10 best sword and sorcery anime that you can watch

The fantasy anime genre has captivated audiences for generations with its alluring depictions of heroes like Guts from Berserk, epic quests in worlds such as the Clover Kingdom in Black Clover, fierce monsters like the Titans in Attack on Titan, and magical realms such as the dungeons of Magi.

This fascination shows no signs of slowing down, as anime fans are especially drawn to sword and sorcery anime featuring mighty swordsmen and powerful magic users. Sword and sorcery anime fuse high-octane action with legendary status, mythical creatures, and otherworldly locales.

These series feature iconic moments like Guts wielding the Dragon Slayer, Kirito’s thrilling dual-wielding battles, and the epic clashes of the Holy Grail War. Keep reading to discover the 10 best sword and sorcery anime that every serious fantasy action fan should not miss.

Disclaimer: The article reflects the author’s personal opinions.

10 must-watch sword and sorcery anime

1) Berserk

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

Berserk is a brutal dark fantasy saga of relentless violence and bloodshed. The main character is Guts, a lone mercenary wielding an enormous sword who faces endless combat against armies of both men and demons. Berserk chronicles his personal vendetta against his former commander Griffith.

Guts inflict massive casualties among his enemies with impossibly fast sword swings, inhuman strength, and unflinching rage. Forged as an oversized weapon to slay dragons, his Dragon Slayer sword has become a bane to supernatural beings after being bathed in their blood through countless battles.

However, Guts also manages to find some trusted allies, such as comrades Casca and Isidro as well as the mischievous elf Puck. Together, they continue their struggle against Griffith's demonic reincarnation Femto and his "God Hand" lieutenants who are determined to enslave humanity.

2) Claymore

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu

In a medieval world infested with demonic, human-eating creatures called Yoma that disguise themselves as humans, a mysterious group creates an army of half-human, half-Yoma warriors. These silver-eyed female fighters wield huge broadswords and go by the name "Claymores."

They roam towns, hunting Yoma while battling to preserve their humanity. This anime follows Clare, a Claymore seeking revenge against Priscilla, who killed her mentor Teresa. She faces increasingly powerful Yoma and awakened beings, using her sword skills to slay monsters while struggling to retain her humanity.

Clare finds friends in fellow Claymore warriors like Miria and Helen as well as a young boy named Raki, her emotional connection who keeps her grounded. Watching Clare fight through immense pain and adversity with quiet stoicism makes her quest intensely compelling.

3) Black Clover

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu

Black Clover starts off feeling quite generic—Asta is a magicless boy in a world where everyone can use magic.

He dreams of becoming the Wizard King. However, it soon greatly expands in scale to become an expansive fantasy epic. Asta gains a five-leaf clover grimoire, which allows him to summon anti-Magic swords. His raw combat skills combined with this unique power allow him to cut through magical attacks.

What seems at first to be a straightforward battle shonen actually has some fun twists on common tropes. This sword and sorcery anime has great emotional story beats and well-developed characters too. The fight animation is slick and varied and integrates magic in creative ways.

4) Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix

While divisive among anime fans, Sword Art Online deserves its place for spearheading the stuck-in-a-video-game "isekai" genre. It starts strong by trapping 10,000 players inside the VR fantasy world of Aincrad.

Protagonist Kirito and the other players have to progress through each floor of Aincrad by defeating floor bosses. Failure means actual death. The anime features exhilarating sword fights utilizing the unique skills and weapons of Aincrad.

Kirito himself wields two blades and has reaction speed enhanced by his VR rig, allowing him to perform feats like dodging bullets in later arcs such as Gun Gale Online. Critics may fault the sword and sorcery anime for damsel-in-distress plots and gun combat, but its animation and music are excellent.

5) Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works

Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (Image via Ufotable)

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix

The iconic Holy Grail War ritual takes center stage again in this action-packed, visually stunning anime. The Holy Grail selects seven mages as Masters who receive legendary heroes from history and myth as Servants to battle for the Holy Grail in Fuyuki City.

The last Master and Servant pair remaining obtains the omnipotent wish-granting grail. Unlimited Blade Works focuses on Shirō Emiya, Master of Saber, and his dealings with Rin Tohsaka, Master of Archer.

Exciting clashes between legendary weapons and Noble Phantasms erupt across the city. It delivers jaw-dropping fight animation combined with an intriguing plot.

6) Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

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

Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll

Magi takes inspiration from Middle Eastern folk tales for its setting and worldbuilding. Young Aladdin quests to explore dungeons containing treasures, monsters, and secrets.

He hopes understanding the dungeons will help him find himself and learn his mysterious origin. Alongside the swordsman Alibaba, who wields djinn-enhanced weapons, and martial artist Morgiana, Aladdin adventures across deserts, nations, and continents teeming with djinns, magical artifacts, and political intrigue.

Vibrant, cheerful animation paired with great character development is Magi's strongest point. Epic confrontations between magicians, martial artists, and magical tools make for intense, inventive battles. The sword and sorcery anime sets up lore for an expansive universe that the manga explores further.

7) Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan (Image via Wit Studio, MAPPA)

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu

Giant man-eating humanoids called Titans nearly wipe out humanity, forcing the survivors to hide behind concentric circular walls for safety. When enormous Colossal and Armored Titans breach the outermost wall, all hell breaks loose.

The military branch, Survey Corps, must take up swords and Omni-Directional Mobility Gear to slash their way through Titans left and right. Attack on Titan ramps up mystery, scope, and stakes rapidly with its outstanding plot twists and masterfully crafted subplots.

Beyond the aerial combat, it has political intrigue plus metaphysical and existential themes. The Titans themselves are such unsettling yet iconic designs. Awesome fights and animation polish off this masterpiece.

8) Akame ga Kill!

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix

This sword and sorcery anime follows a band of assassins called Night Raid as they revolt against the corrupt imperial regime. Recruit Tatsumi thought the capital would be his path to fame and fortune as a soldier. Reality soon reveals the capital as a hub of corruption and exploitation under tyrannical rule.

Night Raid opposes this with their superhuman battle skills, trump cards, and powerful Imperial Arms weapons used by both allies and enemies. Akame ga Kill! trades pure swordsmanship for more varied, creative action. Fights utilize the distinct attributes and gimmicks of each unique Imperial Arm.

Fatal attacks trigger explosions of gore and blood, cementing the anime's reputation as a violent, darker fantasy. Still, occasional comedic moments and solid world-building make it very entertaining.

9) Rising of the Shield Hero

The Rising of the Shield Hero (Image via Kinema Citrus)

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu

Shield Hero's isekai premise sends modern college student Naofumi into a fantasy RPG-like universe as one of four summoned Cardinal Heroes. Initially welcomed like the other heroes, Naofumi quickly becomes despised as the Shield Hero after being falsely accused of a heinous crime.

Armed with only a shield, Naofumi must grow from zero to hero while enduring continuous waves of catastrophe and conspiracy. Watching Naofumi's inventive, tenacious use of his accessory shields during combats makes for great entertainment.

Support characters Raphtalia and Filo lend their weapons and claws against bandits, monsters, and corrupt royalty alike. Naofumi perseveres through spite and trauma to become an unconventional yet badass hero.

10) Goblin Slayer

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

In a stereotypical D&D-esque fantasy world, adventurers take on quests against monsters in caves, ruins, and forests. An ordinary novice priestess joins her first party, expecting goblin-slaying to be easy. Things take a dark turn, revealing the grim brutality of goblins and the danger of underestimating them.

The mysterious Goblin Slayer makes it his sole duty to annihilate every last goblin nest, armed with meticulous preparation and cunning strategy. This sword and sorcery anime earns its R rating with intense violence during goblin exterminations.

They really drive home why Goblin Slayer takes these quests, though others frequently assist. His preparation, cunning, and merciless killing efficiency make for compelling battles.

Conclusion

If you enjoy fantasy action and adventure, all these incredible sword and sorcery anime titles deserve a watch. Iconic warriors, legendary weapons, crafty rogues, destructive magic, and terrifying monsters promise exhilarating fights and captivating stories every time.

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Edited by Tiasha