Anime Girl Pointing Gun Wallpaper Military

15+ Military Anime Shows That Will Get You Hooked On The Genre

According to MyAnimeList, there are over 400+ military anime shows in existence. Compare that to Romance or slice of life which has 1000+, and it’s not that surprising.

Military’s not a genre most people think of or recommend when it comes to anime. Why is that? I don’t know. But I’ve watched some pretty damn good Military shows.

And here are 15+ of the absolute best Military anime I’ve watched so far.

 

1. Gunslinger Girl

military anime shows

What would you do to stay alive, if an accident threatened to take your life away from you?

In Gunslinger Girl, the female characters (kids) are given another shot at life. But in exchange, they’re brainwashed and conditioned to do the government’s dirty work… As child assassins and military dogs.

This was one of the first 15 anime shows I ever watched. And it’s sad, dark, and immoral. And the background music blends so well with the show’s message and emotions.

 

2. GATE

military anime shows

What If a GATE opened up in your country, filled with bandits, monsters and killers from another dimension? That’s how this anime starts off, set in Japan.

And an Otaku named: Youji Itami manages to reduce the causalities caused.

What follows is a sort of “mediation” between Japan and the strange world behind the GATE. And it’s Japan’s mission to join forces and form a peace treaty instead of spilling more unnecessary blood.

 

3. God Eater

military anime shows

God Eater is a bloody anime series filled with violence, fantasy and military operations.

Though the beginning of the anime is cliche (the main character wants revenge against monsters), what follows is a great story with interesting enough characters.

The graphics are something else. Nothing like your “average” anime at all. Horrific scenes have strangely stunning backdrops and animation, which can make the deaths look stylish for lack of a better word.

 

4. Girls Und Panzer

military anime shows

To save their high school from being shut down, 5 characters join up to prevent it from happening.

Girls Und Panzer is a school/slice of life with strong military elements. Including military-friendly battles, competitions, strategy, tactics and lots of action.

You’ll also learn a lot about history related to Tanks, weaponry and other things. You can call it a militant version of a “cute girls doing cute things” anime series.

Relevant: 54+ CUTE Manga Panels That Will Heal Your Heart With Its Wholesomeness

 

5. Code Geass

military anime shows

Lelouch Lamperouge is the main character from Code Geass. A mecha/military anime series.

After a chance encounter, he’s given the power of Geass, which lets you control anyone through eye contact. Lelouch uses it to get revenge against Britannia. An army who’s enslaved Japan and made life a living hell.

Code Geass will have you questioning morality, deep topics, right and wrong, and war itself. And the characters will drive you into a love-hate relationship with them.

To this day it’s one of my top 5 anime series of all time.

 

6. Full Metal Panic

military anime shows

Sousuke Sagara and Kaname Chidori are the main characters in Full Metal Panic.

Sousuke’s a young soldier who works for an independent group: Mythril. Their main mission is to prevent terrorism across the globe.

He’s been a soldier for almost 10 years since he was forced to be a child soldier before joining Mythril years later.

This anime starts off slow, but if you hang in there, you’ll be blown away by the eventual quality. Especially from season 2.

One of my all-time favourites.

 

7. Kantai Collection

military anime shows

Kantai Collection is a slice of life anime series, with strong military themes.

The main character: Fubuki is a new recruit in training, and works to become an accomplished fleet girl.

You’ll notice this anime is based on real-life events and experiences. Example: Some characters and their weapons were used in the real World War 1 and WW2.

If you want a “lightweight” military show, watch this one first. Don’t expect anything too serious from this one.

 

8. The Ambition Of Oda Nobuna

military anime shows

The Ambition Of Oda Nobuna is based on real-life events throughout Japanese history.

Yoshiharu ends up in a parody version of the Sengoku period of Japan. Where the “real” versions of Oda Nobuna’s army are females instead of males.

As the anime catches stride, you’ll notice how well the story is told. And how everything starts to make sense.

There’s no military/fantasy anime that’s comparable in the slightest. And best of all: You get to learn about history with enough action and comedy to keep you interested.

 

9. Full Metal Alchemist

military anime shows

Full Metal Alchemist is one of the most known anime around the globe. And still rated #1 by many anime fans in 2022 and beyond.

Admittedly it deserves the credit.

Full Metal Alchemist has memorable military elements. Mixed in with Fantasy and supernatural. And a lot of philosophical episodes.

The story focuses on Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric. Two brothers who attempt to bring their mother back to life through Alchemy. And are severely punished for it.

The law of equivalent exchange comes into play.

 

10. Attack On Titan

YouTube video

This anime hardly needs an introduction. Legendary status at this point and has been running since 2014. The military themes are clear, especially in the uniforms.

Eren Yaeger is the protagonist who’s disliked but people become fond of him in later seasons. Levi, a supporting character, is loved especially by female characters and is “shipped” by many of the Yaoi fanbases.

The anime mixes horror with big ugly titans that feel like a replacement for zombies (but an improvement in some ways). The style, setting, and approach are similar to the zombie equivalent of a movie.

 

11. Owari No Seraph

Owari No Seraph Moments Anime Wit Studios

This anime is about destroying and eliminating demons. Plain and simple. The main characters are enslaved by them as children, and one escapes and goes on to become stronger and now wants his revenge.

That person is Yuichiro Hyakuya. He eventually learns to work with his new teammates instead of trying to selfishly do everything by himself.

The anime is overdue a 3rd season, and similar to AOT (same studio at the time) the military influence is clear.

 

12. Sword Art Online: Alternative Gungale Online

Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online Moments Anime

Gungale Online is an alternative as the name literally implies. That’s why it’s so military-driven and focused compared to the original SAO series.

The main character of this show is a little girl (in the game at least) but in real life, she’s taller. She’s called Llenn. Her motivations are unique and different to what we know of Kirito or Asuna from the original.

Guns, shooting, action, bullets, if this is your vibe or you enjoyed the original Gungale arc of SAO, this would be right up your alley.

 

13. Eighty-Six (86)

Eighty Six (86) Vladilena Moments

One of the best Mecha anime shows to have been released since the 2000s. And is easily one of the highest quality Mecha of all time that’s pumped life into the Mecha genre again.

Vladilena Milize is the main character. She’s a little ignorant at first because of her privileges, a thing she realizes she has when she deals with a group of people who live in an area called 86.

These people are treated less than humans. They experience severe racism and Vladilena essentially wants to help them.

This anime touches on racism, discrimination, and still has its light moments and strong episodes full of action and strategy.

 

14. Aldnoah Zero

Another mecha/military anime but one released in the 2010s. It’s an anime with similarities to Code Geass and Full Metal Panic.

The main character is called Inaho. Stoic, aloof, and hard to read his emotions.

Here you have the Martians and people from the earth. There’s a battle between the two for supremacy. The Martians see themselves as superior (people who live on Mars) and they’re constantly trying to take over the earth in a nutshell.

There’s a lot of violence, complications, and back and forth between the two in the story and plot that goes on for 2 seasons.

 

15. Blood+

Blood+ Anime Saya Haji

An anime about vampires but one with military elements and influence. Blood+ follows Saya, a girl with black hair who’s assisted by a man called Haji, also with black hair and wears a suit.

Saya has a sister called Diva. She’s a powerful vampire and one who had different life experiences from Saya, creating resentment and a clash between the two ultimately.

This anime has action, some violence, and romance of sorts, but where this anime shines most is with its solid music that hits the right notes.

 

Recommended:

Why Mecha Anime Has Been DECLINING And Losing Its Appeal Since The 2010’s