Best Fantasy Anime of 2009

An alchemy experiment gone horribly wrong shatters the lives of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric. Defying the fundamental alchemical law that forbids human transmutation, they try to revive their deceased mother. The attempt backfires catastrophically: Alphonse loses his entire body, while Edward sacrifices a leg and then an arm to anchor his brother's soul to a massive suit of armor. Their neighbor Pinako Rockbell and her granddaughter Winry take them in. Winry, a gifted engineer specializing in biomechanics, crafts prosthetic limbs for Edward using "automail"—a durable, versatile metal found in robots and battle armor. After years of intense training, the Elric brothers embark on a mission to recover their original bodies by finding the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary gem capable of bypassing the law of Equivalent Exchange. As Edward earns fame as an alchemist and the moniker "Fullmetal," their quest pulls them into a far-reaching conspiracy that could determine the fate of the world.

In the magical Kingdom of Fiore, Lucy Heartfilia dreams of becoming a member of the legendary Fairy Tail, one of the many guilds for wizards across the continent. Her wish comes true after a chance meeting with the "Salamander" Natsu Dragneel, who brings her into the guild. From the rivalry between Natsu and ice mage Gray Fullbuster to the intimidating presence of the unbeatable fighter Erza Scarlet, Fairy Tail's powerful wizards share a knack for causing trouble. Amidst their profitable odd jobs and missions to prevent the world's destruction lies an unbreakable bond of trust, stronger than family, connecting every member. Alongside Natsu, Gray, and Erza, Lucy joins the guild's most eccentric misfits. However, as they continually find themselves in the middle of danger, one name keeps appearing: Zeref, the dreaded dark magic master.

Academy City, a metropolis teeming with students, stands at the cutting edge of scientific progress and houses the esper development program. The seven "Level 5" espers reign as the most formidable individuals within the city, with middle schooler Mikoto Misaka, an electricity manipulator known as "The Railgun," holding the third position. As strange incidents start cropping up across the city, she discovers each crime is linked to the mysterious "Level Upper," a legendary device said to boost an esper's level. As the situation intensifies, it becomes clear that the Level Upper hides more than meets the eye, and that Academy City may be a far more twisted place than the glamorous utopia it appears to be. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun centers on Mikoto and her friends—and the perilous situations they stumble into—as they become entangled in the Level Upper affair. As Mikoto puts it, "There's never a dull moment in this city."

For Oz Vessalius, the young heir to the Vessalius Duke House, the dangerous realm known as the Abyss is merely a bedtime story used to frighten disobedient children. But when the Baskerville Clan interrupts his coming-of-age ceremony and casts him into the Abyss, Oz understands that his comfortable, luxurious life has come to an end. He must now face the Abyss and its inhabitants, the monstrous Chains, which are far more real than he ever imagined. Based on the supernatural fantasy manga of the same name, Pandora Hearts follows fifteen-year-old Oz as he searches for the meaning behind the strange events that have upended his life. With the help of a mysterious Chain named Alice, nicknamed the "Bloodstained Black Rabbit," and members of a secret organization called Pandora, Oz begins to suspect that his existence holds a significance far greater than he could have ever dreamed.

Five years after the events of Dragon Ball, martial arts expert Gokuu has grown up and married Chi-Chi, with a four-year-old son named Gohan. During a reunion on Turtle Island with his old friends Master Roshi, Krillin, Bulma, and others, the celebration is interrupted when a humanoid alien named Raditz not only reveals the truth about Gokuu's past but also kidnaps Gohan. Faced with Raditz's power, which surpasses anything Gokuu has ever encountered, he is forced to join forces with his former enemy Piccolo to rescue his son. When Gokuu and Piccolo disclose the secret of the seven wish-granting Dragon Balls to Raditz, he warns them that more members of his race, the Saiyans, exist and will not hesitate to seize the Dragon Balls for themselves. This marks the beginning of Dragon Ball Kai, a saga where Gokuu, his friends, and his family constantly defend the galaxy against increasingly powerful threats. Bizarre, comical, heartwarming, and menacing characters come together in a series of battles that push Gokuu and his allies' powers and abilities beyond anything they have ever known.

After thwarting Naraku once more, Inuyasha, Kagome Higurashi, and their companions must persist in hunting for the remaining shards of the Shikon Jewel to prevent them from merging into a corrupted whole under Naraku’s control. However, Naraku has his own designs to obtain the shards and will eliminate any obstacle, even his own subordinates. The relentless threat forces Sango and Miroku to choose between their relationship and their combat duties. Meanwhile, Inuyasha must determine whether his heart belongs to Kikyou or Kagome before fate intervenes. As the group races to collect the shards, Inuyasha and his brother Sesshoumaru must settle their long-standing feud and unite for a final showdown with Naraku, a victory essential to ending his cruelty forever.

In a world devastated by monstrous creatures known as Limbeekoon or Filth Monsters, humanity survives within enormous mobile cities called Regios, where they wield special weapons named Dite by channeling the energy known as Kei to protect themselves. Layfon Alseif arrives at the Academy City of Zuellni seeking a fresh start and to leave his troubled history behind. But his past draws the interest of Karian Loss, the manipulative Student Council President, and Nina Antalk, a Military Arts student who leads the 17th Military Arts Platoon. Nina quickly recognizes Layfon's skills and tries to recruit him into her group. However, burdened by a secret past that refuses to fade and possessing extraordinary powers beyond the norm, Layfon may not easily accept the role thrust upon him.

The Barsburg Empire's Military Academy is famous for training elite soldiers who bring victory to the empire. Students at the academy freely use an ability called Zaiphon, and the type of Zaiphon they can wield depends on the soldier's nature. Teito Klein, a student at the academy, is one of the most promising soldiers produced. Though everyone mocks him for being a sklave with no memories of his past, he finds a friend in a fellow student named Mikage. While preparing for the final exam, Teito uncovers a dark secret tied to his past. After a failed attempt to assassinate Ayanami—a high-ranking official who killed his father—Teito is locked up awaiting punishment. Wanting only the best for Teito, Mikage helps him escape. Teito ends up at the 7th District Church, where the bishops take him in. There, Teito tries to evade the grasp of Ayanami and the military, hoping to recover his memories and learn why he is the one who can change the fate of the world.

February 1999 sees Shiki Ryougi and Mikiya Kokutou unsettled by a series of murders. These killings bear an unsettling likeness to a spate of homicides from 1995, the year Shiki and Mikiya first crossed paths, and they stir up a lethal, dormant craving within Shiki's spirit that has lingered since that time. As suspicion falls on Shiki because of her connection to the earlier deaths and her alleged similarity to the murderer, she and Mikiya launch their own hunt for the real culprit. While they investigate separately, Mikiya becomes more anxious about Shiki's safety and rushes to track down the killer, hoping to shield Shiki from her own inner urges. Following a clue from his cousin, police detective Daisuke Akimi, Mikiya descends into the shadowy depths of Mifune City, where the redemption of Shiki's soul hinges on his resolve to clear her name once and for all.

Forty-four years after the Valbanil War, the surviving nations agreed to peace and outlawed the deadly demon contracts that once devastated the land. Now, young knight Cecily Cambell strives to live up to her family's legacy and protect the city's people with the sword inherited from her father. Her first test comes in the marketplace, where a mad swordsman attacks civilians. Cecily leaps in to intervene, but her weapon shatters under the strain. A mysterious stranger wielding an unusual blade steps in to subdue the attacker. Once order is restored, Cecily visits a local blacksmith hoping to repair her family heirloom. There she discovers that her rescuer—the blacksmith Luke Ainsworth—may be the only one skilled enough for such delicate work. Determined to restore her treasured sword, she seeks out the man who saved her. Soon, a band of brigands attacks a convoy approaching the city. The assailants appear inhuman, and an ice demon emerges. Suspecting the use of a forbidden demon contract, Luke calls upon a sacred power to defeat them. Meanwhile, a shadowy figure in a hood watches from afar. Who is this mysterious villain, and what does his presence mean for Cecily and Luke?

During the Sengoku period, Japan is fractured and drenched in conflict as various warlords vie for supremacy. Among them, Nobunaga Oda, known as the "Demon King of Owari," has risen to become the most powerful ruler, crushing both allies and enemies alike in his quest to impose a despotic central government. Defying Oda's tyranny are two formidable warriors: Masamune Date, the "One-eyed Dragon of Oshu," and Yukimura Sanada, a hot-blooded yet distinguished fighter from the Takeda clan. Although both share the aim of stopping Oda from conquering the land, they cannot see eye to eye. Equally matched in battle, their mutual respect fuels a bitter rivalry that prevents any alliance against the Demon King of Owari. As Oda's armies close in on their domains, Masamune and Yukimura must reluctantly set aside their differences and unite to face the common threat.

Collecting unusual juice cans is one way to make new acquaintances, but Kakeru Daichi never expected that trying to drink one would introduce him to a fascinating girl. He names her Melon—after the can’s melon soda flavor—and quickly discovers she is an Akikan: a beautiful girl who is actually a special can created to battle other Akikans in a bizarre experiment comparing steel and aluminum containers. Getting caught up in this absurdly twisted research project gone wrong naturally complicates Kakeru’s life beyond belief. Since Melon’s steel body requires carbon dioxide to survive, he is stuck with her because of her heavy CO2 dependency. And when his wealthy, attractive childhood friend Najimi gets her own aluminum Akikan, the real trouble begins.

Gauche Suede commands great respect among the Letter Bees—a state-run organization tasked with delivering written messages to even the most isolated places. But the Amberground, the land Gauche must cross, is shrouded in eternal twilight and inhabited by monstrous creatures called Gaichuu. During one dangerous mission, Gauche encounters Lag Seeing, a distressed young boy who has been sent as a letter himself. Five years afterward, Lag also becomes a Letter Bee, motivated by his experience traveling with Gauche. As he works to follow in his hero's footsteps, Lag uncovers the strife and intricacy hidden within his world.

In a realm where the queen is selected every few years solely through victory in a tournament, formidable opponents are never in short supply. For one female warrior, however, an early defeat makes it clear that she lacks experience despite her ample physical attributes. Fortunately, though losing could mean death, her life is spared by a powerful stranger. Yet for this rescuer, questionable intentions and cunning relatives result in a prison cell instead of a reward. Her release comes swiftly when the inexperienced warrior she saved, weary of her noble lifestyle, departs to prove her worth.

Natsume Tomoharu is an ordinary high school student, except for one unusual detail: he is constantly accompanied by the ghost of his best friend, Misao. After moving into his brother's former home, Tomoharu expects to carry on with his normal routine. But one day, he is left with a mysterious locked briefcase and no instructions. Initially, he plans to store it away, but soon his house is raided by multiple groups all seeking the briefcase. Still unaware of its purpose, Tomoharu and Misao try to flee with it. From that point on, Tomoharu sets out to uncover the secrets behind the briefcase, its connection to Misao, and why it holds the power to alter the world.

In the land of Ryoza, the neighboring provinces of Shin-Ou and Tai-Kou have existed in peace. Queen Shinou rules over Ryoza, while her greatest general, Grand Duke Taikou, protects the kingdom using his army of powerful war-lizards known as the "Touda." Despite the long-standing alliance between the two regions, mounting tensions threaten to ignite a severe civil war. In Ake, a village within Tai-Kou tasked with raising the Grand Duke's army, lives a bright girl named Erin. She spends her days observing the work of her mother Soyon, the village's head Touda doctor. However, while under Soyon's care, a disastrous incident occurs involving the Grand Duke's strongest Touda, and the peace Erin and her mother enjoyed vanishes as Soyon is harshly punished. In a desperate attempt to rescue her mother, Erin falls into a river and is carried away toward Shin-Ou. Unable to return home, Erin must learn to start a new life among completely different people, all while seeking the truth about both beasts and humanity itself, as tensions between the two regions continue to escalate.

The Holy Empire's growing strength brings neighboring territories increasingly under its dominion. This expansion eventually reaches the small island of Erin, where the Gael tribe resides. A priestess named Riannon is abducted to serve as a living sacrifice for the demon king Arawn, a fearsome entity said to have wrought massive devastation long ago. Riannon’s brother, First Warrior Arthur, manages to rescue her, but at that moment Arawn appears before them in the form of a handsome grey-haired man. Concealing his true nature and staying mysterious, Arawn offers his strength and guidance to the tribe’s struggle, joining Arthur, Riannon, and their lively group of allies—including a skilled swordsman, a nimble hunter, and a band of delighted pixies—as they resist the Empire and gradually unveil the hidden truths of their world.

Jil's spirit is broken, and he remains haunted by unanswered questions, still struggling to make sense of everything. Then, a mysterious girl named Kai appears before him and says, "Take me to the top of the tower." With Kai's request wrapped in obscurity, Jil gets another opportunity to pursue his fate and climb the Tower. As his hopes and dreams seem to be slipping away, Jil must once again rise to meet the challenge in this unending adventure.

In a realm where the deceased are transformed into books and archived within the Bantorra Library, allowing readers to access their past lives, the institution is guarded by Armed Librarians possessing psychic abilities. These guardians stand against Sindeki Kyoudan, a religious organization that serves as their primary adversary.

After the events of the first season, Tomoharu confronts a difficult choice: failing to forge a contract with an akuma could cost him his beloved friend Takatsuki. Yet, agreeing would jeopardize his very existence, transforming him and his spirit companion Misao into an Asura Cryin', which the school presidents identify as humanity's greatest peril. The decision is further complicated by the fact that Tomoharu and Misao have regained fragments of their past, uncovering memories of a previously unknown world.

After overcoming the many challenges she faced on her journey, Reina has developed into a stronger fighter. With the intention of competing in the Queen's Blade tournament, she makes her way to the capital city of Gainos, where Queen Aldora presides. There, a host of beautiful warriors have assembled, all there for the same reason as Reina—to participate in the Queen's Blade. Among them are Reina's older sister Claudette, who seeks to bring back the honor of House Vance; Tomoe and Shizuka, both fighting for their homeland of Hinomoto; Nanael, sent to compete by order of the Archangel; and the minions of the Marshland Witch. All these lovely combatants gathered in Gainos share one goal: to emerge victorious in the Queen's Blade, the contest that chooses the strongest and most beautiful queen. Who will claim that illustrious throne? Only battle will decide the answer.

A man awakens in a dark forest of a mythical land, wearing a leopard mask that he cannot remove. All he remembers is his name—Guin—and that he is a warrior of immense power. When the twin children of Parros, innocent victims of a civil war, appear before him, Guin knows what he must do. But saving the children involves far more than defeating a few hundred well-trained Mongoul soldiers. To achieve victory, he must fight magical desert tribes, unite forces that have been at war for centuries, and unravel a mysterious plan in which he plays a central role. This is a sweeping anime epic of mystery and magic—of violent clashes and dark double-crosses. Ready yourself for the battle of Guin Saga.

In order to rescue both the Magical Kingdom and the Heavens and reestablish the flow of akuto—the energy that sustains all things—Magical King Munto is guided by a vision to locate the girl Yumemi in the ordinary world. Yumemi is an otherwise typical girl, except that she alone can see the floating islands of the Heavens overhead. When Munto materializes before her, she starts contemplating her own and others' duty to the world.

To rescue Pokota’s nation of Taforashia, which was sealed away by Rezo, Lina and her companions seek the Hellmaster’s jar, the vessel containing his soul after death. Zelgadis is desperate to retrieve it in hopes of reverting to his human form, while Zuuma plots revenge and aims to complete his mission of killing Lina Inverse. Meanwhile, the true intentions of Xellos regarding this conflict remain a significant mystery for the group.

Marin and her younger sister Urin, inhabitants of the sea, stumble upon something surprising: a beautiful silver ring lost beneath the waves. Kind-hearted Marin, determined to return it to its owner, drags a reluctant Urin along to the sky world, despite warnings about a turtle elder who left for the surface and never came back. After finding the ring's owner, Kanon Miyamori, they discover that Kanon threw it into the ocean after her boyfriend broke up with her earlier that day. Even though Marin insists such a lovely item should not be discarded, Kanon tosses it again. While searching for the ring, Urin gets separated from the other two and accidentally breaks the seal on a stone coffin, releasing an evil entity called Sedna. Sensing Sedna's release, the previously missing turtle elder, Matsumoto, reveals himself to Kanon and her companions, declaring Marin the Priestess of the Sea. Together with the Priestess of the Sky, she possesses the power to seal Sedna away once more. And as luck would have it, during an encounter with one of Sedna's minions, Kanon discovers that she is the Priestess of the Sky. Though hesitant, Kanon and Marin decide to work together to save the world from the evil threatening it.

The new season continues to focus on Corticarte, and it will be connected to the light novel adaptation of Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica crimson S by Ichiro Sakaki and Noboru Kannatsuki, which takes place during the Academy years of the story.

The earlier Miracle Train project centered on the stations of the Chuo line, whereas this new anime and its associated stories take place on the Oedo subway line. Consequently, the anime introduces a different group of characters: Fumi Roppongi, Rintarou Shinjuku, Izayoi Tsukishima, Iku Shiodome, Saki Tochou, and Itsumi Ryougoku.

In the year 981, the continent of Arad is afflicted by the cursed light of Kazan. Baron, a man living there, has one of his arms taken over by this curse. After discovering a sword inhabited by the spirit Roxy, he sets out on a journey to uncover the mystery behind the curse, gathering a party of diverse allies he meets along the way.

Dan Bashin, a spirited teen recognized for his aggressive approach to the card game Battle Spirits, holds the moniker of "Clash King." His life changes when a mysterious girl with green hair transports him to Grand Rolo, a realm where conflicts are resolved through card duels. Upon arriving, Dan is pulled into a struggle between the imperial army and the subjugated locals. He discovers he is a prophesied hero, the "bearer of cores' light," destined to rescue the land from its tyrannical ruler. Alongside Zungurii and the eccentric witch Magisa, Dan journeys across Grand Rolo, challenging other chosen warriors to card battles. As the legend of the Clash King spreads, hidden truths about the kingdom's colonial history emerge. It remains to be seen whether Dan's actions will impact the world far beyond his wildest expectations.

In the eternally dark city of Salta, a community of vampires resides. Hipira, a young vampire, leads the life of an ordinary boy—going to school and facing bullies along the way. Yet he has a fondness for exploration, pulling pranks on others, and embarking on wild adventures! From befriending a human soul, terrifying his neighbors by pretending the sun has risen, to encountering giant frogs and aliens, Hipira constantly finds himself stumbling into and escaping from trouble.

G.G. Bond now appears as an angel. He is on a three-month probationary period, tasked with guiding a monster to ensure it remains on the right path.

Beyond featuring a narrator who highlights the show's educational value, the series centers on seven "super" heroes linked to the five physical senses and two mental ones: nonsense and common sense. The protagonist, Noonbory, is endowed with the power of common sense. The story unfolds in the vibrant world of Toobalooba, defined by its four seasons. The antagonists consist of Wangury and his crew of Bullygury pirates, a solitary girl called Rosygury, and an abominable snowman named Coldygury, who hurls snowballs from his hat whenever he is upset with "somebory" or "somegury."

In Megalopolis, six dinosaurs are unearthed from a museum basement after Edgar Chudley, a young aspiring paleontologist and tech genius, triggers a city-wide blackout by accident. A year later, Edgar finds that four of the creatures have been hiding there, mastering kung fu in the process. They join forces with him to thwart the schemes of the remaining two dino brothers: the evil Skor and his dimwitted sibling Skrap. The brothers seek out crystals holding mutant DNA, which Skor intends to use to create monstrous dinosaurs capable of world domination.