Gateway to the World: How Manga and Anime Pave the Way to Exploring Other Cultures

Vinland Saga is a highly acclaimed anime. Its second season which aired last year got lots of praise thanks to how it explores deeper themes like escaping the cycle of violence.

What also makes it a unique series is the fact that it’s set in the Viking age. While there are lots of Viking shows and movies, Vinland Saga is unique in that it focuses more on the effects of violence instead of simply showing gory action scenes by Viking raiders.

Of course, it’s not a wholly accurate depiction of the times. For instance, series creator Makoto Yukimura even acknowledged an error he made by depicting mountains in Denmark – a famously flat country.

Still, the series is a great exploration of the time that has some historical basis. After all, it is based on real historical figures like Sweyn, Canute, and Leif Erikson.

The Apothecary Diaries is another historical anime that got a lot of attention and praise during the Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 seasons.

Unlike Vinland Saga which depicts a specific place and period, The Apothecary Diaries is technically set in a fictional country, though it’s very much inspired by China.

To be exact, the series is set in the Tang Dynasty (around the 7^th to 10^th centuries) though it mixes elements from the Ming Dynasty (in the 16^th century) and medical advances from the 19^th century.

Sure, it’s sort of a hodgepodge of Imperial Chinese influences, though there’s no denying that the series is an intriguing portrayal of the historic civilization.

In that way, this series serves as a brilliant jumping-off point to exploring Chinese history. Plus, if you like this series, there are lots of classic Chinese films to watch that you’ll enjoy like Flowers of Shanghai or Raise the Red Lantern.

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Ancient Rome is such a popular setting in media that it’s easy to find a movie, series, or even a video game that’s set in that time.

If you’re someone who often thinks about the Roman Empire or is curious about why Rome has gripped the imaginations of so many people, Thermae Romae is something to check out.

This series began as a manga in Comic Beam, and it got a Netflix anime adaptation in 2022. It’s a unique take on Ancient Rome as it follows a Roman bathhouse architect named Lucius who is commissioned by Emperor Hadrianus.

Aside from the fact that it explores Rome’s love for bathhouses (or thermae), Thermae Romae is a hilarious comedy thanks to the fact that it’s technically a reverse isekai.

In the series, Lucius discovers a tunnel that leads to a modern Japanese bathhouse which he uses as inspiration for his works. This gives the series a hilarious take on the popular setting.

All of the titles on this list are set outside Japan except Golden Kamuy. This series deserves a spot on this list because it dives deep into the cultures and traditions of the Ainu, Hokkaido’s native people.

The series is set in Hokkaido in the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War, and it follows a deserter Saichi Sugimoto who forms an unlikely duo with the Ainu Asirpa as they unravel the mystery of the Ainu gold.

Even in Japan, there wasn’t much interest in the Ainu people before this series began. Thanks to its success, the history and culture of the Ainu people saw a renewed interest, both in Japan and overseas.

In fact, Sugimoto and Asirpa have become the mascots of the Ainu and Hokkaido as you’ll find lots of merch and snacks in the prefecture that feature Golden Kamuy branding on them.

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Even though Japan is almost exactly on the opposite side of the world from South America, the country has a surprisingly large number of Brazilians in the country.

While Brazilian characters do appear in anime and games from Japan, it’s still rare to see an anime set in the country. One of the few shows set in the region is Michiko & Hatchin, an original anime by Sayo Yamamoto (of Yuri on Ice fame).

Similar to Apothecary Diaries, this show is technically set in a fictional country, though it is very much inspired by Brazil.

Its story follows Michiko, a criminal who escapes prison and kidnaps her former lover Hiroshi’s daughter Hatchin to rescue her from her abusive family. The two then go on a journey to find Hiroshi.

It may not be a glamorous adventure story given how it explores seedy locales and characters, but it undeniably has an incredible energy that fans of Brazilian films like City of God should enjoy.

Another popular setting for many stories is Victorian London. While there are lots of anime and manga set in this time, Emma is a stand-out.

The series began as a manga in the 2000s, and it received a two-season anime adaptation. Both the manga and anime proved popular enough in Japan that they sparked a resurgence in the popularity of Victorian London and English maid cosplay.

What makes this stand out compared to other anime is the painstaking detail that series creator Kaoru Mori included in the series. It's not surprising given that Mori is a self-professed Anglophile.

As for its story, its premise should be familiar to fans of period movies and novels. It follows the housemaid Emma who falls in love with the wealthy William Jones. Of course, Jones’ family disapproves of the relationship.

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While most of the titles in this list have anime adaptations (or an original in the case of Michiko & Hatchin), Kowloon Generic Romance exists only as a manga for now, though it’s far from a generic romance story.

As its title implies, this manga is inspired by Kowloon Walled City, the infamous Chinese enclave in Hong Kong that was one of the most densely populated areas in the world at that time.

The Walled City was straight out of a dystopian future, and it serves as a surprisingly effective setting for Kowloon Generic Romance.

Sure, the manga may not be for everyone given its graphic scenes, but it should prove to be a spellbinding read for some.

Plus, its depiction of Kowloon Walled City is perhaps one of the best in terms of how it captures the place and the essence of Hong Kong in the 80s and 90s.