medieval fantasy anime

I am looking for anime that is in a genre that is most likely not the most popular to most fans of anime, medieval fantasy. I don't mean the historical or the ones where the characters over-play the heroicness, but one that has magic and characters with personalities. I would prefer anime that is not magical girl (they tend to be too girlie), but anything else I would like opinions on.

series I have watched and enjoyed: Rune Soldier Slayers the Familiar of Zero

btw, bonus points for one with some fan-service ;D

That's a good inquiry you have there. A request for older (in time) fantasy titles that most anime lovers would let fly over their heads? How about:

Tears to Tiara - A powerful series with emotional characters, slight comedy, superlative action (swordplay, magic spells, summonings, etc), has an amazing story, and is the full length of 26 episodes. It's certainly worth the investment for most anime/fantasy lovers. Hint - keep your eyes peeled for Octavia...

The Sacred Blacksmith - Currently airing series with a unique ability to impress (in my opinion). Darker in theme, it has great action (swordplay, magic, forbidden arts, etc), slight fan service, slight comedy, and a solid story. This is one of those titles that comes first as soon as a new episode is released for me.

Those are two you can jump into for now. Hopefully, I helped you out. I'm sure you'll be getting more recommended titles soon enough.

Edit: Did you finish all 3 seasons of The Familiar of Zero? Make sure you do because it's, without a doubt, among the better titles that are out there.

Edited on 12/08/2009 01:30 AM.

While technically not 'occidental' or 'western' medieval fantasy anime, there are a number of titles that are set in the 'east' or the 'orient' during a similar time period.

Juuni Kokuki
Scrapped Princess (western)
Saiunkoku Monogatari
Fushigi Yuugi TV
Shounen Onmyouji
Lone Wolf and Cub
Ookami to Koushinryou (western)
Shura No Toki

and there is always Chrono Crusade

Edited on 12/08/2009 09:52 AM.

The serious (eastern) variant (no fan-service but outstanding characters, much like Juuni Kokuki) would be Seirei no Moribito.

Hmmm all 3 he mentioned are more comedy than 'historical' like 12 Kingdoms or Moribito.

So I would recommend

• Those Who Hunt Elves - Stripping Elves for fun and profit.
• Sorcerer Hunters - Fighting evil sorcerers with Whips / chains / and ... Dessert. Haha (Whoops! Thanks JC)
• Dragon Half - Might be a bit girly
• El Hazard - Boy gets teleported back to mideval time...sorta
• Orphen - A Sorceror with a quest to fight a dragon.

• Gokudo - If you really want to see a shounen with an Evil Hero..haha
• Bastard - Another OVA with a Evil hero.

Edited on 12/08/2009 01:03 PM.

Hey Forbin ... great suggestions... but you made a typo and provided a bad link....

When you mentioned Sorcerer Hunters, you listed the series 913 which goes to Bakuretsu Tenshi, when you should have linked to Bakuretsu Hunters TV.

Sorry for the correction.....

You might also like Sorcerer on the Rocks.

wow! thank you all for these suggestions! this should keep me going for quite a while.

Gah and I almost forgot.

If you can watch Hentai (Since I don't know your age). Check out

• Words Worth

Oh, I was thinking that I had watched a sort of hentai magic/fantasy/comedy show once upon a time, but I couldn't remember the title--until now: Sex Demon Queen. I must rewatch this.

I'm surprised no one has suggested Berserk. Not exactly within a magical standpoint but is certainly a medieval based and absolutely gritty/raw action. Plus, has a lot of supernatural action as well.

Edited on 12/13/2009 04:39 PM.

Because beserk has almost zero comedy. The OP mentioned 3 shows that are all high comedy shows.

Yes, F. Berserk has no comedy, but it does tell a great and dark story of bloody revenge and retribution. Well worth the time spent watching.

Again, I must say thank you to everyone that posted here. I have watched a couple of the animes you suggested already (not much I can do until I can get another job), and they were exelent. Really loved Twelve Kingdoms and Tears to Tiara. as for Hentai, yes, I can watch, and enjoy watching it.

also, replying to the last post Forbin made, yes. The 3 shows I mentioned are comedies. I am more of a fan of comedy than I am medieval fantasy when it comes to anime, but I enjoy both to no end.

I'm especially glad you enjoyed Tears to Tiara. I was the only one who voiced a positive opinion of it and it is EXTREMELY refreshing (you have no idea) to see another well-rounded take on the title. Thanks for watching it.

If you enjoyed that, then I can't wait to see your reaction on The Sacred Blacksmith! I recommend a tissue box always at the ready just in case.

Edited on 12/18/2009 10:25 PM.

well, for the sacred blacksmith I am going to wait until all episodes are translated. I only really know enough Japanese to follow the more simple dialect and enjoy watching one anime at a time more than watching another between or just waiting for translations. But that is definatly on my list to watch after it gets fully translated.

Fair enough. You like to watch them all at once I see. More power to ya...

I wish I had the extra time like that. I'm currently struggling to finish my Nyan Koi! review and keep up with the other titles as they come out. I'm about 6 hours into the review (that includes stopping to eat, etc). Hopefully, I can finish it by Monday on my day off from work.

Oh, you probably should also add Claymore to your anime list.

And also Lodoss Tou Senki (OAV) and Roudosu Tou Senki: Eiyuu Kishi Den.

How can we forget Lodoss war! /Doh.

Oh and on Words Worth do not watch the dub. Those porn queens can really 'act' but their voice skills are like pieces of pancake, very flat and listless.

You probably should also add Utawarerumono to your watch list.