Best Historical Manga Recommendations

Yasuhisa Hara

Action, Ongoing Series, Seinen, historical

Ancient China, Warring States Era — 3rd Century BC. An age of relentless warfare, where kingdoms clash and chaos reigns. Shin, a war orphan living as a servant, dreams of rising through the ranks to become the Greatest General Under the Heavens. With unshakable resolve and a growing skill with the sword, he vows to make his name known on the battlefield. One day, Shin crosses paths with a young man destined to become Ei Sei, the future king of Qin. Their fateful meeting sets in motion an extraordinary journey toward the unification of all China. Ambition. Betrayal. Loyalty. Brotherhood. As armies collide and ideals are tested, the saga of those who stake their lives on the battlefield unfolds with overwhelming intensity and emotion. A boy chasing the path of a great general. A king determined to rise above a fractured world. Their intersecting dreams ignite a grand, blood-soaked tale of power, destiny, and iron conviction. Kingdom is a breathtaking historical action epic where glory is earned and history is written in steel and sacrifice.

Hitoshi Iwaaki

Drama, Ongoing Series, Seinen, historical

Set in 4th-century BCE Ancient Greece, Historie follows the remarkable life of Eumenes, who eventually becomes a key general and strategist for the Kingdom of Macedonia. Orphaned at a young age, Eumenes rises through his exceptional intelligence, determination, and integrity. The story begins in his childhood, meticulously detailing how Eumenes meets the young prince Alexander—later known as Alexander the Great—and gradually earns his trust as an indispensable advisor. Using intellect as his weapon, Eumenes navigates philosophy, politics, and military strategy, becoming pivotal in shaping an era defined by ambition, warfare, and cultural upheaval. Amid power struggles and brutal realities of war, Eumenes remains steadfast in his beliefs, though he continually wrestles with internal conflicts. The narrative intricately portrays historical events such as Alexander’s famous campaigns and Macedonia’s internal political struggles, capturing the complexity of ancient society through Eumenes’s unique perspective. Historie excels in showcasing authentic ancient military tactics, political intrigues, and the nuanced dynamics between royalty and common citizens. Beyond a gripping tale of one strategist's journey, the manga offers an immersive glimpse into the heart of Ancient Greek civilization itself.

Satoru Noda

Action, Adventure, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Drama, Seinen, historical

Set in Hokkaido at the end of the Meiji era, Golden Kamuy follows Saichi Sugimoto, a battle-hardened ex-soldier known as “Immortal Sugimoto.” In order to fulfill a fallen comrade’s last wish and secure a fortune, he sets his sights on a legendary hidden stash of gold. The key to the treasure? A cryptic map tattooed on the bodies of escaped prisoners. Along the way, Sugimoto partners with Asirpa, a brave and resourceful Ainu girl with deep knowledge of the land and a personal quest for truth surrounding her father's death. Their bond grows stronger as they journey across the harsh northern wilderness. What follows is an exhilarating blend of survival, cultural exploration, gourmet adventures, and a deadly battle for gold, where cunning and brute strength collide. As greed, justice, and betrayal intertwine, the quest for the gold escalates into a sprawling conspiracy that threatens to engulf even the nation itself. Thrilling, emotional, and utterly unique—Golden Kamuy is a masterful tale of riches, honor, and the human spirit set against the frozen frontier.

Taiga Sassa

Drama, Ongoing Series, Slice of Life, historical

"Isabella Bird in Wonderland" is set in Japan in 1878 (Meiji Year 11), a period shortly after the Meiji Restoration. Although Emperor Meiji had lifted the ban on Western cuisine in 1871, allowing Western culture to gradually permeate Japan, the nation was still far from the fully Westernized country it is today. The protagonist, Isabella Bird, is an adventurous woman who had previously explored places like Hawaii and the Rocky Mountains. This time, her goal is to journey to Japan's northernmost region at the time, "Ezo-ga-shima" (present-day Hokkaido). Unable to speak Japanese, Bird initially struggles to find an interpreter but eventually meets Tsurukichi Ito, who agrees to accompany her, and their journey begins. From the perspective of Bird, raised in the West, everything about Japanese culture and landscapes of that era is astonishing and strange. Through numerous hardships and rare experiences, she gradually builds connections with Tsurukichi and the Japanese people she encounters, making this a story of cultural discovery and interpersonal bonds.

Hideaki Sorachi

Anime Adaptation, Comedy, Completed Series, Drama, Shonen, historical

Gintama is a manga series by Hideaki Sorachi, set in an alternate version of the Edo period where humans coexist with extraterrestrial beings known as the "Amanto." After the Amanto invade and rise to power, the samurai class declines, and the shogunate issues a ban on carrying swords. As a result, former samurai lose their pride, and the once-historical city of Edo transforms into a futuristic, chaotic metropolis.

Hachi Nishika

Drama, Ongoing Series, Romance, Seinen, historical

In the spring of 1936 (Showa 11), 20-year-old Natsumi Sekiya is suddenly informed by her father that her marriage has been arranged. She accepts an engagement with Takimasa Ebata, a lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Navy. However, on her wedding day, Takimasa is absent due to naval training, and Natsumi ends up having her wedding ceremony with just a photograph of him. When Takimasa finally returns after his military exercises, their first meeting is awkward. Despite feeling unsure about her quiet, reserved husband, Natsumi earnestly strives to support him as a wife. Neither experienced in household chores nor familiar with married life, the couple gradually grows closer, navigating their awkwardness and building trust. Due to Takimasa’s frequent long-term deployments at sea, Natsumi feels lonely but communicates her feelings through letters, strengthening their bond with every reunion. Amid occasional misunderstandings, jealousy, and interactions with family and friends, the two steadily mature as a couple. Set against the backdrop of pre-war Japan, this gentle, warm-hearted story portrays the pure and slightly frustrating romance of a newlywed couple, capturing their everyday life as softly as the ocean breeze.

Yutaka Tōdō (Manga), based on concept by Kenzaburō Akechi

Completed Series, Drama, Seinen, historical

The Man Who Killed Nobunaga: The Truth Behind the Honnoji Incident 431 Years Later is a historical manga that reexamines one of Japan’s greatest mysteries—the Honnoji Incident—through a bold and fresh perspective. Based on insights from a descendant of Akechi Mitsuhide, the manga challenges conventional history and shines a new light on the man long branded a traitor. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s suspiciously swift march toward Kyoto following Nobunaga’s assassination. It then travels back in time to depict the fateful first meeting between Mitsuhide and Oda Nobunaga, tracing the trust that developed between them. As Nobunaga pushes radical reforms, dreams of overseas conquest, and enforces a ruthless meritocracy, tensions within the Oda clan rise—setting the stage for a dramatic reckoning. Rather than portraying Mitsuhide’s betrayal as a petty act of revenge, the manga presents an alternative theory: that he acted out of a desire to stop Nobunaga’s descent into tyranny and to achieve lasting peace for Japan. This “new truth” turns the familiar narrative on its head. Alongside Mitsuhide and Nobunaga, powerful figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi are drawn into a thrilling political web of ambition and strategy. The manga brings to life the untold stories, human drama, and conflicting ideals behind this pivotal event in Japanese history—offering a captivating reimagining of a man history may have misunderstood. This is not just a retelling, but a compelling historical mystery that may forever change how readers view Akechi Mitsuhide—and the true meaning behind the fall of Oda Nobunaga.

Uoto

Completed Series, Seinen, historical

Set in a fictional medieval European-like country, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth portrays the passion and struggles of those who pursue the heliocentric theory—an idea deemed heretical and severely suppressed in that era. Rafał, a young boy with a genius intellect, is caught between his deep passion for knowledge and his religious beliefs. His life changes dramatically when he discovers an underground group dedicated to uncovering the truth about the Earth's movements. These scholars risk their lives, confronting betrayal, persecution, and despair, united by their conviction to preserve truth for future generations. Characters pass the torch across generations, tirelessly fighting to keep the flame of knowledge alive. This profound and sweeping drama explores themes of academic freedom, human dignity, and the weight of personal conviction.

Junichi Nojo (Story), Kazutoshi Hando (Supervision), Issei Eifuku (Original Concept), Shigeru Mizuki (Original Inspiration)

Drama, Seinen, historical

Showa Tenno Monogatari is a historical manga portraying the life of Emperor Hirohito, known posthumously as Emperor Shōwa. Born as the grandson of Emperor Meiji and the eldest son of Emperor Taishō, Hirohito grows up under the weight of his future responsibilities, shaped by strict tutors, family expectations, and the immense pressures of his era. The story unfolds amid major historical events: the Russo-Japanese War, the passing of Emperor Meiji, the dramatic societal shifts of the Taishō period, Hirohito's formal investiture as Crown Prince, and his engagement to Princess Nagako (later Empress Kōjun). Eventually ascending to the throne as Emperor Shōwa, he faces the daunting task of leading Japan first as a commander-in-chief before and during World War II, and later as a symbolic figurehead in the postwar period. Carefully based on historical records, the manga explores Hirohito's internal struggles, personal growth, relationships with family and close advisors, and the deep reflections on Japan’s identity as a nation.