Mythology from antiquity may seem like ancient practices. However, they have influenced every vestige of life, from the holidays we celebrate to the origins of our months, and in this case, our entertainment. Many authors and showrunners have drafted and produced wondrous stories about the ancient gods, with some even finding them walking among humans in contemporary times.
Blending adventure, fantasy, drama, and, at times, comedy, these animated series have reintroduced and reinterpreted myths that similarly entertain believers while also offering them a semblance of guidance. Sensational stories that focus on the gods themselves; their aspirations, their hubris, and their meddling with the human world stand side-by-side with stories that focus on the humans and demigods who tap into the power of their respective deities to defend, or even wreak havoc on the world. All in all, these series offer audiences some of the best reinterpretations of mythologies around the world.
10 Mythic Warriors (1998 – 2000)
Mythic Warriors is a 1998 animated anthology that offers audiences an entertaining retelling of classic Greek mythology. Between its capturing of the larger-than-life stature of the gods and its dedication to covering every corner of the classic myths introduced during one’s childhood, with episodes centered around Perseus, Heracles, and Andromeda, Mythic Warriors managed to make quite an impact on people’s collective perception of the Olympians, titans, and demigods.
A Bright, Vibrant Look at Ancient Myths
In two seasons, the riveting collection of stories serves as an introduction to the major stories and themes of Ancient Greek mythology. Taking the initiative to juxtapose the omnipresent Olympians with their human and demigod counterparts with stylistic choices and vivid depictions of their wide range of abilities, it would be a massive faux pas to understate the appeal of Mythic Warriors.
Reciting the infamous stories of vengeful gods, valiant heroes, and devious spirits, viewers take in the everyday ideals of Greek city states during antiquity, allowing for further comparison between the values of the ancient world and contemporary ideals.
9 Tales of Africa (2019)
Premiering before the dawn of the new decade, Tales of Africa is another animated anthology that follows six distinct folktales from various communities within the continent. Following an elder named Papa Nzenu, the series focuses on his travels across the continent and his subsequent understanding of these regional stories. Much like his experiences with hearing the tales, Papa Nzenu becomes an orator in his own right, sharing the stories with the people he comes to meet.
An Understated Gem
The miniseries makes a huge effort to expand one’s perception of Africa. Still talked of as one huge country rather than a diverse continent, the stories from various tribes, former kingdoms, and distinct sects offer a look into pre-colonial African narratives while also highlighting the immortality of said stories.
A brief yet fascinating excursion through the ages, Tales of Africa has the audience standing side by side with Papa Nzenu as he recounts prolific tales, the project serving as a love letter, in film form, to the respective communities discussed.
8 Twilight of the Gods (2024)
Twilight of the Gods invites audiences into a mature Nordic epic. Centered around the vengeance of Sigrid (Sylvia Hoeks), a human-jotünn hybrid, the series tracks her journey toward justice. Narrowly escaping Thor’s wrath, Sigrid and her consort, the mortal king Leif (Stuart Martin), team up with unlikely allies with a common goal.
A Brave Midgardian’s Journey
For starters, Sigrid makes for a refreshing protagonist in the wider fantasy genre. Her efforts may not be traditionally valiant like her peers, but her position as a foe to the morally gray gods made for an interesting premise. Moreover, combining the gory violence between the warring factions with breathtaking depictions of countless realms, Twilight of the Gods proves to be an enthralling experience for audiences.
7 Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God (2020)
Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God is a Japanese-animated comedy that looks into the oddly quaint lives of the Egyptian pantheon. With episodes tapping out at around five minutes, one might assume that said length of time would surely leave audiences with much to be desired. However, the concise clips carry just enough wholesome moments to leave audiences in a better mood.
The series has its fair share of hilarious moments between friends like Anubis (Hiro Shimono) and Thoth (Yūki Kaji), as well as the rivalry between Horus (Nobunaga Shimazaki) and Set (Hiroyuki Yoshino). Mimicking accounts from Ancient Egyptian myths with a pleasant tone, Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God makes for a clever comedy.
The Holiest Slice-of-Life Comedy
A particularly enjoyable trope is the treatment of the supernatural as the mundane and, Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God is exemplary of the magic that arises when one takes the often complex and vivid stories seen in myths and makes them more approachable. Between Medjed’s typical day and their discovery of a new cat and Bastet’s trademark reactions to the mess surrounding her, the show offers a jubilant look into the lives of primordial beings, in a sense, normalizing their responsibilities as gods.
Through its easy-going characters and relatable plots, Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God invites audiences to a seemingly unfamiliar world before reveling in all the human-like qualities of the gods themselves.
6 Bal Ganesh (2020)
Bal Ganesh is a Hindi-language cartoon that revisits the childhood of the aforementioned Hindu god. Set up against dastardly demons, the series chronicles the otherworldy strength of Bal Ganesh (Meghna Erande) while also educating audiences on Indian customs and traditions.
Seemingly aimed towards a younger audience, the series bridges a gap between one’s understanding of the god’s youth and stories pertaining to said deity’s temperament as a child and a human child’s experience on earth. With friends and guides alike, Bal Ganesh is a bright collection of innocuous tales.
A Wholesome Introduction to Hindu Values
The series revisits classic myths about one of the most revered gods in Hinduism. The youthful glow of the stories at hand makes for a compelling children’s animation that teaches audiences about Hindu creation stories, alongside major incidents that would influence humanity’s trajectory.
Furthermore, Bal Ganesh gives said audiences a protagonist they can identify with. Not unlike VeggieTales, Bal Ganesh is a strong example of the ways in which entertainment can be a vehicle for wholesome education about religion and mythology.
5 Vinland Saga (2019)
Another Japanese manga series adapted for television, Vinland Saga, follows Thorfinn (Yūto Uemura), a young Viking who is driven to revenge by the death of his father. Through efforts both valiant and otherwise, the hotheaded Thorfinn attempts to rectify the harm done against his family while also abiding by the expectations of his respective Viking company.
Through surprising circumstances and gut-wrenching experiences, Thorfinn endures an internal metamorphosis, pondering upon the great questions of life and his role in the grand scheme of things.
A Masterclass in Animated Storytelling
With the showrunner’s inclusion of original material, Vinland Saga is one of the most celebrated mythology-inspired series in modern times. From the adversarial yet beneficial relationship between the vengeful Thorfinn and the conniving Askeladd (Naoya Uchida), the poignant assertions weaved through the storylines, and its expert handling of themes such as slavery, revenge, pacifism, and trauma, Vinland Saga is as moving as it is bombastic. An engaging plot supplemented with fascinating backstories, the anime series continues to leave audiences enamored.
4 Papyrus (1998 – 2000)
Based on the Belgian comic series of the same, Papyrus is a fantasy series that follows the titular protagonist and his responsibilities as a champion of the gods. Taking place in Ancient Egypt, the series chronicles the battle between the Egyptian gods Set and Horus.
The series introduces Papyrus as a young fisherman who is chosen by the pantheon to liberate Horus from the Pyramid Of Ombos, where he lays, subdued as a result of Set’s trickery.
Throughout the ordeal, Papyrus is embroiled in even more drama as a result of additional drama between the nobility. Despite its sudden cancelation, the series was rich in captivating storylines that provided a lot of suspense to a series with an already engaging premise.
An Engaging Glimpse Into Ancient Egypt
Papyrus rarely strays away from the binary between good and evil. But when it does, it makes for intriguing scenes. As viewers learn more about Papyrus’ background, they are rewarded with spectacular moments of growth and rare instances of accountability.
With a diverse and expansive network of allies and acquaintances, Papyrus is full of intriguing characters, each with their own mini-arcs and specialties. Watching them all converge is not only satisfying to watch, but also makes for a more realistic perception of life in Ancient Egypt, even at its most mystical.
3 Saint Seiya (1985 – 2008)
The longest-running series included, Saint Seiya, adapted from the Japanese manga series of the same name, follows a group of mystical warriors named Saints who protect the world in the name of Athena, goddess of war and wisdom. Beginning with the story of an orphan named Seiya, the series is defined by its vibrant display of power and its use of recognizable mythological tropes to help supplement already intriguing worldbuilding.
The adventures of Seiya and friends proved to be influential beyond its initial airing, inspiring other anime like Bleach and ultimately providing audiences with rich and purposeful allusions to various mythologies across the world.
An Amusing Yet Lengthy Adventure
While there are mythology-based series that offer a more favorable portrayal of the gods, Saint Seiya offers a more jaded depiction of the Olympians, one that closely mirrors modern interpretations of Greek myths. With the saints gearing up for war against the gods, the series makes it a point to also highlight the fraternity between the saints and how it fluctuates, especially during times of crisis. Aside from the urgency embedded with the plot, Saint Seiya also carries itself with a humor that eases tensions and invites more opportunities to understand the characters beyond their role as heroes.
2 Class of the Titans (2005 – 2008)
Class of the Titans is a Canadian-Filipino collaboration that chronicles the adventures of a group of teens dedicated to defending the world from the titan Cronus (David Kaye). Descended from the Greek heroes of antiquity, the teens are recruited into a secretive high school in New Olympia where they train, learn their background and grow closer as they attempt to understand their enemy. An enjoyable amalgamation of comedy, drama, fantasy, and science fiction, Class of the Titans stands strong against other action-adventure cartoons of its time.
Adolescence and Adventure at Its Best
Class of the Titans earned generally positive reviews for balancing an entertaining and educational tone when approaching Greek mythology and adolescence. Both experiences, no matter how fantastical one may seem, are treated with the same degree of urgency.
In many ways, adolescence can feel like coming face to face with a formidable, nigh-omnipotent beast. But Class of the Titans understands better than anyone that tapping into the potential that resides with each being, along with the assistance of a chosen community, can lead to unimaginable experiences.
1 Blood of Zeus (2020 – Present)
Blood of Zeus is a 2020 animated Netflix series that follows the journey of a young man named Heron (Derek Phillips) who quickly learns of his true origins. Much like the demigods of his time, Heron’s life transforms as a result of the continued meddling of the gods. With news of impending conflict between the Olympians, Heron steps to the mantle as the demigod son of Zeus and attempts to use his newfound status to help protect Earth while restoring some semblance of balance to Mount Olympus.
A Divine Drama
Aside from the captivating visuals of Heron’s home, Mount Olympus, and the various deities that appear, Blood of Zeus has the makings of a stellar hero’s journey. Throughout the initial season, audiences watch Heron blossom into the savior his community needs, struggling through the trials and tribulations of the tasks at hand.
However, with formidable villains such as Seraphim (Elias Toufexis), Heron’s journey is anything but easy. Through vivid drama sequences, adrenaline-bursting battle scenes, and thought-provoking moments of clarity, Blood of Zeus captures the fantastic nature of the Greek myths many were privy to, tapping much-needed conversations about rage, fate, and the pursuit of power.