Best Isekai Anime With Realistic Depictions Of Medieval Life

Key Takeaways

• Some isekai anime blend medieval elements with fantasy, resonating with history enthusiasts and anime fans alike.
• These shows capture feudal systems and social inequality, providing a glimpse into complex, realistic medieval worlds.
• Unique protagonists face challenges in these medieval fantasy settings, from struggling in feudal societies to modernizing healthcare.

The isekai genre is a fascinating world to explore as it contains many fantastical worlds, overpowered protagonists, epic adventures, and so much more that viewers love and newcomers might grow to enjoy. However, amid all these, there is a particular subset that captures the essence of medieval life with an intriguing level of realism, blending the traditional elements of knights, castles, and feudal politics with the creative freedom of fantasy.

This subset can be found appealing by enthusiasts of history and anime, as this intersection offers a captivating glimpse into worlds that, while fantastical, resonate with the authentic complexities and cultural depths of medieval times.

1 The Weakest Tamer Began A Journey To Pick Up Trash

Girl With Lowest-Tier Taming Skill, Traveling Through A Fantasy World Reminiscent Of Medieval Times

Femicia was just five when she discovered that her family did not love her. Before she was Femicia, she was Ivy from another world, but after dying, she reincarnated and became Femicia. In her new world, individuals have multiple skills and rank based on how good or powerful their skills are. Unfortunately for Femicia, she is not the typical isekai character with overpowered abilities, as she has no skills other than the Tamer skill, and even at that, she has no star, making it a low-ranked ability.

This anime is set in a fantasy world, but some parts of it share characteristics with medieval life in terms of social hierarchy and technology. This anime includes a social hierarchy that may remind readers of medieval feudal systems, where a few hold power and the majority are commoners or peasants. In terms of technology, things are basic.

2 Parallel World Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Researcher In A Medieval-Like World Revolutionizing Its Primitive Healthcare System

Kanji just wants to help people by creating life-changing medicine. He’s unable to balance out his work, and this leads to his death as his body lacks rest, making him die of exhaustion. Kanji’s dream of making life-changing medicine was so strong that he could not just die like that, and this brilliant pharmaceutical researcher got another chance to achieve his dream. He is reincarnated in a medieval-like world as Farma de Médicis, a young noble child blessed by the God of Medicine. With his memories from his previous life still intact, Farma sets out to pursue his dreams, especially now that in his new world, medicine can only be accessible by the wealthy.

This medieval world Farma is born in shares some similarities with real-life medieval times. What is highly noticeable and realistic is the social structure and social inequality. The poor have limited access to healthcare, as only the rich or nobles have access because they have the money for it. Farma is aware of this unfair social hierarchy and is determined to break it by providing medicine that can be accessible to all.

3 Saving 80,000 Gold In Another World For My Retirement

Protagonist Starts A Profitable Business By Selling Modern Products In A Medieval-Like Fantasy World

The anime focuses on Mitsuha Yamano as she uses her knowledge of modern technology and goods to start a business in the fantasy world. This isekai protagonist is business-oriented and has her eyes set on a comfortable future for herself, as her goal is to save 80,000 gold coins so she can retire. Mitsuha is an orphan, with no money, and everything is going wrong with her life, especially after her college application got rejected. To top things off, Mitshua unfortunately falls from a cliff, but this accident turns out to be a blessing in disguise, and she is transported to another world. Even better, Mitsuha discovers she can travel back and forth between the fantasy world and modern-day Japan.

The fantasy world Mitsuha finds herself in resembles medieval Europe in terms of its societal structure, technology, and overall ambiance. The world Mitsuha visits lacks modern technology, and this is why she can create a business selling products from the modern world. This lack of technology aligns with the technological limitations of actual medieval societies.

4 Handyman Saitou In Another World

Unappreciated Handyman Finds His Usefulness In A Fantasy World

Saitou was unappreciated as a handyman as he carried out his duties in Japan. This lack of appreciation caused him to lose his job, and as he was in his thoughts about his unfortunate situation, he walked in front of a truck and was killed. However, Saitou finds himself in another world where he remains with his handyman skills. Unlike typical heroes in isekai narratives who are bestowed with powerful abilities or significant roles upon their arrival, Saitou has only his handyman skills but soon realizes that these skills are valuable in the fantasy world. The appreciation that Saitou could not get in Japan, he gets in the new fantasy world.

Just like the other anime, Handyman Saitou in Another World is set in a world that resembles a medieval European setting. This can be seen in the architecture, that is, the buildings, castles, and overall environment, as they have a medieval European look and feel. In addition, the most common feature of medieval life is the social structure, where there are clear distinctions between different social classes, including nobles, knights, and common folk.

5 Sweet Reincarnation

A Skilled Pastry Chef Reincarnated Into A Noble Family

This protagonist is a skilled pastry chef who dies and is reborn as Pastry Mil Molmont, the young heir to a noble family in a medieval-like fantasy world. In his previous life, Pastry was passionate about pastry making, and now in this fantasy world, he decides to continue pursuing his passion for baking despite his status as a noble. Pastry wants to revolutionize the culinary world in his new world with his advanced baking techniques from modern Earth. Every revolution comes with opposition, and Pastry faces the challenge of introducing refined pastries and sweets to a society that has never experienced them.

While Sweet Reincarnation is set in a fantasy world, it incorporates elements that align with aspects typical of medieval societies. The structure in this world resembles a typical medieval feudal system, with a structured hierarchy of nobles, knights, and commoners. Another noticeable feature is the economic foundation, which is based on agriculture, much like in medieval times. The majority of the populace in this world is engaged in farming, which is central to the economy and sustenance of the kingdom.

6 Ascendance Of A Bookworm

A Book-Lover Determined To Create Books In A Society Where Only The Elite Have Access To Them

This anime tells the story of the reincarnation of a book lover from modern-day Japan to a frail girl in the medieval era. This setback in time is tough for the protagonist, Myne, as she struggles to read books as she has very limited access to them, unlike before. In Myne’s world, books are scarce, and the production of books is tedious, and only the wealthy can embark on such an expensive task. Everything seems to be against Myne, her body as she is a sick child, and the era in which she finds herself, but she does not let these obstacles intimidate her as she sets her heart on creating and printing books so that she can read once again.

Ascendance of a Bookworm is set in a fictional world that somewhat resembles the European medieval era. It depicts many aspects of the medieval era, like the rigid class system that was present during that time. In this world, one’s social status greatly affects their opportunities and lifestyle. Myne was born into a poor family and faced the harsh realities of a feudal society, including limited access to education and literacy. Like in historical medieval societies, literacy and education are privileges reserved mostly for the nobility or clergy, accurately reflecting historical realities where books were scarce and expensive.

7 Kyo Kara Maoh!

A Normal High School Becomes The Demon King In A Fantasy World

• Japanese Title: Kyo Kara Maoh!
• Number of Episodes: 78
• Studio: Studio Deen

Yuri Shibuya is a normal high school student from Japan who finds himself transported to another world after his head is dunked into a toilet. In this new world, Yuri discovers that he is the destined ruler, the Demon King, also known as Maoh, of the Great Demon Kingdom. The world he finds himself in is filled with humans, demons, and half-demons living in a delicate balance, often on the brink of war. Yuri tries to understand the political landscape of this new world and his responsibilities as king. Despite being reluctant, Yuri grows into his role, dealing with politics, potential wars, and a host of colorful characters who both challenge and support him.

Kyo Kara Maoh! is set in a fantasy world that resembles medieval Europe in many of its aesthetic and societal aspects. Like in medieval times, this anime revolves around political alliances, treaties, and conflicts between different kingdoms. These diplomatic and military engagements are similar to the maneuverings and wars that were common in medieval Europe. In addition, the castles, fortresses, and towns in Kyo Kara Maoh! often resemble those from the medieval era in terms of design and function.

8 The Saint’s Magic Power Is Omnipotent

The Protagonist Brings Innovative Healthcare To The Fantasy World

Sei is suddenly transported from modern-day Japan to a magical world where she is believed to be the Saint, a figure that wields immense magical power, essential for healing and protecting the kingdom from calamities. However, Sei and another girl were brought to this world due to a summoning mishap. This other girl is initially assumed to be the prophesied saint, leaving Sei overlooked. Sei begins working at a research institute for potions and herbs, and not long after, she discovers she possesses an extraordinary power to create highly effective magical potions and spells, which are far superior to anything the kingdom has seen. As she continues her work, the people around her begin to suspect that Sei might be the true saint.

Sei’s world combines medieval societies—such as feudal systems, castles, and a predominantly agrarian economy, which is an economy that depends on agriculture—with fantastical components. The presence of castles, horse-drawn carriages, the lack of modern technology, and societal organization, featuring nobles, commoners, and a monarchy, contribute to a realistic medieval atmosphere.