10 best anime to watch if you like The Irregular at Magic High School

The Irregular at Magic High School is a popular Japanese light novel series by Tsutomu Satou that has been adapted into a manga and anime series. It follows Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, siblings who enroll in First High School, an elite magical high school.

Tatsuya is enrolled as an "irregular" student with inferior magic abilities, but his technical and strategic talents make up for his practical deficits. The anime has received praise for its world-building, character development, and interesting take on the idea of a magic high school.

If you enjoyed the mix of school drama, sci-fi, and action elements in The Irregular at Magic High School, here are 10 other great anime series to consider watching next.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and is not ranked in any particular order.

10 must-watch anime for fans of The Irregular at Magic High School

1. Bungo Stray Dogs

Like The Irregular at Magic High School, Bungo Stray Dogs features a male lead character who appears weak or irregular at first glance but possesses unique gifts that make him invaluable.

The series follows Atsushi Nakajima, an orphan kicked out of an orphanage who joins the "Armed Detective Agency," a group of gifted individuals who use their supernatural talents to solve mysteries and crimes.

With crisp animation, well-choreographed action sequences, and a large cast of quirky, interesting characters with varied abilities, Bungo Stray Dogs shares a lot of similarities with The Irregular at Magic High School.

2. The Asterisk War

The Asterisk War (Image via A-1 Pictures)

The Asterisk War is another series that centers around an academy city where students battle with supernatural abilities in competitions.

Much like Tatsuya in The Irregular at Magic High School, the protagonist, Ayato Amagiri, is extremely overpowered yet shows little interest, making those around him determined to draw out his full potential.

There are lighter slice-of-life high school elements mixed in with dramatic battle tournaments, creating an atmosphere similar to The Irregular at Magic High School.The world building around the six academies in Rikka also provides an intricate backdrop for the events that unfold.

3. Wise Man’s Grandchild

Wise Man’s Grandchild (Image via Silver Link)

Wise Man’s Grandchild follows Shin Wolford, who is reborn and adopted into a family of powerful mages after living an ordinary life.

He attends a magic academy where his abilities stand out in sharp contrast to the skills and aptitudes of his classmates, much like Tatsuya's experience in The Irregular at Magic High School.

Fans of seeing overpowered main characters surprising their peers and viewers with their irregular magic capabilities will feel right at home with this anime since it also features steam-punk fantasy elements as well.

4. Chivalry of a Failed Knight

Chivalry of a Failed Knight (Image via Silver Link and Nexus)

For those hungry for more magical high school battles after finishing The Irregular at Magic High School, Chivalry of a Failed Knight is an excellent choice.

The series follows Ikki Kurogane, a student at a prestigious magical knight academy who is considered a "failure" due to having a less powerful magical ability. However, Ikki makes up for this with his exceptional swordsmanship and raw physical skills.

The underdog narrative, school competitions, and romance elements in Chivalry of a Failed Knight mirror some of the best aspects of The Irregular at Magic High School. The fight scenes and animation are top-notch as well.

5. Chrome Shelled Regios

In Chrome Shelled Regios, a post-apocalyptic fantasy world forces humanity to live in large mobile cities named Regios in order to survive contaminated wastelands. The protagonist, Zuellni, enrolls in one of the elite military academies within the cities as an irregular student determined to make the best of his situation.

Fans of The Irregular at Magic High School will appreciate the similar setup of irregularity and magic-infused technology within the mobile academy cities. There is a lot of terminology, political intrigue, and adventure to keep viewers engaged too, with the mix of school life drama and military battles.

6. Sky Wizards Academy

Sky Wizards Academy (Image via Diomedéa)

Sky Wizards Academy is a fun magic academy anime with similarities to the aspects that made The Irregular at Magic High School so enjoyable.

It features battles between wizards with unique abilities, humor blended into school dynamics, and creative world-building with terms like “Handicast” and “Casterwings” for the flying trails that wizards leave behind when casting spells.

While the series is shorter and lighter overall, Sky Wizards Academy captures the excitement of students working to improve their magic combat.

7. Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon

Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon (Image via Silver Link)

Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon is set in a military academy for mages and follows Takeru Kusanagi, who cannot use magic himself but acts as the commander of his special operations platoon with a crew of attractive witch and sorcerer girls under him.

The theme of someone without magical powers being surrounded by elites with impressive abilities is similar to The Irregular at Magic High School.

There is fun chemistry between the platoon members blended with dramatic action set pieces as the missions unfold. Fans of fantasy combat set in a school setting will enjoy this series.

8. Knight's & Magic

Mecha anime fans who enjoyed The Irregular at Magic High School’s blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements should check out Knight’s & Magic.

The protagonist, Ernesti Echevalier, has his mind transported back to his younger body in a magical world where he uses his mechanical know-how to craft and pilot powerful robot suits of armor into battle.

The fish-out-of water setup as Ernesti enters a magic knight academy and surprises everyone with his irregular yet elite technical talents mirrors some of the key elements that made Tatsuya’s journey in The Irregular at Magic High School compelling. The mecha designs and combat sequences are top notch as well.

9. Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero

Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero (Image via Arms)

Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero follows fantasy hero Akatsuki Ousawa into the realm of Earth, where he enrolls in a secret academy for future conquerors and leaders. Things get more complicated as Akatsuki leverages his return magic abilities in battles and school competitions while surrounded by other capable students.

Fans of Tatsuya in The Irregular at Magic High School demonstrating cool headed irregularity compared to less competent but flashier magic wielders will see the parallels here.

10. Code Geass

Code Geass is another excellent anime in line with the strong strategic talents shown in The Irregular at Magic High School.

While set in an alternate reality instead of a magic world, the protagonist, Lelouch Lamperouge, has a similar aura of irregularity and brilliance that helps him thrive when, by all other metrics, he should be at a disadvantage.

Lelouch hides his abilities and motives as he secretly leads a resistance movement against the Holy Britannian Empire, which has invaded Japan. Like Tatsuya, Lelouch relies on intelligence, technology, strategy, and allies that only he can rally instead of raw power.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Irregular at Magic High School's distinctive combination of magic and sci-fi makes it a standout series, with Tatsuya’s irregular yet domineering abilities providing great appeal. For viewers who like enchanting school battles centered around overpowered yet unconventional lead characters, this list highlights some interesting anime to consider.