10 best mythology anime that you should try

Mythology anime featuring myths and legends from around the world can transport viewers to fantastical realms and introduce them to an array of fascinating characters. These mythology anime often blend traditional stories with modern storytelling techniques, creating a unique viewing experience for the audience.

By incorporating myths from Greek, Norse, Japanese, and other cultures, anime creators yield spellbinding shows that uphold tradition and put unique spins on age-old tales. Some anime, like the classic Saint Seiya, are fairly faithful adaptations of myth.

For an escape into the realms of gods and spirits or the conquests of brave adventurers, these 10 mythology anime deliver captivating takes on myths that have endured for millennia in human civilizations worldwide.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

10 best mythology anime you can't miss

1) Record of Ragnarok

Record of Ragnarok (Image via Graphinica)

In this action-packed mythology anime, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance as the gods decide to wipe out the human race.

To give mankind one last chance, 13 human fighters battle the gods in one-on-one combat. From legendary figures like Lü Bu to mythological deities like Zeus and Thor, Record of Ragnarok delivers epic fight scenes rooted in mythology.

The animation vividly brings mythic figures from across cultures to life. Viewers looking for hard-hitting martial arts battles between larger-than-life characters will find plenty to enjoy in this inventive take on legends and apocalyptic stakes.

2) Campione!

When high school student Godou defeats a god, he inherits the god's authority and becomes a Campione, a god slayer. This mythology anime blends supernatural elements with high school drama.

As he adjusts to his newfound powers, he must battle gods from different mythologies who cause mayhem in the human world. Blending harem comedy antics with supernatural fights, Campione! sees its protagonist take on figures like Athena and Perseus from legends and lore.

Fans of light novels will appreciate this adaptation with its mix of mythological elements, romantic hijinks, and magical battles. Godou's development into his role as a Campione makes for an entertaining coming-of-age story against a backdrop of ancient myths coming to life.

3) Noragami

Noragami blends Shinto mythology with modern-day Japanese high school life. This mythology anime follows Hiyori, a girl who develops the ability for her soul to easily leave her body after saving Yato, a minor god aiming to build his following.

As Yato takes odd jobs to gain more followers, sinister forces emerge that threaten the peace between the world of the living and the underworld. The dynamic between Yato and his Regalia partner Yukine, a teenage boy, brings humor and heart to this supernatural action series.

Viewers enjoy the blend of comedy, drama, and lesser-known Japanese myths as Yato strives to gain respect among gods and humans alike in Noragami.

4) Fate Series

With multiple entries focusing on various Holy Grail Wars, the popular Fate franchise features young mages paired with the spirits of legendary warriors like Hercules, King Arthur, and Joan of Arc to battle for an omnipotent relic. This mythology anime series has become a cultural phenomenon.

Blending historical and mythological figures from the East and West, the franchise builds upon classic heroic legends with fresh characterizations and creative liberties. Iconic reimaginations, such as a female King Arthur, give these tales a unique twist.

Whether it's the tragedy-laced themes explored in adaptations like Fate/Zero or the lighter hijinks of Fate/Grand Order, there's no shortage of lore and legendary match-ups across the ever-expanding Fate universe. Striking animation brings iconic heroes and villains to life in this beloved mythology anime.

5) Kamigami no Asobi

Kamigami no Asobi (Image via Brain's Base)

This reverse harem mythology anime centers on Yui, a normal high school girl transported to a divine garden where she must teach a class of young gods about humanity.

Her students include Balder, Loki, and Anubis as she spends her time getting to know these charismatic deities. While romance and comedic moments anchor the show, viewers also learn more about each god's background from Norse, Greek, Egyptian, and Shinto mythologies.

With a premise ripe for fish-out-of-water hijinks, Kamigami no Asobi also explores deeper themes about the ties between gods and mankind through relationships between Yui and her celestial classmates.

6) Saint Seiya

This classic shonen mythology anime follows a group of warriors named "Saints," who fight wearing sacred armor, including those representing the 12 zodiac constellations. As they fight to protect the reincarnation of the goddess Athena, they battle agents from other gods and trigger myth-inspired crises.

With its cosmic battles and enduring themes of friendship and sacrifice, Saint Seiya brings Greek mythic tales to life through iconic tournaments like the Galaxian Wars and menacing villains like the Black Saints.

Viewers can expect plenty of mystical drama and combat as Pegasus Seiya unlocks new powers inspired by legend on his heroic journey.

7) Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

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

This fantasy mythology anime draws inspiration from Middle Eastern and Arabic folk tales of One Thousand and One Nights. The story follows young Aladdin and his magical assistant, Ugo, who aim to explore dungeons and help Aladdin's friend Alibaba capture treasure and conquer new labyrinths.

Viewers join Aladdin's adventures alongside Alibaba, who befriends the Djinn Amon, based on One Thousand and One Nights, and other magical beings he encounters on his journey. With rich world-building drawing from lesser-known legends, Magi crafts a fresh magical world teeming with intrigue and possibilities.

8) Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha

Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha (Image via Production IMS)

This romantic comedy mythology anime infused with Japanese mythology stars Inari, a shy schoolgirl who has a crush on her classmate Kouji.

After she gains the ability to shapeshift into anyone following a chance encounter with the goddess Uka-no-Mitama, she taps into her newfound powers to get closer to Kouji and take on various disguises to help people in need.

Blending comedic mistaken identity mishaps with gods granting spiritual favors, Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha sees Inari gaining confidence as she navigates god-induced magical catastrophes. With sweet romantic moments bolstered by Inari's growing divine abilities, this anime puts a whimsical spin on Shinto legends.

9) Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (Image via J.C. Staff)

In this mythology anime set in a fantasy city built around a monster-filled dungeon containing riches and mysteries, Bell Cranel dreams of adventure as the initial lone member of the Hestia Familia goddess guild.

As he explores the dungeon's depths and gains skills while pining for romantic affection, Bell encounters other guilds drawing power from gods like Loki (Norse mythology) and Apollo (Greek mythology) to aid their members' conquests.

With storylines inspired by classic mythic adventures and RPG flavor, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? blends fun dungeon-crawling action with comedic moments stemming from Bell's secret crush and the conflicts between ruling goddesses.

10) The Twelve Kingdoms

This mythology anime follows high school student Yoko Nakajima as she is suddenly transported to another world inspired by Chinese mythology. There, she gradually becomes the ruler of the Kingdom of Kei.

Though initially uncertain of her new destiny, she rises to the challenge of her reign and contends with court politics, rebellions, and demon armies with the help of other rulers and her counselors.

Expanding upon East Asian cosmology and tales of divine rule, it crafts a rich fantasy world where struggling protagonists must unlock their latent potential to govern in strange new realms. Those craving anime anchored in Asian folklore will find a captivating mythic adventure in Yoko's journey.

Conclusion

For anime fans seeking fresh takes on legends, deities, and heroes from mythologies worldwide, the mythology anime titles above provide transportive adaptations steeped in mystical lore.

From the battling gods of Record of Ragnarok to The Twelve Kingdoms' expansive world inspired by East Asian classics, these mythology anime series showcase the narrative richness mythic storytelling can offer.

Viewers gain greater cultural appreciation from seeing global myths come alive through creative reimaginings tailored for modern mediums like anime. As seen on the list above, mythology-based anime offers no shortage of majestic worlds to explore and eternal heroes' journeys to follow.

So strap in, and let these mythology anime series whisk you away on legendary adventures beyond time and place.