Ask John: How Accurate are Historical Samurai Anime?

Question:
In anime and manga that involve feudal Japan, such as Ruroni Kenshin and Blade of the Immortal, how much truth is usually put behind the story as far as provinces, leaders, events, etc.? Is it seen as bad etiquette to alter major events in Japan’s history to accommodate a fictional story?

Answer:
In the case of manga and anime including Blade of the Immortal, Makai Tenshou, Rurouni Kenshin, Kozure Ookami, and Vagabond, which use real historical settings and/or characters, it’s only natural to assume that these titles do maintain at least a minimal grounding in accurate historical fact if only because Japanese viewers will know when something mentioned is very inaccurate. For example, if an American western movie were to place Billy the Kid in Georgia, most American viewers would immediately know that something was amiss. The degree to which a particular title attempts to accurately recreate history depends on the title. Naturally, anime like Makai Tenshou (re-named in America as “Ninja Resurrection”) and Jubei Ninpucho (re-named in America as “Ninja Scroll”) show relatively accurate period architecture, clothing, and social strata, among other things, but certainly monsters and the like didn’t really exist. Titles like Hidamari no Ki and Kozure Ookami (Lone Wolf & Cub) and Vagabond, though, strive for a greater degree of historical authenticity because they’re different types of stories, with a greater emphasis on drama and story than on action. So fictional embellishment is generally accepted in anime and manga as exactly what it is. Exaggeration and fictionalization of historical fact seems to be accepted as creative license in pursuance of entertainment.