Summary
- "How A Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom" focuses on intelligence over war, highlighting Souma's economic revival strategies.
- "The Ambition of Oda Nobuna" reimagines historical figures as cute girls in a war-focused isekai setting.
- "The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic" turns healer trope on its head with innovative uses in war preparation.
Isekai might be one of the biggest sub-genres within the anime space and this means that the themes that are being explored are only growing more and more. From Isekai fantasies, to comedies, there are new nuances and stories being told within this genre.
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One of the prominent storylines that have always been a part of the isekai genre is war. With heroes being called from one world to the other to deal with some demon army or another kingdom’s threat. That said, not many shows center their stories on war, so it will be great to highlight some great options.
10 How A Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom
Souma’s Strength Lies In Intelligence
How A Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2021 - 2022
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Japanese Title
- Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki
- Based On
- Novel & Light Novel
- Creator
- Dojyomaru
- Number of Episodes
- 26
While the name might be a mouthful, How A Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom does tell a rather fascinating story. While Kazuya Souma isn’t interested in fighting a war when he is suddenly thrust with the responsibility of leading the Elfrieden Kingdom, he does excel.
This is due to his superior intellect and with Souma’s concerns more to do with reviving the ailing economy of the empire, war is at his doorstep. The main conflict of the first season of the show focuses on the war against Amidonia, and how Souma’s excellent military strategy paved a way for his people.
9 The Ambition of Oda Nobuna
Most Of Japan’s Famous Warlords Became Cute Moe Girls
The Ambition of Oda Nobuna
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 9, 2012
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Madhouse, Studio Gokumi
- Japanese Title
- Oda Nobuna no Yabou
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Mikage Kasuga
- Number of Episodes
- 12
The gender-bend is nothing new in anime as there are several examples of this in popular shows. In the case of The Ambition Of Oda Nobuna, one of Japan’s most represented historical figures in media, Oda Nobunaga, is back…but as a girl.
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The protagonist, Yoshiharu Sagara, joins her in her quest to take over Japan. The show does an amazing job in staying true to historical context and personalities even with the obvious changes to the characters’ genders. While there is a lot of fanservice, there are also a lot of battles to enjoy in this dated war isekai.
8 The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
An Innovative Look At Healing Magic
The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024-00-00
For anyone who plays RPGs, the healer class is usually considered a support class that isn’t expected to contribute to battle in a significant way. In The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic, this trope is turned on its head and there are some pretty nifty uses of healer magic.
Ken Usato is transported to another world and is given healing magic. He is in the the thick of a looming war and the story more or less zeroes in on the preparation for war rather than full-on combat. That said, it is a good show with a nice idea and fans are looking forward to a second season that should have a lot more war content.
7 Now And Then, Here And There
An Uncomfortable Look Into The Realities Of War
Now and Then, Here and There
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1999 - 2000-00-00
- Seasons
- 1
Now and Then, Here and There is an anime that gets talked about a lot, and considering it is about 25 years old now, it just shows its legacy. The story follows Shuu Matsutani as he is whisked to another world while trying to help his new friend Lala-Ru.
The story is uncomfortable as it deals with the effects of war in a very real way, and the fact that a lot of the characters are young makes it even harder to stomach. There aren’t many sprawling battles in this one, but is instead an in-depth look at the true horrors of war.
6 The Vision of Escaflowne
Van Fanel Fights To Avenge His Homeland
The Vision of Escaflowne
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1996 - 1996
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Japanese Title
- Tenkuu no Escaflowne
- Based On
- Manga
- Number of Episodes
- 26
This underrated gem follows Hitomi who is taken into another world after helping a strange boy called Van Fanel. Soon chaos erupts as Van’s homeland of Fanelia is leveled by the evil empire, Zaibach.
A lot of the narrative focuses on Van’s fight for vengeance against the Zaibach empire. Sure, there is an adventure element as Hitomi and another ally called Allen are instrumental in bringing down the Zaibach kingdom. That said, since this was a shoujo anime, there was a focus on romance to and a bittersweet ending that’s pretty divisive.
5 GATE
GATE’s Take On Modern Weapons Versus Fantasy Ones Is Easy To Relate To
Gate
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2015 - 2016-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Network
- Tokyo MX
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Japanese Title
- Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Takumi Yanai
- Number of Episodes
- 24
When Youji Itami went to a doujin convention, he had no idea that he would be at the forefront of one of the most incredible things to happen in the world— the opening of a portal to another world.
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GATE takes a rather flattering look at the Japanese Defense Forces and showcases them as immensely efficient against the more mystical weapons of the fantasy world. There is a lot of political intrigue and battles to enjoy in this show while it also surprisingly handles some topics with care and respect.
4 Drifters
From One War To Another
Drifters
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2018-00-00
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Hoods Drifters Studio
- Based On
- Manga
- Number of Episodes
- 15
Toyohisa Shimazu is in the middle of a battle and is on the verge of losing his life when he ‘dies’ and winds up in the afterlife which turns out to be a white room and doors on every side. Sent to another world, he is yanked into another world ravaged by war.
Toyohisa is joined by other historical figures, most notably Oda Nobunaga, and they help the elves and seek to free the new world from the tyranny of the Orte kingdom. Lots of battles, blood, gore and a striking artstyle from the same mangaka for Hellsing. Drifters is something of a cult classic.
3 Overlord
Ainz Is On The Brink Of Bringing A World To Its Knees
Overlord
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2015 - 2022
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Kugane Maruyama
- Number of Episodes
- 52
At first glance, Overlord does not seem like an anime about war. But once the initial story phase passes and Ainz declares he wants a kingdom for monsters, war becomes inevitable.
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Due to the overwhelming power of Ainz, the conclusion seems rather set, but there is still some intrigue to be had with various alliances and a chance to learn more about the world of YGGDRASIL which is teeming with some rich lore and unique characters.
2 Saga Of Tanya The Evil
Tanya Is The Star Of This War Adventure
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2017 - 2021-00-00
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Nut
- Japanese Title
- Youjo Senki
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Number of Episodes
- 12
Tanya Degurechaff was killed in his world (he was a man) and then is transported to a new world as the little girl Tanya. At the age of 10, Tanya is a military genius and is looking to rise through the ranks.
The setting of Saga Of Tanya The Evil definitely mirrors the world wars that have taken place here on earth and offers an alternative look at the situation. Tanya’s world is grim and a sad reminder of the oppressive mood of war. The addition of some fantasy elements makes for a surreal experience that is enjoyable.
1 The Twelve Kingdoms
A Straightforward Epic Fantasy With War And Intrigue
The Twelve Kingdoms
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2002 - 2003
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Japanese Title
- Juuni Kokuki
- Based On
- Novel
- Creator
- Fuyumi Ono
- Number of Episodes
- 45
Youko Nakajima is a girl that just wants to fit in. So when she is cornered by an otherworldly creature who claims that she is a queen in another world, her life is turned upside down.
The Twelve Kingdoms has a strong story and a fascinating fantasy world. Youko is ready to be queen, but there are forces against her and war is coming. While a lot of the story is centered on Youko’s journey, war is intrinsically tied to this and the story shows this quite clearly.
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