Best Fantasy Anime of 1998

Bullies frequently pick on those who are frail and weak—someone exactly like Yuugi Mutou. His childhood friend, the beautiful Anzu Mazaki, often defends him, but he cannot rely on her forever. Katsuya Jonouchi, usually accompanied by his verbal sparring partner Hiroto Honda, does not seem like a bad person either, even though he always brings Yuugi trouble. Above all, Yuugi longs for a true friend who understands him and would never betray him. Yuugi treasures his Millennium Puzzle, an ancient Egyptian artifact that ended up in his grandfather's game shop. Believing that solving the puzzle will grant his wish, he completes it, unleashing a new personality within him—the soul of the "King of Games." Dark, twisted, strong, and dependable, this new personality, named Yami Yuugi, is the complete opposite of Yuugi. Whenever an injustice is done to him, Yami Yuugi takes over Yuugi's body and forces the opponent into a "Shadow Game." The stakes are high, as the loser must taste the darkness that resides within their own heart.

Six years prior, a catastrophic incident occurred at the Tower of Fang magic school concerning the magical sword Baltanders and the sorcerer Azalie. Because Azalie could not master the blade’s power, they were transformed into a massive dragon known as Bloody August. Krilancelo, a young magician at the Tower who held deep affection for Azalie, was disgusted by the elders’ refusal to save Azalie and their desire to erase the accident from history. Enraged by their indifference, Krilancelo vowed to restore Azalie to their original form. He abandoned the name Krilancelo, adopting the name Orphen instead, and left the Tower and his magical studies behind to roam the world.

Five years have passed since the Emperor of Marmo perished during the War of Heroes, leaving Parn as the Free Knight of Lodoss alongside his renowned former allies. Yet, Ashram, the late emperor’s right-hand man, pursues the scepter of domination to reunify Lodoss under his former leader’s banner. Concurrently, a darker power stirs behind these conquest attempts, preparing the way for the resurrection of the goddess of death and destruction.

In the year 2023, extraterrestrial entities called Lucifer Hawks launch an invasion of Earth from a parallel dimension. The sole barrier against their subjugation of humanity is the Attacked Mystification Police Department, an elite Tokyo Police unit composed of female officers possessing extraordinary supernatural powers.

In the realm of Kuruda, warriors who possess magical abilities and exceptional combat skills compete for the greatest honor: the rank of Sevaar, the most powerful fighter in the land. Elle Ragu, who goes by the alias Shadow Skill, has recently become the latest Sevaar, but that does not make her existence any simpler. Instructing her "little brother," Gau, in the art of warfare, defending against killers dispatched from other nations, and repelling foreign attacks is already challenging, yet her most difficult struggle is covering the cost of her alcohol debts.

In a small village, twins are born: a boy named Tatara and a girl named Sarasa. The prophet Nagi proclaims that Tatara is the destined one to liberate Japan from the oppressive reign of the King and his four sons. However, after the merciless Red King kills Tatara, Sarasa must assume her brother's identity and responsibilities, setting out on a journey to free Japan and seek vengeance against the Red King.

Miz plans to step down from her role as the Great Priestess of Water to marry her beloved Fujisawa, and as her replacement, the young Qawoor Towles arrives in Floristica. Seeing Qawoor's initiation ceremony as an opportunity to sneak into Makoto's laboratory, Jinnai accidentally activates a mysterious device that transports all of them across dimensions to a gray industrial city protected by a massive castle in an alternate world.

In the 25th century, a dark lord has contaminated history with time-devices that could cause irreversible damage. Genshi and his father once lived in prehistoric times before being fossilized. After their discovery, Genshi is restored to his original state. With assistance from his father, a boy named Tony, and a girl named Sara, he must journey through time to return the time-devices to the land of time and save history.

Tasuke Shichiri's friends are jealous of him—since his parents are always traveling, he gets to do whatever he likes. To keep him from feeling lonely, his father sends him a surprising present: a strange ring called the shitenrin. From it emerges a moon goddess named Shaorin, who is devoted to protecting her "master"—no matter how big a mess she makes in the process.

Miura Kyoji, a devoted kendo practitioner, learns that his master Tate Masanari is the reincarnation of the Incan warrior Yawaru, who intends to destroy the world as a means of purification. Kyoji himself is the reincarnation of Bilka, the warrior who thwarted Yawaru's plans in their past lives. Yawaru gathers other awakened souls to unleash the forces of nature. Kyoji is forced to grapple with his own identity, questioning whether he is merely a vessel for the reincarnated soul or truly Miura Kyoji—and which of these selves holds the best chance to save the world and the future he knows.

The story unfolds after Prince Pietro, the half-human, half-dragon ruler of Popolocrois, fends off another failed invasion attempt by the villainous GamiGami. A mysterious girl named Hyuu emerges in the woods surrounding Popolocrois Castle, setting off a new adventure for Pietro, his sorceress companion Narcia, and their entire group of friends. This narrative takes place in the timeline following the events of the original Popolocrois game.

In the Heian period, roughly one thousand years ago, a young noble boy named Ojarumaru grows weary of his sheltered, luxurious life. Meanwhile, three demons steal the power-stick belonging to Enma, the demon king, only to later misplace it. Ojarumaru discovers the stick and uses it to travel to the present day. There, he becomes friends with a boy named Kazuma and is taken in by Kazuma's family. As time passes, Ojarumaru forms many new friendships while evading the comedic attempts of the three demons—Akane, Kisuke, and Aobee—to reclaim the stick.

A conflict among young band members and a disastrous musical selection accidentally pulls them into the demonic terror called the desert-god Gandalla.

The planet Terra, formerly known as a morning star within the galactic system, was once breathtakingly beautiful. However, the world now faces an existential crisis, threatened by annihilation through a massive explosion caused by rampant pollution and warfare. Dr. Chaco possesses the sole knowledge required to save Terra, revealing that the only path to salvation is activating the Rainbow System using seven mysterious crystals. To locate these artifacts, Dr. Chaco organizes a race, secretly intending to use the crystals' power to establish his own universal dynasty. Hamos joins Rick in the competition, initially unaware of Dr. Chaco's true motives. As the race progresses, Rick discovers the secrets behind the crystals and resolves to restore Terra to its former glory. This revelation sparks a conflict between Dr. Chaco and Rick, both striving to claim the seven crystals and control the Rainbow System.

Born from the cosmic fires, Kongo is a stone monkey magically brought to life. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and greatness, he departs his “family” on Flower Fruit Mountain to seek ancient wisdom. Not satisfied with just studying the mystical arts, Kongo masters the Jet Cloud, his first great weapon. This power grants him control over the air, allowing him to return to his adopted home just in time to stop humans from seizing the monkeys’ ancestral land. Using his new abilities and wisdom, Kongo defeats the invaders and crowns himself King of Flower Fruit Mountain. However, the gods in the Celestial Heavens are unsettled by a monkey ruling over humans. Deeming this unacceptable, they decide to teach the monkeys a lesson and launch an attack against Kongo and all the monkeys on Flower Fruit Mountain.

A foolish clumsy angel came to the human world to help a very unlucky boy. But more accidents are then created...