Looking for strategic animes involving wars between peoples? In this article, we will see the best animes of the genre, dividing them into sub-genres involving world war, medieval war, intergalactic, and others. I hope you enjoy the conflict animes.
Wars occur for many reasons, from racial tension to political maneuvers and old pranks and games, with consequences ranging from genocide to loss of land and power.
Table of Contents
Medieval War Animes
Medieval War Animes happen between ancient peoples. Many animes mix a world of fantasy and magic with medieval wars. Some war animes take place in Feudal Japan with Samurais and Ninjas or Japanese mythology.
Viland Saga
Around the end of the millennium, the Vikings, the most powerful yet brutal tribe, were spreading everywhere. Thorfinn, the son of the greatest warrior, lived his childhood on the battlefield. He was searching for the dreamland called Vinland. This is the story of a true warrior in a time of turmoil.
The anime that truly speaks the Seinen language. Life brings us difficulties and decisions to make, it is unfair, it is hard, it is cruel, and this anime shows that; you can relate to the hardships that many characters face.
Although it may seem like a mere revenge story at first, this 24-episode series acts as a meditation on revenge and war, as well as the emotions and horrors that await. Some say this anime resembles Berserk.
Kingdom
Set during the Warring States period of ancient China (475 – 221 BC). Xin and Piao are war orphans in the Qin kingdom, and each dreams of becoming world-renowned generals, proving their worth on the battlefield.
However, Piao is taken to the palace by a minister, and Xin is left behind in his village. This, of course, becomes the first step in a very difficult journey for Xin. Over time, Xin meets Zheng, a boy who could be the twin of his friend Piao.
Despite the hated CGI… it’s worth watching. The plot, the characters, the action, and the overall feeling are very satisfying. Kingdom is incredibly moving and addictive, truly deserving much more recognition than it has received.
Youjo Senki
It is June of the year 1923 AD. A young girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, Tanya Degurechaff, took her first steps towards a brilliant career as an aviation mage… but things took an unexpected turn.
The anime tells the story of a war in Europe from a parallel world with wizards involving a badass loli reincarnated. The story follows a certain platoon with a protagonist who is quite crazy, despite appearing to be only 10 years old.
In this anime, soldiers use magic through weapons. The platoon basically fights some battles, and we see some strategies happening at the headquarters. The anime gained attention upon its release for stepping away from isekai clichés.
Attack on Titan
The story of Earth changed forever when giant monsters called Titans appeared for the first time. These beasts have a taste for human flesh, forcing humanity to hide in walled cities to survive.
The walls made a fragile peace possible for over a century, but when the walls crumble in a new Titan attack, peace goes with them. With their barriers now broken, humanity must fight against the enemy if they want to survive.
What will be the secret behind the Titans? Will the military manage to stop them? Don’t miss one of the most popular and frantic animes of all time. There are over 4 seasons of war and pain for you to watch.
Other Medieval War Animes
GATE — Youji was an off-duty Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) officer on his way to an anime convention on his day off. Then, a portal opened, unleashing monsters and knights that kill anyone in their path.
Here are a few more medieval war animes that we recommend:
- Arslan Senki;
- Nobunaga the Fool;
- Nobunaga Concerto;
- Basilisk;
Intergalactic or Robot War Animes
The animes in the list below are about intergalactic wars, where for the most part there are giant Mecha robots, which is why I merged the two categories together. If you want to see giant robot animes, we recommend reading the article about mecha animes.
Code Geass
One of the best animes I have ever watched in my life. Even those who do not like the Mecha Genre will enjoy this anime. Here, the world is dominated by an Empire called Britannia. In the anime, we see a young man bringing down this empire.
Lelouch Vi Britannia is the son of the Emperor but hates his father’s empire and lives in hiding with his blind sister at a school in Japan. The Japanese are somewhat enslaved, with Lelouch’s best friend being Japanese.
One day, Lelouch gains an ability that allows him to give an absolute order once to a person who looks into his eyes. Using his intelligence and this ability, he vows to end the Britannia Empire.
Aldnoah Zero
Fifteen years have passed since the collapse of the hypergate on the surface of the moon — a catastrophe known as the Fall of Heaven. The war between Earth and the VERS Empire of Mars is now at a ceasefire. (I love the soundtrack of this anime).
Princess Asseylum Vers. Allusia descends to Earth as an ambassador in hopes of encouraging reconciliation while some citizens are unwilling to compromise. A sabotage allegedly attacks the princess, generating a new war.
Inaho Kaizuka, a high school student from Earth… and Slaine Troyard, who swears loyalty to Princess Assylum… Their destinies cross as both societies watch in horror the emergence of this new war and the survival of both peoples.
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu
The war between the monarchical Galactic Empire and the democratic Free Planets Alliance has incessantly crossed the galaxy for over a century, with the fleets of both powers having fought countless battles. (There are several animes and seasons).
The conflict revolves around the strategic Iserlohn Corridor, one of the only two space passages through which the two forces can access each other. Here, the Empire built the Iserlohn fortress, whose deadly armament frustrates the Alliance’s repeated efforts to capture it.
Phezzan, a neutral trading state, controls the other corridor. The long war resulted in an indecisive stalemate, but there are two men who will change everything. Their loves, struggles, triumphs, and failures traverse an interstellar phase of intrigue, war, and death.
Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199
In the year 2199, relentless attacks from the planet Gamilus forced all life on Earth into underground dwellings and raised radiation levels to nearly toxic levels.
The only way to clear all this harmful radiation is by using the Cosmo Cleaner, which the Queen of the planet Iscandar generously offered to humanity. Unfortunately, Iscandar is 148,000 light-years away, but Earth has only one year before rising radiation levels make it uninhabitable!
The only ship capable of making the journey is the Yamato — a ship equipped with advanced technology and modeled after the famous battleship from World War II. Can the crew of the Yamato reach Iscandar and return before the extinction of all life on Earth?
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Simon lives a boring life in the underground village of Jeeha, where his main job is to dig tunnels. His close friend Kamina, however, wishes to escape his oppressive existence and reach the surface world, where open skies and adventure await!
One day he finds the head of a robot, and soon after, another giant robot invades the underground village with a girl named Yoko. After helping the girl defeat the giant robot, they go to the surface and discover the truth about humans.
On the surface, Simon, Kamina, and Yoko encounter enemies more powerful than they could have imagined. Their quest for adventure has just turned into a war for the survival of the human race that reaches even the skies.
Mobile Suit Gundam
Gundam is a long series of animes and movies about giant robots, practically the flagship of the mecha genre. There are so many animes that we even made a complete guide to Gundam animes.
Gundam is a highly well-crafted anime, its science fiction genre revolutionized the market with its advanced universe theme and its war tactics that included robots and space battles.
Its stories were also meticulously crafted to avoid conflicts in the plot, both in the main storyline and in the plots of the anime series that would later diverge from the main story.
Other Intergalactic or Mecha War Animes
See below for more war animes involving Mecha and universal wars:
- Darling in the Franxx;
- Broken Blade;
- Eureka Seven;
- Macross;
- Argento Soma;
- Kakumeiki Valvrave;
World War II Animes
There are few animes set in World War II, the vast majority are movies. Besides those listed below, there are some animes that we will mention as honorable mentions, being: Joker Game; Azur Lane; Animentary Ketsudan; Trapp Ika Monogatari.
Hotaru no Haka
Hotaru no Haka is a Japanese war film from Studio Ghibli, written and directed by Isao Takahata. In Brazil, it is known as Grave of the Fireflies, one of the saddest and most emotional films on the face of the earth.
The anime shows two siblings surviving during World War II after losing their mother to an air raid. Soon after being rejected by their aunt and living alone in an abandoned air raid shelter.
The film begins on September 21, 1945, after the end of World War II, a teenager, Seita, dies of starvation at a train station in Kobe, Japan. To avoid giving a spoiler, I prefer you to watch it; it’s just a film.
Zipang
In present-day Japan, during what should have been a routine training exercise, Captain Umeza and the battleship Mirai are suddenly hit by a storm, sending them back in time to the middle of World War II.
Armed with cutting-edge technology, the Mirai could alter the course of history; but for its crew, the situation presents a moral dilemma: do they have the right to interfere in history, even to prevent the most terrible tragedies of war, when even the smallest acts can have unpredictable consequences?
Despite being old, this is one of the few animes set during World War II. This anime is a must-watch for military fans. And especially for those who love ships and advanced technologies used in modern warfare.
Shuumatsu no Izetta
Before World War II in a re-imagined Europe, a large-scale war and bloody battles are occurring worldwide. Eylstadt is a small country without a large military force or natural resources.
Finé, being the crown queen of Eylstadt, decides to use a secret weapon against the larger countries. Her secret weapon is a witch named Izetta and her magical strength. The work provides a completely different perspective on war, nationality, and morality.
Each episode is filled with joy, drama, comedy, epic explosions, heart-wrenching romance, and characters full of personality. There are tons of twists in the engaging and intellectual plot, spiced up with a realistic and intriguing setting.
World War II Anime Movies
When researching for World War II animes, I found very few; many are old. Probably because Japan does not like to remember the War, something rarely discussed. What we have are films that depict the horrors of War.
Below we will leave a list of anime movies set during World War II; there are many, the names are in English, but you can easily find information about them. Let’s aim to list the ones with the highest ratings first.
| In This Corner of the World | 2016 |
| The Wind Rises | 2013 |
| Giovanni’s Island | 2014 |
| Barefoot Gen | 1983 |
| Tsushima Maru: Sayounara Okinawa | 1982 |
| Ushiro no Shoumen Dare | 1991 |
| Anne no Nikki | 1995 |
| On A Paper Crane: Tomoko’s Adventure | 1993 |
| Glass no Usagi | 2005 |
| The Wind Rises | 2013 |
| Himeyuri | 2012 |
| Giovanni’s Island | 2014 |
| Momotaro, Sacred Sailors | 1945 |
| Momotaro’s Sea Eagle | 1943 |
| Junod | 2010 |
| In This Corner of the World | 2016 |
| Kuro ga Ita Natsu | 1990 |
| Tsushima Maru: Sayounara Okinawa | 1982 |
War Animes with Military
The animes in the list below are about wars without giant robots, outer space, magic, samurai sword fights, and things like that. Here, soldiers wear uniforms and battle strategically. (Others similar will be in other categories).
Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyou no Alderamin
The enormous Katvana Empire is at war with the neighboring Kioka republic. In a corner of the empire, a young man is about to be caught in the flames of war. His name is Iwata Soroku. He is lazy, a womanizer, and hates war.
He is as far from being a soldier as one can get. On his way to the next phase of the officer qualification exams, he and his childhood friend Yatorishino Igsem join with a trainee nurse, a member of the old military faction, and others.
This anime showcases intelligence and war strategies very well and has great character development. Despite being set in a military academy, the anime is quite promising and deserves some attention.
Jormungand
Jonah Mar despises weapons due to his past as a child soldier, so naturally, he is less than enthusiastic when his job takes him as a bodyguard for an international arms dealer.
With armies, militias, and a host of other buyers in front of them, and CIA teams constantly chasing them from behind, Jonah’s new mission is anything but easy.
Other Animes with Military
Fullmetal Alchemist — Although not focused on wars, it tells a lot about the story of military personnel. A very famous anime with an emotional story, an anime you need to watch before you die.
Golden Kamuy — Another anime set amidst wars and with characters who are military. The anime is quite cultural, showcasing the history of the Ainu tribes in the Hokkaido region.
- PsychoPass;
- Full Metal Panic;
- Musekinin Kanchou Tylor;
Other War Animes
There are some animes in the War category, but it’s not really the focus of the anime. I will mention the animes I found in the War category but couldn’t fit into any of the previous categories below:
No Game No Life — Both the anime and especially the movie No Game No Life: Zero present a war between peoples and territories. The only difference is that the wars of nations are decided through trivial games.
Sword Art Online — In the second and third seasons of this anime, we have weapons and territorial wars. A great war in the virtual world takes place in the Alicization arc. We can see many strategies and a large number of soldiers battling.
Girls und Panzer — An anime full of fan service with lolis who pilot war tanks;
The Pilot Love Song — A romantic anime that shows conflict between peoples and airplane pilots;
List of War Animes
Below we will share a complete list of war animes that I did not list in this article but fit into the War category according to Anime-Planet. The animes are in order from best to worst with their release year.
| Vinland Saga | 2019 |
| Mo Dao Zu Shi | 2018 |
| Violet Evergarden | 2018 |
| Dororo (2019) | 2019 |
| Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 | 2012 |
| Youjo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil | 2017 |
| Super Dimensional Fortress Macross | 1982 |
| Banner of the Stars II | 2001 |
| The Heroic Legend of Arslan | 2015 |
| Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These | 2018 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam Wing | 1995 |
| Xam’d: Lost Memories | 2008 |
| The Legend of the Legendary Heroes | 2010 |
| Crest of the Stars | 1999 |
| Kingdom | 2012 |
| Banner of the Stars | 2000 |
| Utawarerumono | 2006 |
| Valkyria Chronicles | 2009 |
| The Ambition of Oda Nobuna | 2012 |
| Now and Then, Here and There | 1999 |
| Thunder Jet | 1994 |
| Broken Blade Anime | 2014 |
| Armored Trooper Votoms | 1983 |
| Lord Marksman and Vanadis | 2014 |
| Zipang | 2004 |
| Lost Song | 2018 |
| Record of Grancrest War | 2018 |
| Star Blazers: The Quest for Iscandar | 1974 |
| Valvrave the Liberator | 2013 |
| Altair: A Record of Battles | 2017 |
| Cat Shit One | 2010 |
| Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion | 2018 |
| Maria the Virgin Witch | 2015 |
| Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World | 2020 |
| Heavy Object | 2015 |
| Macross Delta | 2016 |
| Saikano | 2002 |
| Izetta: The Last Witch | 2016 |
| Romance of the Three Kingdoms (2010) | 2010 |
| The Trapp Family Story | 1991 |
| Flag | 2006 |
| Souten Kouro | 2009 |
| Dog Days | 2011 |
| Super Robot Wars OG: Divine Wars | 2006 |
| Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto | 2006 |
| Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere | 2011 |
| Rapid Rouge | 2015 |
| Madlax | 2004 |
| Romance of the Three Kingdoms | 1991 |
| Aura Battler Dunbine | 1983 |
| Kantai Collection: Kan Colle | 2015 |
| Tide-Line Blue | 2005 |
| To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts | 2019 |
| What Happens Before War | 2016 |
| Super Dimension Century Orguss | 1983 |
| Chou Seimeitai Transformers: Beast Wars Neo | 1999 |
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