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Manga to Read if You Love History
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items As someone who loves history, I have a special place in my heart for any manga that is inspired by or tries to capture historical periods and events. There are a couple really good ones out there, and have been licensed in North America.
Sections
3
Ancient History
Japanese History
European History
Ancient History
These are manga series or collections that feature stories taking place in the distant past.
Often hailed as one of the great shoujo manga, it is also one of the best time travel manga out there. It is a blend of well-researched history, great characters and story, Red River is a must-read.
Chie is a normal 15-year old girl who just began dating a long time crush. Fate has other plans and the evil Queen Nakia uses magic to draw her into the very distant past in order to complete a spell that will sacrifice her to put her young son on th...
Chie is a normal 15-year old girl who just began dating a long time crush. Fate has other plans and the evil Queen Nakia uses magic to draw her into the very distant past in order to complete a spell that will sacrifice her to put her young son on th...
Red River (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1 - Chie Shinomura
This is a fun series that takes the amusement part of time travel by giving it a rather amusing premise and likeable main character.
Roman architect Lucius is criticized for his “outdated” designs and he finds solace in a local bathouse to relax and reflect. Relaxing in the water, he is suddenly caught in the suction and dragged through the drainage. When he emerges he finds himse...
Roman architect Lucius is criticized for his “outdated” designs and he finds solace in a local bathouse to relax and reflect. Relaxing in the water, he is suddenly caught in the suction and dragged through the drainage. When he emerges he finds himse...
Thermae Romae: The Complete Omnibus - Mari Yamazaki
Note: This was announced and is set to release in April 2027 in North America.
Historie follows Eumenes, a young man in 4th-century BCE Greece who rises from an uncertain childhood to become a trusted secretary and strategist to Philip II of Macedon and eventually Alexander the Great. The series blends Eumenes’ fictionalized pe...
Historie follows Eumenes, a young man in 4th-century BCE Greece who rises from an uncertain childhood to become a trusted secretary and strategist to Philip II of Macedon and eventually Alexander the Great. The series blends Eumenes’ fictionalized pe...
Historié - Hitoshi Iwaaki
This is a really good series and many people were very excited to see this finally get licensed (myself included).
Kingdom follows Xin, a young war orphan in ancient China who dreams of becoming the greatest general under the heavens. Set during the Warring States period, the series follows his rise through the Qin military as he fights alongside King Ying Zheng ...
Kingdom follows Xin, a young war orphan in ancient China who dreams of becoming the greatest general under the heavens. Set during the Warring States period, the series follows his rise through the Qin military as he fights alongside King Ying Zheng ...
Kingdom - Yasuhisa Hara
Japanese History
There are a ton of manga detailing parts of Japanese history and these are some of the best.
Vagabond follows the story of Miyamoto Musashi. Musashi (a real person) is a young and reckless swordsman who travels through 17th-century Japan seeking to become the strongest warrior and understand what true strength means. Along the way, he encoun...
It is worth noting this series is on hiatus but that doesn't stop it from being an incredible read.
It is worth noting this series is on hiatus but that doesn't stop it from being an incredible read.
Vagabond
Barefoot Gen is an incredible, heart-breaking manga that is based on the authors own experiences during the Hiroshima bombing.
The story follows Gen Nakaoka, a young boy growing up in Hiroshima during World War II. The series follows Gen and his family as they struggle to survive the destruction, hunger, loss, and aftermath of the bombing while Gen tries to rebuild his life ...
The story follows Gen Nakaoka, a young boy growing up in Hiroshima during World War II. The series follows Gen and his family as they struggle to survive the destruction, hunger, loss, and aftermath of the bombing while Gen tries to rebuild his life ...
Barefoot Gen, Volume 1 - Keiji Nakazawa
Rurouni Kenshin follows Himura Kenshin, a former assassin who wanders Japan during the early Meiji era, vowing never to kill again and using a reverse-blade sword to protect others. As he settles in Tokyo and becomes close with Kaoru Kamiya and her f...
Note: While Kenshin is not an actual person, he is primarily inspired by Kawakami Gensai (1834–1872), one of the four famous assassins of the Bakumatsu period.
Note: While Kenshin is not an actual person, he is primarily inspired by Kawakami Gensai (1834–1872), one of the four famous assassins of the Bakumatsu period.
Rurouni Kenshin - Nobuhiro Watsuki
Showa actually is a multi-volume series that takes place during different periods of time in pre- and post-war Japan.
Showa chronicles Japan from the 1920s through the end of World War II and into the postwar period, blending historical events with Mizuki’s own experiences. It explores the rise of militarism, the devastation of war, and Japan’s dramatic transformati...
Showa chronicles Japan from the 1920s through the end of World War II and into the postwar period, blending historical events with Mizuki’s own experiences. It explores the rise of militarism, the devastation of war, and Japan’s dramatic transformati...
Showa 1926-1939: A History of Japan - Shigeru Mizuki
Golden Kamuy follows Saichi Sugimoto, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War who searches for a hidden stash of stolen Ainu gold in early 20th-century Hokkaido. Joined by an Ainu girl named Asirpa, Sugimoto becomes caught in a dangerous race against for...
Golden Kamuy - Satoru Noda
European History
There are quite a few manga series that are set at different points of history in Europe.
The Rose of Versailles follows Oscar François de Jarjayes, a woman raised as a man to become a commander of the French Royal Guard. The story follows her as she navigates the court of Versailles during the reign of Louis XVI. Her story becomes intert...
The Rose of Versailles - Ryoko Ikeda
Vinland Saga follows Thorfinn, a young Icelandic warrior who joins the mercenary band of the Viking commander Askeladd while seeking revenge for his father’s death. Set during the Viking Age and incorporating real historical figures and events, the s...
Vinland Saga - Makoto Yukimura
I love this series (and the anime based on it). At one point it went out of print but thankfully it was released in a special hardcover edition.
Emma follows a young maid named Emma who works in Victorian-era London and falls in love with William Jones, a gentleman from a wealthy family. Their relationship faces the barriers of social class and expectations, while the series also explores eve...
Emma follows a young maid named Emma who works in Victorian-era London and falls in love with William Jones, a gentleman from a wealthy family. Their relationship faces the barriers of social class and expectations, while the series also explores eve...
Emma - Karou Mori
This does fall into the 'fantasy" category I bit (like Black Butler) but this one focuses on actual historical events moreso.
Requiem of the Rose King is a dark retelling of the Wars of the Roses, following Richard III as he navigates the brutal struggle between the Houses of York and Lancaster. Blending real historical figures and events with Shakespearean influences, goth...
Requiem of the Rose King is a dark retelling of the Wars of the Roses, following Richard III as he navigates the brutal struggle between the Houses of York and Lancaster. Blending real historical figures and events with Shakespearean influences, goth...
Requiem of the Rose King - Aya Kanno
Issak is set during the Thirty Years’ War in 17th-century Europe and follows a Japanese mercenary who fights alongside Protestant forces while protecting a young girl caught in the conflict. As Issak battles across war-torn Europe, he pursues a perso...
Issak - Shinji Makari (story) and Double-S (art)