Anime has been continuously growing in popularity over the years and has been around longer than most fans might assume. The very first anime released in Japan was called Blunt Sword in 1917. Since then anime has evolved greatly from the quality of animation to the insane popularity that it has today.

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Some anime like to pay tribute to their roots by having the setting be in the distant past. However, being set in the past doesn't necessarily mean it has to be historically accurate. Like any other medium, it's fun for the viewers if an anime embellishes the past a little...or a lot.

10 Demon Slayer Is Set In A World Filled With Demons

Main Cast of Demon Slayer

Released in 2019 Demon Slayer is a popular anime series set in the Taisho era of Japan, which is 1912-1926. After leaving his family alone for a day, Tanjiro's family is slaughtered by a demon, and his younger sister gets turned into one. To avenge his family, Tanjiro Kamado swears to become a Demon Slayer in order to kill the demon that did this to his family. Demon Slayer does a great job of making it known that it is set in the distant past with its clothing styles and buildings, despite it being a fictional and stylized world filled with monsters.

9 Attack On Titan Features The Fight Against Humanoid Monsters

Main Cast from Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is a very popular series that was released in 2013 and is set in 845CE. In this universe, mankind lives inside cities surrounded by three enormous walls to protect them from the humanoid monsters known as Titans that feast on humans.

RELATED: Attack On Titan: 7 TV Monsters That Are Creepier Than Titans

One fateful day, the outer wall was breached and these Titans poured into the city, ultimately slaughtering most of the people there. It's easy to tell from the clothing and technology (aside from ODM) that Attack on Titan is set in the past, though most would assume around the 1700s-1900s rather than 845CE.

8 Naruto Tells The Story Of An Orphaned Boy

Naruto looking tough

Released in 2002, Naruto is an iconic anime series that is set in the 1600s AD. In this world, Naruto Uzumaki is a young boy outcast by the town due to the fact that the Nine-Tails fox spirit resides within him. However, this won't stop Naruto from becoming a ninja so he can become the future Hokage of his village and earn the respect he desires. Naruto is a very popular anime with an amazing storyline that, while set in 1600 AD, doesn't feel "old" at all.

7 Samurai Champloo Features Unique Sword Fighting Styles

Samurai Champloo main cast

Samurai Champloo was released in 2005 and was set in the Edo era of Japan, which is 1603-1868. In this anime, two samurai, Mugen and Jin, with unique fighting styles are sentenced to be put to death, but they are rescued by a waitress who hires them as her bodyguards. Now, these samurai must put their differences aside to help Fuu in her search for another samurai who smells of sunflowers. Samurai Champloo, despite being in the Edo era, incorporates a lot of hip-hop elements via the soundtrack, graffiti, and Mugen's breakdancing fighting style.

6 Shingeki No Bahamut Focuses On A Battle Against A Dragon

Amira (Shingeki No Bahamut)

Released in 2014, Shingeki No Bahamut is set thousands of years in the past. In this universe, a dragon known as Bahamut has been wreaking havoc upon the land of Mistarcia. Mistarcia is a place where gods, demons, and humans all live together. These very different groups of individuals must come together in order to defeat Bahamut. Shingeki No Bahamut's style and aesthetic are very reminiscent of the renaissance ages.

5 Berserk Is Set In The Medieval Era

Berserk: Griffith Never Returned Casca's Feelings

Berserk is a very popular manga series that got an anime adaptation in both 1997 and 2016 and is set in the medieval era. In this world, a man named Guts, a skilled swordsman, joins a group known as "The Band of the Hawk" after losing a duel with the leader of the group, Griffith.

RELATED: 10 Ways Berserk Changed Over 364 Chapters

Guts goes on different missions with The Band of the Hawk to prove that he is useful for the group. Berserk does a great job making it known that it is a medieval anime with its character designs.

4 Magi Showcases Mysterious Dungeons

Aladdin and other characters from Magi: Labyrinth of Magic)

Released in 2012 Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic takes place in the ancient Old World. Set in the very distant past, Magi tells the story of mystery labyrinths known as dungeons that are hiding treasures within them. Within these dungeons, there are powerful beings known as Djinns who grant their power to those who complete their dungeon. Despite being set millennia ago, Magi is very reminiscent of Israeli aesthetics in the early 1900s.

3  Princess Mononoke Is A Film About The Battle Between Man And Nature

Princess Mononoke San and wolf

Princess Mononoke was released by Studio Ghibli in 1997 and takes place during the Muromachi period of Japan, which is 1333-1573. In this film, the peace between the gods, animals, and humans has begun to waver. Humans have started to destroy the environment in search of iron, having no respect for the animals and even going as far as killing the gods. Princess Mononoke is a great film that perfectly captures the industrial revolution.

2 Vinland Saga Stars Vikings In Love With War

Vinland Saga character

Released in 2019, Vinland Saga is a manga series that got an anime adaptation and is set in 1013 AD England. In this series, the war between England and the Danes grows each year. The Vikings love this era of war, helping both sides. The Vikings don't care who's in power as long as they can continue to fight.

RELATED: 15 Anime To Watch If You Like Vinland Saga

The only thing Vikings seem to like is the death that the war brings. Vinland Saga is certainly close to being historically accurate with the character designs and weapons that are featured.

1 Spice And Wolf Pairs A Deity With A Businessman

holo and lawrence from spice and wolf

Spice and Wolf was released in 2008 and takes place in the 1400s-1600s. In this universe, a wolf deity known as Holo is celebrated in her small town of Pasloe for the annual harvest. However, over the years the townspeople become more independent, and Holo has been washed down into being just a folk tale. One day, Holo insists on becoming Kraft Lawrence's business partner, and the two travel the country doing business. Although it is never confirmed what era this anime takes place in, fans speculate the 1400s due to the trading seen throughout the series.

NEXT: 10 Anime That Combine History With Magic