There are plenty of Shounen anime and manga that feature in-depth and well-planned magic or power systems that comprise the engine of the story. From soft systems that include awe-inspiring spells to hard systems that pack a punch, these engines separate each magical adventure anime from another.

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Some of these magic systems are so effective because they weave so well into the story and setting, achieving both dynamism and world-building feats. Others are so impactful for their imagination and creativity or dire consequences.In some series, fans can see the best-written and most effective magic systems to date.

10 Fairy Tail Has A Soft Magic System With Power Diversity

Natsu and Lucy wave

Soft magic systems are characterized by a less defined and clear-cut set of rules for the use of magic. Fairy Tail is a prime example, as it has wizards and sorcerers from all sorts of skill-sets and magic types that can come up with an incredible range of magics.

While each magical ability has its own set of rules and the idea of dragon slayer magic is well defined and categorized, the concept of magic throughout Fairy Tail changes. In true Shounen fashion, this concept constantly debates and reassesses the boundaries of what is possible. This is exactly why fans love Fairy Tail, though, as new magics and limits are constantly found.

9 The Clow Cards In Cardcaptor Sakura Were Straightforward

Card Captor Sakura Clear Card

Cardcaptor Sakura is another anime that has an interesting magic system. Cardcaptor Sakura is geared toward children, and thus the magic system is quite simple. It includes cards, each with their own unique and defined magical abilities, that must be captured.

This is straightforward, but Sakura's creative uses of them paired with Cardcaptor Sakura's strict adherence to the rules of the magic system (as opposed to bending those rules) makes this magic system well planned and well-executed.

8 Devil Fruit Made Sense As A System In One Piece

devil fruit from one piece

Another magic system that is surprisingly well defined is the magic of the Devil Fruits found in One Piece. Each Devil Fruit has its ability that grant the consumer awesome power. However, there are also clear and important downsides to consuming the fruit that make it just as detrimental as beneficial.

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While this magic system is not as complicated as others such as Fairy Tail or Naruto, it fits seamlessly within the world they are written in, not only adding to the plot but also the world-building and lore of One Piece.

7 Bleach's Bankai Were Unique And Well Done

byakuya bleach

Magical swords are nothing new to anime. They are a well-loved and much-used magical tool across anime's many genres. However, few stories have made such an intricate but well-outlined sword-based magic system as Bleach.

The unique powers designated to each Bankai ability was both creative and diverse.The separation between the Shinigami, the Arrancar/Espada, and the Hollows (as well as their overlaps) were well done and interesting. Bleach's magic system was so well-loved that it drew an impressive number of fan fiction writers and their original characters.

6 JoJo Successfully Pulled Off A Magic System Switch

Osiris stand jojo

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure started with a martial-arts-style magic system of Hamon or Ripple in its first two parts: Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency. However, in its third part, Stardust Crusaders, the author decided to change the magic system.

The anime/manga shifted to the use of Stands, which were projections of their energy that contained special powers. The shift was perhaps abrupt, but JoJo's Bizarre Adventure effectively established its new magic system, and fans seem to love Stands just as much, if not more, than the original magic system. Thus, JoJo pulled off an incredibly impressive feat.

5 Hunter X Hunter's Nen Made Winning Creative

Gon Unleashes All Of His Nen In Hunter X Hunter

Another magic system that relies on one's internal energy (also known as aura) is the Nen system of Hunter X Hunter, which is unique due to its versatility. The Nen system contains six categories of basic types: emission, conjuration, manipulation, specialization, transmutation, and enhancement. On top of that, there are four methods, or principles, of using energy: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu.

These basics can be translated into more advanced and complicated techniques, but everything is built upon those basics, not unlike those of other shows such as Naruto.

4 Quirks Are Well Written Into The My Hero Academia World

Monoma copies Eri's quirk

The magic system of My Hero Academia is a little more rigid than the system found in Fairy Tail, but it still maintains the same diversity and versatility. Most people in the My Hero world have an innate ability called a quirk, and each quirk has its own set of powers.

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Unlike other systems that include a vast array of powers and abilities, however, My Hero Academia does a great job of defining drawbacks and limitations of each power. My Hero Academia also writes those powers concretely into the world, though some powers are much better designed than others.

3 Alchemy In Fullmetal Alchemist Had Serious Consequences

fullmetal alchemist transmutation scene

When it comes to drawbacks, rules, and limitations, Fullmetal Alchemist has a magic system that is unparalleled in its on-screen danger. The Shounen tropes of getting power and strength simply by willing it (which often leads to power creep) is out the window.

Fans get to see just how dangerous alchemy is from the very first moments of Fullmetal, as the main characters are punished for their hubris. Also, Fullmetal Alchemist depicts how the magic system corrupts both other alchemists and the world, making it one of the most involved and "realistic" magic systems.

2 Naruto's Chakra Was A Great Magic System Until A Point

9 naruto shares kurama's chakra with everyone

While Naruto has certainly been criticized for its tendency toward power creep, it still has one of the most intricate and well-followed magic systems. The entire first series, the original Naruto, outlines the basics of ninjutsu and chakra, and has a wide range of abilities built from those basics.

Furthermore, the concept of chakra and jutsu comprise the foundation of Naruto's lore and world-building. Each clan has its techniques and powers, and those abilities inform how they move throughout the world. Though Naruto does run wild at times, the foundations are always at the center.

1 Avatar: The Last Airbender's Bending Powers Were Clear And Well Thought Out

Korra enters Avatar State

Hard magic systems are often looked at as too basic or simplistic, but few anime have treated magic systems as well as the Avatar franchise. Firstly, the concept of bending is straightforward and has clear rules, and the concept of the Avatar ties all of those rules together and tethers them to the world.

Secondly, each bending style and technique reflects not only a real martial arts style, but also each kingdom's culture. These cultural practices and bending techniques are then reflected in the actual geography of the nations, kingdoms, and tribes. Fans can see how water bending sculpted the Northern Water Tribe and how earth bending is central to Omashu's infrastructure. There are simply no loose ends.

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