20+ Of The Best Adventure Anime Series You Should Start Watching

According to MyAnimeList, there are over 2800+ adventure anime in existence. With comedy and fantasy being the only genres with more shows.

I guess you can say adventure is loved by the anime community. Or you could say there’s an overproduction for adventure series.

Whichever you look at it, there’s enough to go around.

So If it’s adventure you want, here’s a list of 20+ anime shows worth checking out.

Adventure Anime Series:

1. Guardian Of The Sacred Spirit

A young Prince is in danger of being murdered by his own people. His mother secretly hires a bodyguard to take care of him and runaway.

This anime has tasteful animation, unique art style, beautiful music and a nice pace for an adventure series.

And the female protagonist is one of the most polished, well-developed I’ve ever seen.

Did I mention there’s no stupid, inappropriate fan service here because the quality is that good?

2. Granblue Fantasy: The Animation

Granblue Fantasy was originally adapted from video games on PS.

A girl named Lyria has been enslaved for no fault of her own, and a lieutenant (Alize) attempts to help her escape at the cost of making the empire her enemy.

This is a short series, and the animation isn’t some of the best I’ve seen.

But there is something different about it that you may appreciate. Like the art style and characters.

3. Fairy Tail

The image above is from the beginning episodes of Fairy Tail.

anime I’ve seen where the characters are memorable, despite it having so many.

AND their roles are relevant to the story as well for the most part.

Fanservice is the major thing that might “put off” most fans, but there are few adventure anime as rich and enjoyable as Fairy Tail. Despite the hate in the anime community.

4. Slayers

Slayers was made in the 1990’s. And is one of the highest quality shows I’ve seen with a female lead.

Lina Inverse is a young powerful mage interested in one thing: money. So she goes treasure hunting and ends up on all kinds of crazy journeys.

Fairy Tail, at least that’s how I’d describe it.

Except fan service in Slayers is minimal. And the lead character is aggressive, similar to Erza Scarlet.

5. Inuyasha

Inuyasha was also made in the 1990’s. It’s based in the Sengoku period of Japan. Which is around 400+ years into the past.

The romance in Inuyasha is sweet enough for hardcore romantics, but subtle enough to not interfere with the main story.

And with more than 100 episodes to its name, it’s an anime I’d recommend if you’re willing to commit to it.

6. Log Horizon

In Log Horizon, the characters are stuck in an MMORPG called Elder Tales. So they decide to live inside the game and create their own society from scratch.

What follows is business, politics, and adventures full of some series comedy AND gaming action.

It’s like a mixture of Spice And Wolf’s business elements, with the strong elements of video games mixed into one show.

7. Sword Art Online

This anime needs no introduction.

If you prefer a gaming adventure series where it’s a matter of life or death, this is a better alternative to Log Horizon.

There’s also way more romance and “feels” In Sword Art Online by its very nature. Especially when the 2nd season of SAO comes around.

8. Samurai Champloo

A girl named Fuu is looking for a Samurai who smells of sunflowers. And is eventually joined by 2 samurai’s after her home is destroyed.

By adventure standards, you’ll never find an anime that shares similar Vibes, Hip hop instrumentals, distinct characters and atmosphere.

Samurai Champloo is a breed with a unique taste you won’t find anywhere else.

9. Akame Ga Kill

A group of assassins join up to destroy the corrupt capital, the government, and create a revolution to bring peace to the world.

This is the most violent, depressing, immoral adventure series you’ll watch. With some of the sickest action and battle scenes of modern-day anime.

I like the approach it takes in terms of killing off characters, rather than the “I can’t die” trope most shows throw around.

10. Spice And Wolf

Beautiful series that blends subtle romance, business, historical elements and animation that’s hard not to appreciate for its time.

It’s the best series if you want romance and adventure without the flashy action. And of course, a rich adventure that focuses on 2 main characters, which keeps it nice and focused.

11. Claymore

Normal humans are turned into soldiers that are half human, and half demon. Their one goal: destroy full-blooded demons.

This is the main story of Claymore. What it lacks in an original story, it makes up for with its action, adventure and battle scenes. Some of the best you’ll ever see in the 18+ genre.

12. Scrapped Princess

Pacifica Casull is abandoned as a baby, and thrown by the waste side. Luckily she survives and is adopted by 2 brothers and sisters.

Scrapped Princess is one of those rare shows that have it all. Including fantasy, magic, historical elements, mecha, and tons of adventure. There aren’t many shows that can pull it off the way Scrapped Princess does.

Relevant: 13+ Old School Anime You Should Add To Your “Watch” List

13. In Another World With My Smartphone

If you already guessed – this is a harem/supernatural series.

The main character is killed accidentally by god, and brought back to life as a gesture of gods mistake.

The joke is: Mochizuki Touya (main character) is given gods phone number, so he can call him anytime.

As long as you don’t take this anime too seriously, you’ll love this series for its humor, OP character, and adventure-filled episodes.

14. Alice & Zouroku

This is an underrated 2017 series for me.

Alice And Zouroku focuses on two characters: a non-human girl, and an old man who’s a florist.

They meet by chance, and she’s later adopted into the family.

After you watch the first few episodes, you’ll understand why. But know this: Alice & Zouroku is one of the most calming, relaxed, yet slightly dark and meaningful animes you’ll watch. With a protagonist duo that helps it stand out.

15. Kino’s Journey: The Animated Series

The story focuses on Kino and his motorbike: Hermes. Every week they travel to a new town or country, staying no more than 3 days at a time. So if you love traveling, you’ll love Kino’s Journey.

The first thing you’ll notice with Kino’s Journey is the gorgeous animation.

No episode is wasted with its animation quality, and each scene is dripping with realism and colorful backgrounds that are pleasing to look at.

16. Kono Subarashii

Konosuba is a comedy/adventure series and one of the most famous types in the last 5 years.

The anime is known by everyone, regardless of how we feel about the anime’s quality.

You’ll get some over the top comedy, humor, and similar vibes to anime like Gintama. If you’re familiar with that.

The Isekai elements and the world of Konosuba does share its similarities with SAO as well, but Konosuba is pure comedy.

17. A Place Further Than The Universe

A Place Further Than The Universe is a special case. Easily one of my favorite adventure anime of all time.

It’s about pushing yourself and making an effort. That’s the underlying theme. But the plot is tied directly to an adventure the main characters go on together. And how they go about doing it.

The anime’s produced by Madhouse, and the quality shows. Both in the animation style and the story.

18. No Game No Life

Being an Isekai series, it’s no surprise to see this is an adventure anime as well.

These types of shows always have this element baked into it. At least to some degree.

No Game No Life focuses on Shiro and Sora. Characters who are smart and know how to “play the game” better than their competition.

It’s also produced by Madhouse, and shouldn’t be suprising.

19. Magi Series

Magi is an anime series that’s underrated in its own right. It has some good episodes, characters, and an overall theme along with some of the best action for a fantasy anime.

The adventures in Magi aren’t as grandiose as something like Fairy Tail or One Piece, but it’s there. And the anime deserves some credit.

Relevant: 14 Magi Quotes That Will Make You Curious

20. The Rising Of The Shield Hero

The Rising Of The Shield Hero is one of the best isekai anime we’ve had in the industry.

It’s about Naofumi who’s transported to another world, becomes a shield hero, and then has a false rape allegation made against him by a vindictive b*tch.

The anime’s main plot centers around his struggles dealing and adapting with life. And being demonized for something that isn’t true.

The adventures in this anime are deep and meaningful for that reason. Plus the action and the occasional comical moments between characters makes this a satisfying anime.