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Poignant and powerful stories which explore one of humanity’s most devastating and calamitous experiences, war is the subject of some of the most acclaimed narratives across mediums & history. Be it a craving for blood-pumping action, intriguing strategies and politics of large-scale conflicts, or the human drama and tragedy in light of the objective horridness of war, military-themed cinema has always uniquely appealed to audiences.

Anime is no exception, and some of the medium’s most impactful cinematic exemplars dive deep into war, examining its horrors and implications through the lens of fiction. From historical films rising up to the challenge of recounting humankind’s history of conflict to mecha and fantasy anime delving into real-life issues through an allegorical lens, incredible anime movies center around the subject of war, each approaching the difficult theme from a novel perspective.

Related10 Best War Anime, Ranked

Some of the anime medium's most...

Be it aesthetic elements, like the awe-inspiring swordsmanship of the samurai, or legends and folklore that often influence supernatural anime, traces of Japan’s rich history and cultural legacy can be seen all over the medium across anime genres and settings. Anime that actually dives into Japanese history and portrays the events of the past accurately can be hard to come by, with bona fide historical fiction being a scarce and underrated genre.

The history of Japan features thrilling events and compelling narratives in plentitude. While few in numbers, some incredible anime take on the challenge of bringing Japanese history to life, giving the audience a peak at a tantalizing past – from bygone epics of warriors and empires to the recent history enriched through fiction.

Related10 Best Underrated Historical Anime, Ranked

Historical anime bring the past to life, offering rich stories for history-loving fans.

Sengoku Basara Turns Japan’s Most...

Historical manga can still seem fantastical even in a world grounded in realism. Where they lack in the expansive world-building a fantasy series may have, the sense of realism convinces readers that these events truly could have happened. To make sure this happens, of course, one needs a strong protagonist.

Unlike different genres, the protagonist here is functioning during a period in history and, as such, is the reader's eyes and ears within that world. The challenges they may face within a historical manga could be influenced by the time, politics, and social status. The skills these protagonists need are not based on powers or magic, but on wit, communication, and human strength. Not only do these protagonists have to be physically strong, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Emma Won't Let Being a Maid Stop Her from Achieving Her Goals A Historical Romance Manga by Kaoru Mori

Emma: A...

A critically acclaimed anime film known for its stunning hand-drawn animation but often dark themes centered around the horrors of World War II has arrived on Crunchyroll. The extended version of In This Corner of the World, officially titled In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World, has now been made available to stream for anime fans worldwide.

First released in 2016, In This Corner of the World revolves around an 18-year-old woman named Suzu Urano who moves to Hiroshima in 1944 after getting married. After the bombing of Hiroshima during World War II, Suzu must find the determination and perseverance to continue living in a war-torn country, alongside other daily struggles. The beautiful and poetic film shows that even in the midst of tragedy, people can come together and work as a community to rebuild their lives, making the newly streaming film just as heartwarming as it often is heartbreaking.

After the film In This Corner of the World first premiered in Japan in 2016, an extended version titled In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World was later released in December 2019. The critically acclaimed 168-minute extended version, directed and co-written by Sunao Katabuchi, is available to stream here on Crunchyroll. Watch In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World right here on Crunchyroll In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World Territories : Worldwide, excluding Japan Subtitles : English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian The World War II film has received numerous awards, including the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Animated Film and the Jury Award at the 41st Annecy International Animated Film Festival. Katabuchi directed the film at Mappa, and co-wrote the script with Chie Uratani, with character designs by Hidenori Matsubara and music by Kotringo. The original manga by Fumiyo Kono was published...

In 2023, Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator of Hunter x Hunter, sent a letter to Iwakura and Yoshizumi’s Show, where he answered a bunch of questions that were asked of him by former Sakurazaka46 member Yumiko Seki about the show, its characters, its ending, and Togashi’s process of creating one of the greatest anime and manga series of all time.

Hunter x Hunter

One of the questions was about what Hunter x Hunter fans consider the most emotional scene in the series. It involved the death of Meruem, the main antagonist of the Chimera Ant arc, and Komugi, his only companion. The Chimera ant arc is the biggest arc in Hunter x Hunter and includes many action-based and emotional moments from the story.

While talking about the death scene, Togashi explained why Meruem’s final moments were portrayed on a black manga panel with white speech bubbles. He also talked...

An animated drama about loss and resilience in the shadow of the bomb, In This Corner Of The World is a quietly devastating must-see...

"First, toast and brown some rice. Add triple the amount of water and gently simmer... add miso and violets to yesterday's sardine stew. Reheat rice on the stove." So goes Suzu's recipe for a special kind of wartime rice, designed to make the most of a dwindling supply of ingredients. It's just one of many loving references to food and cooking in director Sunao Katabuchi's animated period drama, In This Corner Of The World. It may be a simple meal, but if you're watching the film on an empty stomach, it's the kind of thing that'll leave you profoundly hungry - at least, until the story takes a gut-wrenching turn.

This is far from the first animated film to take place either during or in...

The quotidian hardships and horrors of WWII are seen from the perspective of a young Japanese woman living close to Hiroshima In This Corner of the World (Kono sekai no katasumi ni), a compelling third feature from anime writer-director Sunao Katabuchi (Princess Arete, Mai Mai Mircale).

Adapted from Fumiyo Kono’s manga, this impressionistic chronicle of the war is, at first, more concerned with household chores and family matters than it is with soldiers on the battlefield, but its harrowing third act reveals what can happen when civilians become targets as well. Winner of multiple prizes, including Best Animation Film at...

Shout! Factory and Funimation Films have a new trailer for the animated feature In This Corner of the World, which it will release August 11 in the U.S.

Based on the manga by Fumiyo Kono and written and directed by Sunao Katabuchi (Mai Mai Miracle, Princess Arete), the hand-drawn film follows a young lady named Suzu Urano, whose life is thrown into chaos when her small town of Kure in Hiroshima is bombed during World War II.

It was produced by Masao Maruyama of Mappa Co. and Taro Maki of Genco.

The movie won the Animation of the Year award...