The reclusive Kazuma Satou finds himself the victim of a most unfair and pathetic death. Yet he comes face to face with a goddess named Aqua who offers to send him to a fantastic world of magic and monsters to begin a new life and allows him to take any one thing of his choosing into the new world. To Aqua’s regret, Kazuma chooses to bring her, yet soon discovers how useless she truly Is to him. Now these two are stuck together to make it in this wonderful world.

Studio Deen brings you a humorous adventure and fantasy isekai anime. Isekai refers to a subgenre of anime which take a regular protagonist and transport him/her to a parallel world, typically of a fantasy setting. The number of anime in this subgenre have seen an increase in recent years and it may sometimes be hard to tell the good from the bad. In the case of Konosuba, you have a winning anime with solid animation quality and comedy that will keep you entertained. This is especially the case for fans of video games.

Found abandoned together at birth, Asta and Yuno were taken in and raised by a small church. Both heads became filled with stories of the wondrous Wizard King, the most powerful mage in the land. All children dream of being someone as great as the Wizard King and Asta and Yuno were no different. Yet in contrast to the natural aptitude for magic which Yuno possessed, Asta was completely void of any magical ability whatsoever. Together, the boys will seek to obtain their Grimoires, magical tomes of power which reflect the user, and set off to work towards becoming the Wizard King.

Studio Pierrot takes a page out of the books of countless shounen anime before it, by introducing you to a new young male protagonist who, despite their lack of arcane ability, still seeks to become the strongest hero of them all. Black Clover continues in the same tradition of anime such as Naruto in having a protagonist and rival grow together, in this sense the journey of Asta as he tries to achieve his dream is not a solitary one. If you want to enter a world of magic with guilds and evil wizards, this is the anime for you.

A young man named Bell Cranel who lives in the great city of Orario, has a dream to become a great adventurer like the many who venture forth into the dungeons of Orario with the blessings of various deities. Yet he does not possess the skill or power to shape his dreams into a reality until he encounters a minor goddess named Hestia who blesses him to let him venture into the dungeon and achieve his dreams. Yet even with the blessing of a deity, no path to glory or riches is paved in marble. Can Bell survive the perilous journey he has set himself on and will he be able to maintain his spirit through countless battles?

J.C. Staff brings together a fantasy, adventure, romance and comedy anime. In this world, you will find the system in which a character’s abilities are measured through levels and stats, a reference to fantasy RPGs and video games, much like other anime on the list. This anime is for anyone who enjoys imagining themselves in the shoes of the protagonist. Yet while the humour and immersion are a nice break from the real world, the story is intriguing enough that it goes beyond mindless escapism.

Subaru Natsuki is brought forth inexplicably from his local convenience store and thrust into an entirely different world where he proceeds in failing to fend off attacks from a group of muggers in the cobblestone streets of a strange city. Luckily, a beautiful girl named Satella came to his aid. Together, Subaru assists Satella in completing a task only for both to be brutally murdered and Subaru somehow sent back in time to the exact moment he arrived in this mysterious world. What is force is driving his resurrection? Can he survive in this new world or be forced to experience death over and over again?

Studio White Fox brings you a psychologically bending fantasy, drama, and thriller anime. On the surface, this anime appears like others of the isekai genre but what becomes evident from the first episode is how twisted and dark this anime can become. If you are someone who wants a light-hearted fantasy where the protagonist works towards achieving their dreams, this is not the anime for you. However, if you enjoy thriller fantasy anime tagged in mystery than this is certainly one to add to your list.

Akko is a young girl with no real talent nor lineage for magic yet after growing up watching her favorite witch Shiny Chariot grace the stage with her spectacular skills, Akko has always strived to be just like her hero. Thus, despite her lack of skill, Akko enrolls in the Luna Nova Magical Academy where upon a shaky start and finding the wand of Shiny Chariot, she does what she can alongside her new friends, to go beyond both the expectations of her peers and her own.

Studio Trigger (Known for the likes of Kill la Kill, Darling in the Franxx) doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to creating stunning and bright animation that will captivate audiences. Not only does Little Witch Academia have great visuals but it holds a fun tale of young girl training to be a witch. For anyone looking to introduce a kid to the world of anime or fantasy, we recommend this anime for your list.

It is nearing the end of the 21st century, magic has become integrated into the everyday technology and economy of the world, with magicians filling the workforce, military, and education system. In this new age where magic and technology are integrated, First High School is the epitome of education for young people to become the best magicians possible. A close brother and sister pair, Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, are amongst the many who enroll at this institution. Where as Miyuki is recognized as a prodigy and sorted in with the “Blooms”, a class of students who are magically adept. Tatsuya is sorted with the “Weeds” those lacking in magical prowess. Yet despite his ineptitude, he excels far beyond others when it comes to his knowledge of magic engineering and combat. A hidden prodigy, how will Tatsuya’s talent be received by his classmates, is there more to him than meets the eye?

The Irregular at Magic High School has an almost utopian and futuristic feel to it when forming a surface examination on the lives of the protagonists and supporting characters. While each character has their own problems whether due to family and lineage or aptitude for magic, the personal and overarching conflict of the story are enough to convince the audience that while the world these characters live in is advanced and cool, it is not without it share of strife. The anime is also refreshing for its integration of magic from a technological perspective.

A group of strangers awaken on top of a tower in a mysterious fantasy world of Grimgar. They know not how they got there or who they are beyond their names but as they soon discover, the world which they reside is full of dangers that they must band together to survive against. The strongest join together, leaving behind a group of outcasts to fend for themselves. Each member pursues a different expertise, whether it is a priest, rogue, hunter, or mage, the group of six teenagers join the reserve army to earn enough to live. Yet the creatures they face in the forest will test their metal everyday as they find a way to settle in this strange fantastical world.

A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Your Lie in April) utilizes their familiarity with fantasy and creating magical worlds in Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions. While this story starts off much like a video game with various characters mysteriously spawning at a single point, the world is very much real, and the consequences of surviving are not brushed aside. This anime excels as a fantasy, drama, and adventure anime for providing as much realism as is possible within a fantasy setting and managing to make an audience care about its protagonists in only a few episodes. This is for those fantasy fans who are looking for something more serious in their anime diet.

Kagome Higurashi is a fifteen-year-old school girl in modern day japan who finds herself in the clutches of a demonic entity who drags her centuries into Japan’s past upon arriving, she discovers embedded within her is the sacred Shikon Jewel said to possess wish granting abilities to whoever wields it. Amidst the chaos of her attempt to survive, the jewel shatters and spreads across Japan. To prevent the jewel from getting into the wrong hands, Kagome and a dog-eared half-demon named InuYasha travel together meeting friends and enemies alike, in the hopes they can recover the lost pieces.

For many who are reading this article, chances are that you grew up with InuYasha alongside anime such as Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and Bleach. If you have not previously heard of InuYasha, we are happy you have discovered an anime that has cemented itself over the years as a fantasy and adventure shounen anime with comedy, romance, drama, and plenty of supernatural elements trickled through out. It finds its place in the top 3 on this list by being, for lack of a better term, a pure adventure anime in its classic tale of traversing the land in search of a sacred artifact, slaying demons and monsters along the way, and saving the world in the process.

Fiore is a magical land that is full of magical energy across its lands, forests, cities, and cultures. Most magical operations are guided by various guilds consisting of mages of varying powers. Among the best of these guilds is Fairy Tail, a warm and spritely guild. It is the wish of one Lucy Heartfillia, a celestial key wielder, to join the guild and collect celestial keys. Yet on her journey for such keys she finds herself rescued from trouble by Natsu Dragneel the adopted son of a dragon and member of Fairy Tail. He beckons her to join the guild alongside Gray Fullbuster, Erza Scarlet, and countless others. Where will adventure take them?

Fairy Tail, more than most anime out there, encapsulates the spirit and joy that sword and sorcery can bring people. The sense of becoming a part of a guild or party who become like your family and journeying to various places and finding various foes to get stronger and achieve your sought-after dreams and goals. For any fans of Dungeons and Dragons or other table tops, Fairy Tail does as much as is possible to mirror those feelings by cataloging the ongoing growth, relationships, and sadness of the hero and his/her journey.

15-year-old Chise Hatori has been abused, isolated, and forgotten for most of her life because of her strange behaviour and ability to see fey spirits and other creatures. Her feelings of hopelessness brought her to auction herself off into slavery. Purchased for the sum of 5 million yen. She is taken by a tall masked stranger to his home, a cottage in England, where she discovers he is an ancient magus and there is a hidden world of magic, fairies, and dragons that she had only caught glimpses of in her youth. As she is taken under the magus’ wing, she becomes his student and apparently, his bride.

Fairy Tail brought fans into a world akin to the modern state of fantasy. Studio Wit (Attack on Titan, Seraph of the End) tears back the layers of fantasy over the past decades and brings it to audiences in a traditionally raw and ancient aesthetic in The Ancient Magus Bride which hidden fantasy world bears more similarity to the kind of fantasy in classic Germanic or Celtic mythos. Combining both stunning musical accompaniment with breathtaking world building and intriguing story, The Ancient Magus Bride’s story presents itself more to a Grimm’s fairy-tale in nature and is sure to encapsulate those who more than anything else, seek magic and wonder in their life.

Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry has a bit more modern setting than one would expect for a sword and sorcery anime, but don’t let that fool you. It is set in a relatively contemporary, alternate version of our own world and takes place at an academy where gifted youngsters train to become powerful, magical knights. However, society is structured in such a way where rank in the knighthood is determined exclusively by magical ability, which is bad news for main character Ikki Kurogane, dubbed “the worst one” by his peers due to his utter lack of magic.

However, what Kurogane lacks in magical power, he more than makes up for in dedication to a rigorous training regimen, and martial prowess. His life turns upside down when a clerical error forces him to room with Stella, a vivacious vixen with incredible magical powers who is used to getting her own way. It’s up to Kurogane and Stella to disrupt the status quo in the school’s annual tournament to determine the top-ranked aspirants at the academy. While the show is mostly character-driven, it has plenty pulse-pounding action, with slickly animated battle sequences that are sure to please fans of the genre.

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic takes place in an Old World partly inspired by history, particularly that of the Middle East. In it, all living beings possess an essence known as “Rukh,” that is fed into a cycle of death and rebirth. This essence can be manipulated by powerful magic users, appropriately known as magi, to accomplish great deeds and give them spectacular power in combat. Magi, seeking to expand their powers, often enter labyrinthine dungeons filled with traps and treasure, often ruled over by a powerful magical being known as a Djinn.

Aladdin is a carefree young man who sets a precedent by manifesting his power as the “fourth magi,” when previously there have only been free. He has a flute inhabited by a Djinn that he can call on for assistance, as well as a turban that can function as a magic carpet. Together with his friend, Alibaba, he enters dungeons looking for magical artifacts, hoping to inspire the nations around the world with his leadership and kindness. With oodles of dungeon-crawling action, complete with traps, swordplay, and magic, as well as a follow-up series, there’s a lot for fans to sink their teeth into.

Shinku Izumi is a half-Japanese, half-British junior high school student in Japan, dealing with the trials of middle school life when he is suddenly summoned to the alternate world of Flonyard, which is inhabited by humans with animal ears and tails. There, he learns that he was summoned by Princess Millhiore, of the Biscotti Kingdom, to fight as their champion in a war between the nations. She gifts him their magical weapon, Palladion, which has the ability to take whatever shape the wielder desires.

Shinku is a cheerful and persistent young man and is willing to do what’s right for those he cares about. Although he is summoned to fight in a war, it is structured as a blood-free tournament between nations, where winners get larger shares of a pool of prize money. Although the animation style seems a bit childish, it tells a very real story of friendship, and there’s a lot of swordplay and spell slinging to keep viewers entertained throughout the series’ three seasons.

Akane Academy is a high school whose student body is made up of “saviors,” who are reincarnated individuals with memories of heroic past lives, and access to powerful abilities. There are two types of saviors; Shirogane, who are able to manifest weapons and techniques, and Kuroma, who manifest magic primarily for defensive purposes. The students spend their tenure at the school training to fight “metaphysicals,” monsters who relentlessly attack humans at every opportunity.

The story follows Moroha Haimura, a dependable young man who has two past lives and is thus, able to utilize abilities of both Shirogane and Kuroma. Because of his unique power, he joins an elite group of students to defend the school and the town when metaphysicals start showing up to cause trouble. Battle is the bread and butter of the show, and because of the interesting duality the show sets up, there’s a healthy mix of clashing swords and dazzling spells.

The world of Fate/Stay Night is a complicated one, with a staggering amount of lore. Just know that it’s set in a world where magical warriors compete in a semi-regular event called “the Holy Grail War,” a tournament where the winner is granted their deepest wishes. The themes of the show are more complicated than the premise, as it's often more about conquering oneself, as much as it is your opponent.

The first series follows events centered around Shiro Emiya, a survivor of a battle that left a swath of destruction that apparently killed everyone except him. His is a sincere young man who seeks to uphold the ideals of his late, adoptive father, and become a hero for justice. His chance encounters with a mysterious silver-haired girl sets him on a journey that will change the course of his life. If a richly constructed lore and flashy combat are in your wheelhouse, you have to check it out, and the sequels will provide plenty of must-see viewing.

Claymore takes place in a world where humans are also plagued by shape-shifting monsters called Yoma, who feed on and terrorize the populace. They are protected by Claymores, half-human half-Yoma hybrids possessing super-human strength and abilities (as well as giant swords, claymores), but who eventually succumb to their demonic instincts. The show follows a Claymore named Clare, who saves a young man named Raki, from a Yoma who has slain his family.

While most of the emphasis of this show is on brutal, frantic combat, the supernatural abilities of the Yoma and the Claymores definitely give the swordplay a more magical feel. The themes of the story are expectedly weighty and tells a moving tale of revenge and self-sacrifice.

King Il is the pacifist ruler of Kouka and is beloved by many. Because of the kingdom’s peace, his only daughter, Yona, lives a carefree life, happily whiling away her days at Hiryu castle under the watchful eye of her companion and bodyguard, Son Hak. Her childhood sweetheart, Soo-won, visits the King under false pretenses and commits the ultimate betrayal when he murders King Il in front of Yona, and declares himself the new ruler. Yona and Hak flee to Hak’s hometown and begin a quest to reclaim her kingdom by seeking out the power of reincarnated dragons of legend.

Akatsuki no Yona is a story of adventure, of course, but it is also the story of a young woman maturing into the ruler she is destined to be. Her journey is fraught with peril and battle, enough to keep any fan of the genre on the edge of their seat throughout the series’ run.

Perhaps a show that needs no introduction, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the canonical adaptation of the insanely popular manga, introduced after the first iteration of the show received lukewarm reception for spinning its wheels and deviating from the source material too strongly. It tells the story of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, two young men in a remote village raised by their mother after their father abandoned them at a young age. They leave the village to train as alchemists, having shown a great aptitude for it at even a young age.

Unfortunately, when they return to their village after training, they do so under the sad circumstances of their mother’s passing. An attempt to use forbidden alchemy to resurrect her results in a loss of limb for Edward, and the near obliteration of Alphonse, whose soul is hastily imbued into a nearby suit of armor. Without spoiling anything, the series is an epic story of personal discovery during a ravaging war and isn’t to be missed.

Another series heavily inspired by history, The Heroic Legend of Arslan is set in a fantasy world reminiscent of the Middle East during the Dark Ages. The kingdom of Pars is the cultural and economic crossroads of the area, and its king, Andragoras the 3rd, has never known the sting of defeat.

This all changes, however. When Andragoras falls victim to a sinister plot carried out by some of his most trusted advisors, it forces his son Arslan to flee his rightful home, and sets him on a harrowing adventure for survival. The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a show that has plenty to offer fans of multiple genres, because of its fantastical, magical setting, it’s memorable cast of companions and villains, and thoughtfully explores the cost of cultural imperialism and freedom.

We round out the list with another iconic series that needs no introduction. Berserk is the dark fantasy story of Guts, a brave, orphaned mercenary who works as the right-hand man of Griffith in the troupe, the Band of the Hawk, in the employ of the King during a century-long war. When the war is over and Guts decides to leave the Band, Griffith begins to lose his mind and loses favor with the king when he assaults his daughter, the princess. A year of imprisonment and torture at the hands of the monarch changed him forever.

Griffith activates the Behelit, a magical object in his possession that grants him incredible power at the cost of what little humanity remained to him, and sets him on a path of conquest that Guts finds himself directly in the path of. Berserk is a brutal, sweeping epic adventure that is a must-watch for fans of the genre, especially now with a second adaptation just around the corner.