Genre · ranked
The best epic & high fantasy series of all time
25 ranked · updated July 2026
These essential fantasy series redefine the genre by blending grand mythological stakes with profound character-driven narratives. From the brutal political maneuvering of Westeros to the meditative, melancholic journeys of legendary mages, this collection highlights the most ambitious storytelling across animation, live-action drama, and international television classics.
How this ranking works
Ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score (rating average + rating count) across series classified as Epic & High Fantasy.
Game of Thrones
David Benioff
The series earns its top spot through unparalleled political complexity and a willingness to embrace moral ambiguity within a sprawling, high-stakes medieval landscape.
Explores: Power Struggles, Moral Ambiguity, War and Politics.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Michael Dante DiMartino
Its masterful integration of elemental world-building and a deeply resonant coming-of-age arc creates a balanced narrative that remains the gold standard for serialized fantasy.
Explores: Elemental Powers, Destiny, Balance of Power.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
This story excels by grounding its fantastical alchemy in the harsh, emotional consequences of human loss and the relentless pursuit of moral redemption.
Explores: Alchemy, Brotherhood, Redemption.
Shri Krishna
Ramanand Sagar
As a cornerstone of mythological drama, this series provides a definitive exploration of divine intervention, karma, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Explores: Good vs Evil, Divine Intervention, Karma.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
The series stands out for its visceral depiction of grief and the fierce, protective bond between siblings amidst a brutal world of demon hunters.
Explores: Demon Hunting, Sisterhood, Revenge.
The Owl House
Dana Terrace
It captures the essence of modern fantasy by prioritizing themes of found family and self-acceptance within a vibrant, imaginative, and comedic magical realm.
Explores: Coming-of-age, Found Family, Acceptance.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
By focusing on the quiet aftermath of a hero's journey, the series offers a unique and poignant meditation on mortality and the passage of time.
Explores: Mortality, The Value of Time, Regret and Remembrance.
InuYasha
The series effectively blends feudal history with supernatural intrigue, using the mechanism of reincarnation to explore deep connections across different eras of time.
Explores: Reincarnation, Feudal Japan, Demon Hunting.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
It earns its place by subverting typical tropes, focusing heavily on the internal growth and second-chance narrative of a protagonist navigating a new world.
Explores: Second Chance, Redemption, Character Growth.
Adventure Time
Pendleton Ward
This series utilizes a surreal, post-apocalyptic setting to explore profound existential questions through the lens of a deeply enduring and lighthearted platonic friendship.
Explores: Friendship, Coming of Age, Existentialism.
Alchemy of Souls
Hong Jeong-eun
The show masterfully weaves together themes of forbidden love and the struggle for agency, set against a backdrop of complex, period-accurate magical lore.
Explores: Destiny vs. Free Will, Master-Disciple Relationship, Forbidden Love.
The Rising of the Shield Hero
This narrative distinguishes itself by placing its protagonist in a position of social isolation, forcing a gritty examination of betrayal and false accusation.
Explores: Betrayal, False Accusation, Social Pariah.
Black Clover
The series highlights the power of sheer determination and the classic underdog spirit, set within a world defined by its intense magical rivalries.
Explores: Underdog, Rivalry, Determination.
Saint Seiya
It provides a foundational template for the magical warrior genre, emphasizing the strength of the chosen protagonist and the importance of collective friendship.
Explores: Chosen One, Orphan Protagonist, Friendship.
Overlord
This series offers a compelling power fantasy by exploring the psychological shift of a player becoming trapped within the virtual world they once dominated.
Explores: Virtual Reality, Game World, Power Fantasy.
The Seven Deadly Sins
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: redemption, overthrowing tyranny, quest for justice.
Berserk
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: Betrayal, Sacrifice, The Cost of Ambition.
Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake
Adam Muto
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: Self-Discovery, Existential Threat, Redemption.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
ND Stevenson
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: Friendship, Betrayal, Good vs Evil.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
George R. R. Martin
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: Knight Errant, Master and Apprentice, Coming of Age.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: Power Fantasy, Nation Building, Monster Society.
Amphibia
Matt Braly
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: Fish Out of Water, Friendship, Self-Discovery.
House of the Dragon
George R. R. Martin
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: Succession, Power Struggles, Dynastic Conflict.
TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy-
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: Summoned to Another World, Outcast Protagonist, Building a Community.
Delicious in Dungeon
A standout of epic & high fantasy series.
Explores: Dungeon Crawling, Monster Hunting, Culinary Adventure.
Common questions
What are some of the best high fantasy anime series?
Notable high fantasy anime series include 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,' which focuses on alchemy and redemption, 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,' which centers on demon hunting, and 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End,' a series that explores the melancholy of a long-lived elf after a great quest.
Are there any good isekai fantasy series on this list?
Yes, several highly-regarded isekai series are featured, including 'Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation,' which focuses on second chances, 'InuYasha,' which bridges modern life and feudal Japan, and 'The Rising of the Shield Hero,' which deals with themes of betrayal and false accusation.
What is considered the best epic fantasy series involving political drama?
The series 'Game of Thrones' is ranked as the best epic fantasy series on this list. It is widely recognized for its complex political drama, intense power struggles between noble families, and the presence of moral ambiguity within a vast, war-torn medieval landscape.