There’s no denying it – Game of Thrones changed the way we talk about fantasy. For nearly a decade, it was the gold standard of epic storytelling. It took political treachery, sprawling lore, and morally tangled characters, and turned them into a cultural touchstone. It wasn’t just dragons and swords. It was loyalties shifting like sand, the fate of a continent unraveling, and the haunting realization that no one is safe. In little time, Westeros became the blueprint for modern fantasy drama, setting a high bar for narrative ambition.
But fantasy does not live in one kingdom alone. Anime, with its boundless imagination and genre-bending abilities, has long been crafting worlds that are rich, and sometimes more daring than even Game of Thrones. From war-torn empires to cursed bloodlines, anime is not afraid to slow down, zoom in, or take wild detours. And while Game of Thrones gave us dragons and direwolves, anime was always around to offer reincarnated warlords, sentient swords, and apothecaries who solve palace conspiracies with poison charts.
So, if you’re craving fantasy that is just as intense but maybe a little more unpredictable than Game of Thrones, here’s your anime watchlist.
‘The Rising of the Shield Hero’ (2019)
Naofumi Iwatani’s journey begins with disgrace. He is summoned to the kingdom of Melromarc as one of the four legendary heroes, handed the shield, and quickly branded the weakest. Things get further out of hand when he is falsely accused of a crime by the very princess who pledged loyalty to him. Cast out, Naofumi is forced to survive in a hostile world with no allies, no resources, and no trust.
A Hero’s Rise From Ashes
The entirety of The Rising of the Shield Hero is a slow-burning redemption arc where Naofumi builds his strength, allies with a demi-human, and uncovers the corruption threatening the realm. The fantasy world is richly textured, with RPG-like mechanics and a dark tone. The aesthetic is clean and immersive, with Kinema Citrus’s animation giving weight to both quiet character moments and explosive battles. For subverting isekai tropes alone, it is better than Game of Thrones.
‘Saga of Tanya the Evil’ (2017)
Tanya Degurechaff is not your typical protagonist. Cold, calculated, and ruthlessly pragmatic, she is a reincarnated salaryman who is thrust into a war-torn alternate reality by a god-like entity she calls “Being X.” Now inhabiting the body of a young girl with immense magical aptitude, Tanya climbs the ranks of the Empire’s military, commanding troops and manipulating strategy. At the same time, she clashes with Being X, who seeks to force her into faith through suffering.
War, Magic, and Strategy
Saga of Tanya the Evil combines early 20th-century warfare with arcane magic, which creates a setting that is both familiar and fantastical. Tanya’s internal monologue and tactical brilliance drive the narrative, making each battle psychologically fleshed out. Unlike the black-and-white heroics of Game of Thrones, this one portrays the protagonist as a childlike figure with the mind of a cynical adult. It does not rely on chosen ones or prophecy, but instead, on ideology and survival.
‘The Twelve Kingdoms’ (2002)
The protagonist of The Twelve Kingdoms, Youko Nakajima, lives a painfully ordinary life. That is until a mysterious man named Keiki appears, swears allegiance, and whisks her away to a world of gods, beasts, and kingdoms. Separated from her protector and stranded in a foreign land, Youko is forced to navigate politics and betrayal and confront her own insecurities, all by herself. Especially because she’s destined to rule one of the Twelve Kingdoms.
Mythology Woven Into Its Fabric
This one doesn’t just follow Youka, but also explores rulers, immortals, and kaikyaku (people from Earth), crafting an interconnected lore that makes the world seem more intriguing than ever. Few fantasy anime series managed to build worlds as meticulously as The Twelve Kingdoms. The lore is vast, complete with divine creatures and celestial mandates. The animation, though from 2002, holds up elegantly. And it’s quite popular and timeless too.
‘Yona of the Dawn’ (2014)
In Yona of the Dawn, Yona’s life unravels in a single night. Born into royalty, she is sheltered, naive, and deeply in love with her cousin Su-won. But when the cousin murders her father and seizes the throne, Yona is forced to flee the kingdom with her loyal bodyguard Hak. She is guided by an ancient legend, and she strives to find the reincarnations of four dragon warriors to reclaim her rightful place.
The Transformation of a Princess
There are a lot of narrative parallels between Yona of the Dawn and Game of Thrones, but the former is clearly more brilliant because it refuses to rush. The fantasy elements, like dragons, bloodlines, prophecies, and mystical powers, are infused into a narrative about growth and responsibility. The sweeping landscapes, warm tones, and Studio Pierrot’s animation capture both intimate character journeys and grand-scale battles, making it a complete package.
‘Requiem for the Rose King’ (2023)
Set against the backdrop of England’s bloody Wars of the Roses, Requiem for the Rose King is a gothic masterpiece that reimagines Shakespeare’s Richard III. It follows Richard, a noble born with ambiguous gender and a cursed destiny, as he is haunted by visions and rejected by both parents. He navigates a brutal landscape on his own, and with the House of York battling the House of Lancaster, Richard’s internal struggle mirrors the external chaos.
Twisted and Beautiful
Blending historical drama with eerie fantasy, this anime boasts a narrative that is as tragic as it is mesmerizing. Visually, Requiem for the Rose King is a fever dream. It is moody, theatrical, and drenched in symbolism. The characters are bold and expressive, and the composition echoes the protagonist’s psyche. Richard is one of the most complex, vulnerable, manipulative, and achingly human leads in recent anime. Released in 2022 by J.C. Staff, it polarized viewers but managed to find a devoted audience.
‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’ (2006)
Call it mecha action or a political drama, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is a classic fantasy anime. The plot follows Lelouch vi Britannia, a prince in exile, living under an alias in a Japan conquered by the Holy Britannian Empire. When he gains a mysterious power that allows him to command obedience, he launches a rebellion under the mask of “Zero,” and the revolution pits him against friends, family, and his own conscience.
A Dazzling Fusion of Fantasy and Sci-Fi
This one spans two seasons, each escalating in scale and spectacle, and filled with twists that redefine the fantasy genre. Operative in scope but razor-sharp in execution, it creates a world that is equal parts futuristic and mythical. The animation by Sunrise is sleek and Lelouch himself is peak anti-hero complexity, much like the morally corrupt characters of Game of Thrones. But while the latter revels in shock value, the anime is more nuanced and has remained a fan favorite for over two decades now.
‘Fate/Zero’ (2011)
A part of one of the most heavily talked-about franchises within the anime fandom, Fate/Zero centers around the Fourth Holy Grail War, which is not a tournament, but a blood-soaked ritual of sorts. Seven mages summon legendary heroes from across history and myth to battle for the Grail, which grants any wish. Among them is Kiritsugu Emiya, an assassin who summons King Arthur, reimagined as the noble Saber.
The Most Emotionally Devastating Entry in the Franchise
Written by Gen Urobuchi, Fate/Zero is intellectually and visually stimulating. Each episode peels back layers of its cast’s motivations, and it does not shy away from tragedy. The fantastical lore is rooted in history, but the real tension comes from the characters and their philosophies. Kiritsugu’s utilitarianism versus Saber’s chivalry is the core conflict. Premiered in 2011, Fate/Zero was praised for its writing and production quality.
‘Claymore’ (2007)
Claymore transports you to a bleak medieval world plagued by shape-shifting demons known as Yoma. The saving grace comes in the form of Claymores, half-human, half-Yoma warriors trained to kill their monstrous kin. Claire, one such warrior, is considered weak by her peers. When she takes in a young boy named Raki, they form a duo and navigate betrayal, experimentation, and escalating violence.
A Female-Driven Fantasy Epic
Leaving behind the grand political machinations of Game of Thrones, Claymore thrives on atmosphere. Its stark landscapes, the entire mystery about the twisted origins of the Claymores and the organization that controls them, as well as the emotional isolation of its characters, forms the heart of the narrative. Clare’s journey is not about glory. It is about vengeance and survival, which makes the payoff refreshing.
‘Vinland Saga’ (2019)
In Vinland Saga, Thorfinn is the son of a legendary Viking warrior and when his father is killed by mercenaries, he’s thrust into a life of violence. Driven by revenge, he joins the very band that murdered his father, hoping to one day challenge their leader, Askeladd. But instead, as Thorfinn grows, he is forced to confront the futility of violence and the possibility of peace.
Harsh Lessons on Humanity
Wit Studio’s adaptation is impossible to look away from. Sure, it’s got a lot of similarities with Game of Thrones, like historical battles and philosophical debates, but the windswept coasts, intense duels, and the quiet moments of reflection hook viewers in. Askeladd is one of anime’s most layered antagonists, and Thorfinn’s evolution from rage to remorse is quite moving. That said, Vinland Saga is not about thrones or crowns. It is about what kind of person you choose to be when everything is stripped away.
‘The Apothecary Diaries’ (2021)
Maomao is a brilliant apothecary with no interest in court politics. But when she is kidnapped and sold into service at the imperial palace, she begins using her knowledge of poisons and medicines to save the lives of royal children. Soon, she is drawn into a web of secrets, schemes, and power plays.
Fantasy With Slice-of-Life Charm
The Apothecary Diaries is a rare anime, and it’s centered around Maomao’s unflappable intellect. She is sharp-tongued, pragmatic, witty, and not interested in status. Her heart is rooted in medicine, and the plot carries that and makes the most of its ancient Chinese-inspired court customs and medical lore. A 2023 release, the anime quickly gained traction for its unique tone and clever storytelling.