Epic Journeys: Historical Anime to Watch if You Love The Odyssey And Other Legendary Stories
05 August, 2026Stories of great voyages, fallen kingdoms and unforgettable heroes have been a mainstay in fiction (and non-fiction) for thousands of years. Long before cinema became mainstream, television became a regular pastime, and anime became a global phenomenon, epic tales from the ancient worlds of Greece, Rome, Egypt and more were echoed through communities long before any of it was even written down.
Recently, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has renewed people’s interest in history, mythology and rich cultures. Exploring themes of perseverance, homecoming and sacrifice, we’d like to turn our attention to anime. While many modern anime embrace futuristic settings or high-concept fantasy, some look to past settings and mythology- and we’d like to dive into a few of our favourites- all of which you can find in Crunchyroll’s Summer of Anime Sale at Rarewaves.com!
Berserk
Berserk is a manga and anime known for its intense violence, complex characters and mythic storytelling. If you like your historical saga’s full of brutal medieval combat about a lone mercenary struggling against fate, war, betrayal and supernatural horrors then Berserk should definitely be on your radar. Underneath though it’s a deeply human story about perseverance, loyalty and what one has left when it seems like everything has been taken away.
Castles, large kingdoms and epic battles evoke the grandeur of films like Nolan’s latest and echoes themes of destiny, ambition and the cost of survival.
Vinland Saga
Inspired by real Viking history and figures such as Thorfinn Karlsefni, Vinland Saga takes place in 11th-century Europe. Beginning as a revenge story, the series transforms into an exploration of identity, forgiveness and trying to build a better future.
Like many similar stories, Vinland Saga contrasts the glory often associated with legendary warriors against the human cost of conflict. Across seas, unfamiliar lands and fractured morality, this story looks not only at battles with swords and shields but the ones within ourselves.
Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is one of the most beloved and well-known anime of recent times, and one of the most relentless. The opening of AoT immediately establishes that this is a dangerous, high-stakes world and takes a Game of Thrones approach to the idea that literally nobody is safe. Set in a fictional historical heavily-European world, the series explores how myths become history and how history shapes entire worldviews.
On the surface, Attack on Titan is a relentless survival story pitting humanity against towering monsters beyond enormous walls, but it is also full of mysteries. As those mysteries unfold, the series expands into an epic tale of political conspiracies, inherited history and generations burdened by the decisions of their ancestors.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
The climactic quest of large battles and the culmination of a years-long adventure usually ends a story, but Frieren: Beyond Journey's End uniquely asks what happens after it’s all over. Following an immortal elf mage- Frieren- as she reflects on her companions with whom she defeated “the Demon King” alongside decades prior. Frieren comes to understand the fleeting nature of human life and the relationships she once took for granted.
It’s a quiet anime- devoid of the constant epic action that one might be accustomed to in similar settings. Not to say that Frieren has no action or stake- it does- but its slow-paced, rather cosy mood allows viewers to really spend time getting to know each character and take in every landscape and conversation.
The series is really a meditation on grief, friendship and the passage of time, as she retraces old paths while forging new ones. Frieren reflects on how journeys continue long after victories have been won, and how the people we meet shape us in ways we often only recognise years later.
Ranking of Kings
Epic political intrigue and heartfelt character growth lie at the heart of Ranking of Kings. Following a young prince named Bojji who is deaf and underestimated by almost everyone around him, he sets out to prove that he can be just as powerful and capable as a leader- not with physical prowess and strength, but compassion and determination.
In addition to its charming art style, Ranking of Kings is surprisingly layered tackling rival kingdoms, ancient curses, betrayal and shifting alliances. The series challenges standard established ideas around leadership and the stereotypes typically associated with it. It suggests that true leadership comes through empathy and resilience, offering a refreshing perspective on the timeless struggles for power and legacy.
So, whether you're drawn to legendary heroes, sweeping battles or deeply personal journeys, these anime prove that epic storytelling is timeless. Viking voyages, medieval kingdoms, mythical quests and emotional, dare I say, odysseys, each series captures the same sense of adventure and discovery that has kept stories like those by writers like Homer alive for centuries. If you're looking for your next unforgettable journey, you'll find all of these titles in Crunchyroll's Summer of Anime Sale at Rarewaves.com.
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