One of the best features of anime is its ability to tell nearly any story no matter how fantastic or bizarre its setting may be. Fantasy anime can push the medium to its limits while still resonating deeply with viewers around the world. These are the best fantasy anime shows of 2017 that manage to be equal parts imaginative and touching.
WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us?
Fairies and Beast battle it out in this fantasy anime series, but despite this, the animation and characters are not as gritty as you might expect. Instead, it tells the story of adorable leprechauns that are used as weapons to fight off a threat to humanity. And while the anime checks off many cliches and overused tropes, it surprisingly comes together really well.
WorldEnd has an intriguing mystery wrapped around a fantasy element and ultimately evokes emotional reactions that you wouldn’t expect from this anime at first glance.
[Zuleika Boekhoudt]
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Having a maid may be more trouble than it’s worth if you ask Kobayashi. Based on the manga of the same name, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid tells the story of a detached programmer who comes across a dragon with nowhere to live. Feeling sorry for the mystical creature, Kobayashi offers it a place to stay in her home. And quickly the dragon, named Tohru, cashes in on the invite. To pay Kobayashi back for her kindness, Tohru turns herself into a maid, ready to help Kobayashi in any way she can.
While the series isn’t meant to be taken seriously, it’s hard not to respond to the day-to-day situations that the characters get themselves in. More importantly, it showcases the tasks, duties, and sacrifices that a family member goes through and how each of those situation affects others. Ultimately, this anime series perfectly packages these serious moments in a neat fantasy bow.
[Zuleika Boekhoudt]
The Eccentric Family Season 2
The second season of The Eccentric Family is a fantasy filled masterpiece with an amazing ensemble cast. And what many consider a one-of-a-kind premise. The colorful ensemble of characters brings to life a fantastical world that only exists in the shadows. And while such a big cast may discourage viewers, it’s precisely the vast cast that makes the series intriguing.
[Zuleika Boekhoudt]
Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 6
Like in previous seasons of Natsume’s Book of Friends, Natsume Takashi continues to meet yokai while also socializing with his friends. And every now and then it creates problems that Takashi is forced to overcome.
It’s no surprise that the Natsume series has made it this far, a milestone in an age were anime series rarely get a sequel. However, Natsume’s Book is unlike other anime shows. The episodic series takes a human approach to supernatural stories by implementing authentic emotions in its writing and animation. As a result, the series is easy to follow and understand. Consequently, viewers can form a genuine emotional bond with both the story and the characters.
[Zuleika Boekhoudt]
Ancient Magus Bride
Ancient Magus Bride is, without any question, one of the best fantasy anime of 2017. This anime was initially a bit difficult to get into due to its opening of a 15-year-old girl who is sold into slavery to an adult man who intends to marry her. But the series grows and becomes a joy to experience. This fantastic anime takes viewers to dozens of terrific locals as a young woman discovers her identity and self-worth.
This terrific anime is easily one of the best fantasy series from this year. It manages to take viewers to some of the most high-fantasy locales imaginable, while still managing to be a very human and inspiring story. Ancient Magus Bride is a terrific fantasy anime that merits a marathon viewing before the winter 2018 anime season kicks off.
[Lucas DeRuyter]
