One of the best qualities of anime is its ability to take viewers on incredible journeys to any destination imaginable. Adventure anime whisks its audience away to explore far-off lands with unusual and fascinating cultures and inhabitants who offer insight into the world we live in. 2017 was a great year for anime in general, and these are the five best adventure anime that aired this year.
Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul
Taking place 10 years after the events of the first season, Virgin Soul has a very intense and dark beginning where we see humans killing gods. However, the sequel is the complete opposite from Genesis’s first episode. The reason for this is revealed during the series’ run, but it was such a great beginning to an epic adventure.
Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul creates excitement and wonder that is synonymous with an epic fantasy adventure. Each scene of this anime attracts and holds your interest until the finale. From running up and down to dark spells, the adventure meter never seems to waver with Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul.
[Zuleika Boekhoudt]
Kemono Friends
Not every adventure anime has to feature dark supernatural themes. The most enjoyable adventures can also be cute and whimsical. Kemono Friends follows the story of humanoid animals living at Japari Park, an enormous integrated zoo.
One day, a girl known only as Kaban wakes up in the zoo with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She, along with her cat friend, Serval, set out on an adventure to find out what kind of animal Kaban is. They travel through the many regions of Japari Park and meet new friends along the way.
Although much of the graphics on Kemono Friends may be subpar compared to other series on this list, its storyline and characters have received a lot of praise from fans. This adventure anime has unexpectedly captivated viewers and has led to an increase in merchandising, zoo attendance, and even interest in serval cats.
[Zuleika Boekhoudt]
Kino’s Journey
2017s Kino’s Journey – an adaptation of the light novel of the same name and a remake of the 2003 anime – focuses on the androgynous Kino and the talking motorcycle Hermes. The two travel the world and only allow themselves to stay in one place for two nights and three days. This gives Kino the opportunity to encounter a myriad of cultures and experiences that exist within this mystical world.
Each community in Kino’s Journey has a specific quality that offers a commentary on elements of the real world, such as tourism or patriotism. Kino’s Journey is one of this year’s best adventure anime shows because the more bizarre and fantastical it gets, the more it manages to say about real communities and cultures.
[Lucas DeRuyter]
Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss is a fantastical adventure anime with a cute chibi art style that juxtaposes beautifully with its dark themes. Made in Abyss follows the story of a human girl and a robot boy as they try to travel to the bottom of an impossibly deep, monster-filled chasm.
Outside of its unique artistic direction, this anime is one of the best adventure anime of 2017 as it tells a compelling tale in some compelling and horrific locations. Made in Abyss tells a heartwarming tale of friendship and gaining independence as the pair descend further into greater and greater peril.
[Lucas DeRuyter]
Tales of Zestiria The Cross Season 2
In Season 2 of Tales of Zestiria The Cross, Sorey the Shepherd faces the biggest challenge yet: the Lord of Calamity. But, before he meets his most important quest, Sorey and his friends have to purify the land.
While on this adventure, Sorey acquires the ability to merge with his seraphims. As a result of this armitization, we meet several new characters with new skills. Besides Sorey’s new abilities, we see the gang travel the countryside solving problems, stopping assassination attempts, and bringing hope to the people.
[Zuleika Boekhoudt]
