Black Clover is a popular anime series lasting 170 episodes, even with a movie announced towards the end of the series. The story certainly proved to have its fans, with the first season getting an extension from 13 episodes to 51. In fact, it's believed that the anime will end at 170 episodes to avoid overtaking the manga. There have been various anime similar to Black Clover, whether they're from a similar setting or dynamic, over the years, although some have had different levels of success.
And there are different ways of measuring success. Sometimes, it's from how long the show lasted, what influence it had on other anime, how well remembered it is, or even its luck at breaking into foreign markets. Some might have been more popular as manga than anime; others might have been short-lived but could be considered works of art.
10 MÄR: This Fairy Tale World Couldn't Break Into The American Market
Black Clover is known for its running joke of having characters that correspond to classic fairy tales, especially in their backgrounds. Another shonen anime series with a similar idea was MÄR, which more or less used that idea as its main premise. In fact, the title is a play on "märchen," the German word for fairy tale.
The hero, Ginta, is magically transported into a fantasy world based around fairy tales, including a princess named Snow, a farmer named Jack, and a witch named Dorothy. Eventually, he conspires to find a way back home. The series lasted 102 episodes and had problems breaking into the English language market, despite initially getting a TV deal, with the English dub ultimately ending up unfinished.
9 Blue Exorcist: The Anime Could Not Live Up To The Manga
Another anime with a similar start, and arguably title, to Black Clover, is Blue Exorcist. This fantasy series also sees two boys, this time twins, taken in by a church. One boy, Rin, learns he has demonic powers and seeks to become an Exorcist like his guardian, even enrolling at an exorcist cram school where he makes new friends. Ironically, while not as obvious, fairy tales were also an influence here as the series was inspired by The Brothers Grimm.
While the original manga was actually quite popular, especially in its native Japan, its anime adaptation was less successful, being accused of relying on clichés and having too much filler, despite the first season only lasting around 25 episodes. The second season, which came out around six years later, had only 12 episodes.
8 Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic: It Changed Too Much From The Source Material
This anime blends fantasy with One Thousand and One Nights. Set in a world with mysterious dungeon towers said to hold a mysterious treasure, including the chance to make a deal with powerful genies, a rouge named Alibaba, a boy named Aladdin, and a slave named Morgiana join forces to wander the land.
While the manga was relatively popular, the anime adaptation was relatively short-lived by comparison, lasting around 25 episodes. Part of this comes from the anime deviating from the manga, from giving certain characters more focus than they originally had or characters becoming more violent. A spin-off focusing on Sinbad would eventually spawn an OVA and a 13-episode anime.
7 Kaze No Stigma: Tragedy Even Impacted The Original Light Novels
Asta appears to have no magic in a world that's filled with it, only to obtain anti-magic abilities. In Kaze no Stigma, Kazuma Kannagi, the main protagonist, was bullied and ultimately expelled from his family due to his inability to control their inherent fire magic. He eventually resurfaces as Kazuma Yagami, a powerful wind user, later revealed to be due to a contract with the Spirit King of the Wind.
Its manga and anime adaptations were relatively short-lived, with the former lasting 2 volumes and the latter lasting 24 episodes. The anime was also criticized for rushing the story. Sadly, the original author, Takahiro Yamato, would pass away soon after the release of both adaptations, eventually meaning that even the original light novels wouldn't finish the story.
6 Isekai Cheat Magician: The Title Hints At How By-The-Book The Story Is
Nishimura Taichi and Azuma Rin lived relatively normal lives until they are magically sent into a fantasy land filled with monsters, dwarves, and other races. However, they soon learn that, despite their mundane origins, they might have more skill when they realize, especially when it comes to cheat magic.
The anime only lasted around 12 episodes. Considering that this is a series that goes so far as to have "isekai" in its own title, many viewers were known to find the story predictable.
5 Broken Blade: The Anime Was Repurposed From The Films
In this fantasy series set within the continent of Cruzon, Rygart Arrow is one of the few people who cannot use magic, causing him to be an outcast in a world where nearly everything is controlled by the magic Quartz crystals. However, he is skilled in military tactics, which will come in handy when the capital is attacked by golems...
The anime was eventually adapted into six 50-minute films that went in their own direction compared to the manga. The films were later adapted into a 12-episode anime series, which includes scenes added to the films.
4 Jujutsu Kaisen: The Anime Was Short-Lived Despite Even Boosting Manga Sales
Yuji Itadori joins an Occult Research Club to prevent it from being shut down by the student council, only for him to meet a real sorcerer, Megumi Fushiguro, eventually being dragged into his world of magic and cursed spirits.
The manga was a popular bestseller, but the anime only lasted for around 24 episodes. That said, the anime is believed to have helped boost manga sales, so the original managed to become a sleeper hit more than once. The prequel manga would eventually get a film, too.
3 Radiant: The French-Inspired Anime Got Two Seasons
Inspired by a series of French comic books, this anime revolves around creatures called Nemeses who wield a double-sword. Those who survive their touch, are cursed, but also obtain magical powers, essentially becoming sorcerers. Seth, the hero of the story, is one such survivor.
Wanting to bring about peace in both worlds, he seeks to find the origin of the Nemeses. The anime adaptation had 42 episodes, adapting the first few volumes of the story.
2 UQ Holder!: Negima! Fans Wanted A Direct Sequel
Something of a sequel to Negima! Magister Negi Magi, Tōta Konoe finds himself turned into a vampire by an ancient vampire mage. Taking another boy, Kuromaru, along the way, they seek out the titular UQ Holder, a secret society of immortals.
After a three-part OVA, the anime lasted only 12 episodes. The series received mixed feelings from fans of Negima! Magister Negi Magi, some of whom wanted a direct sequel.
1 Gosick: The English Release Was In Development Hell For Six Years
A play on the word "gothic," this series takes place in a fictional European country during the 1920s. Kazuya Kujo, a Japanese transfer student, meets the strange, doll-like Victorique. Together, they join forces to solve mysteries.
The anime adaptation only lasted 24 episodes. It also took around six years for the series to get an official English release. Even the original light novels had a mixed reaction, with reviewers disliking the conclusion.
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