A relatively new anime, Golden Kamuy is an action-adventure series that centers around Sugimoto, a survivor of the Russo-Japanese war of the Meiji era. Following the war, he now seeks riches promised by the gold rush, all in hopes of saving his dead comrades wife.
Alongside adventurous stories, Golden Kamuy delves into history themes, focusing on a lesser known time period of Japanese culture. Here are a few anime just like it if you’re looking for something similar.
Anime like Golden Kamuy
Samurai Champloo
This cult classic, set in the Edo period of Japan, tells the story of a young woman, Fuu, and her two bodyguards, Mugen and Jin. After saving them from execution, Fuu sets out with Mugen and Jin in order to find a samurai that smells like flowers.
Samurai Champloo centers around another lesser told Japanese time period and setting, one that is interesting in comparison to Golden Kamuy. The first is set in a time when the samurai are starting to gradually disappear, while the latter exists in the following era, one that sees them all but extinct.
Similar culture, themes, and adventures are bound to catch your interest if you like Kamuy.
Anime like Golden Kamuy
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Set in 1868, English nobleman George Joestar takes in a young man, Dio, following the death of his father, Dario Brando. While this act is done to repay the debt the nobleman owed Dario, it soon backfires for the family, as the young Brando sets his sights on taking over the Joestar family, with the help of a supernatural Aztec stone mask.
While Jojo’s focuses much more on the supernatural elements of things, both shows are pretty brutal. This brutality isn’t without reason though, as action scenes are done marvelously, lending to each show’s narrative and incredibly strong characters.
Anime like Golden Kamuy
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Just like Golden Kamuy, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows the adventure of a veteran soldier, Edward Elric, who boasts a stubborn and strong-willed personality. Though Ed may be younger than Sugimoto, they both want to complete their goals in order to help those they love.
Both anime also take place in the 20th century, showing off similar weaponry, cultures, and methodology as a result.
The historical settings and similar themes will draw you into Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, allowing you to unwrap the unique magical elements of alchemy, homunculi, and transmutation as a result.
Anime like Golden Kamuy
Katanagatari
Katanagatari has one of the most interesting concepts of any of the Japanese, history-centric anime on this list. The main character, Yasuri Shichika, is a swordsman that uses his body as a weapon, instead of an actual sword.
After he is hounded by an ambition young strategist, Togame, Yasuri sets out with her to find twelve mystical swords, known Deviant Blades.
The promise of wealth and adventure drive the relationship between Shichika and Togame, much like that of Sugimoto and his female companion, Ashirpa. Combine that with the politically spurred settings and themes in each show and you can see why Katanagatari is a solid choice.
Anime like Golden Kamuy
Drifters
Toyohisa Shimazu was nearly dead until he stumbled upon a mystical figure. Once healed, he finds that he must join historical Japanese figures, Yoichi Suketaka Nasu and Oda Nobunaga, in order to save their new world.
Near-death experiences aren’t anything new for anime protagonists and there is a good reason for that. Both Toyohisa and Sugimoto are driven by their deadly experiences, shaping their personalities, relationships, and motives for each adventure.
While both feature history as a focal point, Drifters will satisfying fantastical anime fans, as its story and fights are far less grounded than Golden Kamuy. This makes for some awesome CGI fight scenes in Drifters that you won’t find in many other history-based anime.
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