Top Fairy Tale Anime Recommendations

FAIRY TAIL

Also known as Fairy Tail.

Studio: Satelight , A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

Across the Fiore kingdom, wizards join guilds and make their pay by filling magical needs—but one guild has a reputation as the roughest, rowdiest, most dangerous of all: Fairy Tail!
When four young Fairy Tail members unite, their bond is forged by a power found in neither muscle nor magic and grows stronger with every mission. Whatever you do, don't mess with these friends or you'll get a taste of Natsu's flaming fist or Gray's ice hammer, suffer a painful blow from one of Lucy's celestial spirits or catch the edge of Erza's mighty blade! Whether they're stopping demons from devastating the world or wrestling in the mess hall, this mystical team manages to inflict as much damage to their rivals as they do to the surrounding area!



Tags: Magic , Shounen , Fairy Tale , Found Family , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Ensemble Cast , Dragons , Time Skip , Super Power , Work , Primarily Teen Cast , Travel , Demons , Alternate Universe , Lost Civilization , Adoption , Animals , Astronomy , Tanned Skin , Nudity , Primarily Adult Cast , Isekai

Howl no Ugoku Shiro

Also known as Howl‘s Moving Castle.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Romance

Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie. In a life-changing adventure, Sophie climbs aboard Howl's magnificent flying castle and enters a magical world on a quest to break the spell.



Tags: Magic , Female Protagonist , Elderly Protagonist , Steampunk , Witch , War , Monster Boy , Shapeshifting , Heterosexual , Disability , Fairy Tale , Found Family , Travel , Philosophy , Rural , Politics , Time Manipulation , Maids , Demons , Aviation , CGI , Coming of Age

Fruits Basket: 1st Season

Also known as Fruits Basket (2019).

Studio: TMS Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Romance , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Tohru Honda thought her life was headed for misfortune when a family tragedy left her living in a tent. When her small home is discovered by the mysterious Soma clan, she suddenly finds herself living with Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure Soma. But she quickly learns their family has a bizarre secret of their own: when hugged by the opposite sex, they turn into the animals of the Zodiac!



Tags: Found Family , Female Protagonist , Family Life , Shoujo , Fairy Tale , Mythology , Coming of Age , Primarily Teen Cast , Urban Fantasy , Ensemble Cast , Orphan , Shapeshifting , Rehabilitation , Animals , Primarily Male Cast , School , Episodic , Slapstick , Bullying , Heterosexual , Male Harem , Unrequited Love , Denpa , Kuudere , Memory Manipulation , Tsundere , Love Triangle , Homeless , Yandere , Agriculture , School Club , Nekomimi , Kemonomimi , Femboy , LGBTQ+ Themes , Crossdressing , Body Horror , Gangs , Gender Bending , Delinquents , Amnesia , Suicide , Nudity , Chibi , Card Battle

Ousama Ranking

Also known as Ranking of Kings.

Studio: Wit Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

Unable to hear, speak, or wield a sword, Prince Bojji doesn’t seem like a typical heir to the throne—and his kingdom agrees. But his fateful encounter with Kage, a shadow on the ground, gives him his first true friend. The two set off on a grand adventure and, together, form a bond that can overcome any obstacle...even being king.



Tags: Disability , Coming of Age , Fairy Tale , Conspiracy , Male Protagonist , Language Barrier , Ensemble Cast , Swordplay , Bullying , Tragedy , Primarily Male Cast , Seinen , Magic , War , Gods , Demons , Politics , Assassins , Heterosexual , Travel , Gore , Achronological Order , Tsundere , Amputation , Kaiju

Nanatsu no Taizai: Kamigami no Gekirin

Also known as The Seven Deadly Sins: Imperial Wrath of the Gods.

Studio: Studio DEEN , Marvy Jack
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Ecchi , Fantasy , Supernatural

Despite repelling the demon invasion of the Kingdom of Lioness, the war is far from over, for Arthur's Kingdom of Camelot is still being occupied by the demon army and the surviving members of Jikkai. However, in order to begin counter-offensive, the Seven Deadly Sins needs all of its members. Unfortunately, King and Diane are still hiding in the Fairy King's Forest, where they are made to discover the strange history of Jikkai.

Tags: Shounen , Demons , War , Magic , Memory Manipulation , Fairy , Ensemble Cast , Super Power , Reincarnation , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Bar , Gods , Heterosexual , Dissociative Identities , Martial Arts , Nudity , Fairy Tale , Time Skip , Time Manipulation , LGBTQ+ Themes , Primarily Male Cast , Angels , Love Triangle

Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou desu yo?

Also known as Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They?.

Studio: diomedéa
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Fantasy , Supernatural

Izayoi Sakamaki, Asuka Kudou, and You Kasugabe have tremendous psychic powers and are bored with the regular world. An envelope arrives for each person, and when each opens their envelope, they are stunned to see the scenery around them change to a world they had never encountered before. They've been summoned by the Black Rabbit to help the community "No Name" to overthrow the Devil King.



Tags: Isekai , Gods , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Mythology , Demons , Gambling , Kemonomimi , Fairy Tale , Maids , Vampire , Fairy , Delinquents

Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon

Also known as My Happy Marriage.

Studio: Kinema Citrus
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Supernatural

Despite being born into a noble family, Miyo lost her birth mother at a young age and grew up being abused by her stepmother, stepsister, and father.

When she finally receives news that she's to be married off, she finds out that her husband-to-be is Kiyoka, a soldier with a reputation for being cruel and heartless. In fact, he's had numerous previous fiancées who have all fled his household; none lasting even a mere three days.

Resigned to the fact that her family had abandoned her, Miyo knocks on the gate of the Kudou household to find herself greeted by a beautiful man with pale skin. Despite the poor treatment she receives from her husband-to-be during their first meeting, Miyo is unable to return to her old home and spends her time cooking and doing chores. However, as the days pass, Miyo and Kiyoka being to slowly open their hearts to each other...



Tags: Marriage , Female Protagonist , Heterosexual , Arranged Marriage , Historical , Bullying , Urban Fantasy , Kuudere , Super Power , Shoujo , Rehabilitation , Politics , Royal Affairs , Primarily Adult Cast , Military , Coming of Age , Age Gap , Fairy Tale , Guns , Clone , Makeup

Demi-chan wa Kataritai

Also known as Interviews with Monster Girls.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Slice of Life , Supernatural

Succubus, Dullahan and Vampire. They are known as Ajin, or "demi"s and are slightly different than the average human. They have lived alongside humans for ages under persecution. However, in recent years, they have become accepted as members of society. This story follows a high school biology teacher who has a great interest in demis and his interaction with the various demis in his school, each with their own cute problems.


Tags: Monster Girl , School , Teacher , Primarily Female Cast , Dullahan , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Urban Fantasy , Succubus , Vampire , Male Protagonist , Mythology , Episodic , Educational , Ensemble Cast , Seinen , Fairy Tale , Tomboy , Age Gap , Twins , Bullying , Detective , Female Harem

Mimi wo Sumaseba

Also known as Whisper of the Heart.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

During summer vacation, a schoolgirl named Shizuku, who longs to discover her true talents, observes an ordinary-looking cat riding by himself on the train. Intrigued, she decides to follow him. This chance encounter leads her to the mysterious Seiji, a boy who is determined to follow his dreams, and The Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to the whispers in her heart. Soon, Shizuku's exciting adventures carry her far beyond the boundaries of her imagination.



Tags: Coming of Age , Writing , Female Protagonist , Heterosexual , Shoujo , Animals , Primarily Teen Cast , School , Tsundere , Fairy Tale , Crossover , Love Triangle , Kemonomimi , Nekomimi , Unrequited Love , Cycling

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon

Also known as Sailor Moon.

Studio: Toei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo , Romance

Usagi Tsukino is an average student and crybaby klutz who constantly scores low on her tests. Unexpectedly, her humdrum life is turned upside down when she saves a cat with a crescent moon on its head from danger. The cat, named Luna, later reveals that their meeting was not an accident: Usagi is destined to become Sailor Moon, a planetary guardian with the power to protect the Earth. Given a special brooch that allows her to transform, she must use her new powers to save the city from evil energy-stealing monsters sent by the malevolent Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom.

But getting accustomed to her powers and fighting villains are not the only things she has to worry about. She must find the lost princess of the Moon Kingdom, the other Sailor Guardians, and the Legendary Silver Crystal in order to save the planet from destruction.



Tags: Magic , Shoujo , Female Protagonist , Henshin , Primarily Female Cast , Urban Fantasy , Superhero , Slapstick , Super Power , Demons , Found Family , Heterosexual , Ensemble Cast , Reincarnation , Coming of Age , Amnesia , Animals , Fairy Tale , School , Space , Primarily Teen Cast , Tragedy , Episodic , War , Age Gap , Urban , Revenge , Aliens , Tokusatsu , LGBTQ+ Themes , Mythology , Shrine Maiden , Unrequited Love , Time Manipulation , Body Horror , Boys' Love , Suicide , Makeup , Dissociative Identities

Mawaru Penguindrum

Also known as Penguindrum.

Studio: Brain's Base
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

Once you make a decision, does the universe conspire to make it happen? Is destiny a matter of chance, a matter of choice or the complex outcome of thousands of warring strands of fate? All twins Kanba and Shoma know is that when their terminally ill sister Himari collapses at the aquarium, her death is somehow temporarily reversed by the penguin hat that she had asked for. It's a provisional resurrection, however, and it comes at a price: to keep Himari alive they need to find the mysterious Penguin Drum. In order to do that, they must first find the links to a complex interlocking chain of riddles that has wrapped around their entire existence, and unravel the knots that tie them to mystifying diary and a baffling string of strangers and semi-acquaintances who all have their own secrets, agendas and "survival strategies." And in order for Himari to live, someone else's chosen destiny will have to change. It's a story of love, fate, life, death... and Penguins!



Tags: Philosophy , Found Family , Family Life , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Ensemble Cast , Meta , Terrorism , Parody , Denpa , Inseki , Henshin , Trains , Surreal Comedy , Heterosexual , Crime , Memory Manipulation , Magic , Satire , Cult , Ghost , Psychosexual , Twins , Primarily Teen Cast , Achronological Order , Fairy Tale , Love Triangle , Incest , LGBTQ+ Themes , Age Gap

Neko no Ongaeshi

Also known as The Cat Returns.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Fantasy

The Cat Returns is something of a loose spin-off of "Whisper of the Heart" as it features two characters from that film: Muta (the cat from "Whisper") and the Baron (the cat statue from "Whisper"). There is no other connection between the two movies and this is not a sequel. The story is based on Neko no Danshaku (Baron of Cat) by Hiiragi Aoi.

The main character of the story, Haru, is a clueless, ordinary 17-year-old girl. She has no special abilities and neither is she an extraordinary beauty. When faced with reality, she is unable to make decisions for herself, thus often sways to others' opinions to avoid challenge. One day, Haru saves the life of a cat without considering her own safety. The cat turns out to be the Cat Prince from the Kingdom of Cats, however as a result, Haru is trapped in the world of cats. Can Baron and Muta rescue Haru who has wandered into the world of cats?



Tags: Animals , Anthropomorphism , Nekomimi , Fairy Tale , Female Protagonist , Kemonomimi , Isekai , Primarily Animal Cast , Royal Affairs , Heterosexual , Arranged Marriage , Shoujo , Urban Fantasy , Male Protagonist , Swordplay , Crossover , Body Horror

Date A Live IV

Also known as Date A Live IV.

Studio: GEEKTOYS
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Ecchi , Mecha , Romance , Sci-Fi

The fourth season of Date A Live.

Despite the numerous challenges he has overcome so far, Shidou Itsuka's mission with Ratatoskr is far from over. In a departure from his daily routine, Shidou encounters a starving woman lying on the street and ends up helping her. After the two arrive at her apartment, the woman introduces herself as Nia Honjou—a popular manga artist working under a pen name. However, cutting straight to the chase, Nia reveals that she is also a Spirit and is aware of Shidou's secret operation.

Interested in seeing his charisma firsthand, Nia challenges Shidou to win her over on a date. As he strives for an opportunity to seal her powers, Shidou learns more about Nia and her history with Deus Ex Machina Industries, a name he is all too familiar with...



Tags: Female Harem , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Urban Fantasy , Slapstick , Memory Manipulation , Space , CGI , Love Triangle , Heterosexual , Time Manipulation , Parody , Tsundere , Ensemble Cast , Shounen , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Yandere , Fairy Tale , Tragedy , Kuudere , Ghost , Artificial Intelligence , Idol , Age Gap , Urban , Witch , School , Meta

Pandora Hearts

Studio: Xebec
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Supernatural

Oz Vessalius, heir to one of the duke houses, has just turned fifteen. His life is rich and carefree, darkened only by the constant absence of his father. At his coming-of-age ceremony, however, everything changes. For no reason that he can discern, he's cast into the prison known as the "Abyss", only to be saved by a "chain" known as Alice, the bloodstained black rabbit. It is unknown why was he cast into Abyss, how does Alice factor into it all, and what does the organization known as "Pandora" want with him.



Tags: Male Protagonist , Amnesia , Shounen , Fairy Tale , Twins , Reincarnation , Alternate Universe , Kuudere , Time Skip , Adoption

Shoujo Kakumei Utena

Also known as Revolutionary Girl Utena.

Studio: J.C. Staff
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Mystery , Psychological , Romance

Just after Utena's parents died she was consoled by a prince who gave her a ring with a rose crest on it. Utena was so impressed by the Prince that she vowed to become one herself one day. A few years later Utena is attending Ohtori Academy where she gives all the teachers headaches because she dresses in a boys uniform so she can be like the prince she met long ago.

After Utena's friend is insulted by a member of the Student Council, Utena fights in a duel for her friends honor. Utena's rose crest allows her to enter the dueling arena where Utena wins the duel and becomes engaged to the Rose Bride. Unknowingly, Utena is pulled into a series of duels with other members of the Student Council for the possession of the Rose Bride. As she becomes fond of Anthy, the Rose Bride, she must fight to keep her friend safe and to discover the horrifying secret behind Ohtori Academy.



Tags: LGBTQ+ Themes , Coming of Age , Female Protagonist , Philosophy , Fairy Tale , Tomboy , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Swordplay , Yuri , Incest , Bisexual , Tragedy , Psychosexual , Surreal Comedy , Age Gap , School , Ojou-sama , Henshin , Love Triangle , Conspiracy , Memory Manipulation , Fencing , Episodic , Meta , Crossdressing , Magic , Witch , Bullying , Twins , Kuudere , Aliens , Suicide , Astronomy , Boarding School , Boys' Love , Athletics , Body Swapping , Politics

Tales of Zestiria the Cross

Also known as Tales of Zestiria the X.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

Sorey is a human youth who grew up among the seraphim, spiritual beings not visible to humans.
Sorey believes in the folklore that says “long ago, every human was able to see the seraphim" and dreams of unraveling the ancient mystery to make the world a place where people and seraphim can live together in peace.

One day, Sorey visits the human capital for the very first time. He becomes embroiled in an incident during which he pulls out a holy sword embedded in a rock and ends up becoming a Shepherd, one who casts away calamity from the world.
He begins to realize the gravity of his mission, and his dream of coexistence between mankind and the seraphim becomes more intense—

And thus, the Shepherd embarks on a journey with his companions.



Note: Includes episode 0.

Tags: Magic , Fairy Tale , Dragons , CGI , Male Protagonist , Swordplay , Archery

Maou-jou de Oyasumi

Also known as Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle.

Studio: Doga Kobo
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Fantasy , Slice of Life

Sshhh! Princess Syalis is trying to get a good night's sleep. Some shut-eye. Forty winks. Catch some Z's. Long ago in olden times when people and demons lived together in—well, disharmony, really—a demon king kidnaps a human princess and imprisons her in his castle. Bereft, the princess's subjects beat their chests in anguish…until a hero arises to spearhead Project Rescue Our Princess! While waiting for her knight in shining armor, what's an imprisoned princess to do...? Teddy-bear guards with bat wings are all very well, but her dungeon cell is bo-o-o-ring! So, she decides to wile away the long hours by sleeping. Now if only she could get comfortable…and didn't suffer from insomnia...



Tags: Female Protagonist , Ojou-sama , Episodic , Parody , Demons , Prison , Slapstick , Iyashikei , Kuudere , Ensemble Cast , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Magic , Dungeon , Monster Boy , Villainess , Fairy Tale , Primarily Adult Cast , Monster Girl , Animals , Mythology , Dragons , Swordplay , Succubus , Shounen

Kurenai no Buta

Also known as Porco Rosso.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Romance

Take flight with "Porco" Rosso, a valiant World War I flying ace! From tropical Adriatic settings to dazzling aerial maneuvers, this action-adventure from world-renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki is full of humor, courage and chivalry. When "Porco" —whose face has been transformed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell— infuriates a band of sky pirates with his aerial heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a rival pilot, to "get rid" of him. On the ground, the two pilots compete for the affections of the beautiful Gina. But it is in the air where the true battles are waged. Will our hero be victorious?



Tags: Aviation , Foreign , Anthropomorphism , Historical , Philosophy , Primarily Adult Cast , Coastal , Male Protagonist , Pirates , Fugitive , Travel , Military , Heterosexual , Fairy Tale , War , Primarily Male Cast , Guns , Boxing

Liz to Aoi Tori

Also known as Liz and the Blue Bird.

Studio: Kyoto Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Music , Slice of Life

Students and best friends Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki prepare to play a complex musical duet, Liz and the Blue Bird, for oboe and flute. Though they play beautifully together and have been friends since childhood, Mizore and Nozomi find that with graduation looming and the duet proving difficult, their friendship begins to buckle under the pressure. Interspersed with their story is the fantasy tale of Liz, drawn like a storybook, contrasting with the crisp realism of the school.



Tags: Coming of Age , Female Protagonist , Band , Primarily Female Cast , Fairy Tale , Unrequited Love , LGBTQ+ Themes , Classical Music , School Club , Primarily Teen Cast , School , Yuri

Kaguya-hime no Monogatari

Also known as The Tale of The Princess Kaguya.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Romance

Okina is a bamboo cutter in ancient rural Japan. One day in the forest, he finds a tiny baby in the folds of a bamboo shoot. He brings the creature home to his wife Ounaa and they decide to keep her and raise her as a princess. She is clearly not of this world. Kaguya grows at an unnatural rate, soon maturing into an uncommonly beautiful young woman. Since Okina has now also found a cache of gold and treasure in the forest, every suitor wants Kaguya. But this is not a fairy tale of courtship and marriage.



Tags: Philosophy , Classic Literature , Tragedy , Historical , Fairy Tale , Female Protagonist , Rural , Family Life , Gods , Religion , Primarily Adult Cast , Amnesia , Travel , Adoption , Heterosexual , Agriculture , Unrequited Love , Environmental , Calligraphy