whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

The best fantasy anime you can start from the beginning

25 fantasy anime ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Sousou no Frieren, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Hunter x Hunter (2011).

Recommend me one fantasy anime

Narrow it down: Action 666 · Adventure 653 · Comedy 344 · Romance 211 · Isekai 201 · Historical 199 · Drama 187 · Martial Arts 168 · Sci-Fi 146 · School 104 · Urban Fantasy 84 · Reincarnation 69 · Mythology 57 · Harem 56 · Mystery 52 · Mecha 45 · Anthropomorphic 42 · Military 40 · Slice of Life 36 · Parody 32 · Gore 29 · Award Winning 29 · Music 25

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 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood TV · 2009 · 64 episodes · Bones · #2 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
3. 3 Hunter x Hunter (2011) Hunter x Hunter TV · 2011 · 148 episodes · Madhouse · #11 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
4. 4 Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi Spirited Away Film · 2001 · Studio Ghibli · #47 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
5. 5 One Piece TV · 1999 · Toei Animation · #54 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
6. 6 Howl no Ugoku Shiro Howl's Moving Castle Film · 2004 · Studio Ghibli · #80 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
7. 7 Mononoke Hime Princess Mononoke Film · 1997 · Studio Ghibli · #81 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
8. 8 Made in Abyss TV · 2017 · 13 episodes · Kinema Citrus · #102 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
9. 9 Guimi Zhi Zhu: Xiaochou Pian Lord of Mysteries ONA · 2025 · 13 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #106 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
10. 10 Kenpuu Denki Berserk Berserk TV · 1997 · 25 episodes · OLM · #110 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
11. 11 Dungeon Meshi Delicious in Dungeon TV · 2024 · 24 episodes · Trigger · #121 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
12. 12 Xian Ni Renegade Immortal ONA · 2023 · 180 episodes · BUILD DREAM · #172 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
13. 13 Ousama Ranking Ranking of Kings TV · 2021 · 23 episodes · Wit Studio · #175 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
14. 14 Tongari Boushi no Atelier Witch Hat Atelier TV · 2026 · 13 episodes · BUG FILMS · #176 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
15. 15 Mo Dao Zu Shi The Master of Diabolism ONA · 2018 · 15 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #197 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
16. 16 Hunter x Hunter TV · 1999 · 62 episodes · Nippon Animation · #203 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
17. 17 Chainsaw Man TV · 2022 · 12 episodes · MAPPA · #211 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
18. 18 Tian Guan Cifu Heaven Official's Blessing ONA · 2020 · 11 episodes · Haoliners Animation · #229 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
19. 19 Guangyin Zhi Wai Beyond Time's Gaze ONA · 2025 · 26 episodes · Yien Animation Studio · #232 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
20. 20 Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarou Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms Film · 2018 · P.A. Works · #237 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
21. 21 Houseki no Kuni Land of the Lustrous TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · Orange · #243 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
22. 22 Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Film · 1984 · Topcraft · #276 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
23. 23 Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation TV · 2021 · 11 episodes · Studio Bind · #310 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
24. 24 Kemono no Souja Erin The Beast Player Erin TV · 2009 · 50 episodes · Production I.G · #321 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
25. 25 Mushen Ji Tales of Herding Gods ONA · 2024 · Sparkly Key Animation Studio · #331 on MyAnimeList

Why this is not MyAnimeList's fantasy ranking. 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 — so there are no second seasons or side stories to work backwards from. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.