The Ultimate Countdown: Top 10 Must-Watch Anime Beyond Japan!
Explore a captivating world beyond Japan with these top anime picks From Wallachia to Southeast Asia, immerse yourself in thrilling adventures set in various countries Uncover ancient China, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the United States, Canada, Northern Europe, and even embark on a worldwide journey with Jojo's Bizzare Adventure
Anime series primarily focus on Japan, with many of them being set within the country and featuring Japanese characters. However, there are also a number of series set in the real world outside of Japan that are highly recommended. These series can range from European-focused high fantasy to intense action thrillers, showcasing a wide variety of iconic anime settings.
10 Castlevania – Wallachia
9 Little Witch Academia – United Kingdom
Although the Netflix Castlevania series is produced in America, it has embraced the many conventions of anime. Moreover, since the original Castlevania games are of Japanese origin, the Netflix series is widely regarded as an anime by audiences. Notably, while the fictional Dracula is often associated with Transylvania, it is interesting to note that the historical Vlad the Impaler was the ruler of Wallachia, which is present-day Romania. Although the series takes certain liberties with geography, it stands out among other Dracula tales for accurately depicting him as the ruler of Wallachia.
The world of magical schools, a popular subject in literature, has predominantly been explored by British authors, usually choosing the United Kingdom as the backdrop. However, in the enchanting tale of Little Witch Academia, Luna Nova School is believed to exist in a distinct realm apart from our own, with its entrance hidden in the western region of England. Unlike its counterparts, this magical institution welcomes a diverse student body from various corners of the globe, transcending cultural boundaries. Noteworthy is the presence of Akko, a spirited Japanese protagonist who stands as the sole representative from her homeland amidst her fellow peers at Luna Nova.
8 The Three Musketeers – France
7 Kingdom – Ancient China
The Three Musketeers anime series from the late 80s deviates quite a bit from the original novel, loosely based on real historical events. The protagonist D'Artagnan is portrayed as a young character, while Aramis assumes the disguise of a woman seeking vengeance against her fiancé's killer. Furthermore, the Man in the Iron Mask is presented as a powerful antagonist. Despite these alterations, the anime remarkably stays true to the book's storyline, showcasing a surprising level of faithfulness. With its lighthearted and enjoyable nature, it offers a fresh and innovative portrayal of the novel within the historical context of the Ancien Régime.
While the Three Kingdoms period remains a popular subject for media adaptations, such as anime, Kingdom takes place during the Warring States period, which occurred approximately four hundred years prior to the events of the Three Kingdoms. A captivating historical epic, Kingdom follows the journey of Li Xin, who goes from being an orphan to becoming a formidable general in the army of the Kingdom of Qin. This kingdom is destined to unite China under its reign. To provide necessary context for viewers who may be unfamiliar with this time period, the opening narration effectively sets the historical background. Additionally, the original Kingdom manga has also been transformed into a live action adaptation.
6 Lupin the 3rd Part IV – Italy and San Marino
5 Gunsmith Cats – United States
: Lupin III, the grandson of a legendary master thief, embarks on daring adventures around the globe, frequently venturing through Europe with his crew. Notably, the captivating film, The Castle of Cagliostro, unfolds in an imaginary alpine European duchy. In the fourth installment of the Lupin anime series, titled The Italian Adventure, Lupin's extravagant thefts predominantly occur in both Italy and the charming neighboring nation of San Marino. With such a backdrop, Lupin naturally schemes to pilfer iconic treasures like the Mona Lisa and showcases Renaissance-era luminaries such as the illustrious Leonardo da Vinci.
Gunsmith Cats revolves around Irene "Rally" Vincent and Minnie May Hopkins, who serve as the main protagonists. Rally is not only the owner of a gun shop but also operates as a bounty hunter. On the other hand, Minnie possesses an exceptional skill set in explosives and assists Rally throughout their adventures. Apart from its captivating narrative, this series stands out due to its meticulous portrayal of a Chicago-based storyline. The names of the characters are derived from prominent figures of American pop culture, and the accuracy of the guns, cars, and settings is the result of extensive research. Notably, the anime's production team went the extra mile by making multiple visits to Chicago to ensure a genuine depiction of the city on-screen.
4 Anne of Green Gables – Canada
In addition to its status as a beloved work of Canadian literature, Anne of Green Gables has gained immense popularity in Japan, for reasons that remain somewhat mysterious. Consequently, it is not surprising that the original novel was adapted into an anime. The anime adaptation of Anne of Green Gables was produced as part of the long-standing World Masterpiece Theater anthology series in 1979. Primarily, the anime faithfully retells the narrative of the original novel, delving into the life of orphan girl Anne as she navigates her way through late 1800s Prince Edward Island in Canada. Of notable mention is the participation of renowned anime director Hayao Miyazaki in the animation.
3 Vinland Saga – Northern Europe
Given the Vikings' extensive trade and travel routes during the Medieval era, it comes as no surprise that the characters in Vinland Saga embark on extensive journeys. Thorfinn hails from Iceland, the Jomsvikings operate out of Denmark, and the initial events play out in and around England under Danish rule. Leif asserts his discovery of the utopian land of Vinland to the west. Mirroring the historical Vikings, the characters in Vinland Saga venture as far as the Byzantine Empire.
2 Black Lagoon – Southeast Asia
1 Jojo's Bizzare Adventure – All Around the World
Set in the fictitious port city of Roanapur, Black Lagoon exudes a stylish and violent energy reminiscent of an anime Quentin Tarantino film. Serving as heroes in the story, if not in a moral sense, are the members of the Lagoon Company – a band of pirates deeply entrenched in the criminal underworld. Engaging in operations as smugglers, couriers, and mercenaries, their line of work inevitably leads them into intense gunfights no matter where they venture.
Due to the extensive duration of the Jojo's Bizarre Adventure series and its incorporation of a multi-generational narrative, it is not surprising that the story has involved various protagonists who embark on adventures all around the globe. While certain story arcs primarily unfold in Japan, the series predominantly centers around locations that are not commonly depicted in anime. The vast and expansive tale of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure has taken its characters to countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, and even a quaint town in Michigan.
Many Japanese creators have chosen to take their stories outside Japan. It's possible to tell some really enjoyable stories when anime focuses on a non-Japanese setting.
