Recommend me some military/war campaign adjacent series.

Submitted ⁨⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨gajahmada@awful.systems⁩ to ⁨anime@ani.social⁩

So, prior to this I’m not usually interested in military theme series, but then I give Tanya a watch, and I’m hooked ! I’ve also watched the movie.

After that, I remember 86 and also finish those. The last one I’ve finished was Nippon Sangoku, and now I want more like these. I think it’s related, but I also throw Sentenced to be a Hero having same vibe, though it’s more focus on individual and has much more fantasy flavor setting-wise.

I don’t really care about the interpersonal between the character, I think I just enjoy the campaign/battle theater and the logistic side of the war.

Please throw me some of yours recs ! Thanks

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AbsolutelyNotAVelociraptor@piefed.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Gundam: Iron-blooded orphans.

Valkyria Chronicles (yup, a videogame, but also a great anime based on it).

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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Right, I didn’t list all the series I’ve watched cuz that just insane lol but I’ve watched the two IBO season. I really want to watch the Urdr-Hunt and the other short movie but idk if it’s available anywhere beside just getting the BD.
  
  Valkyria Chronicles
  
  Oh, didn’t know this has adaptation, I think I played one of their entry. Thank you !
  
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unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Violet Evergarden has a lot of military stuff going on.

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mech@feddit.org ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Girls Und Panzer is genuinely awesome, and I’m not even an anime fan.

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- thisisbutaname@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  I watched it on a whim because the premise sounded ridiculous, and it is. But it’s also awesome.
  
  Putting together wholesome girl friendships and vicious tank battles shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
  
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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Looks wacky af. Thank you !
  
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Unboxious@ani.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
I think Legend of the Galactic Heroes is probably the king of this genre. It’s also just one of my favorite anime overall.

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- sleet01@lemmy.ca ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  The only problem with watching LotGH is you end up getting unreasonably excited listening to classical music ever after.
  
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Someonelol@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Last Exile is gorgeous and has quite a few outdated military tactics mixed with fantastic flying machines. Gives off the vibe of how in WWI generals still couldn’t figure out how to adapt to the insane technological advances of the time.

Golden Kamuy takes place right after the Japanese Russo War but has quite a few traumatic flashbacks to the frontline fighting. I really enjoyed the anime and wished it made a bigger splash.

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- sleet01@lemmy.ca ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  I will personally endorse both of these series, both as a viewer and former military.
  
  Watch Last Exile with zero prep, zero research - try to figure it out as you go.
  
  Watch Golden Kamuy after watching Gintama, for, uh, historical background.
  
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thisisbutaname@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Both of my suggestions have warfare mixed with fantasy, but you could try them to see if they scratch your itch.

Drifters: famous warriors get isekai’d to a fantasy war and start waging a war on behalf of the subjugated elf population.

Gate: a portal opens up in Tokyo and fantasy creatures try to invade Japan, only to find themselves against a modern day army.

Bonus suggestion: Full Metal Panic. Mecha battles against terrorist organisations. The first season is a mix of serious and funny, following ones are more serious in tone. FMP Fumoffu is a spinoff with just the funny stuff. One of my all time favorites.

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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  I’ve watched FMP but not the other two and just to make sure, is this the one you mean :
  
  Gate
  
  Drifters
  
  I’ll go check both out, iirc there a new Gate coming out, but it’s a new timeline of something not related to this one, is that right or am I thinking of a different series?
  
  Thank you for the suggestion !
  
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  - NineSwords@ani.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    
    new Gate coming out,
    
    The upcoming GATE season will follow a completely different set of characters, and the ones from season 1 only show up in cameo/guest roles. Its set a couple of years later (so, not a new timeline). Also, navy instead of army.
    
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  - thisisbutaname@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    Yes, it’s those two.
    
    As for the new Gate, I don’t know anything about it.
    
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mo_lave@reddthat.com ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Legend of the Galactic Heroes

Cyberpunk Edgerunners (Corporate armies)

Violet Evergarden

Jin-Roh

Evangelion

Girls und Panzer

Akira

Fullmetal Alchemist

Code Geass

Vinland Saga

Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199

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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  
  Jih-Roh
  
  Is this the one you mean?
  
  I’ve watched the rest beside Star Blazers and Code-Geass but not in the moods for full-blown mechs/space opera right now.
  
  There are a lot of suggestions already so if you have any other recs (don’t need to be military) of your faves (maybe the under the radar one) throw me some more. I’ll watch anything unless it’s too gory/body-horror types.
  
  Thanks for the recs !
  
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MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Seconding the other user’s recommendation of Zipang.

Crest/Banner of the Stars does some great space opera/battles. Gasaraki is a mix of mech, mystical, and military. Area 88 (original OVA) is an extremely bleak look into a foreign-legion style barracks. (There’s also a newer short series which hit a lot of the same notes but I don’t really remember it very well.) Grave of the Fireflies is a heartbreaking look at the other side of war. Not what you asked for, but thematically relevant. And obligatory Gundam rec for those that haven’t watched all of them: 08th MS Team for that on the ground in the thick of things feel, and Igloo for small side stories about OYW events that don’t grab the spotlight.

You also might want to look into the Fire Emblem game series. Not anime, but anime chess in a (usually) medieval war setting.

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- sleet01@lemmy.ca ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Seconding 08th MS Team and IGLOO for Gundam. Both look at the One Year War from the level of grunts, to the setting’s benefit (I think).
  
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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  
  Gasaraki is a mix of mech, mystical, and military
  
  That looks promising just by the still-shot. Ground-based kinetic warfare is what I’m currently craving kinda bored with the usual space opera. Also found Break Blade the other day, idk how that one’s rated but the action looks great.
  
  Grave of the Fireflies
  
  I know this one is coming, but I don’t think I’m ready, maybe one day. I think I’ll take a look at Area 88 though, I never watch air-unit-based stories (yes, never seen topgun).
  
  Fire Emblem game series
  
  You bet I do ! That also reminds me there’s a new Brigandine series coming.
  
  Thanks for the recs !
  
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nyan@lemmy.cafe ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Might not be quite what you want, but I’ll throw in a rec for Zipang: A modern (well, modern twenty years ago) Japanese SDF patrol boat is thrown back in time to the Battle of Midway in World War II. They’re eventually forced to take sides whether they want to or not, with the additional issue that their weapons are advanced enough to take out anything on the ocean during that time period, even as they’re trying very hard not to change history. (This series has two problems: first, it has a case of Unfinished Manga Syndrome and so ends in the middle of the story, and second, it wasn’t negative enough on Japan’s behaviour during the war for some non-Japanese audiences.)

There are also some less-regarded mecha shows like Argento Soma that might fit.

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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  
  Might not be quite what you want
  
  What do you mean my guy this is exactly what I want lol. My example is just what I recently found, I’m not opposed to much more realistic/historical adaptation or old one at that.
  
  it wasn’t negative enough on Japan’s behaviour during the war for some non-Japanese audiences
  
  What do you mean by this? Not enough light on Japanese’s atrocities ?
  
  Argento Soma
  
  Also, never heard of this one, I’ll check both out. Thank you !
  
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  - nyan@lemmy.cafe ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    
    What do you mean by this? Not enough light on Japanese’s atrocities ?
    
    Might have been that (as far as I can recall, the characters were never in the correct place at the correct time to see most of the evilest stuff), might have been just that the original mangaka was trying for a more nuanced view of the war and so didn’t depict the higher-level Japanese officers as monsters. To be honest, I don’t remember exactly—most of that discussion took place around the time the series first came out.
    
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frostedtrailblazer@lemmy.zip ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
My favorites that hit on the more futuristic/fantasy military themes are:

Code Geass

Muv-Luv: Alternative

Knights of Sidonia

Most of the other ones I saw recommended hit more closely to what you’re looking for, but I wanted to provide a few military adjacent series since they do still include battle tactics and planning.
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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  
  Code Geass
  
  After all this years I just realize that code-geass is a mech anime lol. Just through osmosis I even know the protag name is Lelouch but Idk what gives this impression I thought the series is old-school Eminence of shadow (also didn’t watch this one because I just can’t with the cringe).
  
  Muv-Luv: Alternative I just skimmed through the 1st eps, looks decent. Is there a prominent fan-service, what with the whatever the woman pilot suit is wearing? I think I’m getting too old for that kind of trope.
  
  Knights of Sidonia
  
  This looks amazing ! But I think I’ll read the manga instead, idk I like the CG animation based on the trailers.
  
  Thanks for the recs !
  
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  - frostedtrailblazer@lemmy.zip ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    Code Geass is just a gem imo, it’s so over the top and kinda bullshit at times, but the cast of characters are so fleshed out and fun. It’s a mecha but it’s not purely about mechas so your perception was on point imo. It’s one of the few series I’ve rewatched multiple times throughout my life and I’ve walked away with new interpretations and appreciations with each run through. The overarching military parts that happen behind the scenes didn’t even really make much sense for me originally until I had already seen it a few times.
    
    For Muv-luv: Alternative specifically:
    
    Tap for spoiler
    I believe it takes two or three episodes to get rolling, there is a big twist that takes the show in another direction that happens after the first episode. I got to see it drop live in person with the director there and everything at AX as one two/three part episode. I want to avoid actually spoilering it for you. It’s not what you’re thinking though.
    
    Knights of Sidonia probably is better as a manga, the art style wasn’t my favorite either but the story itself was solid.
    
    Happy to help!
    
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Endmaker@ani.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Here are some that others haven’t mention:

Vinland Saga

Attack on Titan

Release that Witch

Sword Art Online: Alicization (you may have to watch the prequels for context though)

Among those mentioned so far, I can second:

Gundam

Violet Evergarden
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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  
  Sword Art Online: Alicization + War of Underworld
  
  Which prequel did you mean? So I’ve watched the main season of SAO back when it’s aired, but I don’t think it’s for me (too much romance going on story-wise) so I dropped it. Is this the prequel you mean?
  
  I liked the 2nd season but it’s Gun-Gale. So I’ve watched those and it’s SAO Gun-Gale spin-off. I already watched the rest of your suggestions’.
  
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  - Endmaker@ani.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    
    watched the main season of SAO
    
    liked the 2nd season but it’s Gun-Gale
    
    That’s good enough IMO. As long as you can recognise some of the returning characters, and not be too lost, you’re good to go!
    
    Also, I should have elaborated in the original comment:
    
    super minor SAO: Alice meta spoiler
    The first part (Alicization) of this big arc is the precursor / setup towards the big war. The war only truly starts in the second part (War of Underworld).
    
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NineSwords@ani.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
“Legend of the Galactic Heroes” for some space flavor. “Sound of the Sky” for some Slice of Life. Or get your Isekai fix with “GATE” or “Alderamin on the Sky”. There are also some Gundam shows that are more militaristic than others, but I’m not the right one to say which of them fall in which category, since I only watched them sporadically.

Then there are franchises like Azure Lane and Girls and Panzer to take it into the absurdist direction. Girls and Panzer is actually not bad once you come to terms with the general premise. Give it a chance.

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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  
  Sound of the Sky | Alderamin on the Sky
  
  Both looks promising, I think I’ll watch this two first.
  
  Others already mention Girls und Panzer so it’s in the backlog, and looking at Azure Lane it looks like some gacha game or something, is this all female world or something like that? I’ll give this one a ‘maybe’, but thank you for the other suggestions !
  
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  - NineSwords@ani.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    Azure Lane is indeed a gacha game about waifu-ed Warships. I would place it behind all the other suggestions you got here. I just mentioned it because it came to mind with the military theme.
    
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polakkenak@feddit.dk ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
Ghost in the shell

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- gajahmada@awful.systems ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  Oh, is the series has some full-scale war element to it? I was waiting for the new series and then look at the rest of the catalog based on how I like it.
  
  My impression of it is it’s a Blade Runner (the Gosling one) but femme fatale.
  
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  - polakkenak@feddit.dk ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    Ah no sorry, I don’t remember there being any large-scale war element to it, so it might not exactly fit what you’re looking for. There’s a distinct “spec ops” feel to it and thought it’d be worth checking out given the overall theme.
    
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