4 Fantasy TV Masterpieces: Every Episode a 10/10

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Fantasy shows offer a wide range of experiences, from completely new and immersive worlds to adding a touch of magic to ordinary life. This genre is incredibly diverse – some shows are complex and explore fantastical concepts like science fiction, while others are simply lighthearted comedies with magical elements.

Look, as a critic, I’m always searching for that perfect 10/10 fantasy series, and it’s a high bar. It really comes down to the writing – it has to be top-notch and build a world that truly feels lived-in. The all-time greats aren’t just about dragons and magic; they give us characters we connect with and stories that feel both familiar and surprisingly original, even when they’re using classic fantasy elements.

His Dark Materials

While the film adaptation of The Golden Compass didn’t succeed, the His Dark Materials TV series proved that it was possible to create a faithful adaptation of Philip Pullman’s acclaimed book trilogy. The books themselves sparked controversy because of their critical look at organized religion and how it could be used to justify terrible actions.

The movie version of the story softened its more intense themes, but the TV show embraced them, resulting in a critically acclaimed fantasy series. Each season of His Dark Materials faithfully adapts one book from the original trilogy, with minor changes that actually improve the viewing experience.

Each episode of His Dark Materials was concise and purposeful, contributing directly to the characters’ development and the overall story. While it prioritized storytelling over grand visual effects, unlike shows like Game of Thrones, this meant it didn’t receive as much widespread attention, making it a truly underrated fantasy series.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Credit: Nickelodeon

As a big fan of animation, I’ve noticed more people are realizing it’s not just for kids anymore, and for me, Avatar: The Last Airbender really hits that sweet spot. It’s got plenty of lighthearted, funny moments that younger viewers will love, but underneath all that, it tells a really powerful story about war, forgiveness, and finding your place in the world – a story that honestly resonates with anyone, no matter their age. It’s a show I think everyone can genuinely enjoy.

Many people consider Avatar: The Last Airbender to be one of the greatest animated series ever made, thanks to its beautiful visuals and compelling storyline. The show follows a young boy with the important task of restoring peace to a world divided by war, where different groups control the elements. Beloved characters, such as Uncle Iroh, drive the emotional core of the story, and the show features incredibly creative creature designs.

Rotten Tomatoes gives Avatar: The Last Airbender a 100% approval rating, and fans have awarded every episode a perfect score. The show is consistently engaging, packed with action, humor, and impressive visuals. What’s more, it’s incredibly rare for a TV series to have such a satisfying and complete finale, but Avatar delivers.

The Magicians

The TV show The Magicians follows students at a school for magic, and shares a similar serious and dramatic feel with other shows aimed at young adults. It also stands out with its fantastical settings and creative mythical beings.

Although The Magicians shares similarities with Harry Potter due to its magical school backdrop, it tackles significantly darker and more mature themes, including difficult subjects like abuse and murder. Even though shows with intense content like Outlander have found success, fantasy is often seen as a genre for children. The Magicians challenges that assumption, demonstrating the genre’s capacity for complex and adult storytelling.

The strongest episodes of The Magicians skillfully move the story forward while also building connections between characters through clever dialogue and meaningful scenes. While every episode is well-done, “A Life In The Day” really captures what the show is all about – a blend of love, magic, and intense emotions, all presented in a visually striking way.

Arcane

The critically acclaimed animated series Arcane, a winner of an Emmy Award, has a perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is considered by many to be a groundbreaking fantasy show. Based on the popular video game League of Legends, the series faced the challenge of satisfying both dedicated fans and new viewers.

You don’t need to be familiar with League of Legends to enjoy Arcane, which helped it quickly gain a large audience. The series was set up for success from the very beginning – the first ten minutes are both visually beautiful and emotionally captivating, immediately showcasing the show’s unique style and impressive animation.

Arcane is a visually stunning show with powerful emotional moments and fantastic voice performances. It consistently surprises viewers throughout its two seasons, and boasts some of the best action sequences in the fantasy genre. The dynamic between Vi and Jinx is both captivating and deeply moving, making each episode a complete and satisfying experience.

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2025-11-03 03:14