The 18 Best Historical Romance Anime Of All Time, Ranked

The Apothecary Diaries is set in a fictional country inspired by Ming-era China, and centers around a girl who works for the emperor.

Despite Maomao having extensive skills in apothecary, she's forced to work as a maid at the emperor's palace. She has a plan to escape - until the imperial heirs start to become mysteriously ill and something sinister seems to be at play. Maomao tries to lend a hand in secret but is brought to the forefront of the investigation by the emperor's brother Jinshi. Her talents are highlighted and she's quickly promoted to a lady-in-waiting where she gets to put her apothecary talents to good use, and seems to catch the affection of Jinshi along the way.

Before her cousin Su-won did away with her father, Princess Yona of Kouka lived a life of royal luxury. With help from her childhood friend and bodyguard Son Hak, she barely escapes with her life.

She soon realizes that her kingdom has some serious problems - and that as its only remaining leader, it's her job to solve them. But first, she has to learn the survival skills she never had to master as a princess. 

Fantasy mixes with historical elements in My Happy Marriage. Set in the Meiji Restoration era of the 19th century, this story focuses on Miyo Samori and how her life changes with just one decision. In this series a person's value is influenced by their psychic abilities - and Miyo has none. As a result her family has shunned her and marries her off to someone rumored to be a ruthless, cruel military leader.

Except the esteemed Kiyoka Kudo is the opposite of those rumors. He treats Miyo with kindness despite her lack of powers, and shows her a world of happiness that seemed impossible before their arranged marriage.

All Shirayuki wants is to live a peaceful life working in an apothecary. Unfortunately for her, Prince Raji of Tanbarun wants her as his concubine. Shirayuki refuses, cuts off her, hair and tries to escape into the forest. There, she's rescued by Zen Wistalia, the second prince of the nearby nation of Clarines.

In order to show her gratitude, Shirayuki moves to Clarines to put her herbalism skills to use. 

From Up on Poppy Hill is a Studio Ghibli film directed by Hayao Miyazaki's son, Goro Miyazaki. Set in 1963 Yokohama, the story follows Umi Matsuzaki, a high school student who is trying to save her school's clubhouse from being destroyed in anticipation of the upcoming Olympic games.

When Umi teams up with the newspaper club in order to spread their cause, she meets Shun Kazama, an orphan boy who doesn't know where he comes from. As the two begin to search for his origin, they start falling in love. 

After Tamahiko Shima loses the use of his right hand in a car accident, his father banishes him to live alone in the mountains and declares him deceased. But he also purchases a young woman named Yuzuki Tachibana to be his bride. 

What could have been an absolute disaster for both parties ends up being the best thing that could have ever happened to either of them. As the two start falling in love, Tamahiko awakens to the possibility that his life isn't over, and that he can be loved for who he is. Meanwhile, Yuzu finds a home and a purpose that she's never had before.