Best Fantasy Anime of 1998

Scientists splice the genetic material of the mythical Pokémon Mew to engineer Mewtwo, intended to be the most powerful Pokémon in existence. Refusing to remain a lab subject, Mewtwo lashes out with its psychic abilities, annihilating its creators in a fit of fury. It later seeks to master its abilities under Giovanni, the backer of the original research, only to realize it is being exploited once more. Determined to carve out its own destiny, Mewtwo vows revenge on humanity and unleashes a catastrophic storm to wipe out all life on Earth. Ash Ketchum and fellow trainers receive Mewtwo's summons to a battle, yet quickly learn the true motive: Mewtwo intends to clone their Pokémon to serve its own agenda. Ash races to thwart Mewtwo's scheme before it reaches fruition. The theatrical cut ran 75 minutes; a year later, a "complete version" aired on television just ahead of Pokémon the Movie 2000, expanding the runtime to 85 minutes with a retold sequence of Ash and Pikachu's first encounter.

Those who are weak and timid, like Yuugi Mutou, frequently become targets of bullying. His childhood friend, the kind Anzu Mazaki, defends him, but Yuugi realizes he cannot rely on her forever. Katsuya Jonouchi, frequently seen alongside his verbal rival Hiroto Honda, is not malicious at heart, even if he often creates trouble for Yuugi. What Yuugi truly wants is a faithful friend who understands him and will never betray his trust. Yuugi treasures the Millennium Puzzle, an ancient Egyptian artifact discovered in his grandfather's game store. Believing that solving the puzzle will grant his deepest desire, Yuugi assembles it, thereby unleashing a new identity—the spirit known as the "King of Games." This alternate persona, called Yami Yuugi, stands in stark contrast to Yuugi, being dark, forceful, and dependable. Whenever injustice occurs, Yami Yuugi takes over Yuugi's body and challenges the wrongdoer to a "Shadow Game," where the loser must confront the darkness hidden within their own soul.

In the past, a major catastrophe struck the Tower of Fang, a famous magic academy, involving the enchanted sword Baltanders and the wizard Azalie. Because Azalie could not control the sword's power, they were turned into a massive dragon called Bloody August. Krilancelo, a young mage at the Tower who had strong feelings for Azalie, was horrified by the elders' decision to ignore Azalie's situation and erase the event from history. Angered by their indifference, Krilancelo vowed to reverse Azalie's transformation. Abandoning his former identity and adopting the name Orphen, he left the Tower and his magical training behind to travel across the world.

Luffy and his crew, consisting of Zoro and Nami, are adrift on a small boat, starving, when a massive creature attacks them. During the chaos, Nami is taken, leaving Luffy and Zoro to fend for themselves. They wash ashore on an island and meet a girl named Medaka, who tells them that the island's people, including her father, have been enslaved by the dreaded pirate Ganzack. Resolved to rescue the villagers and Nami, Luffy, Zoro, and Medaka plot an assault on Ganzack's fortress.

Five years have passed since the War of Heroes ended with the downfall of the Emperor of Marmo. Parn continues his role as the Free Knight of Lodoss, accompanied by his renowned former allies from that conflict. Meanwhile, Ashram, who once acted as the emperor's trusted lieutenant, pursues the scepter of domination with the goal of rebuilding the empire as a tribute to his fallen master. At the same time, a more malevolent power begins to stir, setting the stage for the resurgence of the goddess of death and destruction.

In "Slayers Excellent," the series delves into the early confrontations and team-ups between rival sorceresses Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent. Their first joint mission takes place during a rescue operation involving a vampire. Afterwards, Lina is hired as a bodyguard for Sirene, the daughter of a wealthy man, tempted by a large payment. However, Sirene uses half of Lina's fee before Lina can claim it. To teach Sirene a lesson, Lina stages a kidnapping, which unexpectedly turns into a real abduction, forcing both to cooperate with Naga to save Sirene. The OVA concludes with Lina and Naga clashing over a fashion-related dispute.

While eating at a tavern in a village, sorceresses Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent see the locals hurry indoors as two opposing sides appear: a human army and a group led by a young girl with a dragon tribe. At first, the village lord tells Lina the conflict comes from an ancient curse, but it is later revealed that the dragon forces are commanded by his own daughter, Marlene, and the fights are actually quarrels about her allowance. Lina agrees to aid the village lord, while Naga chooses to support Marlene.

In 2023, extraterrestrial entities called "Lucifer Hawks" have started launching invasions from a different dimension. The only force preventing them from subjugating humanity is the Attacked Mystification Police Department, a specialized branch of the Tokyo Police composed of women who possess extraordinary paranormal powers.

In the land of Kuruda, combatants wielding magic and extraordinary battle skills compete for the prestigious title of Sevaar, the realm's strongest warrior. Elle Ragu, known as the Shadow Skill, has recently attained this honored rank, but her life remains far from simple. Training her "little brother" Gau in the ways of combat, repelling assassins dispatched by enemy nations, and stopping foreign invasions are all formidable tasks—yet managing her mounting alcohol debts proves to be her greatest trial.

In a small village, twin siblings Tatara and Sarasa are born. Prophet Nagi predicts that Tatara is destined to liberate Japan from the oppressive rule of the King and his four sons. However, tragedy strikes when the cruel Red King kills Tatara. As a result, Sarasa must assume her brother's identity and purpose, setting out on a journey to free Japan and seek vengeance for Tatara's death.

A new Priestess of Water has arrived in El Hazard. Her name is Qawool Towles, and although she is only 17 years old, everyone except Shayla-Shayla gives her a warm welcome. However, during her initiation ceremony, a mysterious being named Arjah appears and carries them all away to an alternate world. Now Makoto and the rest find themselves stranded once again in a strange new kingdom known as Creteria. This grim, industrial land is controlled by a dictator named Dall. If they ever hope to return to El-Hazard, they must uncover the mystery behind an ancient relic called the Spring of Life—and they have to do it quickly, because the spring appears to be fading away.

In the 25th century, the dark lord has corrupted history by planting time-devices that threaten to cause irreversible damage. Flint and his father lived in the prehistoric era when they were transformed into fossils. After being discovered, Flint is restored to his original form. With the assistance of his father, a boy named Tony, and a girl named Sara, he must journey through time to retrieve the time-devices and return them to the land of time, thereby saving history.

In a realm where time has frozen, a colossal whale rises from a smooth, glassy sea and gracefully soars across the sky for twelve hours. The visual brilliance comes from a distinctive technique: the artist employs the transparency and solidity of 3D computer graphics solely for the motionless ocean and icy glaciers. Meanwhile, the people, the whale, and the boats are drawn by hand, creating a sharp visual contrast that immerses viewers in a surreal world. This animated short unfolds as a poetic fantasy, weaving a true sense of wonder. Though the process demands immense effort, the outcome is truly breathtaking.

In "Protect Me, Heavenly Moon Guardian!," Tasuke Shichiri's companions are envious of his independence, since his often-away parents let him live as he pleases. To keep him from feeling lonely, his dad gives him a special ring called the shitenrin. From this ring emerges Shaorin, a moon goddess charged with protecting her "master," even though her methods often cause mayhem.

In "Dimension Movement of Nazca," Miura Kyoji, a devoted kendo practitioner, learns that his instructor Tate Masanari is the reincarnation of Yawaru, an Incan warrior seeking to cleanse the world through destruction. Kyoji himself is the reincarnation of Bilka, the warrior who once stopped Yawaru's devastating plans in a past life. As Yawaru gathers other awakened souls to unleash natural forces, Kyoji must face his true identity, questioning whether he is merely a vessel for Bilka's spirit or still truly Miura Kyoji. This internal struggle also determines which version of himself has a better chance to save the world and protect the future he holds dear.

Prince Pietro, the half-human, half-dragon heir to the throne of Popolocrois, finds his kingdom once again targeted by the villain GamiGami—whose takeover attempt fails, as usual. Soon after, a mysterious girl named Hyuu shows up in the forest near the castle, kicking off a new quest for Pietro, his witch ally Narcia, and their entire group of friends. This story takes place after the events of the first Popolocrois video game.

Nobita flees from an irate Gian, but Gian stumbles and Nobita escapes easily. He then asks Doraemon for a gadget to get back at Gian, only to be scolded by Doraemon. Doraemon tells Nobita that he must go back to the 22nd century and will not be returning.

Set before World War II, the all-female Nakano Naval Academy is secretly known as the "Virgin Fleet." The students of this elite school wield a special power called "Virgin Energy." With the looming threat of another war with Russia, young pilot Shiokaze Umino must sharpen her unique abilities to protect Japan from potential ruin.

In the Heian period, roughly a thousand years in the past, a young noble named Ojarumaru grows weary of his sheltered, indulgent existence. Meanwhile, three demons accidentally misplace the power-stick belonging to their king, Enma. Ojarumaru discovers this enchanted object and uses it to journey to the present day, where he encounters Kazuma and becomes a member of his household. As time passes, Ojarumaru forms many friendships and evades the comedic attempts of the three demons—Akane, Kisuke, and Aobee—as they strive to reclaim the power-stick.

Title: Gandalla: The King of Burning Desert Rising tensions within a band and a pivotal decision about their music inadvertently pull them into the grasp of the terrifying desert god called Gandalla.

No synopsis information has been added to this title. Help improve our database by adding a synopsis here.

In the distant past, the world lived in peace—until the giants stirred from their long slumber and rose once more. The three priestess sisters who watched over their shrine were forced to flee, and they turned to Maze for aid. This movie has never received a home release.

The planet Terra, once regarded as a morning star in the galactic system, was exceptionally beautiful. However, Terra now faces a crisis—it may vanish in a massive explosion across the universe due to pollution and warfare. Dr. Chaco is the only person who knows the key to saving Terra. The sole method to rescue the planet is to activate the rainbow system using seven mysterious crystals. To locate these seven crystals, Dr. Chaco organizes a race in order to carry out his plan of building his own universal dynasty with the crystals' power. Rick, riding Hamos, joins the race unaware of Dr. Chaco's scheme. During the race, Rick learns the secret of the crystals and attempts to restore the planet Terra. This leads to a conflict between Dr. Chaco and Rick over control of the seven crystals and the rainbow system.

Born from the blazing inferno of space, Kongo, a stone monkey, is magically awakened to life. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a yearning for greatness, Kongo departs from his "family" on Flower Fruit Mountain to seek out ancient wisdom and arcane secrets. Not satisfied with merely studying the mystical arts, Kongo perfects the magic Jet Cloud, the first of his formidable weapons. Harnessing the power of the Jet Cloud, Kongo commands the skies and returns to his adopted home just in time. Humans are encroaching on the monkeys' ancestral territory. Using his Jet Cloud and newfound magical knowledge, Kongo vanquishes the humans and declares himself King of Flower Fruit Mountain. However, in the Celestial Heavens, the gods grow uneasy. A monkey defeating humans and crowning himself king? That is unacceptable! Deciding the monkeys need to be taught a lesson, they launch an assault on Kongo and all the monkeys of Flower Fruit Mountain.

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

The seventh month of the lunar calendar is known as ghost month. DouDou visits his grandmother on the first day of July, when the gates of the underworld open. Grandma performs Taoist rituals for the dead and communicates with spirits. One day, DouDou accidentally releases a devil from a sealed urn. The devil takes over a drowsy house cat and tells DouDou that by applying Grandma's tears to his eyelids, he can see his invisible friends. What DouDou doesn't realize is that this is all part of the devil's scheme to devour every ghost. "Grandma and Her Ghosts" evokes the style and sensibility of Hayao Miyazaki's works like "My Neighbor Totoro," while drawing deeply from Taiwanese culture.

Double feature with Sore Ike! Anpanman: Anpanman to Okashi na Nakama.

Double feature with Sore Ike! Anpanman: Tenohira o Taiyou ni.