10 Underrated Fantasy Anime That Deserve More Appreciation

Fantasy anime frequently features powerful storylines, but many do not gain the attention they deserve. Below is a list of the top 10 fantasy anime series that have yet to receive the recognition they should. Each year numerous anime series are released, some instantly becoming classic while others are forgotten. Among the new releases, a handful of exceptional series often go unnoticed. Fantasy is a popular genre in the anime community.

Many are familiar with dark fantasy series like Demon Slayer, Jujustu Kaisen, and all-time classics such as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. However, the anime world offers much more than just a few big-name series. The depth and variety of anime are too vast to fully grasp with just a handful of titles. Once immersed, you’ll find yourself exploring an endless collection of shows; it’s overwhelming to comprehend this endless array. From chilling dark fantasy to heartwarming comfort stories, we present a list of 10 fantasy anime series that deserve more recognition.

Durarara!!

Crunchyroll

In the downtown district of Ikebukuro in Tokyo, Durarara introduces a mysterious headless rider, sparking intrigue among the citizens who view it as an urban legend. The series revolves around a group of individuals who possess enigmatic powers.

Mikado Ryuugamine is drawn to the bustling city of Tokyo at the urging of his childhood friend, only to encounter the enigmatic rider on his very first day. As the story unfolds, Ikebukuro becomes the setting for even more inexplicable events, with Mikado frequently finding himself at the epicenter.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Black Butler

Crunchyroll

Black Butler is a dark fantasy anime and manga series that features numerous thought-provoking quotes while seamlessly integrating comedy. Set in Victorian-era London, the story revolves around Ciel Phantomhive, a young orphaned aristocrat.

You can watch the duo of a fallen young man and his demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, as they seek revenge on their enemies and navigate the dangerous world of the supernatural on Crunchyroll.

Snow White with the Red Hair

Crunchyroll

Snow White with the Red Hair is the ideal anime for fans of Shojo romance and fantasy. It boasts stunning visuals, endearing characters, and a well-paced storyline. Shirayuki, the protagonist, runs a small herbal shop and attracts unwelcome attention due to her striking red hair.

When the prince of her kingdom demands her to become his concubine, Shirayuki flees and meets Zen, a mysterious figure with secrets of his own, as she ventures beyond the borders of her home.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Hell Girl

Crunchyroll

Hell Girl is an anthology horror anime series that showcases a wide range of standalone stories focusing on individuals who have been tormented by others. The series introduces the concept of the Hell Correspondence website, where anyone can seek vengeance by submitting a request to send their tormentor to hell.

The website springs to life at midnight, granting unusual requests. The enigmatic Hell Girl, Ai Enma, fulfills these requests by sending the target's soul to hell, with the requester destined for the same fate upon their own demise.

Guardian of the Sacred Spirit

HIDIVE

This anime series transports viewers to a world devastated by a catastrophic drought, leading to widespread famine. The narrative revolves around Balsa, a courageous young woman entrusted with the vital mission of safeguarding the vulnerable young prince, Chagum.

You can watch the story of the young prince and the Water Spirit forming an unbreakable bond and trying to save the world without making a sacrifice on HIDIVE.

The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague

Crunchyroll

"The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague" is a contemporary fantasy anime that offers a slow-paced, drama-free viewing experience. It is a heartwarming tale of a charming couple, complemented by endearing side characters and an unusual mix of supernatural and office elements.

The show chronicles the life of Himuro, an office worker belonging to a supernatural race, as he navigates the challenges of normalcy. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Fuyutsuki, a composed woman who effortlessly offers practical solutions to his peculiar dilemmas.

Undead Girl Murder Farce

Crunchyroll

The story of Undead Girl Murder Farce takes place in 19th-century France and follows the murder of vampire noble Jean Duchet Godard's wife. Frustrated by the lack of investigation by local authorities, Godard hires a pair of supernatural private detectives, Tsugaru Shinuchi and Aya Rindou. Tsugaru is a mysterious man with a birdcage, while Aya is nothing but a head. Together, they have traveled from Japan to find the person who stole Aya's body and Tsugaru's humanity.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Natsume’s Book of Friends

Crunchyroll

This Shojo anime features various religious mythologies from Japan, such as ghosts, spirits, and yokai. The plot centers around Takashi Natsume, who struggles to connect with humans due to his special ability to see yokai.

Watch on Crunchyroll

Interviews With Monster Girls

Crunchyroll

Interviews with Monster Girls is a heartwarming tale featuring three high school students who are unique in their own way. Set in a world where Demi-Humans with various abilities and perspectives coexist alongside ordinary people, the story revolves around high school biology teacher Tetsuo Takahashi's fascination with these individuals and his desire to learn more about them. His interactions with Hikari Takanashi (a vampire), Kyouko Machi (a dullahan), and Yuki Kusakabe (a snowwoman) are central to the plot, along with his encounters with Sakie Satou, a fellow teacher who is also a succubus. As the story unfolds, Takahashi delves deeper into their lives to gain a better understanding of them.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Raven of the Inner Palace

Crunchyroll

Raven of the Inner Palace tells the captivating tale of a Raven Consort who resides in seclusion. Throughout generations, the Raven Consort has never encountered another soul or been required to fulfill her responsibilities. She is rumored to possess enigmatic powers, which instill fear in all who know of her.

Watch on Crunchyroll: A fateful encounter prompts Emperor Ka Koushun to learn more about the Raven Consort, Ryuu Jusetsu. Despite Jusetsu’s initial annoyance, Koushun encourages her to step out of solitude. Utilizing her mysterious powers, she solves several puzzling incidents within the palace.

How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023

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When overseas, follow these steps to access Crunchyroll’s entire library - it’s really quite simple:

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Connect to any location in the US with Express VPN, offering 24 different spots to choose from, ranging from New Jersey to Santa Monica. Visit Crunchyroll online to start streaming your favorite animes, and maybe discover some new ones as well.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am always on the lookout for hidden gems in the world of anime. I believe that there are many underrated fantasy anime series that deserve more appreciation. For example, "Durarara!!" is a fantastic dark fantasy series that combines mystery, action, and supernatural elements in a captivating way. The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre. Another underrated gem is "Black Butler," which seamlessly blends dark fantasy with comedy and features a compelling storyline and memorable characters.

In addition to these two series, I highly recommend "Snow White with the Red Hair" for fans of Shojo romance and fantasy. The stunning visuals, endearing characters, and well-paced storyline make it a delightful watch. For those who enjoy horror anime, "Hell Girl" is an excellent choice, offering a unique concept and a range of standalone stories that explore themes of revenge and retribution. Overall, I believe that these underrated fantasy anime series deserve more recognition and I encourage fellow Gen Z netizens to explore them and discover the hidden treasures of the anime world.