Entertainment
10 Greatest Fantasy Anime of All Time, Ranked
Fans crave excitement and a way to escape from the plain, boring world and everyday life, which is why the fantasy genre is so popular. Whether it be the fantastical creatures, the whimsical world, or the bright and unique festivals, this genre is an escape that is rich with storytelling potential. Anime in particular delivers some standout fantasy series, including Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic and the newly released Witch Hat Atelier.
This diverse genre can be done in thousands of different ways, and anime has achieved many of them, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest fantasy anime of all time. Based on story, animation, creativity, worldbuilding, lore, characters, fan opinion, critical acclaim, overall quality, themes such as good vs evil, the hero’s journey, courage, and aspects including imaginative worlds, systems, and magic, these shows are the perfect escape.
10
‘Konosuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World!’ (2016-present)
The best part about fantasies is that almost any other genre can fit inside of it as well, such as comedy, and Konosuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World proves that. When Kazuma suddenly passes away, he is given a new chance at life in a fantasy world. Given the option to take something with him, he chooses the goddess speaking to him; little does he know that she is useless, making his new start harder than expected.
Konosuba’s story is secondary, but it also offers a fun adventure every now and then, where they travel to new areas and fight a member of the demon king’s army. However, the appeal of this show is its parody-style comedy that satirizes the isekai genre and makes fun of its tropes. Konosuba is a hilarious anime with a cast full of endearing idiots, but that is what makes every episode and adventure special.
9
‘Dorohedoro’ (2020-present)
Fantasy comes in all different types of shapes and sizes, and Dorohedoro is perhaps one of the most unique series out there. The Hole is a decrepit place where sorcerers come to experiment with their magic on the civilians. Caiman is one such product that has the head of an alligator and no memories. By killing and questioning wizards, Caiman hopes to regain his memory and his former appearance.
It may not be the typical fantasy that fans think of, but with magic, sorcery, creatures, and an adventure-focused plot that has the protagonist learning about his past, Dorohedoro is definitely a fantasy. The worldbuilding is absolutely phenomenal, using events, festivals, and celebrations to create a lived-in experience that alters the story. Dorohedoro is chaotically pleasant with quirky characters, gritty action, gory moments, and surreal humor, making it a modern anime masterpiece that more fans need to check out.
8
‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ (2021-present)
The Isekai genre is a controversial one, but it usually goes hand-in-hand with fantasy; an especially polarizing anime is Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. After living an unfulfilling life, Rudeus is reborn in a fantasy world where he plans to make the most of his second chance. However, old habits die hard, making his tumultuous journey in this world even more difficult.
Rudeus’ character is a decidedly controversial one, but no matter what they think of him, fans have to admit that the show’s worldbuilding is stellar and the animation is absolutely stunning. Mushoku Tensei is one of the best visual fantasies, creating a charming and authentic experience unlike anything else in the medium. With a winding plot and profound character development, this anime is a definitive fantasy isekai.
7
‘Delicious in Dungeon’ (2024-present)
The modern era has given fans some of the best fantasy series, and one of them is Delicious in Dungeon. After a dragon eats the healer of a party, the group suits up to go back into the dungeon and save her before the dragon digests her. However, with no money, supplies, or food, they decide to make meals out of the monsters they meet, but food might be the last of their worries.
Food is a big part of fantasy, but Delicious in Dungeon takes it to a whole new level by creating a monster biology and creature cookbook that blends seamlessly. The gourmet creations and monster worldbuilding are a fascinating approach that adds so much fun to each episode and enhances the journey. Delicious in Dungeon also excels with its dramatic plot shift midway through, which really kick-started the story.
With guns, semi-modern civilization, and a scientific power system, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood doesn’t feel too much like a fantasy, but it features enough content to be considered one. After brothers Ed and Al lose parts or all of their bodies in a taboo experiment, they set out on an adventure to find the philosopher’s stone. But when they learn of a government conspiracy, they need to stop it or risk losing the entire world.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is considered the best anime of all time, which may make it surprising that it is so low on this list. However, it doesn’t embody the fantasy elements as well as other series, almost serving as a merger between many genres. Still, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood became a sensation because of its engaging plot with fascinating worldbuilding, an intriguing power system, and engaging characters.
5
‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011-2014)
Battle shounen are the most popular type of anime, and many of them are fantasy variants, including Hunter x Hunter, which fans one day hope will actually get an ending. Gon dreams of finding the father who abandoned him; the only thing Gon knows is that his father is a hunter. Now of age, Gon sets out on the same path as his dad, but becoming a hunter will introduce a new set of challenges and trauma.
Hunter x Hunter is a master at subverting expectations, starting with a typical shonen adventure and evolving into a profound and philosophical drama with action, political intrigue, and intense character development. It follows a form of the hero’s journey, and with plenty of adventure, characters, and fantastical events, Hunter x Hunter is a definitive anime series and a distinct fantasy experience.
4
‘Mushi-Shi’ (2005-2014)
Fantasy doesn’t always need to be set in an alternate world; sometimes the greatest adventures take place in one’s own backyard. Mushi-Shi follows Ginko, a researcher investigating the mysterious creatures known as Mushi and the strange phenomena that occur around them. Traveling across the country, Ginko encoutners many spirits and peculiar cases.
Mushi-Shi doesn’t follow a specific grand story; instead, each episode offers a slice of comfort and magic. This whimsical anime is relaxing and soothing, taking fans through atmospheric settings and melancholic stories. Sadly, Mushi-Shi is a rather unknown anime that deserves far more love, especially because of its mystical approach to creatures and the mystery surrounding them.
3
‘One Piece’ (1999-present)
Fantasy isn’t just dragons and magic; sometimes it reveals itself in the shape of pirates exploring the vast ocean and the bizarre islands. One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy, an ambitious pirate who wants to find the titular treasure. However, to do so, he must build a crew and a name for himself, which he does by sailing the seas and challenging any evil pirates, marines, or government officials.
Anime has a broad definition of fantasy, and this is shown by the fact that One Piece is a fantasy. There may be guns, scientific experiments, and pirate mischief, but its creativity creates a unique world with islands made out of cake and giants roaming a folklore land. One Piece has many great arcs, making up a gargantuan story with some of the best worldbuilding in anime.
2
‘Berserk’ (1997-1998)
Even some of the best manga don’t translate well to anime, and Berserk knows this all too well. However, there is one good adaptation, and it earns its spot on this list. Guts has experienced a living hell since birth, but when he believes things might just be going his way, a brutal betrayal takes everything from him. Now, Guts is on a blood-fueled quest for revenge.
Berserk might be the greatest fantasy story ever told; unfortunately, the anime doesn’t fully do it justice, but that is still enough for it to land at number two on this list. The world blends multiple time periods together to create a vicious yet captivating fantasy world, and its story of revenge and political warfare is yet another landmark that highlights its excellence and domination of the genre. The Berserk manga is continuing, meaning fans can keep enjoying this story in multiple mediums.
1
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023-present)
Most of these anime needed years to establish themselves as greats, but in only a short amount of time, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has cemented itself as the best fantasy anime ever. Years after defeating the demon king, the heroes’ party slowly died off, except for the titular elf, who regrets not getting to understand them more. Now on a nostalgic journey with their pupils, Frieren plans to see them again in the land of the dead.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End subverted the typical fantasy format by delivering a passionate adventure where the side quests and detours are all the fun. Whether it be a fun little side adventure, a profound life lesson, or a grand battle against some monster, each episode is a fantastical delight. Each new season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End becomes one of the most anticipated anime shows, and with plenty more in store, fans won’t want this journey to end.
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