Top 5 Fantasy Anime that Explore Mythology

Fantasy anime has become one of the most cherished genres under the anime umbrella. While it may not reign supreme like various shonen titles or spark internet battles over the best girl, as in certain romance series, fantasy anime has a special place within the anime community. One of the most endearing aspects of fantasy anime that allows it to resonate with diverse audiences is its ability to adapt bits of rich lore and mythology and weave it into its stories.

Whether it’s gods obsessing over humans they fall in love with or epic warriors of legend battling one another, once elements of mythology are woven into a fantasy anime, many fans walk away pleased.

Yet among all the fantasy anime out there that implement mythology into their worlds, these five just do it better than the rest.

“Is it Wrong to Pickup Girls in a Dungeon”

Whoever would have thought that a mix of Greek, Norse, Hindu, and even Mesopotamian gods coming together would create one of the most unique and beloved stories of the last decade. In “Is it Wrong to Pickup Girls in a Dungeon” (aka Danmachi), instead of reigning from the heavens above, the gods have descended upon the human city of Orario to experience life among the people they cherish so much by forming familias.

These familias are groups formed by mythological gods that act as both guild factions and surrogate families for their members, adventurers whom they bestow blessings of great power upon. What makes this mythological blend work so well is the passion the audience sees that the gods have for their “children” in their familia. Passion that, when left unchecked (as it often is), creates an endless stream of problems for the protagonist, Bell Cranel.

“Record of Ragnarök”

No anime mashes elements of different mythology into a chaotic scene in the same manner as “Record of Ragnarök”. When the gods decide to erase humanity, one among their number steps in to stop it by proposing a tournament between gods and human champions, granting mankind a chance to survive if they win.

Just the idea of having Hercules vs. Jack the Ripper or Apollo vs. King Leonidas in a duel to help decide the future of humanity seems off at first, but the thrilling fights that come from them throw out any shred of doubt the viewer could come in with.

“Noragmi”

Though the highly desired third season has yet to come, “Noragmi” still remains one of the best anime that incorporates mythological elements out there. When a young girl crosses paths with a Japanese God of war that has been forgotten by humanity and fallen into disrepair, their friendship sparks a supernatural journey delving into how spirits and gods interact with the modern world.

While many other fantasy anime that incorporate mythology into their stories heavily draw on the Greek and Norse pantheons, “Noragami” instead focuses on Shintoism, Buddhism, and other myths of Japanese culture.  These inclusions offer a unique look into mythological characters that many Western viewers were unfamiliar with. This difference is one of several reasons it is so beloved by fans.

“Blood of Zeus”

While many other fantasy anime borrow elements of mythology and weave them into their stories, “Blood of Zeus” takes things to the next level by dropping the audience right into the world of Greek mythology. When Heron, a young man, discovers that he is the son of Zeus, his life gets thrown into disarray when he becomes the focal point in a civil war between Gods.

The show focuses most of its narrative on the complicated relationships among the Gods of the Greek pantheon, using classic stories like Zeus’s constant infidelity and Hades’s tragic romance with Persephone to lay the foundation for the story’s conflict.

Fate Series

Mythology meets the modern world in this battle royale where seven 21st-century mages summon seven “heroes” of legend, ranging from Odysseus to King Arthur. While the Fate series is widely known for its gorgeous animation and confusing multiverse, its true pull lies in the beautiful characterization it creates for mythological figures whose names have been well-known for hundreds of years.

The conflicts, weaknesses, and desires that haunted and pushed these mythological figures in their past lives still fuel many of the characters in this series. Some try to right the wrongs of their past, while others are still chained to the legend that created them, repeating the same mistakes in a new era. No matter which side these figures come from, their tragic pasts in their legends often tug at the audience’s heartstrings.

Final Verdict

In a world with many anime characters running around with the power of gods at their disposal, actual mythological characters appearing should have less impact, but these anime show otherwise. While the great power they wield is nothing to scoff at, the additional bits of lore these fantastical characters offer add deeper layers to these shows, making them truly unique.