With the holiday season rolling in and the cold weather with it, it's the ideal excuse to settle down and binge-watch to your heart's content. Netflix has amassed an impressive collection of anime over the years, including an amazing variety of classic and more obscure fantasy anime.
If fantastical worlds are your cup of tea -- or other warm beverage of choice, of course -- then now is the perfect time to check the following titles out.
Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer took the anime world by storm when it premiered in 2019. Its first season met with near-universal praise, and its internationally released film, Demon Slayer--The Movie: Mugen Train, took the prize for highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. Demon Slayer follows the paths of Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado, siblings living in the Taisho era of Japan, whose remote cabin is attacked by a demon while Tanjiro is away, leaving the rest of the family slaughtered and Nezuko transforming into a demon herself.
However, instead of giving into bloodlust, Nezuko uses her enhanced abilities to fiercely protect her brother, which grants her a second chance with the Demon Slayer Corps -- those who would have otherwise killed her. In order to get revenge on the demon who murdered his family, Tanjiro joins the Corps, and his and Nezuko's journey for vengeance begins. Demon Slayer can be streamed on Netflix.
Brand New Animal (BNA)
Brand New Animal, a stylish anime from Studio Trigger, centers on a world where Beastmen have always been done wrong by humans for their ability to transform into animals. Anima City was established as a haven for Beastmen, so when Michiru Kagemori wakes up one morning to discover she's a tanuki, she flees to Anima City for safety.
The secret behind Michiru's bizarre transformation from human to Beastman must be kept quiet, and Michiru finds himself attached to an odd-jobs wolf Beastman named Shiro who always looks like he could use another cup of coffee. However, Anima City is hardly a utopia, and crime syndicates, cults and conspiracies soon shake up Michiru's new life, forcing her to consider what role she can play in a world that has never known equality. BNA can be streamed on Netflix.
Heaven Official's Blessing
The third ascension of 'scrap god' Xie Lian causes quite a stir in the Heavenly Realm, including dropping bells onto other Heavenly Officials and completely relocating palaces. Xie Lian, a prince of a kingdom that has now faded into obscurity, has no way to pay for the damages and so finds himself in massive debt just moments after ascending, which really is just his luck.
Heaven Official's Blessing follows Xie Lian as he attempts to solve problems of the human realm to not only pay off his debt, but hopefully also gain a few followers who might decide to worship the Crown Prince of Xian Le, despite the fact he can't grant wealth, love or any sort of material desires. However, in spite of his lowly status, Xie Lian attracts the attention of some who have waited a long time for him to ascend once more -- he truly is an unlucky god. Heaven Official's Blessing can be streamed on Netflix.
Little Witch Academia
Another work from Studio Trigger, Little Witch Academia is the story of Akko Kagari, a girl determined to make it big at Luna Nova Magical Academy. It would help a lot if she had any magic to speak of. The only reason Akko manages to complete a spell is her discovery of the Shiny Rod, a relic left by the famous witch -- and Akko's idol -- Shiny Chariot. Akko's good-natured fumbling through the world of magic is a sweet reminder of childlike belief and the determination to make it through the impossible. Little Witch Academia can be streamed on Netflix.
Children of the Whales
In terms of fantastical world-building, Children of the Whales might be the most beautifully striking and original of all the shows on this list. A society glides over a sea of sand in a massive vessel called the Mud Whale, in which society is divided in two. There are the Unmarked, who are normal human beings, and the Marked, who have telekinesis called 'thymia' but suffer shorter lifespans. Chakuro is Marked and works to record the world for those who come after him, always dreaming what life is like outside the Mud Whale. One day, the Whale's course takes it to an island, where a young girl is discovered inside -- a discovery that will forever change Chakuro's short life and all who live inside the Mud Whale. Children of the Whales can be streamed on Netflix.
From demons and witches to whales who sail on sand, these anime are a fantastic start to dive into Netflix's selection of fantasy anime. However, there is much more to discover and enjoy, from some of the most popular anime of all time to niche shows you may have never heard of. Through anime originals and acquired titles, Netflix has made itself a worthy destination when in search of the perfect show to watch.
