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While many period pieces are available to viewers who are fans of the subgenre, not many are precisely set in the 18th century. Nonetheless, viewers who are fans of the “Age of Enlightenment” and the innovations, ideas, and culture borne from it have some shows to choose from.
6 Ryoukan-san
This anime follows the story of a Buddhist monk and reputable poet named Ryoukan, who lived during the Edo period in Japan. Despite coming from an affluent family in Izumozaki, Ryoukan decides to forego the comfortable life he was due to inherit in favor of studying Buddhism to discover the purpose of life. He begins a period of severe training in his early adult years that necessitates living alone and in poverty.
The anime successfully takes viewers through Ryoukan’s transformation from a young man raised in a wealthy home to a Buddhist monk. Ryoukan-san explores both sides of humanity—the good and the bad—and the trials and tribulations that come with self-discovery.
5 Fena: Pirate Princess
Fena: Pirate Princess is an anime-only project about a young and cheerful orphan girl named Fena Houtman who is being held captive on the Island of Shangri-La by British Imperial Soldiers. Despite the bleak nature of her situation, Fena continues to dream of her escape from captivity and finding where she truly belongs—a place only known by the name Eden. Upon her eventual escape, she encounters a misfit group of pirates, which brings to the surface long-buried memories.
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Along with her newfound friends, Fena sets out on an adventure to find Eden and unravel the mysteries of her past. Fena: Pirate Princess is for viewers who seek a story of adventure told with beautiful animation and amazing visuals. It is a short anime of 12 episodes, which is very well-paced and does a great job of keeping the audience interested. Fena: Pirate Princess has an amazing first season that will keep viewers eagerly anticipating a second one.
4 Le Chevalier D’Eon
Le Chevalier D’Eon’s events occur in 18th-century France when a knight, D’Eon de Beaumont, decides to investigate the death of his sister, Lia de Beaumont, after she has been found dead in a casket drifting along the Seine River. The only clue available to D’Eon regarding his sister’s death is the word “Psalm” written in blood on the casket she was found in. He investigates multiple reports of missing women in the area, along with his sister’s death. D’Eon is accompanied by three men – Robin, Durand, and Teilagory – as he begins his quest to uncover these very dark and intertwined mysteries.
Fans of mystery, murder, the supernatural, and the occult would have a lot of fun watching this anime. It is also the perfect anime for history enthusiasts as it delves into the intricacies of pre-revolutionary France. The anime explores themes of religion, the cruelty of royalty, and the impact of the Age of Enlightenment on French society at the time.
3 Onihei
Onihei is based on a series of Japanese novels of the same name, written in the 1960s by Shōtaro Ikenami. Set in 18th-century Japan, it tells the story of a man named Hasegawa who is tasked with law enforcement in his village as the Tōzoku Aratamekata Chōkan, the Superintendent General of the investigation agency that specializes in investigating the theft, armed robbery, and arson. The anime is episodic in the sense that it does not follow linear continuity, and the audience gets to experience different characters from the perspective of Hasegawa.
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Viewers who are fans of the Samurai subgenre would love Onihei as it delivers awesome sword fights enhanced by spectacular animation. The morally grey nature of the show keeps it interesting as it leaves audiences guessing the kind of decisions each character will make. Onihei also does a good job of representing late Edo-period Japan by adding a terrifyingly large amount of detail to the scenery, which helps bring the show to life. All of this makes it a wonderful period piece for fans of Edo-period Japan.
2 Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas
Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas is a prequel to the original Saint Seiya series, which is widely regarded as one of the most influential Shonen anime series of all time. The story takes place in the 18th century, 250 years before the events of the original Saint Seiya. It tells the story of Tenma, one of the 88 saints of Athena, and Sasha, a reincarnation of the Greek goddess Athena, and their battle against the reincarnation of the god Hades—Alone.
Tenma and Sasha intend to stop Alone from creating the “Lost Canvas,” an expansive painting of the Earth in the sky, which, once completed, would bring an end to the world.
The anime does a great job of fleshing out many characters. For instance, the depiction of Alone’s transformation from an innocent young boy to the literal reincarnation of Hades. Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas is an enjoyable watch for fans of the fantasy genre and Greek mythology.
1 The Rose of Versailles
Many people can relate to the story of being raised to be something one is not, and not many anime capture this concept quite like The Rose of Versailles. The anime series is based on a manga series of the same name. The anime’s events take place in 18th-century France before and during the French Revolution. The show tells the story of Lady Oscar, the commander of the palace guards of Versailles. She was raised as a man from birth due to her father’s longing for a son. Both men and women admire Lady Oscar for both her beauty and noble character; however, she struggles to balance her heart’s desires with her chosen life of devotion and duty to class and the French nation.
Despite being well exposed to the opulence that comes with nobility, her compassion and selflessness do not allow her to turn a blind eye to the suffering of the French people. The anime delves into stories of romance, especially between Lady Oscar and Andre Grander (a commoner and grandson of Lady Oscar’s nanny). The Rose of Versailles is a great anime for romance fans ƒand history buffs alike as it delves into French society’s dynamics during the late 18th century.
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