Best Anime That Take Place In A Magic Academy

Key Takeaways

• Anime shows set in magic academies offer unique plots with themes of friendship, competition, and personal growth.
• Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Part 1 focuses on Rudeus’ experiences at Ranoa Magic Academy, facing challenges and unexpected developments.
• Various anime series set in magic academies, like Little Witch Academia, showcase characters overcoming odds to achieve their goals.

One of the most common themes in anime is fantastical settings where the adventures never end. Add in the elements of a school setting, and you have the makings of an anime about a magical academy. Anime series set at magic academies have skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade. These shows depict epic tales of heroism, drama, and interpersonal relationships.

Fan imaginations can run wild thanks to the many anime shows depicting magic academies, such as The Misfit of Demon King Academy and The Irregular of Magic High School. However, not every anime series depicting a magical academy is created equally, and there are a few that truly shine.

Updated December 8, 2024, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: Certain shows have made the Magic Academy setting in anime highly anticipated. With a magic academy, fantasy elements along with themes of friendship and camaraderie can easily be portrayed. Moreover, a good setting helps to make a good plot. While some shows based in magic academies have gotten generic over time, the best have made their name known. These shows portray similar but unique and defining characteristics that make them stand out. From intense competition to heartfelt moments and a general notion of protagonists’ proving themselves or learning to work in a team, various anime set in magic academies offer something different and leave a lasting impression.

1 Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Part 1

MyAnimeList Score: 8.23

At the center of Mushoku Tensei might not be a magic academy, but the first part of the second season is all about Rudeus in Ranoa Magic Academy. During his time at the Magic Academy, Rudeus meets new friends and old allies, albeit in an unexpected manner. Seeking to cure his erectile dysfunction, Rudeus researches and tries everything he can.

However, that doesn’t exempt him from the challenges Magic School Academies tend to put their protagonists through, whether through unhinged bullying or challenges to prove himself. During his time at the magic academy, Rudeus also discovers an old love and the center of the teleport incident, who turns out to be from the same world as him, leading to one unexpected development after another.

2 Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic

MyAnimeList Score: 8.01

Most times, viewers do not get to see much of the characters’ lives after they have accomplished a major goal, but in Magi: The Kingdom of Magic, viewers get to see the characters, Aladdin and his friends, move on to do separate things after defeating Al-Thamen.

Aladdin, who is always eager to learn, decides to go back to Magnostadt, which is a strange country ruled by magicians; this is after his friends head back to their respective homes. Aladdin’s goal is to learn more about the country and improve his magic skills. He enrolls at the Magnostadt Academy, and as he tries to learn magic, he realizes that his physical body is weak because he never really focused on training his body. His time in this magical academy is difficult, but Aladdin never gives up and works hard to ensure that he graduates.

3 Wistoria: Wand And Sword

MyAnimeList Score: 7.83

They say true friendship is hard to come by, but what Wil and Elfaria have seems to be real; so much so that Wil is determined to do anything to get reunited with his childhood friend, who has found her way to becoming a Magia Vander. Unfortunately for Wil, getting to meet his friend at the top might be harder than he’d planned, because he is not as skilled in magic as Elfaria, which makes it difficult for him to rise through the ranks.

However, Wil is not giving up, as he is enrolled at Regarden Magic Academy in hopes that he will achieve his dreams. Wil is not magically inclined, which makes his time at his magic academy tough, but he has friends and professors who are helping him improve.

4 Little Witch Academia

MyAnimeList Score: 7.81

Ever since Atsuko “Akko” Kagari’s idol, Shiny Chariot, performed, Atsuko fell in love with witches and magic. Akko cherished Shiny Chariot’s words and swore to become just like her someday. Now a teenager, Akko joins the prestigious Luna Nova Magical Academy. However, her non-magical background and magical ineptitude put her a foot behind her classmates when it comes to utilizing magic.

Despite various challenges, Akko strives to prove to everyone that she can and will become a renowned witch despite the odds. Taking on the beautiful and powerful Diana Cavendish as her rival, Akko is determined and trains like never before.

5 The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2

MyAnimeList Score: 7.76

This anime series features Chise Hatori, a young girl who is auctioned off to the mysterious magus, Elias Ainsworth, to become his bride and apprentice in magic. After the general introduction of the show and several other events, the second season comes along, and Chise Hatori is to go to college, a magic academy for sorcerers.

While Chise’s enrollment was opposed by her husband-to-be, she decided to pursue it to remove the curse on her and change her fate with her hands. As with most plots, Chise is not accepted by everyone, and discovering and differentiating friends from foes has never been more important.

6 Mashle: Magic And Muscles

MyAnimeList Score: 7.61

Driven by neither riches nor glory, young Mash Burnedead has no magic in a magic world where those without are persecuted to ensure the purity of bloodlines. Despite this, Mash is forced to enroll in Easton Magic Academy to become a Divine Visionary to save his father, who is on probation for shielding a non-magic user like him. With no magic and only physical strength to rely on at a magic academy, Mash must rely on his muscles and go above and beyond.

After enrolling at the prestigious Easton Academy, Mash realizes that there is more than meets the eye as a dark and mysterious organization lurks in the background. Moreover, they seem to be after him.

7 Chivalry Of A Failed Knight

MyAnimeList Score: 7.43

The Chivalry of a Failed Knight anime series portrays characters with the ability to create magical weapons from their souls called blazers. With their blazers and magical abilities, students are enrolled in magical academies to become strong and accomplished mage knights.

Hagun Academy, the magic academy of the protagonist, Ikki Kurogane, has been on a losing streak at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. However, everything changes when Ikki, the worst-rated student with low magical capabilities, teams up with Stella, a high performer with superb magical capabilities. With Ikki’s and Stella’s irregular matchup, the duo strives to win the 62nd Seven Stars Sword Art Festival while covering each other’s lapses.

8 Tokyo Ravens

MyAnimeList Score: 7.42

Onmyodu is a form of magic technique that is dominant in the world of Tokyo Ravens. These magical powers are seen in the Tsuchimikado family, and everyone born into this family is destined to have magical powers except the protagonist of this anime, Harutora Tsuchimikado. Harutora has no problems with not having magical powers and is satisfied with his ordinary life until he finds himself at Onmyou Academy with his best friend, Touji.

The Onmyou Academy was put in place to preserve the Onmyoudou magical technique. On entering the school, Harutora has no knowledge about magic, but as the anime progresses, he realizes that he has magic in him, but it was sealed, and soon enough, he is able to break the seal and become very knowledgeable and proficient in the use of onmyodou.

9 Irregular At Magic High School

MyAnimeList Score: 7.39

The Irregular at Magic High School anime series is one of the few to combine magic and technology to such a high standard. At First High School, where students are ranked according to their magical powers, the anime follows Tatsuya Shiba and his sister Miyuki as they navigate their high school years.

Tatsuya, the show’s protagonist, has a low status because of his limited magical abilities. His technical wizardry in employing the magic he does have does distinguish him, however. His engineering prowess is unparalleled, and he is known the world over as a “magic engineer” behind an assumed name. Tatsuya’s low level of magical ability makes him a misfit in the rankings because it understates his genuine strength.

10 Misfit Of Demon King Academy

MyAnimeList Score: 7.36

When it comes to anime about a magical school, The Misfit of Demon King Academy is up there with the greatest of them. The anime series depicts the standard trope of a group of heroes with superpowers, but it does so in a way that puts the spotlight on more than just the main character.

The series is based on the life of Anos Voldigoad, the most powerful demon lord in history, who was reincarnated 2000 years after his death. After being resurrected into a world where its inhabitants’ magical prowess has diminished, Anos works to regain his position as the most powerful demon lord at Demon King Academy.

11 A Certain Magical Index

MyAnimeList Score: 7.35

A common setting for magical academy anime is the institution itself. A Certain Magical Index, an anime series, goes even further by depicting its academy on a citywide scale. Academy City is depicted prominently throughout the anime series and features a wide variety of educational facilities, from pre-schools to higher institutions.

Experts in the fields of magic, esper powers, and advanced technology work hand in hand with various organizations. The so-called sorcerers of the magic faction face off against the espers of the single-talent faction in the anime series. Both sides are vying for Index, an entity that contains the secrets of more than 103,000 magical grimoires.

12 The Familiar Of Zero

MyAnimeList Score: 7.22

Taking place in the renowned Tristain Academy, this anime has a magic academy at the center of its plot. The series portrays the life of Louise Françoise, a young mage who, despite having lots of magic, is unable to properly cast spells, much like the early days of Noelle Silver in the Black Clover anime series. Because of her inability to cast spells, Louise is nicknamed “Louise the Zero” by her classmates.

Despite her lack of expertise, Louise’s first summoning ritual summons a boy named Saito Hiraga. Saito seems to have uncanny relations with Gandalfr, a powerful familiar. This suggests that there may be more to Louise and her familiar than meets the eye.

13 Villainess Level 99: I May Be The Hidden Boss But I’m Not The Demon Lord

MyAnimeList Score: 7.13

The Light Magic and the Hero Otome game is progressing as smoothly as it should. At least, until Yumiella Dolkness, the hidden boss, regains her memories of her past life as a human and realizes that she’s inside a game. As someone who always preferred the game’s fantasy elements, Yumiella decides she won’t let her life, particularly her love life, be determined by the game mechanics and decides to level up as much as she can as fast as she can.

In all this, Yumiella made one mistake; she didn’t think to hide her true power during her enrollment into the Royal Academy and was revealed to be level 99 at just 15 years, which sends the entire otome game world into a frenzy. With this, Yumiella should be able to determine her fate, right? Amidst the uncertainty, she now must deal with constant attention, something she didn’t bargain for.

14 A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special

MyAnimeList Score: 7.09

Despite it still airing in fall 2023, this anime series has managed to portray its setting, Hebrion Academy, in a way that merges well with the story. The series follows the life of one of the last-standing magicians, Desir Arman. Luckily for Desir, he is sent back in time right before he meets his end.

Now a youth once more, Desir plans to achieve power as quickly as possible, while also building up magicians and warriors as he realizes he cannot face the existence that threatens humanity’s continuity alone. With power and knowledge about future events, Desir seeks to carve out a new future for himself and the world.

15 Trinity Seven

MyAnimeList Score: 7.05

During the day of the breakdown phenomenon, Arata Kasuga’s life is flipped upside down in a matter of moments. On the same day, Arata’s cousin and childhood friend, Hijiri Kasuga, disappears, but not before she hands him a magical grimoire. As Hijiri fades away, Arata loses himself and asks for his world to return to normal.

His desperation triggers the grimoire, which creates an artificial world while wiping Arata’s memory of the destruction that occurred. Subsequently, Lilith Asami, a mage from the Royal Biblia Academy, investigates the phenomenon while making Arata aware of the situation. To this extent, Arata joins the Royal Biblia Academy, where he meets the Trinity Seven, a renowned group of seven mages.

16 Vermeil In Gold

MyAnimeList Score: 6.81

Failing or repeating a class is most likely every student’s nightmare, especially Alto Goldfilled. Alto attends the Ortigia Academy of Magic with the hopes of becoming a powerful sorcerer. He is on track to achieving his goals; he has perfect grades in all his classes except his summoning class.

Alto is very dedicated to his studies and cannot stand failing, so he does all he can to make sure he passes the class. Eventually, he is able to pass after he successfully summons Vermeil, a mysterious and powerful demon who decides to become Alto’s inferior. The fun thing about anime is mixing the ordinary and extraordinary, and it is quite notable in this anime as fans see Alto trying to stay at the top of his class while being a master to a demon and completely oblivious to the fact that his childhood friend, Lila, is in love with him.

17 Demon King Daimao

MyAnimeList Score: 6.73

Akuto Sai wanted to help the world become a better place, so he decided to enroll in Constant Magic Academy, hoping to learn the skills needed to become a high priest. Unfortunately for Akuto, he receives a prophecy from the school’s spirit that he has been destined to be a demon king.

This prophecy goes against what Akuto wants for himself, and although he tries to go against it, he fails woefully. It does not help that most students at the school are aware of the prophecy and are terrified of him. His failure does not stop him, as he is hell-bent on doing everything right so as not to become a demon king.

18 Aesthetica Of A Rogue Hero

MyAnimeList Score: 6.72

Few heroes go to a fantasy world and come back to earth with a demon lord’s daughter. Akatsuki Ousawa from the anime series Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero is one such person. Thirty years ago in the anime world, the Samon Syndrome—a disease that allows characters of the series to travel to fantasy worlds and back was discovered.

If said characters travel and obtain magical abilities, they keep their abilities after returning to Earth. Akatsuki, one of the few heroes to return, came back with the daughter of the demon lord whom he defeated. On returning, he was forced to join Babel, a special magic school for individuals who gained powers in a fantasy world.

19 The Honor Student At Magic High School

MyAnimeList Score: 6.67

As much as siblings tend to fight, they also tend to look out for each other and have each other’s backs. Miyuki and Tatsuya are siblings who are also magicians. They both attend First National Magic University Affiliated High School, also known as First High. However, the academy splits them up, and Tatsuya is placed in a class lower than Miyuki.

In this magical academy, there are two classes: Course 1 and Course 2. Course 1 is the superior class, and is where Miyuki is placed, and Course 2 is the lower class, and is Tatsuya’s placement. Miyuki is unhappy with the academy’s decision to place her brother in Course 2, but she goes with it because she has a mind to prove to the academy that her brother is a skilled magician.

20 Reign Of The Seven Spell Blades

MyAnimeList Score: 6.58

The son of the legendary Two Blade Chloe Halford, Oliver Horn, enrolls at Kimberly Magic School. While attending, Oliver comes across Nanao Hibiya, a samurai with whom he finds joy in clashing swords. While Oliver seems to be attending like every other student, the young man plans to murder various members of Kimberly’s faculty, who contributed to his murder.

Reign of the Seven Spell Blades is an exciting magic school anime. While most protagonists are out to become legendary heroes, Oliver’s drive is one of revenge. As Oliver and Nanao realize that dark secrets lie behind the scenes, the duo must form bonds with each other rather than foster their rivalry.