whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Award Winning · Fantasy

The best award-winning fantasy anime you can start from the beginning

29 anime that are both award-winning and fantasy, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Sousou no Frieren, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, Howl no Ugoku Shiro.

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The list

1. 1 Sousou no Frieren Frieren: Beyond Journey's End TV · 2023 · 28 episodes · Madhouse · #1 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi Spirited Away Film · 2001 · Studio Ghibli · #47 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
3. 3 Howl no Ugoku Shiro Howl's Moving Castle Film · 2004 · Studio Ghibli · #80 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
4. 4 Mononoke Hime Princess Mononoke Film · 1997 · Studio Ghibli · #81 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
5. 5 Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Film · 1984 · Topcraft · #276 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
6. 6 Tenkuu no Shiro Laputa Castle in the Sky Film · 1986 · Studio Ghibli · #383 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
7. 7 Sennen Joyuu Millennium Actress Film · 2002 · Madhouse · #394 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
8. 8 Majo no Takkyuubin Kiki's Delivery Service Film · 1989 · Studio Ghibli · #407 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
9. 9 Kaguya-hime no Monogatari The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Film · 2013 · Studio Ghibli · #423 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
10. 10 Fullmetal Alchemist TV · 2003 · 51 episodes · Bones · #565 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
11. 11 Gake no Ue no Ponyo Ponyo Film · 2008 · Studio Ghibli · #800 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
12. 12 Inu-Ou Inu-Oh Film · 2022 · Science SARU · #1252 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
13. 13 Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka The Boy and the Heron Film · 2023 · Studio Ghibli · #1786 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
14. 14 Kemono Friends TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · Yaoyorozu · #2109 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
15. 15 Ginga Tetsudou no Yoru Night on the Galactic Railroad Film · 1985 · Group TAC · #2764 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
16. 16 Hisone to Maso-tan Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan TV · 2018 · 12 episodes · Bones · #3141 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
17. 17 Abenobashi Mahou☆Shoutengai Magical☆Shopping Arcade Abenobashi TV · 2002 · 13 episodes · Madhouse · #3601 on MyAnimeList 73% would recommend
18. 18 Cello Hiki no Gauche (1982) Gauche the Cellist Film · 1982 · Oh! Production · #5300 on MyAnimeList 64% would recommend
19. 19 Misaki no Mayoiga The House of the Lost on the Cape Film · 2021 · David Production · #5647 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
20. 20 Chiisana Eiyuu: Kani to Tamago to Toumei Ningen Modest Heroes Film · 2018 · Studio Ponoc · #5718 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
21. 21 Kujira no Chouyaku Glassy Ocean Film · 1998 · Project Team Sarah · #7402 on MyAnimeList 53% would recommend
22. 22 Wanpaku Ouji no Orochi Taiji The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon Film · 1963 · Toei Animation · #7892 on MyAnimeList 53% would recommend
23. 23 Ikuta no Kita Dozens of Norths Film · 2021 · Yamamura Animation · #8176 on MyAnimeList 51% would recommend
24. 24 Atama Yama Mt. Head Film · 2002 · Studio Deen · #8963 on MyAnimeList 50% would recommend
25. 25 Guskou Budori no Denki (2012) The Life of Budori Gusuko Film · 2012 · Tezuka Productions · #8975 on MyAnimeList 48% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.