As Emperor Ankan did not have a son, his next oldest brother Emperor Senka succeeded him; however, as Emperor Senka neither had a son, their youngest brother Emperor Kinmei succeeded Emperor Senka (There are other opinions that Emperor Kinmei defeated Emperor Ankan and Emperor Senka, and that there existed the Court of Emperor Kinmei and the Court of Emperors Ankan and Senka during that period.)
安閑天皇には男子がおらず、次兄の宣化天皇が後継したが同様に男子がいなかったため、末弟の欽明天皇が代を継いだ（欽明天皇が安閑・宣化を滅ぼしたとする説、さらには欽明朝と安閑・宣化朝が並立していたとする説もある）。