whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Romance

The best historical romance anime you can start from the beginning

78 anime that are both romance and historical, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen, Prism Rondo, Versailles no Bara.

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The list

1. 1 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal OVA · 1999 · 4 episodes · Studio Deen · #72 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Prism Rondo Love Through a Prism ONA · 2026 · 20 episodes · Wit Studio · #188 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
3. 3 Versailles no Bara The Rose of Versailles TV · 1979 · 40 episodes · Tokyo Movie Shinsha · #279 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
4. 4 Katanagatari TV · 2010 · 12 episodes · White Fox · #337 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
5. 5 Sakamichi no Apollon Kids on the Slope TV · 2012 · 12 episodes · Tezuka Productions · #342 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
6. 6 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan Rurouni Kenshin TV · 1996 · 94 episodes · Gallop · #365 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
7. 7 Sennen Joyuu Millennium Actress Film · 2002 · Madhouse · #394 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
8. 8 Kaze Tachinu The Wind Rises Film · 2013 · Studio Ghibli · #533 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
9. 9 Gosick TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · Bones · #685 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
10. 10 Kurenai no Buta Porco Rosso Film · 1992 · Studio Ghibli · #807 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
11. 11 Douluo Dalu Soul Land ONA · 2018 · 26 episodes · Sparkly Key Animation Studio · #848 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
12. 12 InuYasha TV · 2000 · 167 episodes · Sunrise · #975 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
13. 13 Saiunkoku Monogatari The Story of Saiunkoku TV · 2006 · 39 episodes · Madhouse · #1036 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
14. 14 Taishou Otome Otogibanashi Taisho Otome Fairy Tale TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · SynergySP · #1204 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
15. 15 Coquelicot-zaka kara From Up on Poppy Hill Film · 2011 · Studio Ghibli · #1212 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
16. 16 Da Zhuzai: Nian Fan The Great Ruler ONA · 2023 · 52 episodes · Motion Magic · #1272 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
17. 17 Liang Bu Yi No Doubt In Us ONA · 2021 · 24 episodes · Paper Plane Animation Studio · #1279 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
18. 18 Watashi no Ashinaga Ojisan My Daddy Long Legs TV · 1990 · 40 episodes · Nippon Animation · #1442 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
19. 19 Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon My Happy Marriage TV · 2023 · 12 episodes · Kinema Citrus · #1552 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
20. 20 Doupo Cangqiong: Yuanqi Fights Break Sphere Special 4: Origin ONA · 2022 · 3 episodes · Motion Magic · #1564 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
21. 21 Trapp Ikka Monogatari The Trapp Family Story TV · 1991 · 40 episodes · Nippon Animation · #1589 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
22. 22 Candy Candy TV · 1976 · 115 episodes · Toei Animation · #1665 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
23. 23 Ashita no Nadja Tomorrow's Nadja TV · 2003 · 50 episodes · Toei Animation · #1695 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
24. 24 Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma Emma: A Victorian Romance TV · 2005 · 12 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #1732 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
25. 25 Juubee Ninpuuchou Ninja Scroll Film · 1993 · animate Film · #1741 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.