15 Best Anime About War That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Anime About War

War conjures up images of a battle between two or more parties. However, that is only the beginning of the story. A whole war situation in reference to the experience of soldiers, as well as all the politics involved, and not to mention the bad influence that it has on civilians’ lives, are all included. Wars are horrible experiences, and the damage they leave behind can be devastating. “Tomorrow never arrives until it’s too late” is a well-known saying in the context of war.

Inhuman situations, on the other hand, make for memorable cinematic experiences. The best war movies, such as ‘Saving Private Ryan’, ‘Dunkirk’, and many others, have been made by Hollywood, but there are also a number of anime that have made their mark on this genre. On this list, you’ll find the best war anime of all time. Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu are all good places to find some of the best war anime.

15. Fate/Zero (2011)

Fate-Zero (2011)

The Holy Grail War is a major plot point throughout the ‘Fate Series.’ After the events of ‘Fate/Stay Night,’ the 4th Holy Grail war is depicted in ‘Fate/Zero,’ which takes place 10 years later. ‘Fate/Zero’ features the best aesthetics and characters of the entire anime series, which is very entertaining in and of itself. If you haven’t already, you should absolutely give this massive franchise a try. This anime has a complicated watch order, so you may want to check out our recommended watch order.

14. Basilisk: The Kouga Ninha Scrolls (2005)

“Basilisk” is a must-see ninja anime for everyone interested in the genre. Two ninja clans vie for the right to be the next heir to the throne in this straightforward story. This anime’s action is simple, bloody, and raw. In contrast to other shounen, this one focuses on slaughter and surprise fatalities rather than power-ups and spectacular attacks. Even in a conflict with only 10 ninjas on each side, the fighting is subdued. ‘Basilisk’ portrays ninjas as they deserve to be seen and as we imagine them to be.

13. Maoyuu Maou Yuusha (2013)

‘Maouyuu’ depicts a conflict between humans and demons, yet the anime will at some point cause you to reflect about the current status of the world. As long as there is conflict, there is no “happily ever after” despite defeating the Demon King. While the use of weapons like firearms and blades can put a stop to war, other forms of evil, such as poverty and slavery, must be eradicated via acts of kindness.

12. Valvrave the Liberator (1992)

Valvrave the Liberator (1992)

Dyson Sphere has made it possible for over 70% of mankind to live in space thanks to a new, improved mechanism. The Dorssia Military Pact Federation and the Atlantis Rim United States are now the two most powerful nations in the world. It is Haruto, a normal schoolkid from JIOR, who is forced to use his newly discovered humanoid weapon to defend his nations against Dorssian invasion. ‘Valvrave The Liberator’ is a lighter show than most of the others on this list, with a few jokes thrown in for good measure. During its length, you’ll also come across a wide range of other genres.

11. Darker Than Black (2007)

Tensai Okamura’s sci-fi thriller, ‘Darker Than Black,’ depicts a conflict in which justice and political positions have no bearing. All of this begins with the appearance of a Heaven’s Gate in South America and a Hell’s Gate in Japan, both through magic. There are no known origins for these gates, and even the surrounding spaces defy all known rules of physics. As soon as these gates appeared, a few people began to transform into the Contractors, a group of supernatural beings. When one of these Contractors, known as the “Black Reaper,” uses his abilities to aid the Syndicate, he gradually discovers that an underground war is taking place that threatens the very existence of all of these contractors.

10. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

A classic from Studio Ghibli, “Grave of the Fireflies” is the tale of two orphans who have lost nearly everything as a result of World War II in their small Japanese village. Seita and Setsuko have no choice but to leave the city and make their way to the countryside, where they must contend with disease and malnutrition. While the world around them continues to fall apart, the two of them maintain a youthful hope that things will improve for them in the future.

As they go, they discover that war can transform even the cruelest people into the most empathetic ones. Critics and fans alike have given this film a lot of praise over the years. Instead of depicting combat, this anime focuses on the lives of two young children who are forced to live in some of the harshest conditions on Earth.

9. Now and Then, Here and There (1999-2000)

Now and Then, Here and There (1999-2000)

One day in the life of an ordinary schoolboy named Shu is the subject of an Isekai called “Now and Then Here and There”. After encountering Lala-Ru one day, he is magically transported to another world. Soon, he understands that a horrific conflict is taking place in this new world, and that Lala-Ru has been kidnapped by some strong individuals. This battle must be brought to a stop, and he must do so in order to save Lala-Ru. As a whole, “Now and Then, Here and There” is a gloomy anime that delves into the horrifying reality of conflict. Fans of Isekai-based imagination and reality will enjoy this film. Recommended.

8. In This Corner of the World (2016)

It is Suzu, a little Japanese girl, who bears the brunt of the Hiroshima bombings in “In This Corner of the World.” During the first episode, the anime depicts the life that she led prior to the bombs. In the aftermath, she loses not only her family but also her entire home, which is the primary subject of the story. In spite of her precarious financial situation, health issues, and the constant presence of acid rain, she does her best to stay afloat and even lend a hand to those in need. For those who want a genuine look at how quickly life can change for the innocent, look no further than “In This Corner Of The World,” an extremely affecting anime film.

7. Aldnoah.Zero (2014)

When it comes to the visuals, ‘Aldnoah.Zero’ does an excellent job of conveying the tension between two planets that are owned by the same people. As soon as a Mars gateway is found on the moon’s surface, the whole human race is transported to the red planet’s surface. There, they uncover a highly advanced technology that causes conflict and misunderstandings between those who relocated to Mars and those who remained. As a means of resolving conflicts between Mars and Earth, the Crown Princess of the Mars settlement visits Earth. The only people who can halt the bloody battle that erupts when she is slain on Earth are those who know the truth about her murder.

6. Jormungand (2012)

Jormungand (2012)

An multinational arms dealer is depicted in “Jormungand,” unlike any other anime on this list, which deals in weapons for the purpose of waging wars. For the most part, it portrays the story of the young child who is trying to remain neutral during wars, rather than emphasis on a two-party conflict. His inner conflict with his prior recollections, on the other hand, will be significantly more difficult to resolve.

5. The Heroic Legend of Arslan (2015)

In the Kingdom of Pars, there is no conflict and the population is gradually increasing. When one of the noble king’s own troops betrays him, the entire army is annihilated, bringing a sudden stop to all of this. The Prince Arslan and General Daryun are forced to evacuate the Kingdom as the capital cities take possession. Their kingdom has been stolen from them, and they must now use all of their allies wisely if they want to reclaim their lost territory. A crucial part of creating the protagonist in ‘The Heroic Legend of Arslan’ is war. After living a life of luxury, Arslan is now forced to live a life of necessity. The Prince must overcome all of his doubts and risk everything in order to retake his country from the ravages of war.

4. Kingdom (2012)

Kingdom (2012)

‘Kingdom’ is based on China’s Warring States Period, which depicts a brutal civil war in which countrymen wage war against each other, and those involved in the war are determined to prove that they deserve to live. Both Xin Li and Piao are in training to become the Great General of the Heavens, and their story revolves around them. Xin, who had been separated from the Kingdom by the conflict, eventually makes his way there under the reign of King Zheng Ying.

3. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)

‘Code Geass’ is primarily concerned with the ramifications of a war in which no one wins. In the end, even if one side wins, the battle will only cease when all of the sides’ resources have been exhausted. After Japan is captured by Britain, Lelouch, an exiled prince, is Japan’s only hope for a peaceful future. The Knightmare Frames, a technologically advanced humanoid vehicle, was developed by Britannia. They are now the most powerful Empire in the world, and no one dares to challenge them. Lelouch may be the only one who can finally overcome this apparently impenetrable force once he gains the power of the kings.

2. Valkyria Chronicles (2009)

Valkyria Chronicles (2009)

According to the strategy game “Valkyria Chronicles,” the country of Gallia is blessed with an abundance of Ragnite, an extremely rare and valuable mineral. Vehicles and weaponry alike may run on this resource, which has a wide range of uses. Alicia Melcott and Welkin Gunther are forced to join the militia when another empire invades Gallia in an attempt to seize the resource.

There is less emphasis on the horrors and tragedies of war in this anime, which is understandable given its primary subject matter. If you’re searching for a well-rounded war anime, look no further than this one, which features a lot of action.

1. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (2009)

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” has been on the market for about a decade and is still one of the best stories ever told in an audiovisual medium, animated or not. There are several typical shounen themes in the show, but the ones we’re focusing on here are “forgiveness” and “breaking the cycle of violence. In the Ishvalan Civil War section of “Fullmetal Alchemist,” Scar, the overarching antagonist, spreads a vicious cycle of hatred that is motivated by bigotry.

When all of his own people are massacred in mass genocide, his thirst for vengeance pushes him to do things he never thought he was capable of. His hatred blinded him to what was happening around him, and as time went on, it became clear to him how far he had fallen. Forgiveness is an important concept not only in anime, but also in real-life war situations.