Top 10 Must-Watch Medieval Anime Of All Time & Where To Watch Them!

As soon as you hear the word “Medieval” a picture of a huge castle, surrounded by mountains and guarded by knights, flashes in your mind.

The term also relates to events that occurred in Europe between the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD and the beginning of the Renaissance around 1500 AD.

But in reality, the Medieval period doesn’t refer to European history only, it can refer to the Japanese or any other country’s history with their own periods of occurrence.

In anime, there’s no specific event that has been featured but several fictions inspired by the incidents from the Medieval Era.

Keeping that in mind, let’s begin with the top 10 list of medieval anime.

10. Berserk

Berserk deals with Guts, whose monotonous life is filled with nothing but bloodshed.

Berserk

Air Date: October 8, 1997 Status: Finished Studio: OLM, Millepensee, GEMBA No. of Seasons: 3 No. of Episodes: 49

Guts, born from the corpse of his mother, survive by shedding blood on the battlefield. Soon after an encounter with a formidable group of mercenaries known as the Band of the Hawk, Guts was recruited by Griffith.

top 10 medieval anime
Berserk

Griffith is the leader of the band. Making his name in the band, Guts soon realizes that the world is not as monotonous as he thought. And soon, he struggles to follow the path that will only bring him tragedy.

Watch Berserk on:

9. The Heroic Legend of Arslan

The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a story that perfectly balances betrayal and politics.

The Heroic Legend of Arslan

Air Date: April 5, 2015 Status: Finished Studio: SANZIGEN, LIDENFILMS No. of Seasons: 2 No. of Episodes: 33

After getting betrayed by a trusted official, the King and Army of Persia are devastated. With Ecbatana being besieged, Lusitanians are out to hunt down Prince Arslan. With no one to save him, Arslan escapes with general Daryun on his side.

The Heroic Legend of Arslan - Official Promotional Video
The Heroic Legend of Arslan Trailer

The mastermind behind Lusitania’s victory is a silver mask clad man, who has a secret to stop Arslan’s right to the throne. With hopes of regaining his kingdom, Arslan embarks on a journey to find allies who will help him to achieve that.

Watch The Heroic Legend of Arslan on:

8. Moribito – Guardian of the Spirit

Moribito displays Balsa’s determination to save lives as the repentance for her sins of killing people to close her.

Moribito – Guardian of the Spirit

Air Date: April 7, 2007 Status: Finished Studio: Production I.G No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 26

To avoid the drought caused by the water demon on the land of Shin Yogo once again, the Emperor has decided to kill Prince Chagum.

Carrying the egg of the water demon in his body, Chagum is saved by Balsa, a spear-wielding woman from an assassination attempt.

MORIBITO - Official Extended Trailer - Available NOW on DVD and Blu-ray
Moribito – Guardian of the Spirit Trailer

Following which Balsa was vowed to protect Chagum for the rest of her life by the prince’s mother, which she accepted.

Being the 8th person to be saved as repenting for the 8 lives she took of the people close to her, Balsa promises Chagum to protect him until the last breath.

Watch Moribito – Guardian of the Spirit on:

7. Erin

The one who learns the importance of patience can face any challenges in life, Erin beautifully portrays that.

Erin

Air Date: January 10, 2009 Status: Finished Studio: Production I.G, Trans Arts No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 50

The peace between the Shin-Ou and Tai-Kou region in the land of Ryoza seems to be weakening day by day as the horror of war closes in.

In Tai-Kou lives Ake, the daughter of Soyon, village’s Head Touda Doctor. Soon their peaceful life comes to an end while Soyon was punished by the Grand Duke of Shin-Ou for an unfortunate incident related to the strongest Touda, a war-beast.

top 10 medieval anime
Erin | Source: Crunchyroll

Trying to save her mother, she was swept away by a river to Shin-Ou after falling into it. There she tries to uncover the truth behind the existence of those war-beats.

Watch Erin on:

6. Spice and Wolf

Spice and Wolf take you on a delightful journey of a human and a deity.

Spice and Wolf

Air Date: January 9, 2008 Status: Finished Studio: Imagin No. of Seasons: 2 No. of Episodes: 25

Holo, after becoming a mere folk tale from a renowned powerful wolf deity in Pasloe, offers a traveling merchant named Kraft Lawrence to become his business partner if he eventually takes her to the northern home of Yoitsu.

Spice and Wolf: The Complete Series - Available Now on BD/DVD Combo - Trailer
Spice and Wolf Trailer

Lawrence, after recognizing her ability to evaluate a person’s character, accepts her proposition while inching close to the dream of opening his shop.

Watch Spice and Wolf on:

5. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is a tour down your memory lane!

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Air Date: October 7, 2012 Status: Finished Studio: A-1 Pictures No. of Seasons: 2 No. of Episodes: 50

Dungeons are several labyrinths hiding incredible treasures hidden within them. Dungeons are the work of a class of rare magicians known as Magi, who help people to build their empires.

Djinns grant power to the successful conquerors and choose them as a king candidate of the world. Aladdin is a young magician accompanied by his mentor Ugo, a djinn, on his journey to explore the world.

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic - Official Trailer
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Trailer

After destroying a supply cart, he becomes friends with Alibaba, who suggests him to conquer the nearest dungeon to pay for the damages.

Watch Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic on:

4. Yona of the Dawn

Happiness comes to those who value the smallest things in life, Yona of the Dawn reminds us that.

Yona of the Dawn

Air Date: October 7, 2014 Status: Finished Studio: Studio Pierrot No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 24

After the sudden murder of the King due to her cousin Su-won’s betrayal, Princess Yona’s luxurious life comes to an end.

After being chased to death, she was forced to escape with her childhood friend and bodyguard, Son Hak. The kingdom she envisioned to be full of happiness, turns out to be engulfed in poverty and corruption.

Yona of the Dawn Part One - Coming Soon
Yona of the Dawn Trailer

Deciding to bring back happiness in this kingdom, Princess Yona sets off on a journey with a mysterious legend to guide her.

Watch Yona of the Dawn on:

3. The Seven Deadly Sins

The Seven Deadly Sins uniquely displays the flaws of the mightiest warriors simultaneously with their overwhelming strength.

The Seven Deadly Sins

Air Date: October 5, 2014 Status: Airing Studio: A-1 Pictures, Studio Deen No. of Seasons: 5 No. of Episodes: 93

The Kingdom of Britannia was protected by the Holy Knights, who were capable of using magic. But after the betrayal of a few Knights, the kingdom was in chaos until the Holy Knights saved it from being overthrown.

The deeds that seemed to be heroic soon turned into evil when the saviors betrayed the King and took the throne for themselves.

The Seven Deadly Sins | Official Trailer | Netflix
The Seven Deadly Sins Trailer

Following which the rumors of the “Seven Deadly Sins” being alive spread across the kingdom. Trying to bring back happiness to the kingdom, the former princess, Elizabeth, embarks on a journey to find the Seven Deadly Sins.

Watch The Seven Deadly Sins on:

2. Kingdom

Kingdom splendidly portrays one’s journey to the pinnacle of a dream.

Kingdom

Air Date: June 4, 2012 Status: Upcoming Season 5 Studio: Studio Pierrot, Studio Signpost No. of Seasons: 5 No. of Episodes: 129

In the kingdom of Qin, Li Xin and Piao are best friends and fellow slaves who share the dream of becoming a Great General of the Heavens.

But soon, they were forced to part ways, as Piao was recruited to work by a retainer of the King.

top 10 medieval anime
Kingdom

After a fierce coup d’etat unfolds, Piao returns to Xin with a mission leading him to China’s young King, Ying Zheng, who bears a striking resemblance to Piao. And thus begins Xin’s journey of becoming a Great General of the seven warring states.

Watch Kingdom on:

1. Vinland Saga

Vengeance will make you hollow, Vinland Saga displays that through a heart-wrenching story.

Vinland Saga

Air Date: July 8, 2019 Status: Airing Studio: Wit Studio, MAPPA No. of Seasons: 2 No. of Episodes: 48

Thorfinn, being born in Iceland, has grown up listening to the legend of Vinland, where it is warm and fertile, unlike his motherland.

War is in his home now as the battle between England and the Danes, have grown worse each year. Vikings are loving the bloodbath and are allying with the side they seem profitable with.

Vinland Saga Trailer

Amidst the chaos, Thorfinn must take his revenge and kill Askeladd, the man who murdered his father, Thors.

Watch Vinland Saga on:

Honorable Mention

There are some other series in this genre that is worth watching, they are:

Snow White with the Red Hair, Claymore, Goblin Slayer.

Comments

Leave a Reply