Loving Vinland Saga and would love a list of shows with a similar way of storytelling?

Idk how to explain myself. I used to primarily watch romance and shoujo but found I was getting bored quickly and it wasn’t my thing. I started Vinland Saga to try something completely different and I’m loving it, I’m hooked.

I’d love to explore this genre of anime more except I don’t know what it’s called? I like that it’s more serious storytelling. I haven’t cringed even once, there is no obnoxious screaming. It feels very mature, but it’s so exciting with a good amount of suspense. I’m not talking down that kind of anime but right now it isn’t what I want.

It’s probable that there are many anime like this and I’ve clearly just been watching the wrong genre but if you could give me recommendations for something similar, mature, exciting, suspenseful, and with badass characters of course, I’d be very appreciative:)

Thank you.

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bkendig2026-01-02 19:31

Before Makoto Yukimura wrote Vinland Saga, he wrote Planetes. The anime series of that is also mature and might be what you're looking for.

MusubiKazesaru2026-01-02 19:31

It's a historical genre series, I'll give you a few with similar traits even if they're not all historical.

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (watch the two films and then start the main OVA at episode 3)

Chi. Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite

Kenpuu Denki Berserk

Seirei no Moribito

Monster

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 19:41

Just put it in English, you’re on an English speaking sub. Save people the google. I know “Chi” is Orb only because I watched it. Putting it in Japanese doesn’t make you cool.

Lispex2026-01-02 19:47

They'd have to google it either way to learn more about it? This is some Karen behaviour

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 19:49

You dumb? People are aware of many anime and know what they’re about. There’s plenty that get recommended to me that I know about. It’s absolutely pointless putting it in Japanese to look cool in an English speaking sub. Genuinely pointless.

Lispex2026-01-02 20:11

Ok? I think it's likely you'd want to google where you can watch it, the length, and other info you might want either way. Such a nothing burger to get mad over. The guy above probably just remembers those titles better from memory so it was easier/faster to write them in japanese. You thinking the only reason someone would use the japanese titles is to sound cool makes me believe you're the dumb one.

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 20:13

Not knowing Japanese isn’t dumb, you thinking you’re superior because you learned a bit is dumb. Most people would have heard of Orb and the others on that list and could have made a decision based off that and choose which one they wanna google. They can’t even quickly search it on Netflix or Crunchy because you put it in bloody Japanese. They now have to google it just to know the name they knew in English because you want to look cool from your mum’s basement.

Turbulent-Region33232026-01-02 20:34

Why u making it seem like googling is a difficult thing? Just copy the name and paste it on google and u will know in 1 sec what the anime is?

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 20:37

It takes longer than a second to do each one off of the list. It takes less time for the writer and the reader to just do it in English. No one cares that you know Kimetsu no Yaiba is the Japanese title for Demon Slayer. The sub is in English. The titles are streamed in English, stop showing off unnecessarily.

It’s like the Premier League has a Spanish-speaking sub and then giving them responses and suggestions in English and then calling them tourists for wanting it in Spanish.

Turbulent-Region33232026-01-02 21:46

You are being called a tourist cause you are trying to change a subculture to fit to what you want. I am speaking in a general sense here. People are really made that new fans who just became fans want to change how the anime subculture is. Not specifically about your demand. It would have been no problem if you said it politely instead off unnecessarily blasting the other person.

>stop showing off unnecessarily.

Again, only u think someone is showing off. Thats just how they know the anime and thats how they are writing it.

>It’s like the Premier League has a Spanish-speaking sub and then giving them responses and suggestions in English and then calling them tourists for wanting it in Spanish.

Bad example. That will be like writing everything in japanese (romanji or kanji). Writing the anime names in japanese will be similar to talking about clubs using their English names like Arsenal, Aston Villa, etc. Everything else is in spanish. This is a false equivalancy

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 21:48

I’m not subculturing you ignorant kid, this is an English speaking sub, the titles are in English and the streaming uses the English titles. That’s not subculturing, google it if you want everyone to google everything.

Lispex2026-01-02 20:41

You don't need to know japanese... I feel like you're projecting your laziness here, no one is forcing anyone to take this guys suggestion, and if it's too much of a hassle you can just take someone else's suggestion instead

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 20:43

Nah lad, it’s a very common grievance from people on here and we don’t see the point in it. They’ve asked in English, respond in English. It’s quite simple.

Lispex2026-01-02 23:55

There's that many Karens here? It's giving: THIS IS X COUNTRY AND WE SPEAK THIS LANUAGE HERE

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 23:56

Dunno why you’re obsessed with Karens lil buddy. It’s not that deep, it’s not as cool as you think writing it in Japanese knowing the person you’re talking to doesn’t understand it. It’s just arrogant.

theshinycelebi2026-01-02 20:03

Can't believe how many tourists have flooded this sub. Writing anime titles in Japanese is now pretentious? Jesus Christ. And it's romaji at that. Acting like it was written in kanji, lmao. Weirdo.

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 20:04

“Ah yes people speak in English in an English speaking sub, they are the tourists”. What you talking about ?

theshinycelebi2026-01-02 20:05

This is ANIME we're talking about. You cannot possibly be serious.

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 20:10

Yes I can. The anime is given English names and is what is shown on all the streaming platform in English speaking countries. Anime enjoyers rarely speak Japanese, many watch sub or dub but don’t speak it. The use of Japanese titles that the majority of the English speakers in the English speaking sub is just pretentious and a pain in the arse. And you know it.

Turbulent-Region33232026-01-02 20:32

How difficult is googling for you? If you dont recognise a title just google it dude

Turbulent-Region33232026-01-02 20:37

No one even said anything about it being cool. U are the one pointlessly bringing this stuff up.

Simple_Meal_2522026-01-02 20:38

You wanna reply to every comment kid? You’ve bored me.

Eliv2026-01-02 19:31

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth fits the bill

max4citycouncil2026-01-02 19:33

First things first you're going to have a lot more luck narrowing your search by looking for seinen as its targeted to adults although you'll still need to find what works for you I can give some of my favorites.

(most anime that gets recommended and have the largest fanbases are shonen and targeted towards kids and young adults so there is an extremely widespread assumption thats what anime is instead of just a medium). Nothing wrong with those shows or adults enjoying them but they suck a lot of oxygen away from discussion and recognition of the grittier stuff.

One noticeable vinland saga aspect is the absence of any supernatural, sci-fi or fantasy elements - is that something you are looking for in other shows?

A lot of Seinen do use these tropes/genres to explore mature and darker themes as it's one of the advantages of anime to explore wild concepts and you'll be recommended many with these traits even in this thread.

Thats not to say there are no grounded and realistic shows out there because there are quite a few good ones, I just want to clarify what you are looking for exactly before writing up a list.

xbumblebee2026-01-02 19:39

Honestly, I like that it’s historical without fantasy but I’m not opposed to that. In all honesty as long as it isn’t romance focused where the romance becomes the entire plot, and it’s somewhat mature I’d be happy to give it a go.

What I mean is, I watched a few recently where there was a lot of screaming, chibi scenes which frustrated me, it just seemed like it was targeted to a younger audience. I don’t want it to sound like I’m bashing that kind of anime either tho!

max4citycouncil2026-01-02 19:53

totally get it one of my favorite darker shows [Hellsing Ultimate] has completely random chibi gags for comic relief and its a bit jarring.

so to do a quick list you are looking for:

>strictly historical? (setting 200-300+ years past?)
...western themed only, or open to japanese/chinese history? (more options there)

>no playing up for laughs / chibi shenanigans (consistent tone basically)

>minimal romance (subtle/tasteful at most)

>grounded characters

>some fantasy themes or supernatural aspects are acceptable but not anything excessive

>No sci-fi (Im bringing this up because a very significant amount of the darker adult oriented content (including praised classics) have used sci-fi themes for their stories of the past 30-40 years.)
...still not a deal breaker and can find plenty without it... It also doesn't tend to overlap with historical settings for obvious reasons

CrusaderLyonar2026-01-02 20:27

You'd have better luck with manga, but there are a few seinen series out there, which is the genre you really wanna focus on.

Just throwing some stuff out there:

* Monster
* Berserk
* Ghost in the Shell
* Black Lagoon
* Devilman Crybaby
* Dorohedoro
* Parasyte: The Maxim
* Hellsing
* Psycho Pass

Just keep in mind that Seinen, unlike things like Shonen is not a genre so much as a demographic so many of the anime fall into romance, fantasy, comedy, action etc.

porkybrah2026-01-02 20:59

Kingdom, OP watcb that, the animation is rough at the start but I promise you it's insanely good if you can push through and it gets much better animation wise.The story is incredible and features badass characters.

It's set in China and its basically Game of Thrones without all the fantasy type stuff.Its got a very historic setting like Vinland does.

Lots of wars with, incredible world building and great themes.

North5142026-01-02 21:13

Historie recently got confirmed for an anime adaption so I would keep my eye on that. Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is another upcoming historical drama, due for release this summer, I would also look at (art looks beautiful for it and an underdone setting). Both have trailers out

A few others you can watch now:

- Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu - It's Josei, so I don't know if you have seen it already but still a great drama.

- Golden Kamuy

- The Apothecary Diaries

- Kingdom - this is a * recommendation - Kingdom got a really bad S1 adaption (full CGI). The adaption improves around S2 and really around S3 however, you might want to just read the first 173 chapters and then switch over to the anime, especially since the manga has beautiful art.

**Some non historical drama recs that are aimed at older audiences or may appeal to you that I didn't see suggested or suggested well**

- Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Watch the first two prequel films then skip to EP3 of the main OVA. There is also the Gaiden prequel that is worth watching.

- Ergo Proxy

- Armored Trooper Votoms - if you don't mind watching some older mecha anime

- Mononoke

- Samurai Champloo

- The Big O

- Banana Fish - Don't know if you know this one as a shojo fan however, if you haven't seen it I would check it out. It does hit on stuff you are looking for.