10 best magic anime that fans need to watch

Magic anime has captivated fans with its magical and supernatural elements for years. Anime featuring magic often has fascinating world-building, powerful characters, and engaging storylines.

The realm of magic anime contains an abundance of inventive magic and supernatural components to capture viewers' imaginations. From epic fantasies and battle anime to dark thrillers, series showcasing magical elements provide endless excitement.

This list covers ten essential magic anime, spanning a variety of genres and magical systems. These handpicked series showcase creative magical systems, battles, and character growth journeys fueled by mystical arts against stunning backdrops.

10 enchanting magic anime to add to your watchlist

1. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Image via 8bit)

For a fun isekai twist, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime follows corporate worker Satoru Mikami who gets stabbed and reborn as Rimuru Tempest, an overpowered slime monster in a fantasy world.

Rimuru gains new magical skills by befriending and absorbing various creatures into his body, growing more powerful in this new world. With a refreshing non-human protagonist, this magic anime provides stellar fantasy adventure with comedic moments.

The ever-expanding cast of colorful allies makes it entertaining. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime delivers magic battles and nation-building within an expansive magical system.

2. Black Clover

Black Clover follows underdog orphan Asta, born without magic powers in a fantasy realm where mystic arts rule everything. While his fellow orphan Yuno receives magical gifts, Asta seems doomed as the only ordinary human lacking special talents.

Through relentless physical training and unwavering determination, he develops swordsmanship and anti-magic capabilities to compete directly against royals blessed with elemental magic spanning fire, wind, water, and more. This is a prime example of magic anime featuring an underdog protagonist.

Though starting deemed talentless, Asta’s willpower and work ethic let him stand shoulder-to-shoulder against child genius prodigies. He hopes to become the Wizard King, leading all sorcerer knights by surpassing limits.

3. Overlord

What would you do if you were stuck as your game avatar from a DMMO-RPG game transported into a parallel magical realm? Overlord's protagonist faces this scenario as his wizard character comes alive in a full-immersion MMORPG game world.

Thankfully, his fearsome appearance and tiered magic abilities give him an edge in this magic anime. Overlord brilliantly fleshes out game mechanics with real stakes, while contrasting attitudes between players interacting whimsically versus denizens following societal rules.

With diverse magical races and hierarchies, this dark isekai subversion makes for a compelling power fantasy in this magic anime.

4. Cardcaptor Sakura

The magical anime genre classic Cardcaptor Sakura centers on Sakura Kinomoto who accidentally releases a set of magical cards she must recapture. She receives guidance from guardian beast Cerberus, selecting her as the Cardcaptor to master the powerful Clow cards representing natural forces and elements.

Each card capture requires tactics and courage while balancing everyday school life. Highlighting themes of friendship and courage, Cardcaptor Sakura charms with character growth, watching Sakura develop greater proficiency wielding magical cards in innovative ways.

Though she struggles initially, her compassion earns allegiances from cards. With beautiful costume designs and cheerful vibes even while facing high stakes, Cardcaptor Sakura defined the magical girl formula for years. Its legacy continues to inspire new generations.

5. The Ancient Magus' Bride

The Ancient Magus' Bride (Image via Wit Studio)

Blending Celtic lore and darker fairy tale elements, The Ancient Magus' Bride centers on broken down teenager Chise, sold to an inhuman magus as his apprentice and bride. She gradually discovers her rare gifts attracting magical beasts as her new master trains her in magic.

This magic anime draws heavily from British folklore. Beautifully animated with striking visuals contrasting the whimsical and macabre, this series expands on British magical folklore with disturbing fae entities.

Exploring Chise's complex psyche and haunted past makes for heavier viewing, rather than lightweight escapism.

6. Little Witch Academia

Little Witch Academia (Image via Trigger)

For lighter fare, Little Witch Academia encapsulates youthful charm following misfit witch-in-training, Akko. Though coming from a non-magical family, she joyfully pursues her dream of becoming a great witch.

With an uplifting message about perseverance and passion, Akko studies at the Luna Nova Magical Academy, along with two friends having their own adventures in this delightful anime.

With its Western magical boarding school aesthetics and whimsical storytelling focused on wonder rather than epic stakes, it puts a fresh spin on the magic school genre. It balances drama, humor, and delightful displays of magic, making it a standout magic anime.

7. Fate/Zero

Serving as a prequel to Fate/stay night, Fate/Zero depicts the previous, darker Holy Grail War with servants bound by their masters. The gradual revelation of heroes' identities adds to the mystery, leading to riveting conflicts.

The high-stakes battle royal builds tension as legendary warriors exploit opponents' weaknesses. Boasting talented writing and production values, Fate/Zero expands on themes of ideals while deconstructing heroism notions.

The tragedy results from those chasing impossible dreams, providing insightful philosophical depth to the spectacular fantasy action characteristic of this magic anime.

8. The Irregular at Magic High School

The Irregular at Magic High School (Image via 8Bit)

Set in modern Japan where magic has been studied for practical usage, The Irregular at Magic High School features genius "irregular" freshman Tatsuya contrasting with his younger sister Miyuki, an honors student in the same year.

Tatsuya possesses extraordinary magical combat abilities and unparalleled technical knowledge in magic engineering, skills that only a select few recognize and that he keeps largely hidden. This modern magic anime blends sci-fi with supernatural elements.

Flashy effects and innovative techniques including magical programming technology get utilized satisfyingly during competitions and missions. With social classes/politicking mirroring real-world issues, this modern magic school drama suits those desiring more sci-fi blended with their supernatural battles.

9. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Loosely drawing inspiration from Arabian Nights, Magi crafts a rich fantasy world with mysterious dungeons and clashing empires headed by Magi wizards acting as guides for potential kings.

Kind magician Aladdin meets Alibaba, and together they explore dungeons for hidden knowledge and treasures while contending with warring states. Spanning continents facing apocalyptic catastrophes, impressive world-building backs up thrilling adventures confronting legendary foes.

Diverse magic casters employ elements like fire, lightning, water, gravity, and sound as weapons creatively in inventive fights requiring strategy, making it a noteworthy magic anime.

10. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Image via Shaft)

Subverting usual cheery magical girl anime tropes, Puella Magi Madoka Magica quickly spirals into darker territory after Madoka gets offered a contract to gain magic for a wish to become a Puella Magi, battling surreal otherworldly witches.

But the magical benefits hide sinister strings, attached with existential themes, a unique twist in magic anime. With a layered narrative depicting complex themes of identity, mortality, and hope wrapped in pretty packaging, Puella Magi Madoka Magica delivers a profound impact.

It masterfully plays with aesthetics and tropes associated with the magical girl genre to drive its heavy storyline.

Conclusion

The realm of anime brims with inventive supernatural worlds and powers limited only by creators' imaginations in magic anime.

From explosive magical duels and demon battles in fantasy realms to magical systems influencing society or used in competitions, these standout titles capture that creative potential— whether as thrilling plots or self-discovery tales in magic anime.