Even though The Ancient Magus' Bride has a captivating and unique story, fans can find a few other fascinating anime that have a compelling story, well-developed characters, beautiful visuals, and explores important themes. These anime series are not only entertaining but thought-provoking which makes the viewing experience more impactful. While following Chise and Elias' adventures, fans could meet the strongest characters in The Ancient Magus' Bride and see these two complex and relatable protagonists navigate their relationship and a magical world together.
Viewers can easily find similar anime shows with hauntingly atmospheric music and stunningly detailed and lush artwork that further immerse them in the stories that deal with important themes related to love, family, trauma, identity, loneliness, and what it means to be human. Anime fans who are looking for similarly complex shows can choose from a wide array of options and explore brilliant fantasy, drama, or paranormal anime shows that will surely leave a lasting impression on them.
7 Spice And Wolf
Spice and Wolf is a colorful and feel-good classic anime series that's a great choice for The Ancient Magus' Bride fans who love the show because of its unique setting and complex relationships. This fantasy anime is also set in a beautiful medieval-inspired fantasy world where magic is real and supernatural creatures live together with humans.
Its story follows Lawrence's adventures after the young merchant meets a wolf deity named Holo. During their journey, Holo and Lawrence faces many challenges together and eventually, their relationship deepens. Spice and Wolf is not only full of fun adventures and interesting characters but also explores important themes like belonging and identity.
6 Violet Evergarden
Even though Violet Evergarden is set in a more realistic, Victorian-inspired world it has many similarities with The Ancient Magus' Bride since this fascinating anime also has a famously beautiful art style, brilliant character development, and explores complex themes.
Both anime focuses on emotional storytelling and character development, and the stories' protagonists are struggling with past trauma and are trying to find ways to fit into their worlds. Violet Evergarden's story follows Violet, a former soldier, who after a devastating war becomes a ghostwriter not just to help others, but so she can learn how to understand and express her own emotions better. Anime fans can even learn some important lessons from Violet Evergarden that they can use to navigate their daily lives easier.
5 xxxHOLiC
xxxHOLiC is some of the most unique ghosts in anime series and has stunning animation as well as a fun story and characters that were inspired by traditional folklore tales just like The Ancient Magus' Bride. Anime fans will be following the adventures of a high school boy named Kimihiro who can see monsters and spirits and would like to get rid of his special ability.
However, when he meets Yuko, a witch who could grant his wish, he has to decide if he's willing to pay the price. XxxHolic also explores stories about human desires and their possible consequences and thanks to detailed animation and one-of-a-kind designs it brings the world of magic and folklore to life in unique ways with each new episode.
4 The Misfit Of Demon King Academy
The Misfit Of Demon King Academy has a very different tone compared to The Ancient Magus' Bride, but it's also set in a magical world filled with powerful supernatural beings. Its story was also inspired by folktales and mythology, and it explores themes related to identity, acceptance, and power.
There are plenty of unique magic spells in The Misfit Of Demon King Academy but fans can also enjoy engaging action scenes as well as many laugh-out-loud funny moments while watching the show. Fans will be following the often hilarious adventures of Anos, the most powerful demon king, who decides to reincarnate into a more peaceful future era to get some quiet time. However, he ends up going to a magic school with his descendants who all seem to be annoyingly weak.
3 Kakuriyo: Bed And Breakfast For Spirits
Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits is one of the most magical reverse harem anime series with a fascinating story, beautiful art style, and great characters. Its story focuses on supernatural creatures, explores themes of self-discovery and acceptance, and is set in an atmospheric fantasy world.
The story follows a young Aoi's adventures who can see supernatural creatures called ayakashi. One day, Aoi is taken to the Hidden Realm to live with an Ogre called Odanna to repay her grandfather's debt. Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits also explores relationships between humans and supernatural creatures and Aoi has to come to terms with her special power and get to know a new world.
2 Somali And The Forest Spirit
Somali and the Forest Spirit has an emotional story and is set in a beautifully detailed and atmospheric fantasy realm in which humans are almost extinct. Its story follows the adventures of a golem who one day finds a young human girl in the forest named Somali and decides that he'll help the child find her parents.
This beautiful anime explores important themes such as family and identity. As the Golem and Somali embark on their journey their relationship becomes more complex, and they find a way to find their place in a world in which humans and supernatural beings coexist. Somali and the Forest Spirit also has a beautifully crafted world that's filled with captivating magical creatures and fantastical landscapes.
1 Natsume’s Book Of Friends
Natsume’s Book of Friends is a thought-provoking slice-of-life anime with charming animation and a beautiful story about supernatural creatures, belonging, and loneliness. Its story was inspired by Japanese folklore and anime fans can even learn about yokai and Japanese culture while watching the show.
Natsume’s Book of Friends tells the story of a boy named Natsume who inherits a book from his grandmother that allows him to see and interact with spirits. After Natsume realizes that these spirits were defeated and captured by his grandmother he decides that he'll find a way to set them all free again.