailored traditional works into animated movies. Tales of Little Ladies is without doubt one of the few WMT tasks to have aired in the US. HBO confirmed the sequence in 1988. It’s thought of to be a nostalgic watch and a reasonably trustworthy adaptation of the supply materials, particularly for the time.
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7
‘Solely Yesterday’ (1991)
Solely Yesterday
- Launch Date
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July 20, 1991
- Runtime
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119 minutes
- Director
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Isao Takahata
- Writers
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Isao Takahata
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Miki Imai
Taeko Okajima (voice)
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Toshiro Yanagiba
Toshio (voice)
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Mayumi Izuka
Tsuneko Tani (voice)
Solely Yesterday is a uncommon Studio Ghibli movie with out fantasy parts. Written and directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, the film is an adaptation of the Nineteen Eighties manga of the identical identify by Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone. The story is about in two timelines. It begins in 1982 with a younger lady named Taeko Okajima touring to the Japanese countryside for a trip. Through the journey, she seems again at her girlhood in 1966.
The twin timelines assist to craft a transferring coming-of-age story alongside a considerate love story as, in present-day 1982, Taeko finds an surprising romance.
The 15-12 months Wait
The movie did effectively on the field workplace in Japan and acquired reward from critics, although it will not be launched in Europe till 2006. American audiences didn’t get to see the movie till 2016. Regardless of the wait, it stays a beloved traditional in the present day with a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
6
‘From Up on Poppy Hill’ (2011)
From Up on Poppy Hill is a more moderen instance of a no-magic “slice of life” drama from Studio Ghibli. The movie takes place main as much as the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in Yokohama, Japan, the place 16-year-old Umi Matsuzaki and her associates try to avoid wasting their clubhouse. It’s directed by Gorô Miyazaki (Tales from Earthsea) with a script by one other Studio Ghibli co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki, and Keiko Niwa (The Secret World of Arrietty). It’s primarily based on the Nineteen Eighties manga written by Tetsurō Sayama and illustrated by Chizuru Takahashi.
The Nostalgic Surprise of Studio Ghibli
The romantic element right here is secondary to the story of friendship and household, however the movie has loads of coronary heart. It takes an in depth take a look at post-war Japan with a deal with “slice of life” moments. From Up on Poppy Hill delivers visually with a nostalgic really feel and all of the traditional touches that Studio Ghibli followers love.
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5
‘Children on the Slope’ (2012)
Children on the Slope is a 12-part miniseries set in opposition to the backdrop of 1966 Nagasaki. Produced by MAPPA and Tezuka Productions and tailored from the Yuki Kodama manga, the sequence is helmed by Cowboy Bebop‘s Shinichirō Watanabe. The story explores the friendship between the bold Kaoru Nishimi and two of his classmates, nonconforming jazz lovers Sentarō Kawabuchi and Ritsuko Mukae.
This Love Triangle Has a Nice Soundtrack
Half love letter to jazz and half love triangle between the three predominant characters, Children on the Slope is an interesting sequence steeped in music and tradition. The Nineteen Sixties have been a time of transformation, making it a becoming setting for a bunch of youngsters who’re simply beginning to perceive themselves. The visuals are beautiful and the eye given to male friendship is inspiring. The present additionally boasts an unbelievable, award-winning soundtrack.
4
‘Haikara-San: Right here Comes Miss Trendy’ (2017)
Launched in two components, Haikara-San: Right here Comes Miss Trendy is a Nippon Animation movie directed and tailored for the display by Kazuhiro Furuhashi (Samurai X). It’s primarily based on a Nineteen Seventies manga sequence written and illustrated by Waki Yamato (The Story of Genji). The movie is not the primary adaptation of Yamato’s work. Nippon Animation produced a 32-episode tv sequence that aired on TV Asahi in Japan from 1978 to 1979.
A Comedic Romance for the Ages
Set in Twenties Japan, the story follows tomboy Benio as she tries to sabotage her organized marriage to a military lieutenant named Shinobu, solely to seek out herself falling in love with him. The movie explores social points and gender roles of the occasions, however can be one thing of a screwball comedy — particularly partially one. Some viewers think about the narrative slightly clichéd at this level, however nonetheless assume it’s entertaining for these within the Twenties setting.
3
‘Arte’ (2020)
Arte
- Launch Date
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2020 – 2019
- Community
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Tokyo MX
- Administrators
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Shigeru Yamazaki, Sachiko Kanno, Norihiko Sudo, Takashi Ando
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Mikako Komatsu
Arte (voice)
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Katsuyuki Konishi
Leo (voice)
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Junya Enoki
Angelo (voice)
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Sayaka Ohara
Veronica (voice)
Primarily based on the manga written and illustrated by Kei Ohkubo, Arte is a 12-episode sequence set in sixteenth century Florence, Italy. Arte is an aristocrat who loves artwork. When it comes time to marry a nobleman, she chooses as a substitute to seek out an artisan mentor who can educate her tips on how to turn out to be an artist. Her place turns into sophisticated, nonetheless, when she falls in love along with her mentor.
Love and Artwork Through the Renaissance
The present is produced by Seven Arcs and Renaissance-era Italy makes for a visually participating backdrop. Arte is a strong-willed, likable protagonist. In 2021, the character was nominated for Woman of the 12 months on the Anime Trending Awards. Romantic parts are positively current, however the present is extra about Arte discovering her personal path and pursuing her passions.
2
‘The Apothecary Diaries’ (2023)
The Apothecary Diaries
- Launch Date
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October 22, 2023
- Community
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Nippon TV, RAB, TVI, YBC, JRT
- Administrators
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Jun Owada, Akira Koremoto, Kentaro Fujita, Yukihiko Asaki, Erkin Kawabata, Shintaro Itoga, Tsuyoshi Nakano, Akira Shimizu, Yuushi Ibe, Kyohei Yamamoto, Masahiro Matsunaga, Tadao Okubo, Misu Yamaneko
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Takeo Otsuka
Jinshi (voice)
The Apothecary Diaries has all of the colourful, vibrant vibes of magical woman anime however in a extra grounded historic setting. Primarily based on Natsu Hyūga’s Apothecary’s Soliloquy ebook sequence, the anime adaptation is directed by Norihiro Naganuma (The Historic Magus’ Bride). The primary two seasons have been produced by Toho Animation Studio and OLM.
The sequence follows the adventures of a lady named Maomao, who’s kidnapped and offered into service on the Imperial Palace. When these on the palace be taught of her expertise as an apothecary, Maomao is promoted to serve below a beneficiant, high-ranking concubine whereas on the identical time fixing medical mysteries throughout the palace.
A Cozy Historic Thriller
The present is about in a fifteenth century realm meant to reflect the Tang Dynasty, although the opening credit make a degree of stating that the present is just not primarily based on actual individuals or a real story. Maomao loves vegetation and this offers for some luxurious imagery magnified by the fantastic thing about the palace. With thriller and romance because the present’s main forces, it is a really perfect consolation look ahead to audiences who need one thing gentle and intriguing with a enjoyable protagonist.
1
‘Anne Shirley’ (2025)
Anne Shirley
- Launch Date
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April 5, 2025
- Community
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NHK Instructional TV
Solid
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Honoka Inoue
Anne Shirley (voice)
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Yasunori Matsumoto
Matthew Cuthbert (voice)
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Aya Nakamura
Marilla Cuthbert (voice)
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Yume Miyamoto
Diana Barry (voice)
The Reply Studio has produced a brand new 24-episode anime sequence primarily based on considered one of literature’s most beloved younger heroines, Anne Shirley. When the Cuthberts ship for a boy to assist them with their farm, the orphanage mixes it up and sends them a lady named Anne as a substitute. Anne is an extremely inventive 11-year-old with a giant coronary heart. Quickly, she begins to win over the reluctant Cuthberts and so they take her in as their very own.
Reimagning Prince Edward Island
The Anne Shirley anime sequence is directed by Hiroshi Kawamata (Suzume) and written by Natsuko Takahashi (The Betrayal Is aware of My Identify), with followers already excited in regards to the animation. It’s primarily based on a translation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel Anne of Inexperienced Gables carried out by Hanako Muraoka within the Fifties. Like the unique ebook, the anime is about on Canada’s Prince Edward Island throughout the twentieth century. The present focuses on Anne and her relationship with the Cuthberts in addition to her friendship with neighbor Diana Barry and her burgeoning romance with native boy Gilbert Blythe.