The settings of many anime are often Japan itself, if they're not a fantasy or isekai-themed series. However, there are a lot of anime that send their characters to places outside of Japan for reasons related to activities such as moving, working, and studying.
From K-ON!'s vacation trip to Yuri!!! on ICE's worldwide stage, many of the characters go abroad for tournaments and educational purposes, or other plot-related reasons. No matter where they go, the destination is always a treat to see as they explore new places and possibly make new friends along the way.
10 The Light Music Club Members Go Abroad For Vacation During An OVA And A Movie (K-ON!)
In an OVA set between episodes thirteen and fourteen of K-ON!, the members of the light music club decided to go abroad for their vacation together. The OVA included all of them trying to choose which place to go together, what to pack, updating their passports, and so on.
Even though it didn't show them actually being in the destination they chose to be for vacation, it was amusing to watch them prepare for the journey ahead. It also showed how close they were as friends by that time, considering they were close enough to even consider traveling together in the first place. In addition to this OVA, they also went to London in K-ON! The Movie to celebrate their upcoming graduation.
9 Azuma And His Friends Competed In A Tournament In Monaco, France (Yakitate!! Japan)
One of the major arcs in Yakitate!! Japan was the Monaco Cup. This took place after the events of the Pantasia Newcomers Tournament, where Azuma, Kawachi, and Suwabara were sent from Japan to Monaco, France, to compete in the Monaco Cup, an international baking tournament featuring teams from many other countries (including France itself). This arc introduced new enemies and friends, as well as bringing back past foes like Shachioko. It also introduced Meister Kirisaki's younger sister, Sophie, and shed additional light on their past and connections with their father and the main antagonist, Yuuichi Kirisaki.
8 Yuri And The Rest Of The Cast Competed In Russia, China, And Spain (Yuri!!! On ICE)
Though part of Yuri!!! on ICE, takes place in Hasetsu, Japan, the rest of the anime's ice-skating competitions take place in a variety of countries including Russia, China, and Spain.
Yuri and Victor even get engaged during these travels together late in the anime, to the shock of all the other competitors (and Phichit's complete joy as he announces it to everyone around them). The series was enjoyable due to the opportunities for characters to explore the new places they were in while competing, as well as the bonds they made with each other along the way.
7 The Entire JoJo's Anime Takes Place In A Variety Of Places (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)
Like Yuri!!! on ICE, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure partially takes place in Japan but also goes to many other locations, including England, Italy, Florida, and New York. This is because the anime follows the Joestar family, and each part of the anime follows a different protagonist. Fans found it entertaining to watch the Joestar family's adventures all over the globe, as well as taking in the sights and sounds of the various places they were in, fashion brands included.
6 Yugi And His Friends Won A Trip To India (Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters)
Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters is a spin-off where Yugi and his friends end up winning a trip to India. Unfortunately for them, their plane crashes, and they enter the world of Capsule Monsters instead. Some fans wish that the cast actually did end up being in India, while others wish that India and Capsule Monsters had somehow been combined as a location. Either way, the cast is abroad from Japan, and characters who usually take the sidelines such as Téa Gardner and Tristan get a chance to shine, as well as Yugi's grandpa.
5 Yune Follows An Ironmaker To His Home In France (Croisée In A Foreign Labyrinth)
In Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth, the main heroine, Yune, follows an ironmaker all the way back home from Japan to Paris, France, and offers to help work at the ironwork shop. Though the ironmaker's family is unsure at first, they take her in and they bond with her throughout the series. The new setting, along with it taking place in the 1800s, made this series endearing and fascinating to watch.
The manga version of the series is unfortunately left incomplete due to the creator's death in 2017. However, the anime series itself is complete at twelve episodes long.
4 A Group Of Friends Go To The Antarctic Together (A Place Further Than The Universe)
In A Place Further Than The Universe, a group of friends go to Antarctica together. One of the girls, Shirase, wants to go there specifically to search for her mother, who went missing several years before the events of the series. The series follows the friends as they bond and travel together. Even though it's later revealed that Shirase's mother died, Shirase learns that she isn't alone; the friends become close enough that they were essentially family, which made the series heartwarming.
3 Mamoru Briefly Goes Abroad To Study In New York (Sailor Moon)
In the fifth and final season of the '90s Sailor Moon, Mamoru, also known as Tuxedo Mask, went abroad to go study in New York, giving Usagi an engagement ring before he leaves.
Unfortunately for him, Usagi, and the rest of the cast, it's revealed in later episodes that Mamoru never made it to America and that the evil villain Galaxia took his Star Seed while he was offscreen. Thankfully, he came back to life after Galaxia's defeat, but it made viewers wonder if he ever got to continue his studies abroad and what would come of his relationship with Usagi.
2 Azuma Yunoki Was Temporarily Forced To Go To England (La Corda D'Oro)
In La Corda D'Oro, Azuma Yunoki's grandmother forced him to go study business abroad in England. Though he did go to England just before the end of the music competition, he ended up returning to Japan shortly afterward and made it in time to participate in the final round, to everyone's surprise. Azuma revealed that he only went to England for the sake of canceling his transfer to the new school, defying his grandmother's expectations.
1 The Main Heroine Studies Abroad And Encounters A Mysterious Café In London (Phantom In The Twilight)
Phantom in the Twilight follows the heroine as she goes from Japan to London to study abroad. However, things take a tricky turn after she discovers a mysterious café that exclusively opens at midnight. It's revealed that "Shadows" born from human fear and anxiety exist, making the situation even more dangerous for the heroine and the people she meets at the café as well. This supernatural anime is unique both for its location and its characters.
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