The Greatest Fantasy Anime Streaming On Hulu (September2024)

Hulu has increasingly made a name for itself as one of the premier anime destinations alongside Crunchyroll. The streaming giant has a wide library of anime with all sorts of genres to choose from, but fantasy is one of its best represented, and it’s easy to understand why.

Many of the best anime of all time have had some kind of fantasy setting or element, from classic older series like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to new big hits like Demon Slayer. Hulu has continued to update its anime offerings to include some of the biggest simulcasts in anime, providing fantasy fans with plenty of great options to stream on the service. Fantasy anime offers viewers a window into other worlds that are nothing like reality, and because of that, they’re some of the most exciting to watch.

Updated on September 10, 2024, by Robbie Robinson: Hulu might not be the first streaming service people think of when they want to watch anime, but it houses some of the greatest anime to date. Fantasy is certainly one of the most popular anime genres, but it’s a very broad genre. From magic systems to strange worlds, there’s a lot that can be squeezed into different fantasy anime. This list has been updated to include five more must-watch anime for fans of fantasy.

Rising of the Shield Hero Is An Isekai Whose Main Character Is Set Up To Fail

Fantasy Elements: Hero’s Destiny, Fantastical World-Building, Mythical Creatures, Magic System

This isekai anime follows Naofumi Iwatani, who gets summoned to another world to be a Cardinal Hero. Instead of a typical isekai protagonist, Naofumi’s abilities lie within the defensive properties of his legendary shield. Putting the protagonist in a more supportive role in terms of combat already makes this anime stand out from some others. Eventually, Naofumi is wrongfully accused of assaulting the princess and his life becomes pretty rough.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.94
• Anime Planet: 4.3/5

This is a fantasy anime to a tee. It strays away from sillier aspects common in isekai anime and focuses on a much grittier world. Naofumi manages to find companions such as Raphtalia, a girl who is both human and tanuki. Noafumi’s journey starts poorly, but he goes down a path to return honor to himself. With multiple seasons available for streaming, this is a perfect anime for fantasy fans looking for a series to get sucked into.

Soul Eater’s Art Style and Opening Are Top Tier

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-Building, System of Magic, Mystical Items/Weapons, Mythical Creatures

Soul Eater had a not-so-great spinoff series, Soul Eater Not! That series was something of a flop, but the original reigns supreme as one of the more iconic anime to date. This fantasy world has an incredibly unique art style that thrives off of cool colors and tones that can make every episode feel like Halloween. One of the most notorious characters from this show is Stein — yes, inspired by Frankenstein and his monster.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.84
• Anime Planet: 4.1/5

In this world, people can be meisters or weapons. The main characters are Maka, a meister, and Soul, her weapon. Soul Eater has an interestingly dynamic roster of characters that will have viewers laughing one second and crying the next. This dark fantasy has plenty of magic and cool weapons that will satiate just about any fantasy fan.

The Promised Neverland Is Seriously Haunting

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-Building and Mythical Creatures

The anime’s second season didn’t land well for many of the manga fans, but The Promised Neverland‘s first season is incredibly well done. This story takes place in an orphanage, Grace Field House, with children all aged below a mere 13 years old. The children are under the care of Isabella, whom they call mother. The grounds are surrounded by a massive wall that the children are never allowed to cross.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.49
• Anime Planet: 4.4/5

After one of the children sets out with Isabella on the happy day of her adoption, Emma and Norman follow behind to give Conny the beloved stuffed animal she left behind. What Emma and Norman find is Conny’s body set in a grim scene as she’s prepped to be fed to demons; it’s a pretty dark premise. This world is full of demons who have effectively pushed out, killed, or controlled all the remaining humans.

Attack on Titan Has a Fantastically Terrifying Premise

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-Building, Strange Monsters, Hero’s Destiny

In this day and age, there are probably few people who haven’t heard of Attack on Titan. For anyone who has never bothered to watch it, take this as a sign. In this grim world, the surviving humans are kept behind massive walls with a monarchy-style ruling. The walls act as the sole barrier between people and the enormous titans who feast upon people and cause just general destruction.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.52
• Anime Planet: 4.4/5

The story kicks off with a young Eren Yeager, who watches his mother get eaten by a Titan after a breach in the wall. Eren makes it his mission to destroy all Titans and avenge his mother, so he joins the Survey Corps with his closest friends, Mikasa and Armin. Together, they team up with the strongest fighters to kill Titans. Attack on Titan is a dark fantasy anime with gruesome deaths and valiant final stands.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Is a Dark Magical Girl Anime

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-Building, System of Magic, Enchanting OSTs

Typically, being a magical girl seems like loads of fun and the magical girl transformations are enough to make anything worth it. However, Madoka Magica puts a rather bleak spin on the cutesy magical girl trope. To become a magical girl in this world, magical girls make a pact with an alien creature named Kyubey. Girls get to make any wish of their choice and, boom, they become magical girls.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.37
• Anime Planet: 4.2/5

Magical girls must fight dark masses of negative energy that take the form of Witches. Madoka Magica takes a plummet into horror just into the third episode. Being a magical girl is not all fun and games. These girls have a rather dismal fate waiting for them and there is simply no escaping being a magical girl once the pact has been made. The fantastical elements of this show thrive with the frequently used stylish and unique three-dimensional backgrounds. The music is also hauntingly beautiful.

Bleach Introduces a Secret Society Keeping Reality Safe

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-building, Mythical Creatures, System of Magic, Mystical Items/Weapons

This classic shōnen series has made a comeback, and it’s arguably better than ever. Bleach took over as one of the most popular anime of the late 2000s, only for the series to be canceled by 2012. However, with the final arc unadapted, it isn’t a surprise Studio Pierrot came back to finish the show. For all the fans who were left in the dark back in 2012, it’s been a glorious rise from the ashes for this anime.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 7.93
• Anime Planet: 4/5

Thousand-Year Blood War is one of the longest arcs in the manga, and the anime adaptation supports that, with 52 new episodes promised. Those who haven’t seen the original anime should make it a point to do so. Thousand-Year Blood War is a step up in every direction, delivering beautiful animation with a gorgeous color palette. This anime has some incredible sword battles deserving of any fantasy world.

Mushoku Tensei Has One of the Most Well Developed Fantasy Worlds In Anime

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-building, System of Magic, Mystical Items/Weapons, Strange Monsters

For people who aren’t bothered by Mushoku Tensei‘s problematic protagonist, it’s the best fantasy anime of the last two decades. The series focuses on Rudeus Greyrat in his journey from infancy to adulthood. Originally meant to be worldbuilding for an entirely different series, Mushoku Tensei is unlike every other isekai out there.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 8.37
• Anime Planet: 4.2/5

Rudeus isn’t the chosen one. While undeniably powerful, he’s far from the strongest person in the world. And most of the series isn’t about him on a journey to fight against an overpowered demon lord. Instead, it’s just one man’s journey to live to the fullest, even in the face of depression and abandonment. Plus, Studio Bind is clearly passionate about this project, elevating already great source material through astounding animation.

Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works Is The Best Entry Point To This Complex Fantasy Franchise

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-building, Complex System of Magic, Mystical Items/Weapons

In Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, Shirou Emiya is a normal teenager who accidentally finds himself plunged into a dangerous competition known as the Holy Grail War. This war is a deadly battle between mages and their fighters, Heroic Spirits from ancient history reincarnated to fight as Servants. Emiya gets attached to Saber, one of the most powerful Servants, and though he knows nothing about the War, agrees to help Saber survive.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 8.18
• Anime Planet: 4.2/5

Unlimited Blade Works is considered by many Fate fans to be the best of the franchise. It’s a must-watch for people who love well-animated fight scenes, establishing itself as one of the best-choreographed anime around. While Emiya isn’t much of a character, the rest of the characters in the show are captivating enough to keep the viewers’ attention span the entire way through.

Yona of the Dawn Follows a Young Princess Tasked With Taking Back Her Kingdom

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-building, Hero’s Destiny, Magic

As the princess of Kouka, Yona lives a sheltered, peaceful life, and believes the people of her country do the same. Everything changes for her after her father is killed by one of the people she trusts most. With no other choice, Yona must flee her own castle alongside her bodyguard Hak while her kingdom is overthrown. Yona’s last hope is pursuing an ancient legend that might give her the power to take back her kingdom.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 8.03
• Anime Planet: 4.2/5

Yona of the Dawn is one of the best action shojo series of the last decade. To begin with, Yona is a perfect main character, elevating a series with an otherwise basic pitch. Half the fun is in watching her grow from a pampered princess to someone who can run a kingdom on their own. The only flaw in this series is that it doesn’t adapt nearly enough of the long-running manga.

My Hero Academia Imagines a World Where Super Heroes Are the Norm

Fantasy Elements: Hero’s Destiny, Magical Powers, Fantastical World-building

My Hero Academia has quickly emerged as one of the premier shōnen anime and manga series of today. Its cast of main characters is far larger than most shōnen trios, but that rarely holds back the characterization of any individual hero. Of course, the true star of the show is Deku, a boy who is born without a Quirk but who manages to become the world’s greatest hero.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 7.86
• Anime Planet: 4.2/5

MHA has closed in on its final arc in the manga, and the anime adaptation isn’t too far behind where the source material’s story ended. Unlike most other manga-to-anime adaptations, fans who get invested in MHA‘s epic superhero-inspired adventures now will likely not have to wait years to experience the fate of the characters they’ve become invested in.

Hellsing Ultimate Brings Back the Deadliest Anime Vampire

Fantasy Elements: Magical Powers, Strange Creatures

In the world of Hellsing Ultimate, the Hellsing organization is the only thing standing between humanity and their destruction at the hands of occult monsters. Leading the charge for the organization is Alucard, the ultimate vampire, sworn to protect the organization at all costs. This anime is a gritty and dark vampire hunter that pays homage to the gothic vibes of all vampire media.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 8.35
• Anime Planet: 4.3/5

An adaptation of the popular manga and remake of the 2001 anime, Hellsing Ultimate is a dream come true for super-fans of the series. The complete Hellsing story is finally available in animated form, complete with all the excessively bloody fight scenes a fan could ask for. This is easily one of the best action series of all time, so people looking for new vampire series to add to their watchlists should start here.

One Piece is a Fantastical World of Pirates and Mystical Powers

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-building, Mythical Creatures, System of Magic, Mystical Items/Weapons

Luffy is one of anime’s most iconic protagonists, and his journey to become the Pirate King is well-known. While he has now crossed over into a successful live-action Netflix adaptation, fans can still tune in to his original adventures on Hulu. Aside from Luffy himself, a major part of what sets One Piece apart is how its deep cast of supporting characters, The Straw Hat Pirates, are each just as lovable and well-developed as the star of the show.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 8.72
• Anime Planet: 4.3/5

While diving into its 1000+ episodes can feel daunting for new viewers at first, once fans get to know One Piece‘s characters, it will be hard to stop watching. In fact, 1000 episodes might not be enough. On his mission to become the King of the Pirates, Luffy has undeniably become anime royalty.

Noragami’s Leads Will Solve Any Problem For Five Yen Coins

Fantasy Elements: Mythical Beings, System of Magic

Noragami plunges viewers deep into the world of Japanese mythology with the tale of a god named Yato. Yato is a god with a simple goal of having his own shrine. To achieve that goal, he agrees to do any task for people in exchange for payment of a five yen coin. When Yato meets a young woman having trouble keeping her soul in her body, the two of them wind up on a journey together to solve both of their problems.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 7.95
• Anime Planet: 4.2/5

Noragami is one of the best shōnen anime series of the last decade, with its major flaw being that it never finished adapting the manga. The main cast is incredibly lovable, and the story continues introducing compelling twists to keep the viewer interested. Lastly, while fighting isn’t the focus, it has some beautiful combat scenes for viewers to gawk at.

Black Clover Offers Fantasy Shōnen Action For a New Generation

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-building, System of Magic, Mystical Items/Weapons

Black Clover was pronounced the “New King of Shōnen” a little too early by Crunchyroll, considering its slow start. However, it’s hard not to get attached once the series gets going. The anime also has some of the best-written female protagonists in shōnen anime. Considering how hard it can be to find well-developed female characters in action-centered anime, Black Clover earns a lot of praise for that.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 8.15
• Anime Planet: 4.1/5

Black Clover focuses on a young teenager named Asta, who aims to become the Wizard King in his country. Asta has no magic, making his odds of reaching his goal unlikely — until he’s awarded a special magical grimoire that grants him strange abilities. Packed with exciting action and relatable characters, Black Clover has a little of something for everyone.

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Presents a More Realistic Experience For An Isekai

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-building, System of Magic, Mythical Creatures

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is a short-lived anime series, but remains fondly remembered even years later. Isekai anime tend to focus on how strong the protagonist is to the exclusion of everything else, which can be fun as a power fantasy but exhausting when that’s the sole focus of the genre. Luckily, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash has a refreshing take on the genre.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 7.65
• Anime Planet: 3.9/5

The protagonists in Grimgar are more realistic than what fans of the genre might be used to. Rather than easily winning fights, they struggle to accomplish even the smallest goals. This makes the stakes of each battle high, but each victory feels that much sweeter. Their youth and inexperience also make the story a compelling coming-of-age tale, filtered through an isekai fantasy.

Chainsaw Man is a Dark Fantasy About Devils and the Pursuit of Happiness

Fantasy Elements: Mythical Creatures, System of Magical Abilities

Chainsaw Man is one of modern shōnen manga’s biggest hits. While it’s now on several streaming platforms, Hulu was actually the first to debut the series. CSM‘s first season ended in 2021, but it has a new film on the way that promises to be a continuation that adapts one of the most beloved arcs in the source material. The series’ creator, Tatsuki Fujimoto, is one of the most respected mangaka of the last decade.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 8.50
• Anime Planet: 4.3/5

The series takes place in a version of Tokyo in the ’90s, where people have just accepted and adapted to the existence of Devils. While its premise of a boy who grows a chainsaw from his head and fights Devils sounds extremely ridiculous (and it’s just as ridiculous as it sounds), CSM has a lot of depth beneath the surface that makes it a must-see anime series for fans of fantastical monsters and mystical worlds.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is One of the Pillars of Modern Isekai

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-building, Mythical Creatures, System of Magic, Mystical Items/Weapons

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime emerged as one of the biggest winners of the late-2010s isekai rush. While innumerable isekai series came and went during the late 2010s and early 2020s, Slime stood the test of time as a breakout star that transcended its tropes to become a beloved series on its own merits. Slime‘s main protagonist, Rimuru, is easily one of the most beloved OP isekai heroes with his snappy sense of humor and relatable attitude pulling fans in from all walks of life.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 8.14
• Anime Planet: 4.4/5

While its first feature film, Scarlet Bond, didn’t hit anywhere close to the same notes as huge successes like Demon Slayer: Mugen Train or Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the mere fact its first film hit theaters worldwide is a testament to the series’ popularity. With the series currently in its third season, there’s never been a better time to binge one of the best isekai series released in the past decade.

Fantasy Elements: Historical Fantasy World, Mythical Creatures, System of Magic, Mystical Items/Weapons

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood remakes an already beloved anime to become one of the greatest series of all time. Once again, viewers get to see Edward and Alphonse Elric on a journey to restore their bodies, lost to them after they failed to revive their mother. While the original anime deserves praise and honor for what it started, Brotherhood is definitely the gateway any new fans should take.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 9.09
• Anime Planet: 4.6/5

This time, Edward and Alphonse’s enemies are even more dangerous, with schemes that could shatter everything they know about alchemy and the world. From characters to story, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a perfect series. Everything viewers loved about the original is back, with new characters, better animation, and some jaw-dropping fight scenes. Even the openings and endings are amazing.

Suicide Squad Isekai Gives an Eastern Take on Western Characters

Fantasy Elements: Fantastical World-building, Mythical Creatures, Magic Powers

Ever since fans first fell in love with Meg Robbie’s Harley Quin in DC’s Suicide Squad, no one can seem to escape the IP, and that includes anime fans. Luckily, Suicide Squad Isekai delivers on its promise of giving viewers an enjoyable and solid anime experience. It’s not particularly deep or emotionally resonating, but its action and humor make it well worth a watch.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 6.59
• Anime Planet: 3.5/5

This is far from the first marriage of Western comics with Eastern anime or manga, as even Deadpool has crossed over into the realm of manga with the Deadpool: Samurai series. That being the case, Suicide Squad Isekai isn’t breaking much new ground in the realms of comics or anime, but it’s still a successful use of DC’s iconic characters in an anime-inspired isekai world.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Presents a Breathtaking View of Ancient Japan

Fantasy Elements: Historical Fantasy World, Mythical Creatures, Mystical Items/Weapons

Most anime fans are already familiar with Demon Slayer. Tanjiro Kamado is on a heart-pounding, tear-inducing, emotionally stimulating journey to track down the demon who killed his family and, hopefully, find a way to turn his sister, Nezuko, back into a human. While the story is nothing particularly groundbreaking, its endearing characters carry the series, and the anime adaption’s animation is nothing short of phenomenal.

Scores:

• MyAnimeList:​​​​​​​ 8.48
• Anime Planet: 4.5/5

Demon Slayer features stellar animation and a moving soundtrack that elevates the series to sensational new heights, making it a must-watch for any anime fan. The series recently finished its Hashira Training Arc season, which has led up to the show’s fated ending. Fans still have to wait to see how the climax plays out, so it’s the best time for new fans to get into this series.