The Edo period of Japanese history is something of a Renaissance-era, characterized by its artistic developments and sense of cultural identity. The era lasted from the early 1600s to the mid-1800s and brought forth many progressive touchpoints that heavily influenced Japanese art, from kabuki theater to wood printing.
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The Edo period is an oft-referenced historical period, particularly with an emphasis on samurai culture. In films, books, manga,and anime, the Edo period is portrayed as an important transitionary time for Japan, and as such makes for a creative setting, full of innovative technology and interesting historical characters, a few anime have made stellar use of this time period in particular and have brought the era into the modern creative arts.
7Samurai Champloo
Perhaps the quintessential Edo period anime:Samurai Champloomakes full use of the historical era by including countless winks and nods to historical events, figures, art pieces, and places for one of the most intriguing social commentaries in anime history. A mix of old-school samurai action and new-school hip hop music, the anime follows three strangers drawn into the quest to seek out the samurai who smells of sunflowers.
It is a beautiful showthat weaves together historical tidbits into an immensely entertaining show. Every episode exists through its own creativity, making full use of the Edo setting for colorful and dreamlike designs while experimenting with numerous genres. For anyone even remotely interested in the Edo period or samurai culture in anime,Samurai Champlooisn’t just a must-watch,it’s the principal example of the genre.
6Gin Tama
Historical anime doesn’t always have to follow the rules of reality, and in fact, most don’t. But with that said,Gin Tamareally rattles the cage by introducing aliens into the Edo period. When the planet falls to alien conquerors, the leaders of Japan fold and allow for the country to be ruled over by their new overlords - effectively banning all samurai from their duties.
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It’s an interesting blend of the samurai andsci-fi genres, heavily stylized and driven by thecharacters' personal lives before the alien takeover- somewhat of an analogy between Edo Japan’s real-life isolationism from foreign traders.
5Miss Hokusai
As far as realistic Edo anime go, this one actually hits the nail on the head. A beautifully done anime film based on the manga of the same name,Miss Hokusaitakes a deeper look at the cultural highpoints of the Edo period, more especially the art.
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The film follows the daughter of famed painter, Katsushika Hokusai, connecting the story directly to the burgeoning art scene of the times. It’s a stellar anime that never chooses style over substance.
4Katanagatari
One of the best Edo anime in recent memory, this blade-heavy anime deals with the hunt for 12 legendary swords crafted by an equally legendary swordsmith. It’s a fun premise that pays off in more ways than one, as the mismatched main characters, a swordsman without a sword and a bold young treasure hunter search throughout Edo era Japan for the 12 swords. The animation itself is something to behold and makes for animmensely compelling anime series.
3Mononoke
An excellent avant-garde anime series,Mononoketakes place at the tail end of the Edo period, as even more socio-political changes were occurring throughout the country. The show follows a nameless medicine seller who travels the land andvanquishes supernatural spirits.
A somewhat common premise, the show stands out from the crowd thanks to its uncanny animation style that captures the spirit of Edo art in a contemporary format. Each plotline follows a different story that ties in Edo society’s triumphs and pitfalls. Overall, this is a remarkable anime series that isn’t afraid to take risks, while still maintaining the essence of Edo Japan.
2House Of Five Leaves
Another visually stunning anime set during the Edo period,House of Five Leavesis the story of an aimless ronin who finds himself tangled up with a gang of bandits. This is a more serious character study of samurai cultureas opposed to a stylized glorification of the genre. This expressive show has a great animation style that captures the underbelly of the Edo period in all its tainted glory.
1Amatsuki
A weird blend of time travel and Edo period mythology, this show follows a bored high school student who finds himself transported into a museum exhibit of Edo era Japan where he finds himself confronted by vicious demons and swordsmen.
Not the most historically accurate Edo era anime, but certainly a fresh spin on the subject,Amatsukitakes the fish out of the water structure and amps it up. For history buffs looking for an anime that is as silly as it is historically dramatic, consider this goofball series.
