As new episodes of the latest Jojo's Bizarre Adventure season are expected to drop worldwide on Netflix by next month, some fans have begun to prepare by rewatching certain episodes, particularly revisiting the Victorian past. The period from 1837 to 1901 has been an influential one not just for global history but also the narratives of several anime series, including the likes of Black Butler and Moriarty The Patriot.
Some of these are set in Victorian-era England (or an alternate version of it) and even other parts of the world that were witnessing drastic changes during this period such as France and Japan itself.
The Earl And The Fairy
A 17-year-old 'fairy doctor' gets drawn to a sefaring Earl, who invites her to join his crew as they embark on an adventure to retrieve a mystical sword.
The setting is Victorian England but unlike other animes from this era, The Earl and the Fairy's marine environments add a change in tone, away from the usual tropes of this anime subgenre. While it is essentially a fantasy anime, it also has a healthy dose of romance characteristic of notable shoujo anime classics.
Les Misérables: Shōjo Cosette
Victor Hugo's epic novel Les Misérables might be one of those classic pieces of literature that have spawned the most adaptations. The anime Shōjo Cosette is another example as it faithfully interprets the source material, retaining all the iconic characters like Jean Valjean, Cosette, Fantine, and Javert.
Set in the peak years of the French Revolution, the anime incorporates multiple storylines around love, redemption, justice, and political drama which eventually converge for an emotional finale. Providing enough Victorian charm for fans of period dramas, the costume and overall feel to it is accurate enough to even satisfy non-anime fans and aficionados of classical literature.
Moriarty The Patriot
Sherlock Holmes is a common staple when it comes to fictional retellings of the Victorian era. As is evident from the title, Moriraty The Patriot takes a deep dive into Holmes' arch-nemesis instead. It serves as the quintessential origin story to James Moriarty, a young idealist who is motivated to not only satisfy his intellectual curiosities but also pursue the ideals of social justice.
With enough grey areas and references to Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes books, Moriarty The Patriot is a worthy addition to classical fiction that is told from the villain's perspective.
Nadia: The Secret Of Blue Water
Set in an alternate 1889, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water follows the life of the titular protagonist, who is a young girl that has been enslaved and is yearning to find her way home. As time goes on, she eventually finds herself befriending a French inventor and teaming up with none other than Captain Nemo, the eccentric seaman from Jules Verne's classic sci-fi novel 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
For anime buffs, Nadia also makes for essential viewing for the creative forces behind it. Inspired by an idea by Studio Ghibli mogul Hayao Miyazaki, it is further directed by Neon Genesis Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno.
Princess Sara
European classic literature has been adapted by anime into multiple times, especially in the '80s and the '90s. However, the 1985 slice-of-life anime Princess Sara has endured as a cult classic, adapting the 1905 novel A Little Princess.
The titular heroine, Sara, is introduced as a wealthy socialite in London who goes to a boarding school where she's not particularly liked by the strict warden. Her troubles at the school are bound to increase when her father dies, pushing her towards poverty. What follows is a lot of emotional drama that tests Sara's willpower to get out of her Dickensian reality.
Rurouni Kenshin
While the Victorian era was in full swing in Britain, Japan was witnessing the genesis of the Meiji era with protests erupting against the feudal shogunate.
Ruroni Kenshin is set in such a period of change and resentment against the royals as a solitary swordsman regrets his service for the feudal lords and helps the innocent. His life changes when he encounters a struggling martial arts school, continuing his quest for social justice. The historical fantasy anime is a perfect introduction for the ones who wish to know more about the Meiji period and the drastic changes that it brought.
Emma: A Victorian Romance
Emma is a romantic anime that deals with issues of class differences in late Victorian society. The titular heroine is a maid who falls in love with a nobleman but in her pursuit for romance, she must face the ire of the judgmental and classist society of the time.
Unlike other Victorian animes that might incorporate either pre-existing classic novels or steampunk sci-fi tones, Emma: A Victorian Romance is quite a realistic pick and would suit audiences that want more emotional depth in their animes.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
One of those awesome anime series with really ridiculous plots, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure deals with the intergenerational misadventures of the Joestar family. Carrying immense psychic powers, the Joestars encounter all sorts of unexpected anomalies across several generations of history with the first season starting out in the Victorian era.
Based on the Phantom Blood arc of the manga, the first season incorporates several other themes that fascinated people of Victorian England such as vampires, occultist science, and emigrating to America. In this sense, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is an unexpected portal into the pop culture of that era.
Black Butler
When a young boy's family is massacred, he vows revenge and wishes to lead his family's toy manufacturing company. For his pursuit of vengeance, he even sells his soul to a demon who possesses him and takes the form of a loyal butler.
Caught in between his responsibilities as a typical British butler and a boy hellbent on revenge, an interesting fantasy narrative is born that also explores the high and lofty ideals of Victorian society.
Croisee In A Foreign Labyrinth
Yune is a young Japanese girl who moves to Paris in the 1800s to work in an ironworks shop. A stranger in a new land, she is passionate to make her way through the Parisian society and understand its nuances.
A perfect watch for those dealing with culture shock in distant lands, Croisee in a Foreign Labyrinth is unique for it provides an outsider's perspective into 19th-century France. Yune's interactions with her fellow workers and other locals adds to the wholesomeness as they eventually turn into her new friends. All in all, it is a perfect pick for audiences who are into comfort watches.