Orario, the city, is built on an ancient labyrinth. It’s simply known as The Dungeon, and adventurers from all over the world travel there in the hopes of conquering its depths for money, power, or love!
Gods even formed guilds with followers who participated in adventures deep within the depths of the abyss. Hestia is one such group, and her sole member, Bell Cranel, has just begun his first solo journey deep into the dark tunnels.
Bell Cranel and Hestia work together to achieve their objectives. One desires to be the greatest adventurer by winning the Dungeon, and Hestia desires to breathe new life into an organization capable of gaining admirable followers and members.
Regardless of his goals, Bell is a compelling character who we want to see succeed. And, despite the title’s implication that there are plenty of cute girls to flirt with, we rarely see him attempt romance with any of his female companions. Rather, the story is about striving to be the best version of yourself.
Finishing DanMachi is a bummer because it’s such a good show, but the fantasy genre of anime has grown significantly over the years.
1. Sword Art Online
Virtual reality has advanced rapidly by 2022, and a massive online role-playing game called Sword Art Online (SAO) has been released. With “NerveGear,” players can control their avatars with their thoughts.
Kazuto Kirigaya, better known as “Kirito,” was one of the lucky few to receive the game’s first shipment. Upon logging in, he finds himself in the scenic and elaborate world of Aincrad, filled with fantastic medieval weapons and gruesome monsters. However, in a shocking twist, the players soon find that they are unable to log out because the creator of the game locked them into it until they complete all 100 levels.
To escape Aincrad, Kirito will have to interact and cooperate with his fellow players. While some are enemies, others are allies, including Asuna Yuuki, who leads the group attempting to flee from the ruthless game. Adding insult to injury, Sword Art Online isn’t just for fun: if you die in Aincrad, you die in real life. In order to escape his virtual hell, Kirito must adapt to his new reality, fight for survival, and hope for success.
2. Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!
Reclusive high school student Kazuma Satou finds himself sitting before an obnoxious but beautiful goddess named Aqua after he dies a pathetic death on his way back from buying a game. The NEET has two options: go to heaven or reincarnate in a fantasy world, which is the dream of every gamer!
As soon as Kazuma decides to start a new life, he is tasked with destroying a Demon King who is terrorizing villages. However, before he leaves, he has a choice of what to take with him, and the future hero chooses Aqua. Unfortunately, Kazuma has made a critical error: Aqua is completely useless!
Sadly, their problems do not end there. As it turns out, living in such a world is nothing like how it appears in a video game. They must first work to support themselves before embarking on an exciting adventure. Their misfortunes have only just started!
3. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar
A story of survival, fear, and instinct. Having been thrown into a foreign land with only their hazy memories and knowledge of their names, they can only feel these three emotions deep within. In this game-like world, several strangers are forced to accept the only job they can get, that of a Reserve Army soldier, and to eliminate anything that might threaten their new world, Grimgar.
As the stronger candidates band together, all the others must form a party: Manato, a charismatic leader and priest; Yume, a cheerful hunter; Haruhiro, a nervous thief; Moguzo, a kind warrior; Shihoru, a shy mage; and Ranta, a rowdy dark knight. Although there are similarities to one, this is not a game; there are no redos or respawns; it’s kill or be killed.
This group of unlikely fighters must now fight together in a world where life and death are separated by a razor’s edge.
4. Overlord
Yggdrasil, the popular VR game, has reached its end. As the servers start shutting down, Momonga, the master of the dark guild Ainz Ooal Gown and a powerful wizard, decides to spend his final moments in the game.
Momonga remains fully conscious as his character even after the clock has struck midnight, and the non-player characters also appear to have developed personalities of their own.
When confronted with this unusual situation, Momonga instructs his loyal servants to assist him in investigating and gaining control of this new world in order to discover what caused this change and whether others are in the same position.
5. No Game No Life
Among the many urban legends on the internet is that of the mysterious gamer known only as “Blank.” Blank is just two shut-in NEET siblings behind breaking records in hundreds of games: the controlling 18-year-old Sora and the 11-year-old withdrawn genius, Shiro. With no losses on their record, they are an unbeatable pair.
An anonymous email is sent to the siblings challenging them to a game of chess. Immediately following a flawless victory, they are transported to a vibrant alternate world.
“One True God,” Tet, a playful boy, tells them that Disboard has a unique system for settling disputes—disputes are settled through simple games. Furthermore, humanity is the weakest and least powerful of the 16 races in the realm, barely surviving with just a single city.
As Sora and Shiro set their sights on the ambitious goal of defeating Tet with gaming wits, they quickly make a name for themselves in a world without war or bloodshed for centuries.
6. Log Horizon
Thousands of confused Japanese gamers are suddenly swept into the world of Elder Tale after the game’s latest update, unable to log out. Among them is Shiroe, a socially awkward college student whose confusion and shock last only a moment before he, a veteran of the game, sets out to explore the limits of his new reality.
Shiroe must learn to navigate this new world, leading others and negotiating with the NPC “natives” of the virtual city of Akihabara. In addition to Shiroe, his friend Naotsugu is trapped after logging back in for the first time in years, and Akatsuki is a small but deadly assassin who claims Shiroe as her master.
As a fantasy, adventure, and political story, Log Horizon examines the complexities of gaming through the eyes of a master strategist.
7. Druaga no Tou: The Aegis of Uruk
A few times a year, there is what is known as the “Summer of Anu.” During this time, all of the demons in the tower lose their power due to the divine protection of the sky-god Anu. Uruk has invaded the tower in order to expel the demons.
The group has taken up positions inside the tower with the aim of reaching the upper levels. It is the third Summer of Anu-the ideal time for the Uruk army to launch a mission to finally defeat Druaga. Although the army soldiers are in the tower, they aren’t the only ones.
An entire city called Meskia appeared on the first floor of the tower. In addition to soldiers, the tower houses adventurers who have heard of a legendary treasure known as the Blue Crystal Rod hidden at the tower’s top. One can only speculate how this unusual summer will unfold with all these different groups involved, each with its own agenda.
8. Goblin Slayer
While goblins are notorious for their ferocity, cunning, and rapid reproduction, they are overlooked because of their lowly reputation. The terrible creatures are left to continue their rampage, raiding rural civilizations to kidnap females of other species for breeding, as adventurers turn a blind eye in favor of more rewarding assignments with larger bounties.
To mark her first day as a Porcelain-ranked adventurer, the 15-year-old Priestess joins a group of young, eager rookies to investigate a goblin tribe responsible for the disappearance of several village women.
Unprepared and inexperienced, the group meets its untimely demise while exploring a cave. As there is no one else left to save her, the terrified Priestess accepts her fate until the Goblin Slayer appears unexpectedly, saving her as well as destroying the entire goblin nest.
With the prestigious Silver rank, the Goblin Slayer allows her to accompany him on all goblin-related matters for the Adventurer’s Guild. The armored warrior, along with the Priestess, High Elf, Dwarf, and Lizard-man, will not rest until each and every goblin in the frontier lands has been exterminated for good.
9. Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari
Legend has it that four otherworldly heroes wielding the sword, spear, bow, and shield defended the land against wave after wave of calamity. As the world’s fate is at stake, the kingdom of Melromarc summons these legendary figures; the call is answered in modern-day Japan, and the unwitting heroes are transported to this fantasy universe.
Naofumi Iwatani, thrust into Melromarc and given the title “Shield Hero,” is labeled the weakest due to his lack of offensive capability and obvious inexperience. When the heroes split up to begin their journeys, he has only one willing companion: the lovely princess Malty Melromarc. She soon betrays him, steals all of his money, and accuses him of exploiting her.
Naofumi is labeled a criminal and cast out of society as a result of his alleged crimes. With hatred in his heart, he sets out on his own, vowing vengeance on those who have wronged him.
10. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Magi are magicians who have such a strong affinity for magic that they can be said to shape the world. It is the Magi’s duty to determine who is worthy of becoming king and help them conquer mysterious labyrinths known as “Dungeons” to gain the power of mythical djinns within.
Most importantly, the Magi supervise their representatives in building a country that could bring the world to its knees one day.
A young Magi named Aladdin travels the world searching for his true self. As he travels, his friend and mentor Ugo—a djinn he summons with his flute—accompany him.
During his travels, Aladdin meets and guides Alibaba Saluja to a nearby Dungeon. They begin on an epic journey around the world with this newfound friendship, encountering all kinds of irregularities that appear more frequently than ever.
11. Fairy Tail
Lucy Heartfilia has one wish in the enchanted Kingdom of Fiore: to join the renowned Fairy Tail—one of the many magical wizard guilds scattered across the continent. Fortunately, a chance meeting with Natsu Dragneel, Fairy Tail’s “Salamander,” whisks her away to the legendary guild.
Fairy Tail’s powerful mages have a slight penchant for trouble, from Natsu’s rivalrous antics with ice wizard Gray Fullbuster to the terrifying presence of the unrivaled combat goddess Erza Scarlet. Through all of the lucrative odd jobs and adventures to save the world from destruction, each guild member has formed an absolute and unwavering trust stronger than family.
Lucy finds herself in the company of the guild’s most misfit wizards after teaming up with Natsu, Gray, and Erza. But, as they are constantly in the path of danger, one name keeps popping up: Zeref, the feared master of dark magic.
12. Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shiteshimatta…
Whether it’s a game or another world, most people would prefer to be the protagonist in an adventure-filled world. However, one girl does not get that chance. Recalling her previous life, she realizes she was reborn in the world of Fortune Lover, one of the games she used to play.
However, the character she was reincarnated into-Catarina Claes-is the main antagonist of the game, facing certain death in each end. In order to break free of this cursed destiny, she uses the extensive knowledge she gained from playing the game.
The task will be difficult, especially since she must be cautious not to set off death flags that will hasten the impending doom she is attempting to avoid. Nonetheless, she strives as the villainess rather than the heroine to effect change in the lives of those around her.
13. Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
When Kobayashi opens her apartment door to leave for work, she finds a dragon’s head staring at her from across the balcony. The dragon transforms into a cute, busty, and energetic young girl dressed in a maid outfit and introduces herself as Tooru.
The stoic programmer had encountered the dragon the night before on a drunken excursion to the mountains, and because the mythical beast had nowhere else to stay, she had offered the creature a place to stay in her home.
Tooru thus arrived to accept the offer, eager to repay her savior’s kindness by becoming her personal maidservant. Kobayashi regrets her words and hesitates to keep her promise, but a combination of guilt and Tooru’s incredible dragon abilities persuade her to accept the girl.
Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon follows Kobayashi, her dragon maid Tooru, and various other dragons as they overcome their differences to become closer.
14. Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken
Satoru Mikami’s day is just like any other. The sun is shining brightly on Tokyo’s streets, and he is in the middle of a conversation with his colleagues when he is stabbed by a passing robber. The average 37-year-old corporate worker is nearing the end of his life and has only one regret: dying a virgin. As he fades out, he is startled by a strange AI-like voice reciting commands.
Satoru abruptly awakens in the middle of a strange cave, but something strange has happened: he is now a slimy goop! He now has the ability to absorb anything and take on its appearance and abilities as a result of his new body.
During his exploration of the cave and test of his newfound abilities, he encounters a massive dragon named Veldora, who’s been sealed away for three hundred years. Satoru quickly befriends the beast and decides to assist him in escaping; in exchange, Satoru is given a new name: “Rimuru Tempest.”
Rimuru is about to embark on a grand quest to change his own destiny and the fate of his new world in order to avoid a life like his boring and mundane past.
15. Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?
Psychic teenagers Izayoi Sakamaki, Asuka Kudou, and You Kasukabe are fed up with their disproportionately mundane lives until they receive an envelope containing an invitation to the mysterious Little Garden.
Kurousagi greets the trio after they are inexplicably dropped into a vast new world, explaining that they have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in special high-stakes games using their abilities. However, in order to participate, they must first join a community.
As a result of their defeat at the hands of a demon lord, Kurousagi’s community “No Names” lost its official status and abundant land, so the group sets out to restore the dignity of their new home, eager to explore the excitement of Little Garden and protect its residents.