Thefantasygenre is full of great television shows, but few of them are perfect from start to finish. EvenGame of Thrones—arguably the most influential series in the category — has some glaring flaws, particularly during its later seasons. Classics likeMerlinandBuffy the Vampire Slayerare also marred by things like divisive endings and the use ofHollywood’s “bury your gays” trope.
Very few fantasy shows manage to maintain a high quality throughout, leaving viewers with little to complain about when the credits roll. While ongoing fantasy shows still have a chance to secure great legacies, many have gotten off to slow or divisive starts. Others aren’t even given the opportunity to finish their runs, asfantasy series are so often canceled.
This makes true 10/10 fantasy shows much rarer, but fortunately, a handful of them exist. Lovers of the genre won’t want to sleep on these, as they’re perfect reminders of the heights it can reach. They also prove it has potential in this medium, even if streamers and networks haven’t determined how to capitalize on it just yet.
His Dark Materialsis an incredibly underrated fantasy show, andtheGame of Thronescomparisonsdid it no favors when it debuted. Based on Philip Pullman’s best-selling books,His Dark Materialsis precisely what an adaptation should be. It captures the heart of Pullman’s story, while making changes that add to the characters and narrative in positive ways.
The cast ofHis Dark Materialsdoes a masterful job bringing the source material to life; it feels as though many characters are pulled directly from the pages. The dynamics benefit from the actors' chemistry, which drives home the emotional stakes at the beginning — and ensures the ending packs a powerful punch.
While not everyone loves the changes made toHis Dark Materials,the story unfolds in a seamless way that’s difficult to find fault with.
While not everyone loves the changes made toHis Dark Materials,the story unfolds in a seamless way that’s difficult to find fault with. I’d argue this is one of the few live-action fantasy shows to remain strong from beginning to end. It’s a shame it doesn’t get more attention.
If any fantasy show is perfect from start to finish,it’sAvatar: The Last Airbender.While the Nickelodeon series has a few slower installments that feel like filler, even those tend to feature charming character interactions, hilarious jokes, and interesting side plots. And the majority ofATLAprogresses the story in a compelling way; there’s almost never a dull moment.
Add in the fact that the series balances complex and serious themes with humor and heart, andit’s no surpriseThe Last Airbenderis still resonating with viewers all these years later. Each outing builds up to an intense and epic finale, keeping the momentum going throughout its run.
AndAvatar: The Last Airbender isone of the fewfantasy series with a perfect ending. Its final confrontation is action-packed, gives every character something to do, and sees good triumphing over evil. There’s not much more you could ask for.
Sadly,Arcaneonly got two seasons on Netflix, but both of them are pretty much perfect. Based onLeague of Legends,Netflix’s animated series introduces viewers to a world of complex politics, intriguing magic and technology, and compelling characters.The show wastes no time throwing us into the thick of it all, investing viewers in the characters, then devastating them as early as episode 3.
There’s also great music, stunning action, and a tightly woven plot — all of which elevate the show to its 10/10 status.
Things hardly let up from there, with Jinx and Vi’s adult storyline taking viewers on a wild ride.Arcane’s true strength lies in its character dynamics, as the sisterly bond between Jinx and Vi is far from the only connection to latch onto. There’s also great music, stunning action, and a tightly woven plot — all of which elevate the show to its 10/10 status.
Arcaneseason 2 builds on the positives of the first outing. While the series could have gone on for longer,its second season delivers a satisfying (albeit tragic) conclusionfor the characters we’ve come to love. It also leaves you wanting more of the world, which speaks to how well-crafted it is.
The Good Placeisn’t the first show that comes to mind when thinking of the genre, but it certainly has all the makings of a good fantasy title. After all, it takes place in a fictional afterlife, placing the story in a world where supernatural beings like demons exist. And there are plenty of outlandish and unrealistic elements, which often make the series funnier.
The Good Placecrosses the fantasy genre with your average sitcom, and it works out surprisingly well.The NBC show remains incredible throughout its four-season run, with the first outing successfully investing viewers in the characters, right before the season 1 finalethrows a masterpiece of a plot twist their way.
By the time viewers reachThe Good Place’s series finale, they’ll be reaching for the Kleenex box.
Things get even better after the revelation that the Good Place isn’t what it seems, allowing the characters to grow in really interesting ways. By the time viewers reachThe Good Place’s series finale, they’ll be reaching for the Kleenex box. Needless to say, it’s a 10/10 show with the power to elicit tears and laughter.
Attack on Titanwill go down as one ofthe best anime series of all time, and rightfully so. The series opens with a dark premise and one of themost gripping pilot episodes in TV history, then gets better and better from there. Of course, it’s a faithful rendering of Hajime Isayama’s source material, so that trajectory is hardly surprising.
It’s never afraid to depict the horrors of war or the moral dilemmas that accompany it.
Attack on Titanimmediately throws viewers into the deep end, driving home the fact that no one is safe in episode 1 — and rest assured, it repeatedly lives up to that promise. The fantasy anime is full of incredible action sequences, all of which are masterfully wrought. And it’s never afraid to depict the horrors of war or the moral dilemmas that accompany it.
Of course,there’s far more to love aboutAttack on Titanthan just the action. The anime has an unforgettable cast of characters, great plot twists, and an ending that viewers will be chewing on for a long time after watching it. There’s a reason it’s so popular, and the responses to the series don’t lie: it’s a 10/10 title.
Another fantasy anime that’s more or less perfect isFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.The adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s manga does a brilliant job of bringing it to life, successfully capturing the darkest parts of the Elric brothers' journey but also infusing the story with heart and hope.
There are few flaws to be found as Ed and Al pursue the Philosopher’s Stone and uncover the conspiracies at the heart of their nation.
There are few flaws to be found as Ed and Al pursue the Philosopher’s Stone and uncover the conspiracies at the heart of their nation. The depiction of alchemy is detailed and intriguing, and the sequences utilizing it are gorgeously animated. Additionally,there are great twists throughoutFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,along with memorable emotional blows.
There’s rarely a lull between part 1’s tragic opening and part 5’s intense conclusion, ensuring thatFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodis gripping from start to finish. It sets a high standard for both fantasy series and anime overall.
Netflix’s animated series,The Dragon Prince,is severely underrated, but it has a dedicated audience for a reason. The seven-season fantasy show feels equal parts familiar and unique, taking the genre’s best conventions and archetypes and making them feel fresh within its story.
DespiteThe Dragon Princebeing aimed at all ages, it weaves complex themes and characterizations into its run. The relationships between its major players are compelling, and they heighten the stakes of the main conflicts. The series also has a wide range, spanning many years, and it benefits from great representation.
The Dragon Princealso walks the right balance with its ending, wrapping up its major storylines in a satisfying way — but still ensuring that viewers still want more of its world. It’s a greatfantasystory from beginning to end, earning its 100%Rotten Tomatoesscore.
