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

Appare-Ranman!

7.31

Description:

The story is set at the end of the 19th century and on the eve of the next one. After a certain mishap, the brilliant but socially inept engineer Sorano Appare (family name first) and the shrewd but cowardly samurai Isshiki Kosame find themselves drifting on a boat from Japan to America. Broke, the two decide to compete in the Trans-America Wild Race to win the prize and return to Japan. The two battle crazy rivals, outlaws, and the great outdoors itself as they race through the wild West from the starting line in Los Angeles to the finish line in New York — in the steam-powered car they built. (Source: ANN)
Type

TV

Episodes

13

Ep.Length

23 Min

Status

finished

Aired

2020-04-10

InuYasha: Kuroi Tessaiga

8.13

Description:

A 30-minute Inuyasha feature titled Kuroi Tessaiga screened on Takahashi Rumiko's picture exhibitions across Japan. In January 2010, this special ended up, slightly edited, as episode 15 of Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen.
Type

special

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

30 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2008-07-30

Fushigi no Umi no Nadia

(Nadia: Secret of Blue Water)

7.46

Description:

In 1889, the world is on the pinnacle of great discoveries in technology. In mankind's grasp for the future, a sinister foe known only as Gargoyle, obsessed with restoring the former Atlantean empire to the glory it once held, begins his plans to take over the world. Nadia, with the help of a young inventor, Jean Raltique, and the mysterious captain Nemo of the submarine Nautilus, must fight to save the world from Gargoyle and Neo-Atlantis. Based on the Novel '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' by Jules Verne. (Source: Anime News Network)
Type

TV

Episodes

39

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1990-04-13

Fena: Pirate Princess

(Fena: Pirate Princess)

7.22

Description:

Fena Houtman is a young orphan girl that has been raised on an Island where there is no hope of becoming anything more than a chattel, to be used and discarded by soldiers of the British Empire. But Fena is more than just another powerless orphan. When her mysterious past comes knocking, Fena will break the chains of her oppressors. Her goal: forge a new identity, free of bondage, and search for a place where she can truly belong and find out the true mysteries behind a keyword, "Eden." It is the story of a lifetime adventure she and her crew of misfits and unlikely allies will have, in pursuit of her goals! (Source: Crunchyroll)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Status

finished

Aired

2021-08-14

Manyuu Hikenchou

6.03

Description:

The Edo period of Japan gave rise to a clan of warriors with a very specialized, magical skill. The clan was known as the Manyuu, and the skill was the ability to administer a sword strike that could shrink the size of a woman’s breasts. This might not seem like an ability that could exert power over a land, but in Manyuu Hikenchou, large breasts denote status, wealth, fame, and influence. Grave concern has arisen in the Manyuu clan due to the actions of their chosen successor, Chifusa. Disgusted with the breast obsessed society that the Manyuu have created and perpetuated, Chifusa has not only deserted the clan, but also stolen the sacred scroll that details their techniques to growing and severing breasts. Fortunately, Chifusa is not completely alone. Her fellow warrior Kaede is sympathetic to her cause; a sympathy that could place her in considerable danger. Now wanted by the very clan that raised her, Chifusa must defend her life and Kaede’s while seeking to undo the damage their brethren have done to the land. Along the way, Chifusa will discover that she harbors a power that goes far beyond the scope of her training, one that could help shape and change the land that she seeks to bring equality to.
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Mild Nudity

Status

finished

Aired

2011-07-11

The Sky Crawlers

(The Sky Crawlers)

7.16

Description:

In an alternate timeline, the world has seemingly achieved peace. Bereft of international conflicts, wars are now waged between private corporations in place of peaceful nations. Yuuichi Kannami, a recent transfer in Area 262, simply does his job as a contracted fighter pilot. However, the more time he spends at his new base, the more mysteries come to light.The Sky Crawlers exhibits this reality through the eyes of Kannami as he endeavors to understand the "Kildren," humans genetically altered to be teenagers forever with faster reflexes, and his predecessor, the ace pilot known as "Teacher." However, what troubles Kannami the most is how all this connects to the base commander, Suito Kusanagi. Area 262 has the answers, but the truth comes with a price the young pilot may not be ready to pay. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

122 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2008-08-02

Hanyou no Yashahime: Sengoku Otogizoushi

(Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon)

6.99

Description:

The daughters of Sesshomaru and Inuyasha set out on a journey transcending time!In Feudal Japan, Half-Demon twins Towa and Setsuna are separated from each other during a forest fire. While desperately searching for her younger sister, Towa wanders into a mysterious tunnel that sends her into present-day Japan, where she is found and raised by Kagome Higurashi's brother, Sota, and his family.Ten years later, the tunnel that connects the two eras has reopened, allowing Towa to be reunited with Setsuna, who is now a Demon Slayer working for Kohaku. But to Towa's shock, Setsuna appears to have lost all memories of her older sister.Joined by Moroha, the daughter of Inuyasha and Kagome, the three young women travel between the two eras on an adventure to regain their missing past.(Source: VIZ)
Type

TV

Episodes

24

Ep.Length

24 Min

Status

finished

Aired

2020-10-03

Senkou no Night Raid

(Night Raid 1931)

6.62

Description:

The year is 1931. The city is Shanghai. Ten years before America will enter World War II, the hydra's teeth planted by the first great global conflict are beginning to germinate. Hatching like spiders, they weave the complex web of plots and conspiracies destined to inevitably draw entire nations to the brink of destruction. Caught in the heart of these webs, desperately seeking to separate lies from truth, is "Sakurai Kikan," an ultra-secret intelligence agency staffed by extraordinarily talented individuals with abilities far beyond those of normal humans. Their duty: to stop the darkest plots and eliminate the greatest threats. But in a city built on intrigue, can even a team of clairvoyants, telepaths and espers stand against the ultimate forces of destiny? (Source: Sentai Filmworks)
Type

TV

Episodes

13

Ep.Length

23 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

2010-04-06

Strike Witches Movie

(Strike Witches The Movie)

7.6

Description:

In 1945, Yoshika Miyafuji, who lost her witch powers during the Strike Witches' last assignment, has been studying to become a doctor. Shizuka Hattori, one of her cadets in the Imperial Fuso Navy, then arrives to deliver a message: Yoshika is to be transferred for study abroad in Europe. (Source: Kadokawa)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

97 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2012-03-17

Grenadier: Hohoemi no Senshi

(Grenadier: The Beautiful Warrior)

6.78

Description:

Rushuna is a blonde and very beautiful Senshi (gun expert) that travels through the world with one purpose. Which is to make the world a peaceful place by, instead of fighting with weapons, taking away the people's will to fight by giving them a smile. Although she doesn't want to fight, she is forced to, and shows amazing gun skills. In this journey she meets Yajirou, a mercenary that uses a sword to fight and joins her on her journey. (Source: ANN)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2004-10-14

Koihime†Musou

6.7

Description:

This anime is based on an eroge game by Baseson, which was loosely based on the classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Having lost her family to bandits during night raid, Kanu swears, she will not let others share the same pain. She quickly becomes a well-known and feared by villains bandit hunter. During her journey she comes across others, who wish to join her cause. One of them is a girl RinRin, who had similar experience with bandits in the past.
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Mild Nudity

Status

finished

Aired

2008-07-09

Amatsuki

(Amatsuki)

6.85

Description:

Tokidoki is a Japanese high school student who, when he fails his history class, is sent to a high-tech history museum that virtually recreates the Edo period to do make-up work. However, what was supposed to be a simple school project becomes much more complicated when he's attacked by two supernatural beings known as "the nue" and "the yakou" and loses the vision in his left eye. After he's saved from the nue by a girl named Kuchiha, he realizes that he's no longer wearing the simulation goggles, and is trapped in the virtual Edo. (Source: Wikipedia)
Type

TV

Episodes

13

Ep.Length

23 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2008-04-05

Saiunkoku Monogatari 2nd Season

(Tales of Saiunkoku)

7.95

Description:

Shuurei needs to deal with more obstacles in the new series. More danger comes her way but at the same time meeting friends who will help her with her work as an official. (Source: ANN)
Type

TV

Episodes

39

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2007-04-07

Allison & Lillia

(Allison & Lillia)

7.26

Description:

Set in a continent divided into two commonwealths that have been engaged in war for hundreds of years, Allison and Will go on a mission to search "the treasure that will put an end to the war". Their hope is inherited to their daughter Lillia, who strives to thaw the torn nations into a united country. This anime encourages young generations to believe in a world without hatred or war regardless of nationalities and beliefs. (Source: Anime Network)
Type

TV

Episodes

26

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2008-04-03

Princess Principal Crown Handler 1

(Princess Principal Crown Handler 1)

7.63

Description:

The film is set in London at the end of the 19th century and after the attempted assassination of the Imperial princess in the television anime. The Empire is increasing counter-spy actions in the wake of the incident, and finds Control, the Commonwealth group in charge of covert operations against the Empire, at unease and suspecting its spy within the royal family as a double agent. Control assigns their spy ring Dove with a new mission to extract a secondhand bookstore owner and deliver him to Commonwealth hands. Ange, Dorothy, and Chise successfully spring the bookstore owner from an Imperial prison. Control also assigns Dove to make contact with Bishop, their spy within the royal family, to ascertain their loyalties. (Source: ANN)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

0 Min

Rating

Violence, Profanity

Status

finished

Aired

2021-02-11

Jouran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

(Jouran: The Princess of Snow and Blood)

6.08

Description:

The anime is set in an alternate history Japan in 1931, with the Tokugawa shogunate never abolished and the Meiji emperor never restored to power. The anime will follow the activities of "Nue," an organization of shogunate executioners who enforce government rule. The story description contains intentional historical discrepancies: noting the year as the 64th year of the Meiji era (the Meiji era only lasted 45 years up to 1912), and mentioning Tokugawa Yoshinobu as reigning shogun (Tokugawa Yoshinobu died in 1913). (Source: Anime News Network)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

22 Min

Rating

Violence

Status

finished

Aired

2021-03-31

Momo Kyun Sword

(Momokyun Sword)

5.24

Description:

Momoko is a beautiful young sword fighter who was born inside a peach (momo in Japanese). She lives with her constant companions—the dog god Inugami, the monkey god Sarugami, and the pheasant god Kijigami—in a peaceful paradise. However, a demon army led by devil king invades the paradise and steals the precious treasure that protects Momoko's land. To retrieve the treasure and save the people, Momoko embarks on a great adventure with her three companions. (Source: ANN)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Mild Nudity

Status

finished

Aired

2014-07-09

Nijuu Mensou no Musume

(The Daughter of 20 Faces)

7.44

Description:

Chiko is the daughter of the wealthy Mikamo family who has to live with her aunt and uncle after her parents passed away. Because her aunt wants to inherit the Mikamo family's wealth, she gives Chiko poisoned food. One day, however, she's kidnapped by the Nijuu Mensou (20 Faces) and decides to join his clan. (Source: ZOMG)
Type

TV

Episodes

22

Ep.Length

22 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2008-04-13

First Squad: The Moment of Truth

(First Squad: The Moment of Truth)

5.89

Description:

First Squad is set during the opening days of World War II on the Eastern Front. Its main cast are a group of Soviet teenagers with extraordinary abilities; the teenagers have been drafted to form a special unit to fight the invading German army. They are opposed by a Schutzstaffel (SS) officer who is attempting to raise from the dead a supernatural army of crusaders from the 12th-century Order of the Sacred Cross and enlist them in the Nazi cause. (Source: ANN)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

73 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

2009-05-13

Shukufuku no Campanella

(Blessing of the Campanella)

6.27

Description:

The story takes place in a trading city Ert'Aria. Leicester Maycraft is an item engineer belonging to an adventurer guild "Oasis." One night, he is at a party with his friends to see a meteor stream on the rooftop of a chapel. One meteor grazes them and hits the steeple of the chapel. There he finds a secret room and a sleeping girl. The girl wakes up and says "You must be my father!" The encounter with the mysterious girl brings an unexpected adventure to Leicester.
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Mild Nudity

Status

finished

Aired

2010-07-03

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