Why 2024 is the Year of Dark Fantasy Anime

Key Takeaways:

• The anime market growth is influenced mainly by the ongoing market demands and growth of online streaming platforms.
• Anime with the dark fantasy genre should be given focus because the anime will not lose its popularity anytime soon.
• With its anime localization services, CCC offers anime localization for the dark fantasy genre, producing quality and reliable content that reaches a global audience.

Table of Contents

• The Rise of Dark Fantasy Anime in 2024
• Curated List of Dark Fantasy Anime 2024
• CCC – Anime Localization Service Provider

The dark fantasy genre has become more popular among the anime community in recent years. Popular dark fantasy anime shows have been releasing new seasons and adaptations since the earlier months, and are still coming for the second half of 2024. Some classics have also made the rounds and are still the talk of the town, years after their original run.

With the ongoing demand for merchandise and the significant growth of online streaming platforms, the anime market growth reached $26 billion in 2022. By 2030, it will grow at 7.90% CAGR, reaching up to $48.3 billion.

Anime localization services like CCC can help popular and upcoming anime selections reach a global audience. Thus, if you enjoy popular titles, like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer, maybe you’d also like this curated list of dark fantasy anime 2024 that we prepared for you.

The dark fantasy genre is a subgenre of fantasy fiction, which incorporates darker themes. However, its definition can be interchangeable with other genres, as its characteristics may also exist somewhere else. In anime shows, the most notable examples of dark fantasy are Berserk and Attack on Titan.

The setting can be a dark, dystopian place, and involves morally ambiguous protagonists. The main conflict can include saving the world against its doom, which can also be figurative and implied, as well as the personal moral struggle of the characters. Usually, it doesn’t have a happy ending, but can have some sort of closure, where characters face the realization of their prior actions.   

Dark fantasy anime shows often include a reincarnation trope, which is called isekai. The trope also exists in other genres as well, and it is one of the most popular sub-genres in today’s generation of anime shows. Dark fantasy anime shows with the isekai trope usually start with a dying protagonist getting transported to another world or dimension, where their adventure takes place.

• Most watched anime shows in 2024 are dark fantasy, alongside romance and slice-of-life. In fact, there are two to three dark fantasy anime shows that are included in the new and upcoming lists of anime. Since most of the shows are ongoing or are awaiting adaptations, viewers tend to talk more about it on social media, thus, reaching a wider audience.
• Since the popularity of isekai started with the show Sword Art Online in 2012, it is still utilized as a sub-genre for popular dark fantasy anime shows, among other genres. Viewers are fascinated with it because of its theme of escapism, which can give them some sort of emotional relief. In fact, our curated list has included three isekai titles.
• In the same way, just as Shakespearean or Greek tragedies are enjoyed, watching dark fantasy anime shows is also a cathartic experience for the viewer. Viewers can somehow relate emotionally to the shows they consume.

The current generation, or the Gen Z, tends to gravitate towards nostalgia, as they also consume similar content. Dark fantasy anime shows may also contain nostalgia since most titles are adapted from manga and novels from decades ago. In connection with this, the anime community gained more adult viewers, who are interested in watching fantasy shows that are not childish. 

Furthermore, anime with the dark fantasy genre should be given focus because the anime will not lose its popularity anytime soon. Even when it is already an established genre, the possibilities are still endless. It is a genre yet to be exhausted and can offer more potential stories to be shared.

Here is the list of titles that you should watch this year.

Pro-tip: Some titles included in the list contain trigger warnings. Viewer discretion is advised.

Re:Zero

Re:Zero is a 2016 isekai dark fantasy anime that tells the story of a teenage boy who got transported into another world, starting an adventure with a half-elf half-girl. The show was named the Crunchyroll Most Watched Anime in 2016.

A third season will be released in October 2024, so watch out!

Note: This show contains trigger warnings, such as violence & gore, intense scenes, and sex & nudity.  

Overlord

Overlord is another isekai anime based on Kugane Maruyama’s 2010 light novel of the same name. The 2015 anime adaptation follows the story of an online RPG player getting trapped in the game simulation after its supposed-to-be shutdown. 

An anime film adaptation will be released in September 2024 in Japan. Sony Pictures Entertainment will also distribute the film in North America by November 2024.

Note: This show contains trigger warnings, such as violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity, and intense scenes.

Witch and the Beast

This 2024 anime show follows the story of a masked beast trapped inside a female’s body and an agent for the Order of Magical Resonance, who are tasked to solve magic-related cases.

It was released earlier this year, so you can watch it now on Crunchyroll!

Note: Watch out for the severe violence & gore, as well as moderately frightening & intense scenes.

Goblin Slayer

Goblin Slayer is a 2018 anime show that follows the story of the eponymous Goblin Slayer, an adventurer whose main goal is to kill all goblins. 

The second season was released in late 2023, so it’s definitely still fresh to watch!

Note: The show contains disturbing themes and trigger warnings on sex & nudity, violence & gore, and frightening & intense scenes.

Dorohedoro

Set in a near post-apocalyptic future where humans and sorcerers coexist, the 2020 anime mainly follows the story of a man who searches for the sorcerer who erased his memories and turned his head to that of a reptile.

Dorohedoro’s Season Two was announced in 2024, with no exact date of release yet.

Note: Watch out for the severe violence & gore and frightening & intense scenes.

Drifters

Another isekai on the list, this 2016 anime series follows the story of historical characters getting transported to another world. 

While any further announcements are yet to be announced, hints at the end of the last episode of season 1, promise a second season with an unspecified year. Furthermore, two OVAs were limitedly released in 2017 which was said to serve as the first two episodes of the second season. Another OVA was also released on DVD in 2018. 

Note: This show contains trigger warnings, including violence & gore, frightening & intense scenes, and sex & nudity.

Shinsekai Yori

Shinsekai Yori, or From The New World, follows the adventures of a group of village kids who slowly realize the true nature of their world and later embark on a journey to protect their friends and the world. In this world, human beings have developed psychic powers.

This 2012 anime show is highly recommended by fans because of its rich world-building, and complex plot and characters.

Note: This show contains trigger warnings on violence & gore, frightening & intense scenes, and sex & nudity.

Fate/Zero

This 2012 anime, serving as a prequel for Fate/Stay Night and the third production in the series, details the events of the Fourth Holy Grail War, centering the story on the character of Kiritsugu Emiya, Fate/Stay Night’s Shirou Emiya’s foster father.

If you liked the Fate/Stay Night franchise, you can enjoy this prequel as well to learn more lores about the series.

Note: This show contains disturbing themes of abuse. Its trigger warnings include violence & gore and frightening & intense scenes.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

This 2011 anime show follows the story of middle school girls and their adventures to become magical girls.

The latest film adaptation was originally to be released in early 2024 but has been delayed to Winter 2025. Nevertheless, fans are anticipating the later installment of the show.

Note: This show contains severely frightening & intense scenes and moderate violence & gore. 

Fullmetal Alchemist

Last but not least, Fullmetal Alchemist. This classic is included in the list as it remains relevant, with several recent adaptations. This show follows the story of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, set in a world that practices alchemy.

As a multi-franchise, the manga series is among the best-selling manga of all time. Aside from the anime show, video games, arts & guidebooks, audio drama, light novels, live adaptations, and merchandise are made for the series.

Note: This show contains trigger warnings, including violence & gore, and frightening & intense scenes.

As the dark fantasy genre continues to remain relevant in the anime scene, it is expected that we will see more of it in the coming years. Furthermore, it stirs up cathartic emotions among its viewers. At CCC, we offer anime localization for the dark fantasy genre, ensuring that we produce quality and reliable content that reaches a global audience. Contact us!