One of the most common themes in anime is fantastical settings where the adventures never end. Add in the elements of a school setting, and you have the makings of an anime about a magical academy. Anime set at magic academies have skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade. These shows depict epic tales of heroism, drama, and interpersonal relationships.
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Fan imaginations can run wild thanks to the many anime shows depicting magic academies, such as The Misfit of Demon King Academy and The Irregular of Magic High School. However, not every magic school anime is created equally, and there are a few that truly shine.
We are going to be strict regarding the definition of "magic schools." For example, Iruma-kun's setting is specifically called a "demon school," so it will not be included despite sharing a lot in common with magic academies.
Updated on January 11, 2026, by Mark Sammut: The Winter 2026 season is starting to roll out, and unless I'm mistaken, no shows are set in a magic school. A few stories revolve around magic, though, so they might eventually introduce an academy for an episode or two. To make up for the lack of simulcast options, we have added a (relatively) recent anime to the full list: Vermeil in Gold. A quick picks section has also been introduced to the article.
Quick Picks: Best Magic School Anime To Watch Right Now
Before going into the rankings themselves, let's dedicate a short section to quick recommendations. The goal is to recommend anime across a range of categories to help guide people who are just looking for something to watch right now and have no desire to dive into the rankings themselves.
|
Category |
Top Pick |
Alternative |
|---|---|---|
|
Best Overall Magic Academy Anime |
Little Witch Academia |
Secrets of the Silent Witch |
|
Best Action Magic School Anime |
Wistoria: Wand And Sword |
Tokyo Ravens |
|
Best Comedy Magic School Anime |
Baka & Test: Summon the Beasts |
Mashle: Magic And Muscles |
|
Best Magic School Anime For Beginners |
Little Witch Academia |
Mary and the Witch's Flower (Movie) |
|
Best Magic School Anime With OP MCs |
The Irregular At Magic High School |
Mashle: Magic And Muscles |
27 The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians
MyAnimeList: 6.16
The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 5, 2024
- Japanese Title
- Mahoutsukai ni Narenakatta Onnanoko no Hanashi
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Based On
- Novel Series
- Creator
- Yuzuki Akasaka
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Starting with a controversial pick, The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians was not particularly well-received during its initial run and has largely been forgotten since then. The show has more than its share of flaws that stop it from being one of the absolute best magic school anime, but it also has enough positives to be worth mentioning as part of that discussion. Set in a prestige school that has a course for magicians and another for people who cannot use magic, Kurumi Mirai wanted nothing more than to join the former, but she ends up having to go to the latter. While things seem picturesque at a glance, Kurumi soon realizes that a few things do not quite add up, setting her on the road to investigating a mystery.
At least, that's the basic premise, but The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians shows very little urgency and is mostly happy to just move along at a slow, lethargic pace, to the point that I would primarily recommend it to anyone who is craving a magical slice-of-life. So, why should you watch this? Well, the animation is gorgeous and fairly one-of-a-kind for anime. The picture book aesthetic fits the setting and tone, giving the series a warm and cozy feel. Although not executed to perfection, the anime touches upon some of this world's politics and social climate, which is pretty interesting.
26 Demon King Daimao
MyAnimeList: 6.70
- Japanese Title: Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou
- Studio: Artland
- Based On: Light Novel by Shōtarō Mizuki
- Streaming Service: Crunchyroll
Demon King Daimao is not great, but it can be entertaining if you are primarily looking for a power fantasy that incorporates a harem and quite a bit of fanservice. Honestly, you really need to have a tolerance for the latter, as that is the main reason to seek out this magic school anime. Now, to be fair, Demon King Daimao has a novel premise, as the protagonist, Akuto Sai, joins the Constant Magic Academy in the hope of becoming a high priest. Unfortunately, he does not realize that he has some demon in him, and his class ends up being "Demon King." The road to this discovery makes for a pretty hilarious opening episode, as Akuto really sells his nobility and desire to be a force of good, so the reveal ends up being memorable.
After that, Demon King Daimao settles into the typical fantasy harem routine, albeit with a heavier focus on the academy's politics than usual. Ultimately, this series is all about surrounding its male protagonist with as many suitors as possible, while also throwing the occasional decent action sequence. It is nothing groundbreaking or even original, but the formula works.
25 Reign of the Seven Spellblades
MyAnimeList: 6.56
Reign of the Seven Spellblades
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2023 - 2023
- Network
- Tokyo MX, BS11
- Directors
- Shuuji Miyazaki
- Japanese Title
- Nanatsu no Maken ga Shihai suru
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Bokuto Uno
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Starting things with a divisive magic school anime, Reign of the Seven Spellblades is one of those shows that feels more like an advert for the light novel than something that can and should be enjoyed solely in isolation. That's not to say the anime is bad, but rather that it can be a bit of a frustrating watch.
Notoriously slow, Reign of the Seven Spellblades spends its first five episodes setting up not only its world and concept of magic, but also its definition of a mage. They are beings who are driven by a pursuit of knowledge, to the point that they can be consumed entirely by its allure. Despite consisting of mostly predictable storylines, the anime accomplishes some great world-building throughout its run, creating a universe that feels magical but also threatening.
We meet Oliver, a new Kimberly Magic Academy student who is highly talented with a sword but also seems relatively unassuming at first. He quickly develops a connection with Nanao, a samurai with a dark past. They quickly become involved in the school's more cutthroat and dangerous practices, particularly when they find themselves in the labyrinth.
24 Magic-Kyun! Renaissance
MyAnimeList: 7
23
Magic-Kyun! Renaissance
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 2, 2016
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Based On
- Game
- Number of Episodes
- 13
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Most magic school anime focus on action, as the setting usually provides plenty of opportunities to showcase unique and visually impressive powers. However, not every series goes down this route, and Magic-Kyun! Renaissance sets itself apart by being a straight-up reverse harem. Yeah, this is one of those shows that can only be recommended to people who are into that genre, rather than folks looking for stories set in magic academies. While not exactly unimportant, the latter is mostly just window dressing, and the focus is on Kohana's awkwardly adorable relationships.
Magic-Kyun! Renaissance is set in a school for the arts, albeit one that utilizes magic rather than conventional talent. Kohana seems incapable of using magic at first, but she still finds herself attracting the attention of the school's most attractive bachelors. Magic-Kyun! Renaissance does not do a lot to set itself apart from the reverse harem crowd, but it is a decent enough example of that genre.
22 Vermeil in Gold
MyAnimeList Score: 6.79
- Release Date
- 2022 - 2022
- Network
- AT-X
- Directors
- Ryo Nakamura
- Writers
- Tetsuya Yamada
Cast
-
Sakura NakamuraFrancois (voice) -
Yuya HiroseAlto Goldfield (voice)
-
Maaya UchidaVermeil (voice)
-
Wakana KuramochiLilia Kudelfeyt (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Staple Entertainment
- Based On
- Manga by Kōta Amana
- Streaming Service(s)
- HIDIVE
OK, here is a decent magic school anime that can only be recommended with a caveat: You need to have a tolerance for fanservice. Although not quite on the same level as something like High School DxD, Vermeil in Gold pushes the envelope more than nearly every other anime on this list, with some scenes being relatively risqué for a shonen power fantasy. If you are not turned off by this disclaimer and want to see a mildly entertaining anime built around the relationship between a timid but not spineless male MC and a strong female demon, then this show is for you.
Although not a bad student by any means, Alto cannot seem to pass his summoning class at Ortgia Academy of Magic, as he simply cannot summon anything. However, that changes when he finds a strange grimoire and ends up summoning Vermeil, a demon who takes a quick liking to Alto. These two are fun together, and they are accompanied by a fine supporting figure in Lilia. The magic school is nothing too special, though.
21 Villainess Level 99: I May Be The Hidden Boss, But I'm Not The Demon Lord
MyAnimeList Score: 7.13
Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024-00-00
- Network
- AT-X
- Directors
- Shunji Yoshida, Yui Kanbe, Kim Seung-deok
- Japanese Title
- Akuyaku Reijou Level 99: Watashi wa Ura-Boss desu ga Maou dewa Arimasen
- Studio
- Jumondo
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator(s)
- Satori Tanabata
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
The Light Magic and the Hero Otome game is progressing as smoothly as it should. At least, until Yumiella Dolkness, the hidden boss, regains her memories of her past life as a human and realizes that she’s inside a game. As someone who always preferred the game’s fantasy elements, Yumiella decides she won’t let her life, particularly her love life, be determined by the game mechanics and decides to level up as much as she can as fast as she can.
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In all this, Yumiella made one mistake: she didn’t properly hide her powers during her enrollment into the Royal Academy and was revealed to be level 99 at just 15 years, which sends the entire otome game world into a frenzy. With this, Yumiella should be able to determine her fate, right? Amidst the uncertainty, she now must deal with constant attention, something she didn’t bargain for.
Villainess Level 99 works almost solely thanks to Yumiella, who is just an awkwardly lovable protagonist who fumbles her way through social situations. The school has almost nothing unique about it, but that kind of works as the anime is, at least, partially a parody of otome game isekai stories.
20 Trinity Seven
MyAnimeList: 7.03
Trinity Seven
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2015-00-00
- Studio
- Seven Arcs Pictures
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Kenji Saitō
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
I can admit, Trinity Seven is one of those "love or hate" type shows, a statement that can be said for pretty much every harem under the sun. The 2014 series is even more divisive due to belonging to the "battle" subgenre, which is mostly associated with underwhelming fight sequences. Trinity Seven has fairly mediocre action, but it is elevated by a decent cast of characters and a fun magic school setting.
Arata is set to become a demon lord, but he needs to get some real education to prepare himself for the role. So, he ends up attending Royal Biblia Academy, which happens to be home to the Trinity Seven. The latter are all girls who are roughly his age, and harem shenanigans begin. Trinity Seven is primarily for people into battle harems, although it is a decent magic school anime as well.
19 A Returner's Magic Should Be Special
MyAnimeList: 7.06
A Returner's Magic Should Be Special
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 8, 2023
- Studio
- Arvo Animation
- Based On
- Manhwa
- Creator
- Usonan
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
A rare anime based on a manhwa, A Returner's Magic Should Be Special has a familiar but still solid hook. After failing to save the world, Desir travels back a decade, granting the opportunity to hopefully set things right. He enrolls at a prestigious academy that echoes society's class discrimination, and he sets out to tear down those walls by forming a team designed to showcase common folks. Due to his experience, Desir focuses on speeding up his companions' growth, all in an attempt to increase their chances of surviving in the future.
A Returner's Magic Should Be Special is a fairly well-liked manhwa, and the anime has been decent but unspectacular. The main trio of Desir, Pram, and Romantica are likable enough, although the latter can be a bit frustrating at first. The animation is mostly just passable, but season 1 was successful enough to warrant an upcoming sequel.
18 I'm in Love with the Villainess
MyAnimeList: 7.35
I'm in Love with the Villainess
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2023 - 2023
- Network
- Tokyo MX
- Japanese Title
- Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou
- Studio
- Platinum Vision
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Inori
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Another isekai villainess anime, I'm in Love with the Villainess shakes things up by reincarnating the protagonist, Rei, as the game's heroine, Rae, rather than its baddie, Claire. However, Rei's favorite character is Claire, and she is pretty much in love with her. Therefore, she makes it her mission to invade Claire's personal space and make sure they become best friends (or, hopefully, more). Unsurprisingly, the villainess is not too into Rae's advances, but they do eventually begin to strike a bond.
I'm in Love with the Villainess is almost entirely set in Royal Academy, which is a bog-standard magic school. Unlike quite a few of these series, this anime allows the characters to use their magic relatively often, and it even has a few cool set pieces. However, the focus is on Claire and Rae's relationship, with everything else taking a backseat.