Epic animation, which tells bigger and more mature stories through new styles of the animated medium, is a genre that has blown up in movies and television in recent years, spawning some of the best animated fantasy TV shows of All the time. There are still amazing animated fantasy shows from before that prove how the subgenre has always been full of potential. The best animated fantasy series ever made showcases a blend of seamless world-building, stunning animation and heartfelt storytelling For some of the best all-around TV experiences.
Some of these fantasy series are the last outlet for 2D animation in today’s industry when TV networks and anime production companies seem to be the only ones who haven’t succumbed to cheaper and faster 3D animation. However, while anime inspired some of the most exciting upcoming Netflix animated shows, stylized 3D animation has also started to take hold in television. Finally, the best animated fantasy TV available is A satisfying blend of animation styles from different periods Which immerses the audience in complex worlds and demonstrates pure artistic talent.
10
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
Nickelodeon’s Avatar is still a popular series with tight world-building and story
Avatar: The Last Airbender is an animated fantasy and adventure series that airs on Nickelodeon and was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The series featured voices of Zach Tyler Eisen, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco and Mae Whitman. The premise follows a young boy named Aang, an airbender who is destined to be the next Avatar, master of all elements, in a bid to unite the nations together and bring peace.
- Release date
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February 21, 2005
- Seasons
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3
- Showrunner
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Michael Dante DiMartino
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a point of nostalgia for fans from his original run, as well as finding a new fan base Thanks to its resurgence since it landed on Netflix. The latest addition to the fandom shows how the story still resonates, even now, through the various character arcs of young people who have realized their power and place in the world.
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Tomatometer (critics) |
100% |
popcorn meter (audience) |
99% |
In particular, Zuko’s arc is a masterpiece, subverting typical villain redemption troupes multiple times and convincing people to root for him long before he joined the “Go.” The entire version of Avatar: The Last Airbender is hilarious, part of how the show became a precedent for other shows that combine conventional expectations of cartoons with serious stories.
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The setting and world-building of the series are also impressive, incorporating real martial arts in the different types of bending and drawing on different historical civilizations. the main thing Avatar: The Last Airbender Shows realistic inner conflict between personal values and duty, But does not make the characters compromise on either.
9
Gravity Falls (2012-2016)
Gravity Falls is a hilarious and mysterious show about family and growing up
When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the woods, the twins team up to solve the town’s mysteries.
- Release date
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June 15, 2012
- Seasons
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2
- Showrunner
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Alex Hirsch
The best episodes of Gravity falls Include his first episode, which sets the series straight to be characterized by absolutely Wild humor and sometimes conflicting themes of his careful and trusting family. The comedy never lets up from the beginning of the series to the end, including everything from superficial unicorns to presidents entombed in peanut brittle to evil all-seeing triangles.
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Calculation |
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Tomatometer |
100% |
popcorn meter |
96% |
Gravity falls also created something of a cult of mystery, Encouraging viewers to find hidden codes in each episode and giving rise to a fandom capable of predicting the show’s biggest twist. But, in his heart, Gravity falls is about family and letting go of childhood.
There’s so much to learn about the two seasons of Gravity Falls, which pack plenty of laugh-out-loud and tear-jerking moments.
The theme of family bonds being endangered is perfectly illustrated by the parallel storylines of two generations of twins. The characters don’t get exactly what they want, like dating their dream crush or staying in Gravity Falls forever, but they face the future with their heads held high. There is so much to learn about Gravity falls Two seasons that pack a lot of laugh-out-loud and tear-jerking moments.
FMAB is a great starter anime with a story built on flawed humanity
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Stands out as an amazing anime that surpassed the previous adaptation of the popular manga in terms of reception. The one-time anime is true to the story that is based on human mistakes, namely the Elric brothers’ misuse of alchemy And their years-long pursuit to undo the consequences of this mistake. Mishandled power is a running theme in this story, including how Col.
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Tomato meter |
100% |
popcorn meter |
92% |
Roy Mustang’s knowledge of fire alchemy became deadly when he was conscripted into an unjust war. The characters navigate the brewing conflict in their country as they strive to make up for personal crimes and overthrow a corrupt government, threatened by a different entity that seeks absolute power at the cost of countless lives.
The worst of all the characters is reflected in the personifications of the seven deadly sins, while facets of their humanity are surprisingly seen in characters like Greed. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Impressively covers a lot of historical and political ground along with a great magic system, Give audiences plenty to think about.
7
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
Over the garden wall shows a deep, muted journey through an enigmatic world
Over the Garden Wall is a fantasy-adventure series created for Cartoon Network by Patrick McHale. Two brothers named Wirt and Greg get lost in a winding wooded realm known as the Unknown and must work with various forest-dwelling people and creatures within to find their way home. The series was continued in a comic book run to expand the world further.
- Release date
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November 3, 2014
- Seasons
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1
- Showrunner
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Patrick McHale
Over the garden wall is a funny show that exhibits shades of Gravity falls and other Cartoon Network series With its whimsical and seemingly random setting, however, its tone is drastically different. So much symbolism is packed into its 10 episodes, with it being widely recognized that the story aligns with Dante’s Inferno And is meant to be a journey through purgatory.
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Tomatometer |
N/A |
popcorn meter |
95% |
Over the garden wall told A familiar story with a foregone conclusionBut it does so in such a unique way that it is worth further analysis. An older brother still comes to deal with his mother’s remarriage and the birth of his younger half-brother, as well as dealing with normal teenage troubles.
On one Halloween night gone wrong, the couple is launched into an ethereal but dangerous world that takes them to dark places, where the older brother confronts what is troubling them. Over the garden wall is a simple story enhanced by literary illusions Which makes it a more intellectual exercise; Plus, the whole thing is steeped in fall vibes.
6
Justice League Unlimited (2004-2006)
The high point of the DC Animated Universe remains a beloved superhero property
Justice League Unlimited is the culmination of the DC Animated Universe, reuniting characters introduced in previous shows such as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman and introducing new JLA members such as Green Arrow, Black Canary and Buster Gold. The three seasons of the series ran from 2004 to 2006.
- Release date
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July 31, 2004
- Seasons
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3
By extension, the entire DC animated universe is amazing, far surpassing most of the live-action movies of the 21st century and even arguably doing better than the Marvel counterparts. While pop culture is swamped with superhero fatigue, Justice League Unlimited remains a refreshing ensemble property from an earlier era, Building on the first animated Justice League show with the inclusion of even more DC characters.
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Calculation |
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Tomato meter |
95% |
popcorn meter |
94% |
Truly, it is the final crossover of before the epic final battle of Avengers: Endgame. Justice League Unlimited Is the best DC animated universe show because it covers so much ground, finds time for many individual storylines and shows a lot of DC characters and locations, plus great action on top of it all.
The enduring but quickly disappearing bias against animation made the MCU a bigger event in pop culture, however Justice League Unlimited Highlights what is valued about the spectacle. After all, there’s less of a need to spend millions on a live-action franchise when creatives can achieve the same story effect through serviceable if not groundbreaking animation.
5
Love, Death + Robots (2019 – Present)
Love, Death + Robots’ anthology format allows for incredible imagination
Love, Death & Robots is an animated dark-comedy anthology series created for Netflix that springs from the creative minds of the sci-fi animated film, Heavy Metal. Each episode of the show follows a new story created by different animation and directorial teams as they explore at least one of the three titular themes.
- Release date
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March 15, 2019
- Seasons
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3
- Writers
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Tim Miller, Philip Lett
a few years ago, Animators finally got what they deserved Love, Death + Robots, Inspired by the anthology format of other shows with a new story told each episode, varying in genre and animation styles. This structure allows stories to show what they can do, as long as it is under 20 minutes, and be seen on a giant platform like Netflix.
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Tomatometer |
86% |
popcorn meter |
81% |
The results are stunning, showing the future potential of 3D and 2D alike and delving into some of the darkest and grittiest stories in post-animation. The best episodes of Love, Death + Robots Showcase twisting stories centered on themes of betrayal, personal power, technology and the fear of the unknown.
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However, the de facto faces of the series are the three robots, whose two episodes provide a comedic take on humanity’s ultimate mortality. Love, Death + Robots is primarily based in the fantasy and sci-fi genres, that support storytelling about the dangers and promises of curiosity and exploration, both in animation and other subjects.
4
The Owl House (2020-2023)
The Owl House is the legacy of Gravity Falls which broke ground in its genre
The Owl House is an animated fantasy series that follows Luz Noceda, a teenage human girl who stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm. There, she befriends a rebellious witch named Edda and a tiny warrior named King. Determined to become a witch herself, Luz embarks on various adventures while learning about magic, friendship and self-discovery. Created by Dana Terrace, the series debuted in 2020 on Disney Channel.
- Figure
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Sarah-Nicole Robles, Wendie Malick, Alex Hirsch, Tati Gabrielle, Issac Ryan Brown, Mae Whitman, Cissy Jones, Zeno Robinson, Matthew Rhys, Michaela Dietz, Elizabeth Grullon, Fryda Wolff.
- Release date
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January 10, 2020
- Seasons
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3
- creator(s)
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Dana Terrace
Created by a former Gravity falls storyboard, The Owl House Demonstrates a similar animation style, sense of humor and strangely fantastical genre. however, The Owl House Goes beyond that Gravity falls Complete with its deconstruction of genre tropes And by shattering the implicit barriers in this kind of show.
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Tomatometer |
100% |
popcorn meter |
82% |
Suitable to accompany the groundbreaking show LGBTQ+ representation is his core theme of believing in yourself, reaching that point through family and friendships. The relationships between the main characters are hilarious, but what everyone hopes for in real life.
Like other amazing shows of this nature, one of the biggest draws is that the main characters are flawed people. Luz lies to her mother, Edda takes possession of others, Amity is initially a bad girl and a perfectionist, etc. Together, they all become happy, healthy people. The vehicle for the powerful storylines in The Owl House is your creative world, With so much meta humor celebrating (and making fun of) the genre and pushing it into a new era.
3
Castlevania (2017-2021)
Netflix’s Castlevania Anime proved the potential of two genres
Castlevania And The Witcher Together can arguably be seen as the launchpad for video game adaptations proliferating in the television industry, while Castlevania Self is definitely responsible for more original anime coming to Netflix. While the series may have been a gamble at the time, it’s one that has paid off.
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Tomatometer |
94% |
popcorn meter |
89% |
The adult vampire series showcases many complex relationships, especially between the main trio and Dracula’s family, which make their responsibility to help others easier and harder at different points. Vampire power struggles and quests for understandable revenge mesh together in this series that will likely be looked back on as a milestone.
It was only natural for Castlevania to spawn a spinoff series, while its larger impact will soon be seen.
The dark story highlights characters like Lisa and Trevor find themselves in the difficult position of wanting to help people who only fear them. Castlevania is completed by its absolutely breathtaking animation, Especially during the action sequences in the finales of season 2 and 3. It was only natural for Castlevania To spawn a spinoff series, while its larger impact will soon be seen.
2
Adventure Time (2010-2018)
The beautiful story of Adventure Time is happy and melancholy at the same time
Adventure Time is a science fiction/fantasy animation from Cartoon Network. Adventure Time follows Finn (Jeremy Shada) and his dog Jake (John Dimaggio) as they go on adventures in the near future. The series was created by Pendleton Ward and ran for a total of 10 seasons on the network. Adventure Time was critically acclaimed while it was on air and managed to draw in younger audiences, as well as adults.
- Figure
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Tom Kenny, Hinden Walch, Jeremy Shada, John Dimaggio, Nicky Young
- Release date
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May 10, 2010
- Seasons
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10
- Showrunner
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Pendleton Ward
on the surface, Adventure Time is a cheerful, episodic series, consisting of literally hundreds of self-contained adventures with predictable morals and more subversive stories in the short episodes. It has the same random flavor that characterizes Gravity falls And Over the garden wall With its own unique twist, to live a strange world of candy people, vampires and ice kings.
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Tomato meter |
100% |
popcorn meter |
94% |
yet throughout Adventure TimeThere are undertones of melancholy, Especially as more about the main characters and the world is revealed, and separate episodes touch on sad themes. Adventure TimeThe big twist tells the audience something different about death and rebirth after years of Jake and Finn going on different adventures where they learn more about bravery and kindness.
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The full list of supporting characters includes other iconic figures such as Princess Bubblegum, Ice King and Marceline, who tell their own stories about loneliness applicable to real life. But in his heart, Adventure Time is to be enjoyed episode by episode, With drops of his bigger themes hitting every time.
1
Arcane (2021-2024)
Arcane changed the animation game at Netflix with its impeccable style and story
Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx) as they end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the rich utopia of Piltoover and its dark undercity whose citizens want to break away from their oppressors. Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure.
- Release date
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November 6, 2021
- Seasons
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1
- Showrunner
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Christian Linke, Alex A
The next big hit for Netflix yet Castlevania In the video game animation Intersection was ArcaneAnd it can be proven that this already has everyone. Anticipation is high for Arcane Season 2, tasked with completing the story of the conflict between the wealthy, prosperous kingdom of Piltover and the underresourced, toxic underground realm of Zaun.
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Calculation |
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Tomatometer |
100% |
popcorn meter |
96% |
Arcane is arguably flawless in both storytelling and animation, Taking the stylization of the dominant computer technology to new heights. In addition to his vivid illustration of the wealth gap of the setting, Arcane Revolves around the fraught relationship between Sister Wie and Powder/Jinx, who unfortunately find themselves on opposite sides of an increasingly dangerous conflict.
Strained relationships that conflict with personal views on Piltover’s socio-political situation are a motif in the series, which creates a very nuanced and well-written story about both concepts. No one expected a League of Legends Adaptation to be one of the best animated fantasy series of all timeBut animation is nothing if not a way to exceed everyone’s expectations.