14 Fantasy Books For Anime Lovers
If you’re an anime fan, you already know the magic of breathtaking worlds, high-stakes battles, and unforgettable characters with complicated pasts and dazzling powers. Whether you crave the emotional intensity of Your Name, the dark fantasy of Attack on Titan, or the whimsical wonder of Spirited Away, there’s a fantasy book waiting to pull you into an adventure just as mesmerizing as your favorite anime.
These 14 books capture the anime aesthetic—with epic fights, heart-wrenching love stories, quirky humor, and jaw-dropping twists. Ready to lose yourself in a world of fantasy? Let’s dive in.
1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
For Fans of: Violet Evergarden, Howl’s Moving Castle*
A mysterious traveling circus appears without warning, only open at night. Within its black-and-white tents, two young magicians—Celia and Marco—are locked in a battle of skill, bound by a game they never agreed to play. But as their rivalry turns into a forbidden romance, the circus itself becomes the stage for something greater than either of them imagined.
Why you’ll love it: The dreamy, aesthetic prose and star-crossed romance will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Studio Ghibli film.
2. Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa
For Fans of: Demon Slayer, Naruto*
Half-kitsune Yumeko has spent her life hiding her fox magic—until a sacred scroll goes missing, and demons begin hunting for it. To save her world, she must join forces with a brooding samurai, Kage Tatsumi, whose deadly sword is cursed by a bloodthirsty demon.
Why you’ll love it: If you adore Japanese mythology, samurai, and powerful yokai, this is an anime-style adventure brought to life.
3. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
For Fans of: Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood*
In a brutal empire inspired by ancient Rome, Laia’s only hope to save her brother is to spy on the ruthless military school where the empire’s most deadly warriors are trained. There, she meets Elias—a soldier who wants to escape the very system he was born into. Their fates intertwine in a rebellion that could shake the empire.
Why you’ll love it: This book delivers heart-wrenching battles, morally complex characters, and a romance filled with longing—just like the best anime.
4. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
For Fans of: Vinland Saga, Code Geass*
Orphaned war survivor Rin aces an impossible test to enter an elite military academy. But as war looms, she discovers a dark power within herself—one that could either save her people or doom them all. Inspired by real historical events, this book does not hold back on the brutality of war.
Why you’ll love it: It’s an intense, character-driven tale with an anti-hero protagonist who makes choices as devastating as Lelouch or Eren Yeager.
5. A Thousand Steps Into Night by Traci Chee
For Fans of: Inuyasha, Spirited Away*
When a curse transforms Miuko into a demon, she embarks on a magical journey across a world filled with gods, tricksters, and dangerous spirits.
Why you’ll love it: It has the whimsical, otherworldly feel of a Ghibli film, plus a feisty heroine who refuses to accept her fate.
6. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
For Fans of: Fate/Stay Night, Made in Abyss*
A sweeping epic about dragon-riding warriors, powerful queens, and a looming ancient evil. Ead, a secret mage, must protect her queen from assassins, while across the world, a dragon rider named Tané faces impossible choices that could change the fate of nations.
Why you’ll love it: This book is a slow-burning masterpiece filled with complex lore, political intrigue, and breathtaking dragon battles.
7. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
For Fans of: Tokyo Revengers, Banana Fish*
In 1920s Shanghai, rival gangs rule the city. Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov are heirs to opposing factions, bound by a bloody past and an undeniable attraction. But when a deadly madness begins infecting their people, they are forced to work together—even if it means betraying everything they’ve ever known.
Why you’ll love it: Gritty crime, tragic romance, and intense action—it’s basically a live-action anime.
8. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
For Fans of: Psycho-Pass, Ergo Proxy*
Paige Mahoney is a clairvoyant in a dystopian world where magic is outlawed. Captured by a mysterious race that feeds on human abilities, she must navigate a web of secrets, danger, and a strange connection with her captor.
Why you’ll love it: Think dystopian sci-fi meets supernatural powers, with an anti-heroine who refuses to be tamed.
9. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
For Fans of: Blue Exorcist, The Seven Deadly Sins*
After her mother’s death, Bree stumbles upon a secret society of demon hunters descended from King Arthur’s knights. As she infiltrates their ranks, she uncovers hidden truths about her own heritage.
Why you’ll love it: A blend of magic, mythology, and heart-wrenching action, with a fierce protagonist ready to shake the system.
10. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
For Fans of: Spirited Away, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya*
A girl sacrifices herself to the Sea God to break a deadly curse—only to find that the god is in a deep slumber, and his kingdom is falling apart. To save both the spirit world and her home, she must navigate a world of deities, tricksters, and forbidden love.
Why you’ll love it: If you love dreamy folklore, breathtaking settings, and quiet but powerful heroines, this book is pure magic.
11. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
For Fans of: Akame ga Kill, Demon Slayer*
A girl joins a deadly assassin school, determined to avenge her family’s murder. But in a world where betrayal lurks behind every shadow, even the most skilled killers might not survive.
Why you’ll love it: It’s dark, brutal, and packed with intense fight sequences that feel straight out of a shonen anime.
12. Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
For Fans of: Fruits Basket, Noragami*
A modern K-drama twist on the gumiho legend, featuring a nine-tailed fox girl who must choose between love and survival when she falls for a human boy.
Why you’ll love it: Romance, supernatural elements, and Korean folklore—this book feels like an anime.
13. Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
For Fans of: My Hero Academia, One Punch Man*
A world where superheroes have become tyrants, and only a team of ordinary rebels dares to fight back.
Why you’ll love it: If you love stories of underdogs battling against god-like foes, this is a must-read.
14. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
For Fans of: Hunter x Hunter, Attack on Titan*
An epic saga of war, gods, and magic, where a soldier, a scholar, and a king must each uncover long-buried secrets to survive.
Why you’ll love it: A massive, anime-worthy world with stunning battle sequences and deep, layered storytelling.
What’s Your Next Read?
Whether you love high-stakes battles, mythological creatures, or romances filled with longing, these books bring the anime aesthetic to life. Which one is calling your name? Or do you have a book that feels straight out of an anime? Drop your recommendations below! 🌟📖✨
