The release of Vinland Saga took the world by storm. The revenge story comes straight from Wit Studio, the group behind Attack on Titan. There’s nothing to hate in this show, absolutely nothing to pick on. It’s easily one of the best anime of all time.
Those who enjoy coming-of-age stories with historical touches will love Thorfinn’s saga. He’s the revenge-driven protagonist in Vinland Saga hunts down the man who killed his father, Askeladd. Vinland Saga prides itself on Thorfinn’s character development along with a heartbreaking backstory. Due credit is given for stunning artwork, amazing action scenes, and a top-notch depiction of a historical tale. Luckily for Vinland Saga fans, there are several more anime that are similar and entertaining.
Updated April 5th, 2023 by Casey Coates: For Vinland Saga fans who’ve just finished Season 2 and are hungry for more, this list has been updated to include several anime sure to satisfy their appetite.
15 Castlevania
32 episodes
While Castlevania isn’t a true anime, it’s based on a popular Japanese video game. Furthermore, it features a similar storyline as Vinland Saga. Basically, Castlevania is a tale of vengeance and the heroes that try to stop mass destruction.
Set in the mid-15th century, it focuses on Count Dracula and his desire to punish those who helped burn his wife at the stake. Opposing him are a monster hunter, a magician, and Dracula’s son. The latter’s name is Alucard, thus cementing proof that Dracula is mean — but not too creative with naming his children.
14 Brave 10
12 episodes
Brave 10 takes place during China’s Warring States era, between 475 and 221 B.C. Like other programs in this genre, Brave 10 shows war and tragedy from a different perspective. This time, it’s from the view of an Iga Ninja, Kirigakure.
While on a journey of self-reflection, Kirigakure rescues Isanami, a shrine maiden who escaped the burning of her temple. The pair meet up with Lord Yukimura Sanada, who has a goal of banding ten braves together to change the course of history. With Kirigakure and Isanami added to the group, the titular Brave 10 travel across ancient China to dole out justice.
13 Goblin Slayer
12 episodes, 1 film
There’s a definite historical element to Goblin Slayer. The 2018 series is based on light novels written by Kumo Kagyu with illustrations by Noboru Kannatsuki. It takes place in Europe, though the exact period isn’t mentioned. In the end, the timeframe is secondary to the story about a man’s heated focus on killing goblins.
This is after the man’s family is killed by a party of these creatures. Now, he’s joined by an inexperienced priestess who was the only survivor of her adventuring party. Together, they eliminate every goblin that passes their way.
12 Space Brothers
99 episodes
Space Brothers is not about Gundams or far-off planets. The pair aren’t equipped with special armor to fight off an alien invasion. Instead, the show is steeped in a history that might eventually come true.
Space Brothers focuses on Mutta and Hibito, two brothers who think they see a UFO when they’re kids. From that point on, their goal is to become astronauts. However, things don’t always go according to plan for both of them. While Hibito reaches his goals, Mutta ends up working for the automotive industry. A job loss and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity bring the two brothers together again.
11 Schwarzesmarken
12 episodes
The alternate-history anime Schwarzesmarken has its roots in reality and was released in 2016. It takes place in Communist-held East Germany during the early-1980s. While they still battle Western capitalists, they also tackle an alien invasion into their territory.
Schwarzesmarken focuses on the 666th TSF Squadron and 2nd Lieutenant Theodor Eberbach. Using technology that goes beyond 1980s standards, Eberbach and his team try to keep the alien’s incursions to a minimum while also dealing with internal issues like the secret police.
10 Spice And Wolf
12 episodes
Spice and Wolf is a piece of historical fiction like Vinland Saga. Spice and Wolf deals with the story of a merchant, Kraft Lawrence. At one of his pit stops at Pasloe, he meets Holo, a wolf-goddess. Holo proposes to help Kraft in his dealings so long as he keeps his promise to take her to her Northern home of Yoitsu.
As the two begin their adventure, viewers are introduced to numerous economic challenges that commoners face daily. The struggles of everyday life portrayed in Spice and Wolf resonate with those in Vinland Saga.
9 Golden Kamuy
24 episodes
Another series that rests deeply in the figments of war and survival, Golden Kamuy details the story of Sugimoto. A war veteran, he lived through the Russo-Japanese conflict, earning the moniker “Sugimoto the Immortal.” Now, he’s on a journey to find a treasure in order to help the widow of his deceased friend, Toraji.
Sugimoto is saved by Asirpa, an Ainu girl from the wilderness. As they develop an alliance, their symbiotic relationship is deeper than viewers might think. Golden Kamuy is particularly lauded for the accurate historical representation of Ainu culture, woven intricately into the story. It makes for one of the most accurate historical anime of all time.
8 Arslan Senki
25 episodes
Arslan Senki traces the chronicles of a young prince, Arslan. As his father is betrayed by his trusted general, the prince is forced to be a fugitive. In a bid to reclaim his kingdom, Arslan must make allies and, at the same time, defeat the foreign armies eyeing his kingdom. In the journey, Arslan is joined by an able general, Daryun.
Arslan Senki is set against themes of political warfare, intrigue, and historical fantasy. Additionally, its creator is none other than Hajime Isayama, the mind behind Attack On Titan.
7 Blade Of The Immortal
13 episodes
Blade of the Immortal is about an immortal samurai, Manji, who is under the curse of living an eternal life. This is due to the atrocious killings he’s committed in the past. The only way he can break this curse is to kill a thousand more men. Although he now chooses to live amorally, he must regain his morality back.
Manji meets a young girl and promises to avenge her parents’ murder by killing those involved in the act. One thing leads to another, and soon Manji is involved in a bloody conflict. Blade of the Immortal draws parallels with Vinland Saga as both properties are historical dramas featuring protagonists seeking vengeance. Another resemblance is the existence of an over-arching violent conflict.
6 Drifters
15 episodes
A seinen historical drama, Drifters traces the story of Toyohisa Shimazu, who fights valiantly in the Battle of Sekigahara. Just when Toyohisa is about to die, he finds himself in a white corridor face-to-face with a quaint man sitting at a desk. Toyohisa is then transported into a new land through one of the doors.
Toyohisa finds he is a drifter, a deceased war hero, and certainly not the only drifter to be present there. Drifters is violent and ruthless, just as any historical anime tends to be. The characters are well-developed, and there’s an additional dose of humor, too.
5 Yona Of The Dawn
24 episodes
Yona of the Dawn traces the coming-of-age story of Princess Yona, who is in a bid to reclaim the throne usurped by her treacherous cousin, Su-won. Initially, Yona is a spoiled princess who hasn’t stepped out into the real world — that is, until what she holds dear is taken away from her. As she faces the real world, she sees the roles poverty, strife, and corruption play in her kingdom.
With her childhood friend, Son Hak, by her side, Yona must take back what’s hers and restore the kingdom to pride and glory. Yona of the Dawn is based on Akatsuki no Yona by Mizuho Kusanagi. It’s filled with political vengeance, betrayals, and battles. Additionally, the anime score is very mesmerizing.
4 Kingdom
77 episodes
Much like Vinland Saga, Kingdom is about war, although the premises differ. It is based on China’s Warring States period. The main difference is that a raging dragon has burnt the cities to the ground. Amid this chaos and confusion, kingdoms rise and fall. The succession war is ultimately won by the kingdom of Qin.
Kingdom’s story starts with best friends, Li Xin and Piao, rendered orphans by war. Piao’s recruitment into the king’s army and his subsequent death lead Xin into the scene. As Xin takes on his destiny to become the Great General of China, he discovers himself along the way.
3 Berserk
25 episodes
Berserk follows the story of Guts, the Black Swordsman, who’s suffered unspeakable abuses at the hands of his foster father, Gambino. Guts flees his past life, only to be discovered by Griffith, the leader of a mercenary band called Band of the Hawk.
Guts joins forces with Griffith’s mercs, who become more invincible than ever before. As they take on the world, Griffith’s dark secrets and power lust are revealed. Berserk (1997) was the first adaptation of Kenpuu Denki Berserk by Kentaro Miura. The anime poses deep existential questions as Guts’ story arc progresses, such as those on humanity, existence, ambition, and love.
2 Attack On Titan
87 episodes
Attack on Titan is the marriage of a fantasy story and action-packed scenes. The story deals with a survival bid against monsters called Titans, who have wiped out most humanity. The remnants of that population live within a three-layered wall.
As the protections are breached by the Titans, a survivor named Eren joins elite soldiers to attempt to keep the Titans out. Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga constantly remind viewers of the prime importance of survival and the fear of destruction. Likewise, both Thorfinn and Eren have a huge responsibility to shoulder.
1 Rurouni Kenshin
94 episodes
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan is a historical tale of the legendary slayer Battousai who played a pivotal role during the Japanese revolution. Although he disappeared later, his name and deeds are etched in people’s hearts. Now living as Kenshin Himura, the man is on a path of redemption.
Kenshin’s reverse-blade is a symbol of atonement he feels is long overdue; however, his journey is beset with numerous challenges, such as the ghosts of his past. The glaring similarity between RurouniKenshin’s Kenshinand Thorfinn is that both are set on an arduous path. They both have been involved in bloody conflicts, Kenshin in the past and Thorfinn in the present.
