5 Fairytale Anime Straight Out of a Storybook
I love fairytales, and thankfully, there are plenty of anime that feel like fairytales.
Today, I want to highlight five of my favorite “feels like a fairytale” anime. Not all of them are romances, and not all of them are light or wholesome. However, all of them feel like a fairytale.
Please do your own research before watching, as what I remember or find cute, wholesome, or dark may differ from what you would.
Snow White with the Red Hair
Snow White with the Red Hair is wholesome and fun; the characters are endearing, and Shirayuki, the main character, gets to fall in love with a prince! How much more whimsical can you get? And, I mean, Snow White is literally in the name. Snow White with the Red Hair is definitely a fairytale anime.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale definitely has fairytale vibes, but it is slightly darker than some of the other titles on this list. Challe, the male lead, is a bit sensual, and the female lead, Anne, goes through a lot to follow her dreams (including attempted murder). However, many elements, from Anne’s design to her career (a sugar artisan) to the presence of literal fairies and the sweet romance, make this story feel quite fairytale-like.
Our review of the fairytale anime is available here, and our anime parents’ guide is available here.
The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent
Sei from The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent literally finds herself in a fantasy world. Sei is kind, intelligent, and capable like many modern-day fairytale heroines, and she must save the kingdom from danger. Her romance is also fairytale-like; her love interest is literally and figuratively a knight in shining armor. Plus, the fantasy setting truly establishes Saint as a fairy-tale anime.
Yona of the Dawn
Yona is a princess forced to run for her life after her father is murdered and the throne usurped. With her handsome bodyguard Hak, she must find the legendary dragon warriors and take back her father’s kingdom. In some ways, she reminds me of Princess Merida from Brave.
Ascendance of a Bookworm (End of Season 3 Spoilers)
A literal rags-to-riches story, Myne from Ascendance of a Bookworm starts life as the daughter of a poor family. However, at the end of Season 3, she’s adopted by the ruler of her home duchy, making her an archnoble. It’s hard to get more fairytale-like than that!
Here is a link to all of our existing Ascendance of a Bookworm reviews.
Which of these anime is your favorite, and do you have any anime you’d add to this list?
