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10 best anime to watch if you love The Odyssey (#4 is a near-perfect masterpiece)
Polygon has put together a list of anime recommended for fans of Christopher Nolan's forthcoming film adaptation of The Odyssey, Homer's ancient Greek epic centred on themes of homecoming, fate and free will. The list highlights ten anime series and films that echo the poem's core preoccupations, from direct mythological retellings to stories about long, perilous journeys or clashes between mortals and gods.
Selections include the 1980s sci-fi reimagining Ulysses 31, which transposes Odysseus's tale into space, alongside Record of Ragnarok, One Piece and Vinland Saga, the latter singled out as a "near-perfect masterpiece" for its existential take on a warrior's journey home. Each entry draws parallels to the Odyssey's themes of destiny, seafaring peril, hubris and the hard-won nature of return, though the article excerpt provided covers only the first four of the ten picks in detail.
In short
- Polygon lists anime that echo themes from Homer's Odyssey.
- Picks include Ulysses 31, Record of Ragnarok and One Piece.
- Vinland Saga (#4) is praised as a near-perfect masterpiece.
Explained simply
The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, written over two thousand years ago. It tells of Odysseus, a warrior who must journey home after the Trojan War, facing supernatural perils and profound moral challenges along the way. The epic has endured because it explores timeless themes including the role of fate in human affairs, the dangers of excessive pride, and the universal human longing for home.
Stories rooted in classical antiquity frequently inspire modern retellings across different media and creative forms. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan is preparing a film adaptation of The Odyssey. This has prompted exploration of how the poem's ideas appear in contemporary storytelling, including anime that share its themes about journeys, fate, and homecoming.
The selected anime share the Odyssey's focus on characters undertaking difficult quests, confronting supernatural or divine forces, and reckoning with the costs of their ambitions. These works range from direct retellings such as the 1980s science-fiction series Ulysses 31 to thematically aligned contemporary series including One Piece and Vinland Saga.