Historie anime just kicked off 2026 with one of the most exciting announcements in the historical fiction space. After over two decades of serialization, Hitoshi Iwaaki's epic manga is finally getting the animated treatment it deserves. LIDEN FILMS will handle production, and fans couldn't be more hyped about it.A stunning teaser visual and trailer accompanied the news, which landed on January 1st. Iwaaki, famous for being the original creator of the legendary Parasyte, included an emotional statement about the adaptation. He said he came up with the story over 40 years ago and began drawing it more than 20 years ago in a small studio. Now, to see it animated is also truly a dream come true.What is the Historie anime about?The Historie anime follows Eumenes, a brilliant young man who eventually becomes Alexander the Great's personal secretary and army commander. However, this is not another tale about Alexander. It centers on the frequently disregarded person who stood next to one of the greatest conquerors in history.Eumenes is born into an affluent family in the city-state of Cardia. Things rapidly deteriorate once he is taken into slavery after being falsely accused of killing his adoptive father. Following his escape, he embarks on a mission that tests his cunning, fighting skills, and brains. The manga chronicles everything from his early tragedies to his rise to prominence as a strategist.The way the Historie anime handles historical fiction is what makes it really interesting. The story is based on real events and individuals from ancient Persia and Greece. Aristotle, Philip II of Macedon, and Alexander the Great are all mentioned. However, Iwaaki fills in the gaps and creates an interesting personal journey for Eumenes by using some creative freedom.The manga's impressive legacyA shot from the trailer (Image Credit: LIDEN FILMS)The manga had already established itself as a contemporary classic before the announcement of the Historie anime. In 2010, it took home the Grand Prize at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival. It won the esteemed 16th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize two years later. It most recently won the 49th Kodansha Manga Award in 2025.Since January 2003, Monthly Afternoon magazine has published the series. There are currently 4.7 million copies of the twelve volumes that have been published. For a seinen historical manga, that is quite astounding.But this version has a bittersweet quality. In August 2022, the manga went on an indefinite pause. Fans are concerned that the novel may never come to a written end because Iwaaki has been suffering from health concerns and is 65 years old. Perhaps the finest opportunity to see this story completely realized is in the Historie anime.What to expect from the adaptation?A bit of a wild card studio is LIDEN FILMS. They have created successful adaptations, including the most current Rurouni Kenshin remake as well as hits like Call of the Night. However, there have also been some unsuccessful products. Depending on the personnel assigned to each project, quality may differ.The good news? The Historie anime doesn't require insane action sequences right away. Character development, political intrigue, and smaller-scale battles are given more attention in the early chapters. That should be no problem for LIDEN FILMS. The large-scale combat may become more difficult if the show is produced in numerous seasons.There is currently no set release date. The teaser image, which depicts a lone individual staring out over an old city, effectively conveys the somber tone of the original work. It's not a flashy, action-heavy promo. Instead, it emphasizes the historical journey and strategic depth that define the series.ConclusionHistorical anime remains relatively rare in the medium. Shows like Vinland Saga and Kingdom have proven there's an audience for well-crafted historical fiction. The Historie anime fits perfectly into that niche, offering a fresh perspective on one of ancient history's most fascinating periods.For fans of Parasyte, this is Iwaaki returning to his passion project. Even before he started working as a professional manga artist, he wanted to share the tale of Eumenes. Every panel of the manga demonstrates this commitment, and perhaps it will be reflected on screen.A whole new generation could be introduced to Eumenes and the civilization of ancient Greece through the Historie animation. This one is worth keeping an eye on, regardless of whether you're a history geek or just enjoy a solid character-driven narrative.