What is Alternative Past anime?

An anime that takes place in an alternative past is an anime that clearly does not belong to the future or the present, and isn't tied particularly closely to our history, or has ties to our history but only as a premise: there are too many things that don't make sense for the time-period. In some cases there is futuristic technology present, but the overall setting still feels that of the past. However the setting must still take place on Earth, since we can not know if the history of a fantasy world is an alternate one or not.

Random Alternative Past Anime You might like

Shoka

6.05

Description:

The story is set during the turbulent years of the shogunate, as dark forces try to undermine the shogun's power in Edo-era Tokyo. Shirou Sumiya is the leader of the "Way of the Paper Drawing" clan which captures the chaos of the struggles with rapid brush strokes. Sumiya is summoned to Edo, and his disciples, who have extraordinary powers in their secret drawing techniques, become part of the ensuring battles with giant drawn creatures. (Source: ANN)
Type

special

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2010-03-27

Gall Force 1: Eternal Story

(Gall Force 1: Eternal Story)

6.43

Description:

Two advanced civilizations, the Paranoids (a race of alien humanoids) and the Solenoids (who are all women) are waging a war that has gone on for centuries. When the Solenoid fleet leaves a battle to defend an experimentally terraformed world from the Paranoids, one damaged Solenoid ship, the Star Leaf, is separated from the fleet. Only seven women remain alive on the ship: Eluza, the captain, Rabby, the solid more or less main character, Lufy, the brash pilot, Catty, the mysterious science officer, Pony, the pink-haired ditzy tech, Patty, a solid crew member, and Remy, the cute one. After narrowly escaping the battle, the crew of the Star Leaf decides to continue with their orders and rendezvous at planet Chaos to defend it. It turns out, however, that their ship is the subject of a Paranoid experiment. In the end, it is up to the remaining crew Star Leaf to defend the artificial paradise of Chaos from the Paranoid fleet and the plans of the Solenoid leaders. (Source: AniDB)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

86 Min

Rating

Mild Nudity

Status

finished

Aired

1986-07-28

Fate/Apocrypha: Seihai Taisen Douran-hen

6.68

Description:

Recap episode of first 19 episodes of Fate/Apocrypha with narration by Astolfo and Shakespeare.
Type

special

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

2017-11-18

Koutetsu Tenshi Kurumi Encore

(Steel Angel Kurumi Encore)

6.62

Description:

Four additional short stories of the Steel Angels: Saki becomes a film actress, Karinka goes on a blind date with Kamihito, Kurumi practices the art of becoming a traditional Japanese woman, and the rest of the Steel Angels engage in a contest to win Nakahito's heart. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

4

Ep.Length

15 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2000-07-19

Sakura Taisen: Ouka Kenran

6.48

Description:

The year is around the 1920's and the darkness of the demons have arrived. Now, only the people with large amounts of spirit energy can save the Earth. The Flower Division is now going to be sent out destroy the demons for they're our only hope for survival with their new steam-powered machines and unique fighting techniques. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

4

Ep.Length

30 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1997-12-18

Fate/Apocrypha: Seihai Daisen Kaimaku-hen

(Fate/Apocrypha Recap)

7.23

Description:

Recap episode of first 12 episodes of Fate/Apocrypha with narration by Sieg (Natsuki Hanae) and Ruler (Maaya Sakamoto). (Source: MAL)
Type

special

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

17+ (Violence and Profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

2017-11-18

Princess Principal: Crown Handler 2

(Princess Principal: Crown Handler 2)

7.59

Description:

The second out of six movie sequels to the TV series.
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2021-09-23

Kidou Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken TV

(Moeyo Ken TV)

6.49

Description:

Set in an alternate version of the Meiji Era, a boy named Sakamoto Ryunosuke returns to Kyoto from Shanghai with his monster (youkai) Nekomaru. The law states that in order to live freely with humans, a youkai must be liscensed. The Kidou Shinsengumi Co. Ltd. is responsible for the capture of unliscensed youkais but must fight with the Tsubamegumi, who resents the new law. It turns out that Ryunosuke is the son of the owner of the Shinsengumis.
Type

TV

Episodes

13

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2005-07-02

Sakura Taisen: Katsudou Shashin

(Sakura Wars: The Movie)

6.71

Description:

Since a new branch of division to New York has been created, Ohgami has now been assigned to the Paris Division. Now the Flower Division must be able to survive on their own, with the help of their new American-cultured leader. (Source: ANN)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

85 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2001-12-22

Code:Realize - Sousei no Himegimi OVA

(Code:Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~ Chapter 13: Set a thief to catch a thief)

6.98

Description:

One month has passed since the disaster, and a ceremony is to be held at Buckingham Palace - a festival dedicated to peace and restoration. (Source: Wakanim.tv)
Type

OVA

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2018-05-17

Himiko-den

(Legend of Himiko)

6.18

Description:

In a world where the dead walk, where good and evil exist as palpable forces, a darkness is stirring. The undead march against the cities of light, to capture the sacred fire that is the source of their power. But one hope remains. Called into this world by the magical flame, a young girl named Himiko is thrust into the maelstrom of danger, betrayal, and war. For she is heir to the sacred fire, and holds a power that could save its Guardians... if she survives! (Source: Central Park Media)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

23 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1999-01-07

Sakura Taisen: Gouka Kenran

(Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms)

7.46

Description:

The end of the demon wars has ended and now the Flower Division has been able to rest up after their fighting. The second Sakura Wars developes studies on every Flower Division Combatee in every episode while they go on their miscellanious adventures around Japan. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

6

Ep.Length

30 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1999-12-18

Yokoyama Mitsuteru Sangokushi

7.04

Description:

Around 1800 years ago in China, the ruling power of the Han dynasty became weakened and the flames of war spread throughout the land. Liu Bei was a young, poor straw-mat seller from the countryside of Hebai Hsing. After pledging eternal brotherhood with the two heroes, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu began building his idea of a righteous kingdom that would aid citizens who suffered from persecution. (Source: AniDB)
Type

TV

Episodes

47

Ep.Length

23 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1991-10-18

Master Mosquiton

(Master of Mosquiton)

6.69

Description:

In the 1920's, Inaho resurrects a vampire named Mosquiton with her blood. He awakens and becomes her slave. Now, Inaho is after the O-Part, which will grant her immortality. However, a bunch of supernatural monsters are out to stop them from achieving their goal. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

6

Ep.Length

27 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1996-11-21

White Snake

(White Snake)

7.49

Description:

One day a young woman named Blanca is saved by Xuan, a snake catcher from a nearby village. She has lost her memory, and together they go on a journey to discover her real identity, developing deeper feelings for one another along the way. But as they learn more about her past, they uncover a darker plot of supernatural forces vying for power, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Conceived as a prequel to one of the most ancient and enduring stories in Chinese history, White Snake presents a sumptuous tale of trickster demons, deadly mythical beasts, assassins, wuxia action, and the promise of eternal love. (Source: GKIDS)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

95 Min

Rating

13 and older

Status

finished

Aired

2019-01-11

Shin Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams the Story

(Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams)

6.48

Description:

Set fifteen years after the fall of Oda Nobunaga. After the fall of this evil warlord, in the late sixteenth century, it appears as though evil times are ahead as his successor, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, has decided to call upon the Genma forces and once again place Japan under their demonic shadow. A strong warrior Soki who possesses the dark power of the Oni. Having learned about Hideyoshi's insidious scheme, he sets out on a journey to burn the Genma trees and defeat the Genma running rampant across the land. Shin Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams the Story is a compilation of cut-scenes from the game by the same title. It has been released on DVD separately from the game.
Type

OVA

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

120 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2006-07-26

Sengoku Kitan Youtouden Movie

(Wrath of the Ninja)

6.14

Description:

The year a comet races across the sky, splitting the heavens, from the depths of the Earth the dark god shall arise once again. Then, the dark evil lurking in the shadows shall come out of the depths of Hell and show itself in the present world. The emotions of the blade of the wind shall collect at the source of the blue light. And the three blades shall become one, vanquishing evil. The year is 1580, and the unholy armies of Lord Nobunaga Oda steadily spread across Japan. Narrowly escaping the slaughter of her clan, a young ninja steals into the shadows. She is Ayame, the last of the Kasumi clan, and the dagger she wields is one of three, mystical blades. She is joined by Sakon and Ryoma, renegade ninja and the possessors of the sacred sword and spear. Now, these shadow warriors must unite their weapons and skills to fulfill `The Prophesy of the Enchanted Swords` or die trying... This is a cut version of the earlier OVA. (Source: AniDB)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

86 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

1989-05-27

Jigen Sengokushi: Kuro no Shishi - Jinnai-hen

(Black Lion)

5.68

Description:

The year is 1580. Using an army of soldiers equipped with sophisticated weaponry, Nobunaga Oda is on the verge of ruling Japan with an iron fist. One of his enforcers is Ginnai Doma - a fallen samurai reborn into an indestructible killing machine. As Ginnai continues his killing spree on ninjas and those who oppose Nobunaga's rule, Shishimaru of the Iga Ninja - going against the Koga Ninja's plans - pursues a one-man vendetta to avenge the deaths of his comrades and kill the immortal warrior. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

42 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

1992-11-21

Princess Principal: Crown Handler - Chapter 3

(Princess Principal: Crown Handler 3)

7.74

Description:

The third out of six movie sequels to the TV series. While the funeral of the assassinated Prince Edward, who was the first in line to succeed the throne, is being held, the nobles of the Kingdom of Albion discuss topics such as whether the second-in-line Princess Mary or the third-in-line Duke of Arkham, Prince Richard, will succeed the throne, and how the Duke of Normandy will act. The Duke of Arkham asks Princess if she will side with him or the Duke of Normandy. While wishing to change the world so that all people are equal, Princess is shaken by the Duke of Arkham, who is the mastermind behind Edward's assassination. Meanwhile, Ange and Dorothy are given a mission to infiltrate as Mary's maids and investigate the state of the royal family by the Commonwealth's control. Mary is crushed and exhausted due to the pressure of becoming first in line to the throne. As chaos surrounds the succession to the throne, the Duke of Arkham's plot finally begins to unfold. The darkness writhing in the Kingdom of Albion begins to swallow up Team White Pigeon. (Source: Official site, translated)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2023-04-07

Sakura Taisen: New York

(Sakura Wars: New York)

6.77

Description:

New York City, the late 1920s. The battle with Nobunaga is over, the city restored to peace...until the owner of Little Lip Theater informs Shinjiro... "This time, the leading lady will be...you." Thus Shinjiro, disguised as the actress Petitmint, is forced into the role of "Cleopatra." The Star Division members set out to persuade a reluctant Shinjiro, beginning a chase across the five boroughs. Meanwhile, a dark-skinned youth and his servant have appeared unexpectedly in the midst of the flourishing city. His eyes, concealing a silent wrath, are fixed upon nothing less than the Statue of Liberty. Now Shinjiro and company must protect this city of hopes and dreams from a new menace while safely raising the curtain on a new show. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

6

Ep.Length

30 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2007-04-04

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