Top 5 Historical Action Anime

The five on this list have the strategic military action in common, some have more than others. Most of these also have historic themes in common such as Golden Kamuy and Drifters having historical figures as characters, Arslan Senki taking place in year 320 or Youjo Senki resembling Europe's war past. Although history might be interesting the action in these are much more so. The action scenes are badass, well thought out and strategically clever. Visually and strategically both the one-on-one or war battles quite good.

5. Gintama 

Genres: Action, Comedy, Historical, Parody, Samurai, Sci-Fi, Shounen

Episodes: 201

Gintama is more of a parody and most of the time has a comedic tone to it but that's not all there is to it. Although a bit more rare there are action scenes and when they happen they go all out. Gintoki, known as Shiroyasha (white demon) during the times of war and Kaguya from the Yato clan, known for being the strongest fighters along with many other characters make up some intense fighting scenes. Here there is a backstory related to war and historical figures and groups with a twist like the Shinsengumi, Kondo, Hijikata, and Okita.

4. Arslan Senki

Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen

Episodes: 25

Sequel: Arslan Senki (TV): Fuujin Ranbu

A bit more lighthearted strategic war anime, compared to the ones after number this, about the royals of the kingdom. Taking place in year 320, Arslan the young prince of the kingdom of Pars with general Daryun by his side is chased out of the capital Ectabana, after the king is betrayed by his trusted subordinates. Arslan goes on a journey to overcome the obstacles that will prepare him to be the next king. Arslan has to enter battles and prove his valor before he can take back Ectabana and succeed the overthrown throne.

3. Youjo Senki

Genres: Magic, Military

Episodes: 13

Out of all of these, Youjo Senki is the series that has little to no comedic relief moments in between important scenes. With a more serious tone, the show focuses more on the more intense strategic military theme. Tanya was a middle-aged in Japan was killed by being pushed in front of a train, then challenged Being X and was reborn as a girl into a kingdom that is known as the Empire. A world that looks like Europe where magic exists and war is on-going as each nation is aiming to conquer more land. Tanya is a badass girl who quickly rises in ranks in the military and is on the forefront line of the war.

2. Drifters

Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Historical, Samurai, Fantasy, Seinen

Episodes: 12

The gathering of several well-known historical figures from different era's summoned into a fantasy world, the ones that traveled across these worlds are known as Drifters. Following Toyohisa Shimazu as he meets warriors that were thought to be dead. The Drifters have been summoned to fight the Ends that have created the Orte Empire. We get to see familiar names such as Nobunaga, Jeanne D'arc and more as there will be several complex strategic battles.  

1. Golden Kamuy

Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Seinen

Episodes: 12

Sequel: Golden Kamuy 2nd season

Former hero, with nickname Immortal Sugimoto travels and ends up on a journey with his partner Asirpa by his side. The journey with the goal of finding a treasure hidden by a prisoner, where the only clue to finding it is finding the escaped prisoners that have been tattooed with each tattoo together leading to the treasure. Although there is a lot of heavier and darker themes there is also a lot of questionable funny scenes in between.