Epic animation, telling bigger and more mature stories through new styles of the animated medium, is agenre that has blown up in movies and TVin recent years, giving rise to some of the best animated fantasy TV shows of all time. Yet there are stillamazing animated fantasy showsfrom earlier that demonstrate how the subgenre has always been brimming with potential.The best animated fantasy series ever made showcase a blend of seamless world-building, stunning animation, and heartrending storiesfor some of the best all-around TV experiences.
Some of these fantasy series appear to be the last outlet for 2D animation in today’s industry when TV networks and anime production companies seem to be the only ones that haven’t succumbed to cheaper and faster 3D animation. However, while anime has inspired some of themost exciting upcoming Netflix animated shows, stylized 3D animation has also started to take hold in TV. Ultimately, the best animated fantasy TV available isa satisfying blend of animation styles from different periodsthat immerses audiences in intricate worlds and shows off pure artistic talent.
Nickelodeon’s Avatar Is Still A Popular Series With Tight World-Building & Story
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender, released in 2005, follows a young boy in a war-torn world of elemental magic as he reawakens to embark on a challenging mystical quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar and restore peace to the world.
Avatar: The Last Airbenderis a point of nostalgia for fans from its original run, as well as having found a new fanbasethanks to its resurgence from when it landed on Netflix. This recent addition to the fandom demonstrates how the story still resonates, even now, through the various character arcs of young people realizing their power and place in the world.
Tomatometer (critics)
100%
Popcornmeter (audience)
99%
In particular,Zuko’s arc is a masterpiece, subverting typical villain redemption tropes multiple times and convincing people to root for him long before he joined the"Gaang.“The full cast ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderis hilarious, part of how the show became a precedent for other shows that combine conventional expectations of cartoons with serious stories.
15 Best Anime Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender Need to Watch
The best anime like Avatar: The Last Airbender explore the same themes and have a similar feel. Fans should seek them out as soon as they can.
The series' setting and world-building are also impressive, incorporating real martial arts into the different types of bending and drawing upon different historical civilizations. Most of all,Avatar: The Last Airbendershows realistic inner conflicts between personal values and duty,but doesn’t make the characters compromise on either.
Gravity Falls Is A Hilarious & Mysterious Show About Family & Growing Up
Gravity Falls
When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the forest, the twins team up to solve the town’s mysteries.
Thebest episodes ofGravity Fallsinclude its first episode, which sets up the series right away to be characterized by absolutelywild humor and sometimes conflicting themes of being cautious and trusting family.The comedy never lets up from the beginning of the series to the end, including everything from superficial unicorns to presidents entombed in peanut brittle to evil all-seeing triangles.
Popcornmeter
96%
Gravity Fallsalso created something of a cult of mystery,encouraging viewers to find hidden codes in each episode and giving rise to a fandom that was able to predict the show’s biggest twist. However, at its core,Gravity Fallsis about family and letting go of childhood.
There is so much to learn about from Gravity Falls' two seasons, which pack in plenty of laugh-out-loud and tear-jerking moments.
The theme of family bonds being endangered is perfectly illustrated by the parallel storylines of two generations of twins. The characters don’t get exactly what they want, like dating their dream crush or staying in Gravity Falls forever, but they face the future with their heads held high. There is so much to learn about fromGravity Falls’two seasons, which pack in plenty of laugh-out-loud and tear-jerking moments.
FMAB Is A Great Starter Anime With A Story Built On Flawed Humanity
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric who use alchemy in a quest to restore their bodies after a failed transmutation. The series explores themes of sacrifice, the consequences of ambition, and the quest for truth in a richly developed world.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodstands out as an amazing anime that surpassed the previous adaptation of the popular manga in terms of reception.The one-season anime is true to the story that is based on human mistakes, namely the Elric brothers' misuse of alchemyand their years-long pursuit to undo the consequences of this mistake. Mishandled power is a running theme in this story, including how Col.
92%
Roy Mustang’s knowledge of fire alchemy became deadly when he was conscripted into an unjust war. The characters navigate the brewing conflict in their country as they strive to make up for personal crimes and overthrow a corrupt government, threatened by a different entity that seeks absolute power at the cost of countless lives.
The worst of all the characters is reflected in the personifications of the Seven Deadly Sins, while facets of their humanity are surprisingly seen in characters like Greed.Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodimpressively covers a lot of historical and political ground alongside a great magic system,giving audiences plenty to think about.
Over The Garden Wall Shows A Profound, Muted Journey Through An Enigmatic World
Over the Garden Wall
Over the Garden Wall is a miniseries that follows brothers Wirt and Greg as they navigate the mysterious Unknown, a timeless and enigmatic forest. Accompanied by a wise Woodsman and a bluebird named Beatrice, they embark on a journey filled with unexpected challenges to find their way home.
Over the Garden Wallis a strange show that exhibits shades ofGravity Fallsand other Cartoon Network serieswith its whimsical and seemingly random setting, yet its tone is drastically different. So much symbolism is packed into its 10 episodes, with it being widely recognized that the story aligns withDante’s Infernoand is meant to be a journey through purgatory.
95%
Over the Garden Walltellsa familiar story with a forgone conclusion, but does it in such a unique way that it is worth additional analysis. An older brother is still coming to terms with his mother’s remarriage and the birth of his younger half-brother, as well as dealing with normal teenage troubles.
On one Halloween night gone wrong, the pair is launched into an ethereal yet dangerous world that takes them to dark places, where the elder brother confronts what is troubling them.Over the Garden Wallis a simple story elevated by literary illusionsthat make it a more intellectual exercise; additionally, the whole thing is steeped in autumnal vibes.
The High Point Of The DC Animated Universe Remains A Beloved Superhero Property
Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited is the culmination of the DC Animated Universe, reuniting characters introduced in previous shows such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman and introducing new JLA members like Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Booster Gold. The series' three seasons aired from 2004 to 2006.
By extension, all of theDC animated universeis amazing, far surpassing most of the live-action movies of the 21st century and even arguably doing better than the Marvel counterparts. While pop culture is swamped with superhero fatigue,Justice League Unlimitedremains a refreshing ensemble property from an earlier time,building upon the first animatedJustice Leagueshow with the inclusion of even more DC characters.
94%
Truly, it is the ultimate crossover from before the epic final battle ofAvengers: Endgame.Justice League Unlimitedis thebest DC animated universeshow because it covers so much ground, finding time for many individual storylines and showing plenty of DC characters and locations, plus great action on top of it all.
Justice LeagueandJustice League Unlimitedare treated as one show byrottentomatoes.com.
The enduring but swiftly disappearing bias against animation made the MCU a bigger event in pop culture, butJustice League Unlimitedhighlights what is valued about this spectacle.After all, there is less of a need to spend millions on a live-action franchise when creatives can accomplish the same story effect through serviceable if not groundbreaking animation.
Love, Death + Robots' Anthology Format Allows For Incredible Imagination
Love, Death & Robots
Love, Death & Robots is an anthology series released in 2019, presenting a collection of animated stories curated by Tim Miller and David Fincher. Each episode explores diverse genres, featuring terrifying creatures, unexpected twists, and elements of dark comedy.
A few years ago,animators finally got what they deserved withLove, Death + Robots,inspired by the anthology format of other shows with a new story told each episode, varying in genre and animation styles. This structure allows storytellers to show off what they can do, so long as it is under 20 minutes, and be seen on a giant platform like Netflix.
86%
81%
The results are stunning, showing the future potential of 3D and 2D alike and delving into some of the darkest and grittiest stories told through animation yet. Thebest episodes ofLove, Death + Robotsshowcase twisting narratives concentrating on themes of betrayal, personal power, technology, and the fear of the unknown.
11 Best Animated Netflix Original Shows, Ranked
From the action-packed Carmen Sandiego to the stunningly animated Arcane: League of Legends, Netflix has some incredible animated TV shows.
However, the de facto faces of the series are the three robots, whose two episodes provide a comedic take on the ultimate mortality of humanity.Love, Death + Robotsis primarily based in the fantasy and sci-fi genres,which support storytelling about the dangers and promises of curiosity and exploration, both in animation and other subjects.
The Owl House Is Gravity Falls' Legacy That Broke Ground in Its Genre
The Owl House
The Owl House is an animated fantasy series that follows Luz Noceda, a teenage human girl who stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm. There, she befriends a rebellious witch named Eda and a tiny warrior named King. Determined to become a witch herself, Luz embarks on various adventures while learning about magic, friendship, and self-discovery. Created by Dana Terrace, the series debuted in 2020 on Disney Channel.
Created by a formerGravity Fallsstoryboarder,The Owl Housedemonstrates a similar animation style, sense of humor, and strangely fantastical genre. However,The Owl Housegoes beyond whatGravity Fallsaccomplished with its deconstruction of genre tropesand by shattering the implicit barriers in this kind of show.
82%
Suited to accompany the show’s groundbreakingLGBTQ+ representationis its core theme of believing in oneself, reaching this point through family and friendships. The relationships between the main characters are hilarious, yet what everyone hopes for in real life.
Like other amazing shows of this nature, one of the biggest draws is that the main characters are flawed people. Luz lies to her mother, Eda closes herself off from others, Amity is initially a mean girl and a perfectionist, and so on. Together, they all become happier, healthier people.The vehicle for these strong storylines inThe Owl Houseis its creative world,with so much meta humor celebrating (and making fun of) the genre and pushing it into a new era.
Netflix’s Castlevania Anime Proved The Potential Of Two Genres
Castlevania
Based on the video game franchise, Castlevania is a Netflix original animated action series that follows the never-ending battle of the monster-slaying Belmont clan as they continue to face off against the hordes of the night. When Count Dracula’s human wife is murdered, his grief leads him to doom the world to eternal darkness. To stop him, it’ll take a team of three unlikely heroes banding together: the last remaining Belmont, Trevor, a magic-wielding seeker named Sypha Belnades, and the tortured half-human, half-vampire son of the count himself, Alucard.
CastlevaniaandThe Witchertogether can arguably be seen as the launchpad for video game adaptations proliferating in the TV industry, whileCastlevaniaitself is definitely responsible for more original anime coming to Netflix.While this series may have been a gamble at the time, it is one that has paid off.
89%
The mature vampire series showcases many complex relationships, particularly among the main trio and Dracula’s family, that make their responsibility of helping others easier and harder at different points. Vampire power struggles and quests for understandable revenge mesh together in this series that will likely be looked back upon as a milestone.
It was only natural for Castlevania to spawn a spinoff series, while its greater impact will be seen soon.
The dark story highlights characters like Lisa and Trevor find themselves in the difficult position of wanting to help people who only fear them.Castlevaniais completed by its absolutely breathtaking animation,especially during the action sequences in the season 2 and 3 finales. It was only natural forCastlevaniato spawn a spinoff series, while its greater impact will be seen soon.
Adventure Time’s Beautiful Story Is Happy & Melancholy At The Same Time
Adventure Time
Adventure Time is a science fiction/fantasy animation from Cartoon Network. Adventure Time follows Finn (Jeremy Shada) and his dog Jake (John DiMaggio) as they go on adventures in the near future. The series was created by Pendleton Ward and ran for a total of 10 seasons on the network. Adventure Time was critically acclaimed while it was on the air and managed to pull in younger audiences, as well as adults.
On the surface,Adventure Timeis a cheery, episodic series, comprising literally hundreds of self-contained adventures with predictable morals and more subversive narratives within the brief episodes. It has the same random flavor that characterizesGravity FallsandOver the Garden Wallwith its own unique twist, bringing to life a bizarre world of candy people, vampires, and ice kings.
YetthroughoutAdventure Time, there are undertones of melancholia,especially as more about the main characters and the world is revealed, and particular episodes touch upon sadder themes.Adventure Time’s big twist tells the audience something else about death and rebirth after years of Jake and Finn going on different adventures where they learn more about heroism and kindness.
Every Upcoming Adventure Time Show & Movie Explained
Adventure Time may have finished in 2018, but the land of Ooo is still expanding, with a raft of exciting new projects now on the horizon.
The full roster of supporting characters includes other iconic figures like Princess Bubblegum, Ice King, and Marceline, who tell their own stories about loneliness applicable to real life.Yet at its core,Adventure Timeis to be enjoyed episode by episode,with drops of its bigger themes hitting each time.
Arcane Changed The Animation Game At Netflix With Its Impeccable Style & Story
Arcane
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
The next big hit for Netflix followingCastlevaniaat the video game-animation intersection wasArcane, and it can be safely said that this show blew everyone away. Anticipation is high forArcaneseason 2, tasked with concluding the story of the conflict between the wealthy, flourishing kingdom of Piltover and the underresourced, toxic underground realm of Zaun.
Arcaneis arguably flawless in both narrative and animation,taking the stylization of the dominant computer technology to new heights. In addition to its vivid illustration of the setting’s wealth gap,Arcanerevolves around the fraught relationship between sisters Vi and Powder/Jinx,who inadvertently find themselves on opposite sides of an increasingly dangerous conflict.
Strained relationships conflicting with personal viewpoints on Piltover’s socio-political situation are a motif in the series, creating a very nuanced and well-written story about both of these concepts.No one expected aLeague of Legendsadaptation to be one of the best animated fantasy series of all time, but animation is nothing if not a way to surpass everyone’s expectations.
