Best Magical Boy Anime

Girls seem to have all the fun in magical girl anime, where they can be seen doing magical activities with their magical powers and, most importantly, saving the day from evil. Yuki Yuna is a Hero, Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Sailor Moon are some magical girl anime among the numerous ones available.

As the male version of the magical girl anime, most magical boy anime revolve around boys partaking in magical activities, not as supporting characters to the magical girl, but as the main protagonists of the story. As a result, there are some outstanding magical boy anime that fans can get into.

Updated March 21, 2024, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: Flipping the script is always fun, and the Magical Boy genre of anime flips the script and shows that what girls can do, guys can also do. Magical Boy anime is just what the name implies: boys doing magical things. Their worlds are filled with actions, meaningful friendships, growth, and extraordinary powers. This genre of anime tries to show fans that there are no limitations to what one can do, especially based on gender. These boys are courageous, just like their female counterparts, as they find themselves in a battle between good and evil. The power of magic does wonders, as these boys are also filled with resilience.

11 Is This A Zombie?

Ayumu Aikawa

• Japanese Title: Kore wa zombie desu ka?
• Studio: Studio Deen
• Number of episodes: 12

Ayuma Aikawa, just like most teens, has an interest in the mysterious. One day, he goes to investigate a suspicious-looking house. Unfortunately for Ayuma, it turns out that his death is waiting in this house, when he is murdered. He wakes up beside a strange girl who is responsible for bringing Ayuma back to life — but not as human. Ayuma is now a zombie.

It doesn’t seem like there is much in being a zombie, except maybe immortality. With his second chance, Ayuma decides to track down his killer. During his search, he encounters a magical girl, absorbs her powers, and becomes a magical zombie boy. With great powers come great responsibilities, and Ayuma now has the burden of hunting and killing monsters that attack the human population.

10 Kamichama Karin

Kazune Kuujou

• Japanese Title: Kamichama Karin
• Studio: Satelight
• Number of Episodes: 26

The magical girl genre has more buzz than the magical boy genre, so it’s not uncommon to see magical boys star alongside magical girls in their genre. Kamichama Karin is an example. In it, Kazune Kuujou is a magical boy who works with the main female protagonist of the anime, Hanazono Karin.

Kazune has the ability to use a magical staff, and can call upon the powers of the god Apollo. This turns Kazune into a very powerful god, as no opponent stands a chance against him in this form.

9 Prétear: The New Legend of Snow White

Hayate, Leafé Knight Of The Wind

• Japanese Title: Shin Shirayuki-hime Densetsu Prétear
• Studio: Satelight
• Number of Episodes: 26

The ability to protect the world from absolute evil rests on four boys who have magical powers. The series revolves around Hayate, an individual who can control the wind. These boys can unlock another level of their powers when they physically hold the hand of the prétear. Hayate’s special power with the Pretear is the wind sword.

As Hayate upholds his duties as the knight of the wind, he finds himself falling in love with the new prétear, Himeno. He even moves into the palace to be closer to and protect her. This development is surprising, as Hayate was initially unwilling to accept Himeno as the new president.

8 Saint Seiya

Pegasus Seiya

Set in a world where young men protect Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. Saint Seiya tells the ancient history of Athena’s saints, their immense power, and their unwavering duty to protect Athena from perils and danger.

A new wave of saints is about to emerge, and Seiya is determined to become one of Athena’s saints. This young boy, who has been training so hard and longing for the opportunity, rises to the challenge, acquires the Sacred Armour of Pegasus, and eventually becomes one of Athena’s saints.

7 D.N. Angel

Daisuke Niwa

• Japanese Title: D.N. Angel
• Studio: Xebec
• Number of Episodes: 26

Daisuke is an average teenage boy who was rejected by his crush, Risa. But unlike the average boy, this rejection unlocked something dark and hidden in Daisuke. He transformed into an alter ego that has plagued the men in his family for years, Dark Mousy.

Daisuke comes to understand that Dark Mosuy, his alter ego, is a famous phantom thief, and he manifests whenever Daisuke sees his crush, Risa, or thinks about her for too long. Now burdened with this ability, Daisuke must learn how to control his transformation and keep it a secret from others.

6 Yu-Gi-Oh!

Yami Yuugi

In the Yu-Gi-Oh! series, Yuugi encounters a dark spirit after solving the Millennium Puzzle game he got from his grandfather’s game shop. This dark spirit is the opposite of Yuugi, who is shy and timid. Yuugi is a constant victim of bullies, but Yumi, the dark spirit now residing in him, protects Yuugi from his bullies.

Curious about the spirit residing in him, Yuugi finds out that the spirit is an ancient pharaoh from Egypt who has no recollection of his origin. Determined to help, Yuugi and his friends set out to help this Egyptian spirit.

5 Kiba

Zed

• Japanese Title: Kiba
• Studio: Madhouse
• Number of Episodes: 51

Desperate for freedom, Zed is dragged into a magical world by a strange spirit, Amil Gaoul. On getting to this magical world, Zed is amazed to find himself in a place with magical users, and he strives to be one of them.

Training to become one of the magical users called Shard Casters, Zed ultimately discovers that Amil Gaoul, the spirit that brought him into this world, resides within him and is a much more powerful spirit to possess than the magical powers of the Shard Casters. The Kiba series takes fans on Zed and Amil Gaoul’s quest for greater power that can make or destroy the world.

4 Blue Exorcist

Rin And Yukio

Rin and Yukio are sons of Satan raised by Shiro, an exorcist. When Satan tries to forcefully take over Rin’s body, his hidden powers become unleashed, giving him demon-like features. Rin successfully takes control of his body but is determined to protect the world from the evil plans of his father, Satan.

Rin must become a strong exorcist like Shiro in order to defeat Satan. He enrolls in True Cross Academy, an exorcist school, to learn how to control and use his powers. He soon learns that his younger brother, Yukio, is an experienced exorcist and his teacher, and together, they begin training.

3 Magi: Labyrinth of Magic

Aladdin

Aladdin learns that he is a Magi — that is, a powerful magician who has the authority and influence to choose a worthy king, and is a very important figure in the country. After making this discovery, Aladdin is on a journey to find himself because this power comes with great responsibility.

With a magical flute to summon his genie, also known as a Djinn, Aladdin is not alone on this journey. He befriends Alibaba, and together they journey around the world. Magi: Labyrinth of Magic is believed to have infused some elements from the popular Aladdin story into it.

2 Fairy Ranmaru: Anata no Kokoro Otasuke Shimasu

Uruu, Ranmaru, Homura, Takara, And Juka

• Japanese Title: Fairy Ranmaru: Anata no Kokoro Otasuke Shimasu
• Studio: Studio Comet
• Number of Episodes: 12

Working as bartenders, Uruu, Ranmaru, Homura, Takara, and Juka are sent on a mission to Earth. Sent by their fairy queen, these boys must keep a low profile while completing their mission to heal women’s hearts and rid them of their emotional turmoil while collecting ‘attachments’ from these women.

Fairy Ranmaru: Anata no Kokoro Otasuke Shimasu takes viewers on a journey with these five young fairies and their encounter with Sirius, a mysterious individual who is behind the problem and has a bone to pick with fairies.

1 Cute High Earth Defense Club Love

Yumoto, En, Ryuu, Atsushi And Io

• Japanese Title: Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE!
• Studio: Diomedea
• Number of Episodes: 12

“Live for love! Die for love!” Recruited by a pink wombat and fueled by the power of love, these five magical boys are on a quest to save the world from hate and discord, and to save their school from monsters that attack them.

This anime embraces the magical boy genre by giving these boys magical bracelets, Loveracelets. These accessories allow them to transform and give them powers to fight against monsters as Battle Lovers. As a result, fans may find Cute High Earth Defense Club Love fun and enjoyable.