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Anime centered around magic is always a treat to watch. Beyond the familiar elemental systems, many series explore unique branches and interpretations of magic that leave viewers captivated. What makes it especially fascinating is how magic isn’t portrayed the same way across different stories – take Fullmetal Alchemist, which frames it as alchemy, or Mashle: Magic and Muscles, where wizardry takes the center stage. Regardless of the approach, they all fall under the umbrella of magic anime.
Here is a list containing the top 10 magic anime of all time:
1. Black Clover
- Creator: Yuki Tabata
- Number of Episodes: 170
- Animation Studio: Studio Pierrot
- Where To Watch: Ani-One Asia
Black Clover is one of the best magic/wizardry anime of modern times. It has a rich, magical world and structured systems, where people have a magical book called the Grimoire, through which they can cast magic spells. Several categories of spells are explored in the anime, but the most unique of them is Anti-Magic. One of the two protagonists, Asta, possesses the Anti-Magic, which can cut through any kind of magic. Apart from featuring top character development and rivalries, there are great magic battles that are visually pleasing. All the characters possess unique magic and try to become stronger in their own ways, creating an entertaining plot.
2. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- Creator(s): Magica Quartet, Akiyuki Shinbo, Ume Aoki
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Animation Studio: SHAFT
- Where To Watch: Muse Asia
When Madoka Kaname gets a chance to become a magical girl by Kyubey, her life drastically changes as she transforms from an ordinary schoolgirl to a magical one. However, her life soon changes as she gets dragged into a world full of magical girls and starts to unearth the dark truths behind all of the glamour and spotlight. While there is magic at every corner of the anime, it also deals with horror, despair, and psychological elements that make it a must-watch. The witch battles bring unique visuals to the plate. It eerily answers the question that all the desires that were fulfilled came at a haunting price.
3. Mashle: Magic and Muscles
- Creator: Hajime Koumoto
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll
Mashle: Magic and Muscles brings the concept of Harry Potter with One Punch Man vibes. Mashle Burnedead does not possess any magic in a world filled with magic. So, he trains his body and desires to become a Divine Visionary someday. There are magic schools teaching about magic spells and potions, wands like Harry Potter, but they feature raw brute force through Mashle. Surprisingly, the anime has a great magic system, with each magical individual specifically ranked. Mashle: Magic and Muscles has a wholesome vibe, with comedy, action, and proper arcs featuring character growth.
4. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Creator: Hiromu Arakawa
- Number of Episodes: 64
- Animation Studio: Bones
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood brings a scientific form of magic through alchemy. The logic is simple – for obtaining something, anything of equal value must be lost – a classic form of give and take. Alchemy can be used to create, destroy, heal, attack, and reshape matter as per the user’s wish. However, the users need knowledge and energy to perform alchemy.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood tells the story of Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are on a journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone to revive their mother. Not only the protagonists but also the side characters play a crucial role throughout. The complex plot, along with phenomenal world-building, easily makes it a great watch. The emotional depth and the detailing are a bonus.
5. Sailor Moon
- Creator: Naoko Takeuchi
- Number of Episodes: 200 + 3 (TV Specials)
- Animation Studio: Toei Animation
- Where To Watch: Hulu
Usagi Tsukino’s life is turned upside down when she learns that she is a magical warrior named Sailor Moon, destined to protect Earth from evil. Along with other Sailor Guardians, she ventures on a path to save the Moon Kingdom’s legacy and discover her royal past. Sailor Moon is one of the most celebrated anime ever, giving birth to one of the most iconic female protagonists through Usagi Tsukino. The magical themes, beautiful transformations, empowering feminine energy, etc., remain unmatched. The anime upholds the theme of friendship and love, with magic as the base.
6. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Creator(s): Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe
- Number of Episodes: 28 (Ongoing)
- Animation Studio: Madhouse
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll
A magic-based fantasy at its finest, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End follows an elven mage, Frieren, who along with her friends, defeats the Demon King. However, due to her being an elf, she outlives all of her human friends and is left alone with an emotional burden. The anime starts at this point as she journeys to rediscover herself and understand life. Rather than using magic as a means of attacking and defending, it is shown as a language of emotion. Stunning animation and the thoughtfulness of the characters bring a magical vibe to the story. The beauty of the story is that Frieren is an extremely powerful mage, but she rarely ever showcased it like other protagonists.
7. Delicious in Dungeon
- Creator: Ryoko Kui
- Number of Episodes: 24 (Ongoing)
- Animation Studio: Studio Trigger
- Where To Watch: Netflix
Delicious in Dungeon brings a rescue story with great delicacies. In the hopes of finding his sister Falin before she is digested by the red dragon, Laios and his teams set out on a mission to rescue her inside the dungeon. Unfortunately, they are broke, and their only hope is the dwarf chef, Senshi, who feeds them by cooking monsters found in the dungeon. With a unique magic system and world-building similar to Dungeons and Dragons, Delicious in Dungeon brings a multi-genre anime featuring adventure, comedy, magic, cooking, and fantasy. There are great characters in the anime with layered motivations, which often shift as the story progresses.
8. Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World
- Creator(s): Tappei Nagatsuki, Shinichirou Otsuka
- Number of Episodes: 66 (Ongoing)
- Animation Studio: White Fox
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll
When Natsuki Subaru, a NEET, gets teleported to a fantasy world, he discovers that he has the ability, Return By Death, which grants him the ability to resurrect at a “save point” whenever he dies. When he falls in love with a half-elf girl, Emilia, his life takes a massive turn as strange things start to happen around him.
Re:Zero has elemental magic, along with divine authorities, contracts, and godly characters. While there is comedy, it has a light-hearted tone, great animation, and characters, it still has something haunting about it. The horror when Subaru dies, and the circumstances that lead to it are unfathomable. Subaru has suffered some brutal deaths that have traumatized him. The emotional and psychological depths are also its strong points.
9. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
- Creator: Rifujin na Magonote
- Number of Episodes: 48 (Ongoing)
- Animation Studio: Studio Bind
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll
Another isekai featuring another NEET, who dies and gets reincarnated in a magical fantasy world as Rudeus Greyrat. Rudeus retains all of his past life’s memories and vows to live seriously rather than just goofing around. From a young age, he starts learning languages, swordsmanship, magic, and human relationships while battling his inner traumas. There are tons of magic, with elemental magic mostly being used for battle purposes. Mushoku Tensei is a fascinating coming-of-age anime featuring flawed protagonists with emotional complexities. The animation is perfect and upholds every minute detail, making it an epic watch.
10. Fairy Tail
- Creator: Hiro Mashima
- Number of Episodes: 328
- Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures, Satelight, Bridge
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll
When it comes to blending magic and shounen, there are not many names that can put up with Fairy Tail. The anime features Natsu Dragneel as the protagonist, along with Lucy Heartfilia, Gray Fullbuster, Erza Scarlet, and Natsu’s pet, Happy, who go on different adventures and likely face potent foes. It has a proper magical world with elemental magic, dragons, demons, curses, and ancient beings. The magic system is quite unique, divided between caster magic, holder magic, and lost magic.
Being a shounen anime, Fairy Tail explores the emotional depth and power of friendship with an expansive world-building. The magic fights are visual treats, especially the Grand Magic Games arc. A sequel to Fairy Tail, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, is ongoing, featuring the same characters.
Also Read: 10 Parody Anime That Roast the Genre Better Than Anyone Else
Priyanko is currently pursuing his Master’s in Economics. He loves to read manga or watch anime in his spare time. He is a massive fan of One Piece, Naruto, and Haikyu. Amidst the Great Pirating Era, he wishes to become the greatest Hokage, even though he is short.
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