Ask John: How Many Anime Illustrate Chinese History?

Question:
I was wondering other than Koei what Chinese history has been done by Japanese publishers/studios in anime/manga/ & live action?

Answer:
I’m tangentially familiar with Japanese manga and live action as an extension of my interest in anime. While I’m confident about my knowledge of anime, I don’t believe I’m knowledgable enough about Japanese manga and live action cinema to comprehensively address their coverage of Chinese history.

Strictly speaking, there really isn’t an especially great amount of anime based in Chinese history. Nippon Animation’s 1997 television series Chuuka Ichiban is set in China during the Qing Dynasty, but isn’t directly based on historical reality. Nippon Animation also co-produced the first season of the 2001 Legend of the Condor Hero television series, which is again a historical fantasy set in China. Ashi Productions’ 1988 Tekken Chinmi adventure comedy is set in historical China, but isn’t based on any real Chinese history. Studio Pierrot’s 1990 television movie Kumo no Yo ni Kaze no Yo ni (Like the Clouds, Like the Wind) seems like a dramatization of actual Chinese history, but it’s really an entirely fictional tale based on Kenichi Sakemi’s 1989 fantasy novel Kokyu Shosetsu (Inner Palace Harem Story).

Numerous anime have been based on the 16th century Chinese fantasy novel Journey to the West. Some loose adaptations including Dragon Ball and Midnight Eye Goku have merely drawn inspiration from the novel. Somewhat more literal adaptations have included Toei Animation’s 1960 film Saiyuki and its 2003 remake as Boku no Son Goku by Tezuka Pro, Mushi Productions’ 1967 television series Goku no Daibouken, TMS’ 1982 movie Son Goku Silk Road wo Tobe, B-Factory’s 1998 Monkey Magic TV series, the 1999 Saiyuki OVA series and its 2000 Gensou Maden Saiyuki TV version, and Magic Bus’ 2005 Patalliro Saiyuki, just to name a few. But while adaptations of Saiyuki may be set in historical China, they’re not based on actual Chinese history.

Anime based on Luo Guanzhong’s 14th century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, however, are based on real Chinese historical figures and events. Certain loose adaptations of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, including Ikkitousen, Koutetsu Sangokushi, and Yawaraka Sangokushi Tsukisase!! Ryofuko-chan are not set in historical China. Adaptations including Shin’ei Doga’s 1991 television series Yokoyama Mitsuteru Sangokushi, Toei’s 1992 motion picture Sangokushi: Dai-ichi bu Eiyu-tachi no Yoake, Madhouse’s current Souten Koro television series, and the upcoming Sangoku Engi television series produced by Japan’s Tomy & Future Planet and animated by China’s Beijing Glorious Animation represent faithful dramatizations of the end of China’s Han Dynasty. Japanese game producer Koei is also very well known for its numerous console video games inspired by Romance of the Three Kingdoms.