Highlights:
* Here are the five best mythology anime.
* Vinland Saga is based on real historical figures.
* Blood of Zeus Season 2 can be found on Netflix.
Writers draw inspiration from folklore, traditions, and myths to portray the setting for their work. Over the years, the practice of incorporating myths into one’s story has developed into a genre of its own.
Mythology anime usually feature Japanese, Greek, or Norse themes as they are the most popular forms of mythology. However, these anime series capture the folklore in a more modern or unique way, sometimes even creating characters based on Gods and giving them suitable personalities.
5 Most Epic Mythology Anime That Will Keep You Hooked To Screens
Mythology anime not only has a unique take on real Gods and characters but also flesh out their personalities, making even the Immortals seem human. The background artworks are detailed to emphasize the mythical themes following which they are adapted to animation.
Here are the best five mythology anime in 2024:-
Record of Ragnarok
Date of Release | June 2021 |
Writer | Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui |
Where To Watch | Netflix, Prime Video |
Also known as Shuumatsu no Walküre, Record of Ragnarok shows mankind’s fall from the grace of Gods after 7 million years. The Valkyrie Brunhilde proposes the idea of holding a tournament called Ragnarök, where humanity’s finest warriors will have to defeat the Gods.
Despite the implications of the word ‘Ragnarok,’ the mythology anime features Greek Gods battling the Einherjar. Fans argue that the Gods seem weak although the point of the series is that the ever-evolving humans and their survival instincts drive them to great deeds.
Knights Of The Zodiac: Saint Seiya
Date of Release | July 19, 2019 |
Writer | Masami Kurumada |
Where To Watch | Netflix, Crunchyroll |
Knights Of The Zodiac: Saint Seiya portrays an unfathomable take on Greek mythology. The character designs are derived from Japanese artwork yet it has a perfect Greek setting and storyline. Gods and Goddesses resemble their mythical personalities highlighted in Homer’s Iliad and other epics.
Saint Seiya features the eponymous main character in a quest to find his sister, Saori Kido. After acquiring a Cloth, a protective armor worn by the saints that worship Athena, Seiya defeats multiple villains to eventually rescue Saori. As it turns out, Saori is the reincarnation of Goddess Athena, who has to save mankind from evil Olympians, including the God of the Underworld, Hades.
The Seven Deadly Sins
Date of Release | October 5, 2014 |
Writer | Nakaba Suzuki |
Where To Watch | Netflix |
A must-watch shonen anime, The Seven Deadly Sins incorporates the Christian myth of cardinal sins. The characters in the series, like the demons mentioned in the Bible, have personalities based on individual Sins. Meliodas personifies the Dragon’s Sin of Wrath, Ban the Fox’s Sin of Greed, Diane the Serpent’s Sin of Envy, and so on.
However, in the mythology anime, the Seven Deadly Sins is the name of a group of people who, instead of being the villains, are the main characters who drive the narrative. They are former criminals who embody a Sin yet are kind-hearted. Elizabeth recruits them to liberate the region of Liones from demons.
Vinland Saga
Date of Release | July 7, 2019 |
Writer | Makoto Yukimura |
Where To Watch | Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Netflix |
Inspired by the story of King of Norway Olaf I, Vinland Saga is a mythology anime series that portrays the history of Scandinavia amidst a Nordic setting. The characters are based on real-life historical figures, including the protagonist Thorfinn Karlsefni, commander Thorkell the Tall, and King Canute the Great.
Despite finding it difficult to obtain information about the historical characters, Yukimura continued Vinland Saga. The anime was widely praised for its Norse themes and the bitter fruits of war. Thorfinn, a vengeful teenager, transforms into a pacifist after his experience as a slave and warrior and begins to search for a land of peace termed Vinland.
Blood of Zeus
Date of Release | October 27, 2020 |
Writer | Charley Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides |
Where To Watch | Netflix |
Formerly known as Gods and Heroes, Blood of Zeus is the undisputed best Netflix-exclusive mythology anime. The anime draws inspiration from Greek myth, culture, and characters yet the protagonist is not based on an actual God. Thus, the story showcases a completely different struggle story of a mortal as compared to the usual tales in Greek epics.
Heron, a poor miner, is approached by a man named Elias, who happens to be Zeus. He is revealed to be a demigod and entrusted with the task of defeating the evil Seraphim, much to the ire of Ares and Hera. Blood of Zeus epically captures how politics and quarrels between Gods have adverse consequences on the mortal world.
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The anime is Rated R for its depictions of blood and gore packed with frightening scenes of self-immolation and decapitation. Season 1 of Blood of Zeus also has a bad ending with a new threat challenging the might of the Olympians. Here are some other animes with bad endings that you may like.