In one sense, almost every fantastical element in anime can be called "magic," from monsters who spit fire to characters with superpowers to aliens who can travel through time.
But if you're looking for real magic in the traditional sense—with wizards and mana and spells and magic systems—then you're going to want a very specific kind of fantasy anime series.
Here are our picks for the best anime series about magic and wizards, including ones about students at magic schools.
12. Wise Man's Grandchild
Overpowered characters are common across isekai anime series, and that's just as true in Wise Man's Grandchild. This show follows the story of a salaryman who's reincarnated as an infant and happens to be found and adopted by the well-known hero, Merlin Wolford.
Now known as Shin, he learns spells from his adoptive grandfather, who was also a great sage. Not only is he good at magic and combat, but he also possesses so much power that he can obliterate a horde of demons while also flattening the area around them.
Wise Man's Grandchild is based on the light novel of the same name, which was written by Tsuyoshi Yoshioka and illustrated by Seiji Kikuchi.
11. Reign of the Seven Spellblades
Reign of the Seven Spellblades is based on a light novel that was written by Bokuto Uno and illustrated by Ruria Miyuki. The story centers on a revenge plot that's fitted into a fantasy setting of swords and magic.
Reign of the Seven Spellblades is about Oliver Horn and his life as a student at Kimberly Magic Academy. However, this school is more than first meets the eye, and it has dark secrets that tie him to it.
10. A Certain Magical Index
Science, magic, sorcery. These are the three main themes of A Certain Magical Index, the anime series that follows the story of a terribly unlucky guy named Tōma Kamijō and his life in a world where science coincides with magic and sorcery.
After meeting a mysterious girl, he's dragged into the chaotic world of sorcerers and espers and the struggle for power and world domination.
A Certain Magical Index is based on the light novel series of the same name, which was written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Kiyotaka Haimura.
9. Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Mashle: Magic and Muscles is the anime adaptation of the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Hajime Komoto. It follows the story of Mash Burnedead, a boy born without magic in a magic-filled society (a lot like Asta from Black Clover).
However, Mash compensates for his lack of magic with extraordinary physical prowess that surpasses human capabilities. For him, his goal is clear: he's going to beat magic with muscles.
8. Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor
Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor follows the story of Glenn Radars, a substitute magic teacher. However, instead of relying on traditional methods, he employs unorthodox ways of teaching.
Furthermore, he isn't your ordinary teacher. He's actually a skilled fighter and magic caster, who was once an assassin. Maybe that's why it seems like he isn't the type who goes well with students and books.
Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor is the anime adaptation of the light novel series of the same name, written by Tarō Hitsuji and illustrated by Kurone Mishima.
7. The Irregular at Magic High School
Action, Fantasy, Romance, School, Sci-Fi
Originally aired 2014 to 2020
39 episodes (2 seasons)
The Irregular at Magic High School started as a web novel series written by Tsutomu Satō, then was later released as a light novel series, then was eventually adapted into anime format by Madhouse.
The series centers on the characters Miyuki and Tatsuya Shiba, two siblings who are enrolled at a magical high school. While Miyuki is accepted into the class with highly skilled magic users, Tatsuya falls behind and is relegated to a lower class.
Even so, Tatsuya is far more capable than everyone else. With his wits, strategies, combat skills, and magical and technical know-how, he's tagged as an "irregular" according to the ranking standards.
6. The Ancient Magus' Bride
The Ancient Magus' Bride is based on the manga of the same name, which was written and illustrated by Kore Yamazaki. It follows the story of Chise Hatori, who sells herself in an auction and ends up being bought by a mage named Elias Ainsworth for five million pounds.
Elias is a tall humanoid creature with an animal skull for his head. Despite his horrifying appearance and his epithet "The Thorn Mage," he's actually a pretty cool and kind character.
The Ancient Magus' Bride offers fantasy and magic-filled settings blended with a slice-of-life theme that revolves around Chise's ordeals and her struggles to adapt to this life she never had before.
While the title of this anime suggests a full-blown romance series, there's more to it that will captivate all kinds of watchers.
5. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
In the Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic anime series, you'll find all kinds of themes, places, names, and other elements that are derived from the famous One Thousand and One Nights.
It follows the story of Aladdin and Alibaba and their adventures as they fulfill their destiny as the Magi and the King, respectively.
On top of the "rukh" and "magoi" that the character uses to perform magic, several other characters are guided and accompanied by Djinns. These Djinns are magical beings from the dungeons who will serve those who have cleared their dungeons.
Magi: Labyrinth of Magic is based on the adventure manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Shinobu Ōtaka. The anime series was produced by A-1 Pictures.
There's also a spin-off prequel series titled Magi: The Adventures of Sinbad, which is set in the same world but follows the story of Sinbad, a major character in the original series.
4. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is an isekai anime series featuring a dead man's soul that's reincarnated in a world of swords and magic. He retains his memories of his former life, though, which enables him to adapt quickly to this new world of his.
He's now known as Rudeus Greyrat, the son of a warrior and a mage, meaning he has a possible affinity to mana and can harness it to cast spells. However, because he's capable of learning so quickly, he's able to perform spells much earlier than expected.
In this new world, Rudeus vows to live a better life that's superior to the life he lived before. Unfortunately, a magical disaster causes him and his family to get separated, prompting him to embark on an adventure in an unknown land.
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
There's no argument from us: alchemy is magic! At least, it is in both the original Fullmetal Alchemist and the superior remake Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which fully explore this awesome concept.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers who are on a journey to find the legendary Philosopher's Stone in order to get their bodies back, which they lost after a failed alchemical transmutation went awry.
In both series, alchemy is a magic system that allows alchemists to manipulate matter using natural energies, turning simple forms of matter into more refined forms.
However, alchemists need to follow a strict rule: the law of equivalent exchange. In order to create an alchemical effect, something of equal value must be exchanged in the process.
2. Fairy Tail
The Fairy Tail anime series is set in a world full of magic, from basic elemental manipulations to ancient lost magics like the famed Dragon Slayer Magic and Celestial Spirit Magic.
The story centers on Natsu Dragneel and his fellow wizards in the Fairy Tail Guild, which is just one of the many guilds founded in the Kingdom of Fiore. Natsu Dragneel possesses the Fire Dragon Slayer Magic, which he learned from an actual dragon.
While some of the spells in Fairy Tail can seem like superpowers at a glance, there are rules and restrictions in place that keep them well within the realm of magic.
1. Black Clover
Black Clover is one of the most popular anime series of the last decade. It was adapted from Yūki Tabata's manga of the same name by the famous anime company Studio Pierrot.
It's set in a fantasy world where magic is an important aspect of everyday life. Central to Black Clover is the story of Asta, a boy who's born without any magic yet still dreams of becoming the Wizard King (the highest rank attainable by any mage).
What makes the Black Clover magic system unique is that everyone needs a grimoire that stores their spells. These grimoires enhance their magical capabilities, allowing users to perform even more refined spells.
While Black Clover starts off as a simple story of mages protecting their kingdom, it later evolves into darker and more complex themes featuring devils, curses, and sinister plots.
