Best Fantasy Anime of 2008

Death City houses the renowned Death Weapon Meister Academy, known as Shibusen, which is led by Shinigami, Lord Death himself. The institution’s goal is to cultivate Death Scythes for the Shinigami to use against the myriad evils of their magical world. These weapons are not traditional metal instruments but are human hybrids capable of transforming into Demon Weapons, a status achieved only after consuming 99 evil souls and one witch’s soul. Soul Eater Evans, a Demon Scythe indifferent to anything but coolness, strives to become a Death Scythe with the assistance of his disciplined meister, Maka Albarn. This mismatched pair studies and works alongside the fiery Black☆Star and his supportive weapon Tsubaki, as well as Death the Kid, the Shinigami’s son, who is an obsessive-compulsive dual wielder of the twin pistols Patty and Liz. While undertaking missions to gather souls and defend the city from global dangers, the Shibusen students collaborate under the watching sun to achieve balance in their minds, bodies, and souls.

Situated in Japan, Academy City is thirty years ahead of the rest of the world in science and technology. Over seventy-five percent of its inhabitants are students training to develop psychic abilities as espers across various institutions. Touma Kamijou, a high school student, holds the lowest rank of zero but possesses a mysterious power known as Imagine Breaker, which can negate any supernatural force. Despite this unique gift, Touma lives a routine life until he meets Index Librorum Prohibitorum, a girl who has committed every forbidden grimoire to memory. Now, a dangerous faction is pursuing her. When magicians threaten the young girl, Touma vows to defend his new companion, pulling him into a concealed realm of the supernatural.

Youkai Academy appears to be a typical boarding school, but its entire student body consists of monsters trying to coexist with humans. The students attend classes disguised as ordinary humans, studying standard subjects such as literature, physical education, foreign languages, and math. However, beneath this veneer, the school enforces a strict rule: any human discovered on the premises must be executed immediately. Tsukune Aono is an ordinary high school student whose failing grades prevent him from entering any secondary school. Desperate to secure an education, his parents accidentally enroll him at Youkai Academy as a last resort. Once inside this hidden world, he encounters Moka Akashiya, the most popular and attractive girl at the school. Eager to pursue a relationship with her, he decides to remain at the dangerous institution, unaware that her beautiful exterior conceals a terrifying vampire nature. Rosario + Vampire is a supernatural school comedy that follows Tsukune’s romantic endeavors, daily life, and various misadventures as he navigates existence among a host of beautiful yet perilous supernatural beings.

After his heroic sacrifice during the Albion conflict, Saito Hiraga is granted a knighthood and takes on the status of a noble, a change that Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière struggles to come to terms with. With their relationship no longer that of a powerful Void mage and her incompetent familiar, Louise begins to question what their connection truly means. While visiting a castle, Louise is attacked by the formidable mage Sheffield. Unable to defeat her opponent alone, she is saved by Saito’s unexpected arrival. The mysterious effects of Void magic seem to influence the fight, leading Louise to suspect that another Void user exists. She also notices that Saito’s magical rune is starting to decay, prompting a new mission to locate the elf who previously restored his life. As they work to restore the runes and redefine their bond, the former master and servant must face these new obstacles together.

A full year has gone by since Tsukune Aono began attending Youkai Academy, and his life has changed completely during that time. As the only human surrounded by monster students, he has become the target of affection for several beautiful girls, including the seductive succubus Kurumu Kurono, the witch Yukari Sendou, the obsessive yuki-onna Mizore Shirayuki, and Moka Akashiya. Moka is a gentle vampire whose personality turns harsh and aggressive whenever her rosary is removed. Trouble arises when Moka's younger sister, Kokoa Shuzen, shows up. Furious that her "real" older sister is sealed inside the rosary, Kokoa is determined to set free Moka's hidden, darker self. However, Kokoa's reckless actions threaten to affect more than just her sister.

In November 1998, a double murder takes place at the newly built Ogawa apartment complex in central Mifune City. The killer, Tomoe Enjou, flees in a state of panic. To his surprise, the police do not pursue him, and the incident receives no media coverage. After Shiki Ryougi protects Tomoe from a group of thugs, she lets him hide out at her place. A few days later, Tomoe is horrified to find that his mother is still alive, even though he is certain he killed her. Meanwhile, Mikiya Kokutou looks into a tip that his associate Touko Aozaki receives concerning the murder at the unusual apartment complex. As Mikiya uncovers more details about the incident, he becomes especially interested in Tomoe. Deciding to investigate him further, Mikiya soon learns the disturbing truth behind the ominous Ogawa complex. The fifth entry in the Kara no Kyoukai film series, Mujun Rasen blends an intricately constructed mystery with established themes and characters to create a dark, thought-provoking story.

The world of Yozakura Quartet consists of two separate realms: one inhabited by humans and another by youkai. Though they largely resemble humans, youkai often possess animal-like features and a variety of supernatural powers. Normally confined to their own dimension, some youkai have crossed into the human world. To symbolize harmony and serve as a link between the two sides, a city was built within the protective barrier of seven enchanted trees, known as the Seven Pillars. This city, Sakurashin, houses both humans and youkai, with the peace between them upheld by the Hizumi Life Counseling Office. The office is run by Akina Hiizumi, a teenager who inherited his family's ability called "tuning," which can permanently banish harmful youkai back to their own world. He is supported by a group of girls: Hime Yarizakura, the 16-year-old youkai mayor of the town; Ao Nanami, the local announcer and a telepath; and Kotoha Isone, a half-youkai capable of summoning any object simply by speaking its name. As new inhabitants arrive and strange occurrences unfold, this quartet of guardians, along with their closest allies, must continue protecting Sakurashin and preserving the delicate balance of peace between humans and youkai.

The world of Auldrant is governed by the Score, ancient prophecies that foretell the future and are accepted as unchangeable destiny by all. Even when these predictions lead to violence and suffering, people live by them. Using magical Fonic Arts, the nations of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear and the Malkuth Empire wage war, each hoping to bring about the utopia the Score promises. Tales of the Abyss centers on Luke von Fabre, who has been confined to his manor since a childhood kidnapping left him with amnesia. While practicing swordsmanship, a woman named Tear attempts to assassinate his master. Luke intervenes, but the ensuing clash teleports both of them to a faraway region. Their journey home quickly becomes a mission that could either break the world free from the Score's hold or lead to its total destruction.

According to legend, a phenomenon called the "Summer of Anu" occurs every few years. During this season, the sky-god Anu's blessing renders all demons within the tower powerless. Seizing this opportunity, the kingdom of Uruk launches an invasion to suppress the demons, establishing fortified positions inside the tower with the goal of reaching its upper levels. The Uruk army recognizes this as the third Summer of Anu—an ideal chance to finally eliminate the monster Druaga. However, soldiers are not the only ones within the tower. A bustling city named Meskia has formed on the first floor, housing not only troops but also adventurers drawn by rumors of the legendary Blue Crystal Rod, a treasure said to lie at the tower's summit. With multiple factions pursuing their own objectives, the outcome of this unusual summer remains uncertain.

Certain sentiments remain unspoken during one's lifetime, and for those, "shigofumi" exist—letters conveyed from the realm of the dead to the living. When someone with powerful emotions passes away, they can create a shigofumi, whether those feelings are love, yearning, or bitterness. It falls to the quiet and enigmatic Fumika to deliver these messages from the departed. Accompanied by her talking magic staff Kanaka, she ensures each shigofumi reaches its intended recipient, even if that person is reluctant to confront its contents. Fumika witnesses the sorrows of people, both deceased and alive, and uncovers their deepest secrets. Yet, what remains uncertain are the specifics of Fumika's own past. Who was she before she became a carrier of shigofumi?

A spinoff of the Nintendo DS RPG from SEGA, which debuted in Japan in July 2008. In this world, humans are kept as livestock by the dominant beastman race, and sand serves in place of both water and fire. Kyrie is enlisted by the "World Destruction Committee" to help them end their world. Only Kyrie possesses the necessary power to accomplish this.

The story follows Takuto Hasegawa, a student at a hidden magic academy that does not appear on any map. While taking a summoning exam, he inadvertently brings into existence a girl named Tanarotte, who possesses sufficient magical power to annihilate his nation. Fortunately for him, Tanarotte pledges her eternal loyalty and love to her creator.

After losing the Sword of Light in their last fight, Lina and Gourry keep traveling to find a new weapon. During their trip, they encounter Amelia and Zelgadis in Luvinagard as they tease some pirates. Lina is pleased to see her old friends again, but she is also confronted by Wizer, the Inspector of the Special Investigative Unit for Luvinagard. To her surprise, his strange behavior catches her attention.

As Angelique enjoys a peaceful existence at her school, attacks by the monstrous Thanatos escalate across the rest of the world. One day, two Purifiers arrive, men possessing the power to destroy the Thanatos. Nyx, one of them, tries to persuade Angelique to join their ranks, noting that she has the potential to become the sole female Purifier. Before she can decide, a Thanatos appears at their school. Nyx and his partner, Rayne, engage in a losing fight. As her classmates are consumed by the Thanatos and the Purifiers are defeated, Angelique’s urge to protect everyone is awakened. She ultimately becomes the only female Purifier in Arcadia, earning the title of the "Queen's Egg".

After being told to "see the world," Rahzel, the daughter of a wealthy family, is cast out of her home and forced to embark on a journey. Along the way, she encounters Heat and Alzeid, two men whose personalities differ greatly yet whose quests are surprisingly alike. Clever, stubborn, and self-assured, Rahzel uses her magical abilities and sharp mind to aid the people she meets as she travels to discover the world.

Following the conclusion of the second season, Yuuri’s victory over Shinou creates a paradox: since Shinou is gone, the usual portal to Shin Makoku should be inaccessible. However, Yuuri’s own power has grown beyond that of Shinou’s, allowing him to forge his own path back to the Demon World. Upon his return at age sixteen, Yuuri finds that the political landscape has shifted dramatically. The noble class has attempted to crown Wolfram as the new Maou, but Yuuri’s reappearance disrupts this plan, sparking immediate conflict with nobles who refuse to accept his return to the throne. Compounding the internal strife is the emergence of an ancient secret society that endangers the peace between humans and Mazoku, further fueling the struggle over the legitimacy of the Demon King.

The narrative picks up directly after the events of the first season, shifting focus to delve deeper into the characters we have already met.

When he was young, Yuu Kusaka made a wish on a shooting star to fight for justice and protect the helpless. After one of his friends died, however, he lost the drive to honor that promise. Instead of using his mysterious ability to aid those in need, he exploits it to earn money, ignoring the suffering around him. His self-serving life continues until he is forced to fight for survival against another classmate with similar powers. He is rescued by Eimu Yoake, a mysterious girl who also possesses strange abilities. Eimu reveals that his power comes from an Ayakashi—a parasitic creature that grants the host special abilities while gradually draining their life energy. She assists him in fully awakening his own Ayakashi. Now aware of the being inside him, Yuu must live up to his childhood oath by using his Ayakashi to protect others and fight those who employ their own for evil, all while uncovering the truth behind his friend's death.

Prepare for another magical journey into the world of Someday's Dreamers, where sorcery is a career that demands both proper education and an official license. To earn that license and honor a vow made to her deceased father, young Sora Suzuki travels a great distance from her rural hometown of Biei to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. The task is overwhelming, but she possesses a measure of talent, a warm disposition, and most crucially, the guarantee of an internship! What she does not anticipate, however, is how drastically city life differs—especially the people. She easily bonds with confident Asagi Kuroda and gentle Hiyori, yet remains utterly baffled by the enigmatic boy Gouta. Still, as their internships repeatedly place them together in similar situations, they slowly begin to comprehend far more about each other than they ever dreamed possible.

Following the events of the first season, the surge in Thanatos combined with the disappearance of the Aube Hunters has reduced Arcadia to ruins. Desperation grips the land as the Religious Organization struggles against the Thanatos. It has been six months since the Hidamari mansion was reduced to ashes, and the Aube Hunters, once celebrated as heroes, are now blamed for the emergence of the Thanatos. Yet, hope remains for the eventual return of the Queen's Egg, who will serve as Arcadia's savior. Unbeknownst to most, the Aube Hunters have been quietly waiting for Angelique, who has remained asleep all along, to awaken.

After the original Blue Dragon storyline, Shu and Bouquet become members of a resistance movement opposing General Rogi's invading forces. They come across a mysterious girl named Noi, who possesses the ability to revive Shu's shadow counterpart, Blue Dragon, and they rescue her from a red dragon that is chasing her. Shu and his group must once again embark on a quest to uncover the true purpose of the dragons, face their trials, and put a halt to the chain of events that endangers all of humanity.

Ran is a cheerful and lively first-year junior high school student with supernatural abilities. Alongside Midori, a friend who also possesses supernatural powers, and Rui, the three find themselves constantly caught up in mysterious situations. Ran struggles with her powers because they tend to provoke ill will from those around her. With encouragement from her family and friends, however, she learns to embrace her other side and accept herself. The trio also discovers how to work together as a team to resolve these strange events.

Gyrano De Borgerac, a talkative sentient tank, appears quite occupied while being doted on by attentive maids. The fairy Sherri is also relishing the luxurious lifestyle of the court. Meanwhile, Rita finds herself ready to embrace her responsibilities as the princess of Wellber. In contrast, Tina remains determined to persist in her quest to locate the Man with a tattoo of Bee the Death, the devil responsible for annihilating her family. A profound and unspoken sorrow grips the hearts of the two girls, who have shared so much and are now on the verge of parting ways. Then, on the day Tina sets off... A new adventure awaits Tina as she traverses the still-fresh wounds of the Great War that destroyed entire cities a decade ago, leading her toward the unexpected truth concerning her nemesis.

Sequel to Onegai My Melody Sukkiri.

Shobu and his allies continue their battle against the remaining Fua Duelists with the goal of defeating Zakira. At the World Championship tournament, they once again confront the original members of the Fua Duelists. Shobu also discovers the tragic destiny his companions endured in the past at the hands of these duelists.

In a city populated by anthropomorphic cat-people, Catman lives without rules or boundaries, doing whatever he pleases—which often brings him into conflict with the city's other residents. Made entirely using Flash animation, the series has no spoken dialogue; instead, Catman communicates through English and Japanese subtitles. The series is divided into three so-called "seasons," though only the third season was broadcast.

Having barely evaded Wei Zhuang’s assassins, Jing Tianming, Ge Nie, and their companions take shelter in Mechanical City, the Mohist School’s impregnable stronghold concealed within the mountains. Safeguarded by numerous traps and mechanical beasts, this fortress stands as one of the few locations unaffected by the Qin Empire, serving as a sanctuary for those plotting its downfall. Unperturbed by the difficulty of infiltrating such a secure location, Wei Zhuang recruits the notorious Gongshu clan, renowned for their aggressive, war-oriented mechanical technology. Equipped with their lethal inventions, Wei Zhuang dispatches a specialized unit to penetrate Mechanical City, intending to instigate chaos among their ranks and dismantle the stronghold from within.

Kakeru is a huge fan of the Live On card game, just like many other kids his age. But no matter how hard he tries, he always loses whenever he plays. Everything changes when one day he saves a small dog-like creature being chased by strange people. That "dog" is actually a Create Monster, and it gives Kakeru a special Live Change card. This card allows him to protect his new friend—and draws him into something he never anticipated.

After twenty years of standing in a field, an ordinary scarecrow is brought to life by a lightning storm. He then befriends the daughter of a scarecrow shop owner.

Second season of the Shimajirou children's television series.