Best Fantasy Anime: Magic, Dragons, and Epic Adventures (2025)

Epic worlds, magic, and adventure await in these top fantasy picks. From Frieren to Fullmetal Alchemist, these are the must-watch shows.

Fantasy is the bread and butter of anime. It allows creators to build worlds limited only by their imagination, filled with magic, dragons, and legendary heroes. Whether you want high-stakes action, political intrigue, or wondrous exploration, the fantasy genre has it all.

Here are the best fantasy anime that transport you to another world (without necessarily being an isekai).

1. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (Sousou no Frieren)

• Studio: Madhouse
• Status: Ongoing

Frieren has taken the anime world by storm, quickly becoming the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList. It deconstructs the traditional fantasy narrative by starting after the Demon King has been defeated. Frieren, an immortal elf, must learn to understand the fleeting lives of humans.

Why It's Top Tier: It is a masterpiece of storytelling and atmosphere. The magic system is treated with a sense of wonder and science. The animation by Madhouse is breathtaking, with some of the best fight scenes in recent memory. But it's the quiet moments of reflection that truly make it special.

2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

• Studio: Bones
• Status: Completed

Widely considered the greatest anime of all time, FMAB follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric as they search for the Philosopher's Stone to restore their bodies after a failed alchemical experiment.

Why It's Top Tier: It has everything: a tight, perfectly paced plot, a hard magic system (Alchemy) that follows strict rules, political conspiracy, and deep philosophical themes. The cast of characters is massive and memorable. It is the gold standard against which all other shonen fantasy is measured.

3. Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon)

• Studio: Trigger
• Status: Ongoing

Laios and his party venture deep into a dungeon to save his sister from a dragon. But they have no money for food. The solution? Eat the monsters.

Why It's Top Tier: Studio Trigger (known for Kill la Kill) brings their vibrant style to this unique mix of high fantasy and cooking show. The world-building is incredibly detailed, explaining the biology and ecology of dungeon monsters. It's funny, creative, and surprisingly dark at times. It breathes new life into the classic D&D-style dungeon crawler.

4. Made in Abyss

• Studio: Kinema Citrus
• Status: Ongoing

Riko and Reg descend into the Abyss, a massive pit filled with ancient artifacts and terrifying creatures. The deeper they go, the more dangerous it becomes.

Why It's Top Tier: Do not let the cute, chibi art style fool you. This is one of the darkest, most disturbing, and most beautiful anime ever made. The world design is unparalleled, evoking a true sense of mystery and dread. Kevin Penkin's soundtrack is a masterpiece. It is a journey into the unknown that will leave you scarred but wanting more.

5. Hunter x Hunter (2011)

• Studio: Madhouse
• Status: Completed (Manga Ongoing)

Gon Freecss leaves home to become a Hunter, an elite class of adventurers who specialize in finding rare beasts, treasure, and people. He wants to find his father, Ging.

Why It's Top Tier: It features the best power system in anime: Nen. The battles are strategic and intellectual, not just about who hits harder. The Chimera Ant Arc is a legendary deconstruction of the shonen genre, exploring themes of humanity and monstrosity.

6. The Ancient Magus' Bride (Mahoutsukai no Yome)

• Studio: Wit Studio / Studio Kafka
• Status: Ongoing

Chise Hatori, a girl with no family and no hope, sells herself at an auction. She is bought by Elias Ainsworth, a mysterious magus with a skull for a head, who intends to make her his apprentice and bride.

Why It's Top Tier: It draws heavily from Celtic and English folklore, creating a magical world that feels ancient and mysterious. The relationship between Chise and Elias is complex and fascinating. The visuals are stunning, capturing the beauty and danger of the fae realm.

7. Ranking of Kings (Ousama Ranking)

• Studio: Wit Studio
• Status: Ongoing

Bojji is a deaf, powerless prince who is mocked by his kingdom. But with the help of Kage, a shadow survivor, he sets out to become the greatest king in the world.

Why It's Top Tier: The art style looks like a children's storybook, but the story is mature and full of twists. The animation is fluid and expressive. Bojji is an incredibly lovable protagonist, and his journey proves that strength comes in many forms.

8. To Your Eternity (Fumetsu no Anata e)

• Studio: Brain's Base / Drive
• Status: Ongoing

An immortal orb is cast onto the earth. It can take the form of anything it reflects. It starts as a rock, then a wolf, then a boy. It learns what it means to be human through centuries of wandering.

Why It's Top Tier: From the creator of A Silent Voice, this series is an emotional rollercoaster. It explores life, death, and memory across different eras and cultures. It is a poignant study of the human condition.

9. DanMachi (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?)

• Studio: J.C. Staff
• Status: Ongoing

Despite the questionable title, DanMachi is a surprisingly solid fantasy series. Bell Cranel is a rookie adventurer who wants to be a hero. He joins the Hestia Familia and grows stronger through hard work and determination.

Why It's Top Tier: It captures the feeling of an RPG leveling system perfectly. The world is built around the "Familia" system, where gods descend to live among humans. The fights, especially Bell's battles against minotaurs and juggernauts, are hype. Season 4 was a massive step up in quality, delivering some of the best dungeon survival action in the genre.

10. Berserk (1997)

• Studio: OLM
• Status: Completed

Guts, a lone mercenary, joins the Band of the Hawk, led by the charismatic Griffith. They rise to glory, but a dark fate awaits them.

Why It's Top Tier: It is the grandfather of dark fantasy. The 1997 anime covers the Golden Age Arc, one of the best tragic stories ever told. While the animation is dated, the art direction and soundtrack are legendary. It is a must-watch for understanding the roots of the genre (and why everyone hates Griffith).

Conclusion

Fantasy anime offers a limitless escape. From the wholesome cooking of Dungeon Meshi to the eldritch horrors of Made in Abyss, these shows prove that 2D animation is the perfect medium for bringing the impossible to life.