The 5 Anime Set In The 1930s You Need To Watch

The 1930s are the transitional decade between WWI and WWII. While some nations are still trying to recover from the first conflict, others are already testing the ground for the second, with, for example, the rise of the Nazi party in Germany.

In America, the painful era of Tribulationism is ending, and American citizens can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

In 1937, on the other hand, the second Sino-Japanese conflict, between Japan and China, erupts and will have serious consequences for the latter.

These are all topics we will see in today’s anime, which will catapult us into this uncertain decade marked by strange balances.

Rankings are based on our experience and historical accuracy. There may be spoilers throughout the article too, so be careful.

5. Senkou no Night Raid

Senkou no Night Raid is set in 1931 Shanghai, in a historical context perfectly in between the two great wars.

In the wake of WWI, various evil plots are being woven, ready to destroy entire nations in their madness. It will be up to the Sakurai Kikan to foil these plots and prevent the world from collapsing in on itself, heading for far worse.

Although it is not clearly stated then, it is obvious that the story is based on Sino-Japanese conflicts, conflicts that existed between China and Japan.

A very dubious anime with as many merits as flaws, making it borderline sufficient viewing.

The merits certainly are the graphic compartment, very enjoyable in both graphics and music. Too bad for the plot and the characters, which are nothing convincing, with little personality.

4. Aoi Bungaku

Aoi Bungaku is a unique and unprecedented product, as well as unique to say the least. Indeed, the anime goes into 12 episodes which are composed to adopt 6 of the most famous literary works of Japanese culture.

The first four episodes adapt the novel No Longer Human, the fifth and sixth Under the Blossoming Cherry Trees, the seventh and eighth Kokoro, the ninth and tenth Run, Melos!.

The eleventh and twelfth, on the other hand, are self-contained episodes, and adapt The Spider’s Thread and Hell Screen, respectively.

So you may be wondering what this has to do with the 1930s setting, and the answer is complicated: the first story is set in that very period.

The first, No Longer Human, is set in pre-WWII Japan, and recounts the events in the life of the protagonist, who lived in the 1920s.

But since we will see his life narrated in its entirety, we will also see the story touch on the 1930s. In its epilogue, where we will see a Tokyo of those years, burdened by the winds of war.

3. 91 Days

91 days follows the steps of Angelo Lagusa, a boy who witnessed the murder of his entire family at the hands of the Vanetti mafia family.

After the tragic events, he decides to leave the town of Lawless and change his name to Avilio Bruno. Seven years later he receives a letter and realizes that he has the chance to come back to Lawless and have his revenge on the Vanetti family.

To do so he decides to infiltrate the Vanetti family by befriending Nero, Don Vincent Vanetti’s son, and then work his way to implement his vengeful plans.

91 days is set in Lawless, a fictional American town that is reportedly located in the state of Illinois, not too far from the existing Chicago in 1932, at the end of the Prohibition era.

2. JoJo’s Bizzare Adventures: Battle Tendency

The Bizarre Adventures of JoJo started as a shonen manga written by Hirohiko Araki in 1987 and the anime adaptation is still ongoing with the 6th arc, Stone Ocean.

Each arc has a separate protagonist, although some main characters appear in more than one. The plot revolves around the adventures experienced by the various members of the Joestar family over time, with a protagonist on each side.

The second part, Battle Tendency, one of the most popular due to its charisma and beloved by every fan protagonist Joseph Joestar, is set in 1938/1939.

It follows that there are references to World War II like Rudol von Stroheim, a Nazi officer tasked to investigate about Pillar Men.

In fact, there are plenty of references to this political party in the series.

1. Baccano

This is an anime tv show based on the series of light novels written by Ryohgo Narita.

The plot is set in the US in the 1930s, at the end of the Prohibition era. It involves a war that breaks out between various mafia gangs in America.

And this aspect is well rendered, with customs and traditions that look like a real photograph of that years.

There will also be a touch of the supernatural, as the war between these gangs is due to the search for an elixir of immortality that everyone wants to get their hands on.