Many anime shows and movies have been inspired by history, legends, and of course fairy tales. Anime fans can watch their favorite anime to learn about Japanese history and experience their favorite stories in a new way. Thanks to these fun and imaginative animes, anime lovers can get to know some of the most famous Asian and Western fairy tales.
Fans can watch modern shows, as well as great historical anime movies with fairies, warlocks, mermaids, and princesses, and go on magical adventures with some of the most iconic fairy tale characters. Some of these shows infuse fairy tale elements into their storylines to tell these old tales in a new and modern way and show younger audiences, time and time again, just how captivating and valuable they're.
7 The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya
The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya is one of the most beautiful Ghibli movies inspired by one of the most beloved 10th-century Japanese tales, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. It's one of Ghibli's most thought-provoking and visually unique movies about a mystical tiny girl.
The magical story follows a young couple who work as bamboo cutters and one day find a nymph inside a bamboo. The couple decides to raise the little princess who eventually becomes a beautiful young woman who sends her suitors on impossible quests. It's one of the most touching animes about love, loss, and desire.
6 Pretear
Pretear is one of the most charming anime based on the iconic Snow White and Cinderella fairy tales. It's a feel-good and often hilarious anime with great characters and some of the worst anime flirts who provide plenty of laugh-out-loud moments during Himeno's adventures.
The anime's story follows a young girl named Himeno who couldn't find her purpose and place in the world she lives in. Fans can go on magical adventures with her as she meets seven mysterious Liefe Knights and tries to evade her mean stepsisters' attacks. Soon Himeno finds a new purpose as she joins the fight against the evil Fenrir who threatens the existence of all living beings.
5 Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch
Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch is one of the most fun and light-hearted anime series inspired by the famous fairy tale; The Little Mermaid. The show only has two seasons, but it quickly became one of the most beloved magical girl animes thanks to its fun characters, charming and colorful art style, and upbeat theme songs.
The story follows a young mermaid princess called Lucia who leaves her home in the North Pacific Ocean to find the boy she fell in love with seven years ago. Just like in the original fairy tale Lucia saved the boy and is unable to tell him she's a mermaid princess. During her fun adventures, Lucia not only has to deal with romantic problems, but she has to find ways to defeat evil water demons and other foes.
4 Princess Tutu
Princess Tutu is one of the best anime from the 2000s that deserves more attention. This charming and heartwarming anime was inspired by two world-famous tales the Danish fairy tale, The Ugly Duckling, and Tchaikovsky's fairy-tale ballet, Swan Lake. This magical girl anime show is one of the most original and fun shows that follows Ahiru's enchanting adventures.
Ahiru is seemingly just a kind of clumsy normal girl however she's really a duck who was turned into a human girl. The story follows as Ahiru uses her magical pendant to turn into Princess Tutu a talented ballet dancer who can help her audience overcome their pain. She goes on a difficult journey of collecting the shards of her prince's heart to save him from an unfinished fairy tale.
3 Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is one of the most beloved anime shows ever created that was inspired by one of the oldest Chinese tales, The Great Race. The Sohma family's curse and characteristics were inspired by this ancient tale. While many of the family's other stories were also inspired by other ancient Myths and mythical creatures.
This relentlessly positive and magical show follows the kindhearted Tohru, a young orphan girl, and her adventures after she moves in with some members of the Sohma family. She soon learns about the family's dark secret and through her kind actions and positive attitude she helps them overcome their shortcomings too.
2 Fairy Tail
Fairy Tail is one of the most thrilling action anime of all time filled with all kinds of magical beings inspired by fairy tales and mythological tales. This beloved show has some of the most powerful and bravest heroes and heroines, unique magical systems, and even some of the most iconic female anime outfits.
Its story follows the adventures of the Fairy Tale guild whose members are the most hilarious and mighty wizards of all time. As the group fight against dangerous supernatural beings and evil wizards, they all form an unbreakable bond and become true friends. The group gets into all kinds of troubles during their journeys in Earth-land while each trying to become the most powerful wizards they can.
1 Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon is one of the most popular anime franchises of all time that was inspired by various Japanese fairy tales as well as ancient Greek mythical tales. It's one of the most iconic magical girl anime that parodies the damsel in distress trope and while its protagonists are just normal school girls they're also capable of becoming powerful warriors.
The story follows Usagi and her friends as they become mighty Sailor Guardians who have to learn how to use their magical powers to defeat all kinds of supernatural evil. This anime has plenty of funny moments, great action scenes, and of course one of the most well-known and beloved anime transformation sequences of all time.