5 Perfect Fantasy Anime to Watch Before Witch Hat Atelier  (& One Stars a Talking Shadow)

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If you’re a part of the anime community, it’s likely you’ve come across news about the anticipated adaptation of “Witch Hat Atelier“. Originally slated to premiere in 2025, the release has now been pushed back to sometime next year due to the animation studio focusing on fine-tuning the show’s quality. Although this decision promises a high-quality anime that long-time fans are eagerly anticipating, there is understandably some frustration due to the extended wait. Given “Witch Hat Atelier” is a well-loved series that its fanbase has been advocating for an anime adaptation for quite some time now.

The storyline of “Witch Hat Atelier” revolves around an ordinary girl mastering and controlling magic, a talent thought to be innate by many; her journey in the narrative showcases the struggles and hardships of defying this stereotype and confronting the hidden mysteries in her world. Similar to other fantasy series, “Witch Hat Atelier” explores themes like magical prejudice and destiny, while emphasizing detailed world-building and stunning visuals. Although every anime is unique, the following list presents five captivating fantasy shows that you may wish to watch as you wait for “Witch Hat Atelier” to premiere on the big screen.

5) Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina

Titled “Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina“, this fantasy-adventure anime amalgamates witchcraft with a genuine coming-of-age tale. Premiering in 2020, it comprises 12 episodes, thus qualifying as a mini-series. Despite its brief duration, the series remains an engaging watch due to its vibrant artwork, seamless animation, and emotionally resonant narrative. The storyline explores themes like fate, self-discovery, accountability, repercussions, and the human condition.

The series revolves around Elaina, who’s long been captivated by the idea of witches, particularly stories about a globetrotting witch named Niké. Spurred on by these narratives, Elaina embarks on her own journey to discover the world; she does this once she’s qualified as a witch, having passed entrance exams and secured an apprenticeship to delve deeper into her skills. While the narrative does somewhat mirror Elaina’s ambition to emulate Niké, the show unfolds in a series format with individual story arcs as Elaina encounters different people and visits various locations.

4) Ranking of Kings

The animated series “Ranking of Kings” is a captivating fantasy show that stands out due to its creative twists on common tropes and engaging narrative. Debuting in 2021, it consists of a single season with 23 episodes (an additional mini-season titled “Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage” premiered in 2023). Fans often commend the show for its enchanting fairy-tale structure, which distinguishes it from other series within the genre. The main character is a favorite among viewers, as they find themselves cheering him on. Themes explored in the anime include resilience, bravery, self-belief, and the importance of kindness.

In “Ranking of Kings,” we journey with Prince Bojji, the potential heir to a vast kingdom. Unusually, Bojji is mute and deaf, and lacks physical strength or combat skills which often leads to mockery within the kingdom due to his perceived lack of princely traits. Yet, Bojji harbors ambitions of one day becoming an exceptional king who will govern with fairness and transform his realm for the better. An opportunity arises when Bojji encounters Kage, a shadowy member from a notorious assassin group, who finds himself intrigued by Bojji. The two develop a strong bond and embark on a journey to aid Bojji in preparing for his eventual reign as king.

3) Delicious in Dungeon

In a delightful twist, “Delicious in Dungeon” is an entertaining anime set in a fantasy realm that places equal emphasis on gastronomical escapades as it does on the adventure woven into its storyline. This captivating series made its debut in 2024, and before the dust even settled from its initial release, news of a second season swept across the horizon like a culinary tidal wave! With a touch of humor to balance out the suspense, it incorporates all the excitement of dungeon-crawling adventures, including combat scenes, intricate world-building filled with magic, and sprinklings of laughter for good measure. Key themes that resonate within the series include resilience, camaraderie, grief, and ingenuity.

In the story of Delicious in Dungeon, a band of daring explorers find themselves in a treacherous dungeon teeming with monsters and obstacles. As their provisions dwindle, they’re forced to think on their feet when one member suggests an unconventional solution: turning the monsters they encounter into meals. This culinary twist sets off a chain of humorous incidents as the group navigates the dungeon’s environment and inhabitants, all while searching for a comrade who was taken by a dragon earlier in their journey.

2) Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

The latest sensation among fantasy anime enthusiasts is ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.’ This series, which made its debut towards the end of 2023, has been generating considerable buzz over the past year. Following its success, a second season has been announced and is slated for release in early 2026. What sets ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ apart from other fantasy shows is its exploration of what transpires once the major battle is over and the heroes return home. The series delves into themes like the nature of time, friendship, the significance of genuine relationships, and the essence of life.

As an anime enthusiast, I’m absolutely captivated by the story that centers around Frieren, a formidable elf mage, who, alongside her valiant band of adventurers, triumphs over the malevolent Demon King. Post-victory, our heroic group decides to part ways, with a heartfelt promise to reunite in half a century under the next meteor shower’s radiant glow.

Frieren embarks on a mesmerizing journey across various landscapes, seizing opportunities to delve deeper into the mysteries of magic and immerse herself in the rich tapestry of life. Along this enchanting path, Frieren starts to grapple with a peculiar truth: while those around her evolve and grow older, time seems to stand still for her, as she ages at an unusually slow pace. This mind-boggling revelation prompts Frieren to reminisce on the days gone by with her cherished friends, recounted through thoughtful flashbacks, as she ponders the profound significance of cherishing life and the precious moments shared with loved ones.

1) Little Witch Academia

The series “Little Witch Academia,” often overlooked, offers a delightful blend of fantasy and humor, set in a captivating school for witchcraft. First airing in 2017, it ran for one season, spanning 25 episodes. The animation is appealing, the characters diverse and entertaining, and the setting engaging, making it an enjoyable, relaxing watch. Despite its light-hearted nature, the show doesn’t shy away from delivering deep emotional moments. It tackles complex themes such as challenging tradition, teamwork, friendship, and overcoming challenges.

The series focuses on Akko, a young girl with minimal magical skills, who aspires to be a formidable witch like her idol, Shiny Chariot. Eager to enhance her abilities, she joins a magic school, embarking on a journey filled with comedic challenges as her inexperience leads to numerous mishaps. Despite the hurdles, Akko persists in her pursuit of becoming a skilled witch. During this process, she uncovers Shiny Chariot’s relic, the Shiny Rod, which propels her on additional adventures to uncover the fate of the witch who inspired her dreams.

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2025-09-10 16:42