Spells for fighting and spells for every day. Magic that creates destruction and magic that makes flowers grow. The idea of a magic system in a fantastical setting is something many dream about, not just anime fans. Listlessly wishing that such a thing were real and would make daily life easier and more, well, magical! Whether you’re still waiting for your letter from Hogwarts even well into your 30’s or you don’t mind watching fantastical journeys from afar through the lens of the magical worlds in animation, mages are something that tends to inspire a sense of whimsy nothing else can quite match.
And in anime, the portrayal of mages, spells, and magic feel even more powerful, the mana practically palpable through the screen as these characters triumph through magical studies, practicing spells, and ultimately learning and growing in their magical prowess to conquer anything in their paths. But which mages throughout anime should be considered the greatest? A difficult question, but while spells themselves are definitely important, a mage should be considered for more than just power alone.
5) Megumin from Konosuba
Ok, so, Megumin only knows of one single spell: Explosion. But, damn, if it isn’t a good one! In fact, it’s the most powerful magic spell, often learned by immortal beings like undead and gods, that can damage spirits, demons, and gods. And as Megumin devotes all her time and energy into improving this one spell, she has slowly built it up to be highly concentrated. Unfortunately, the spell is so powerful, she can only use it once before collapsing from exhaustion.
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
4) Madoka Kaname from Magi Madoka magic
Madoka may be a magical girl, but with the series’ subversion to the genre and darker themes challenging conventions, it isn’t for the faint of heart. Facing monsters in visceral battle and learning the harsh reality of Kyuubey’s motives, Madoka eventually learns the true, reality-shattering power her single wish really holds. While a wish seems as though such a powerful, single action can be overpowered, it comes at a cost.
Magi Madoka magic can be streamed on Crunchyroll or Hulu where available.
3) Howl Jenkins Pendragon from Howl’s Moving Castle
While Howl may be a bit of a drama king, there’s no doubt he’s a powerful wizard, perhaps even more powerful than he let’s on. While he may have literally given his heart to Calcifer the fire demon with whom assists in his magical endeavors such as moving the massive hunk of scrap he calls a castle, Howl himself has portrayed his own aptitude for magic. Creating a portal through which he can instantly step out into whatever destination he wishes, creating an entire field of flowers for Sophie that he humbly states only uses a small portion of his magical output, disrupting an entire battle airship with the swipe of his hand from a great distance, shapeshifting as a disguise — there’s good reason the King’s Royal Sorcerer, Madame Suliman, was so eager to try to entrap Howl into serving in the magical military.
Howl’s Moving Castle can be streamed on Netflix or Max where available.
2) Elias Ainsworth from The Ancient Magus’ Bride
Elias Ainsworth, an intimidatingly spooky mage who lives in an adorable cottage in the English countryside. Able to cast a wide variety of spells and inherently a sort of magical creature himself, much of his background is shrouded in dark mystery. Pehaps he’s some sort of ancient, dark type of fae, perhaps a man-eating Wendigo. Whatever the case, his unknown origin only adds to the mystery of just how extensive his magical prowess truly is. Able to shapeshift, split himself apart, and presumably ageless, Elias’s aptitude for just how powerful he really is may yet to truly be witnessed… But one thing’s for certain, there’s not much that has really phased him.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
1) freezing from Freeze: beyond journey’s end
Although Frieren seems like just a cool, cute elf girl, it becomes clear that she’s actually a legendary mage with immense power. Said to have killed the most demons in history, she even earned the title “Frieren the Slayer”. Frieren seems to enjoy spending her extensive lifespan collecting a range of spells, be they frivolously niche or usefully mundane like turning sweet grapes into sour ones, scratching the itchy parts on your back, or preventing eggshells from falling in when cracking eggs. Even so, it’s clear that she also has an aptitude for powerfully offensive spells for battle, the wisdom to know when to use them, and the forethought to keep the extent of her skills and mana discrete.
Freeze: beyond journey’s end can be streamed on Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll.
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