by A beautiful-looking “elf” that appears in fantasy works. In recent anime works, there has been an increase in fantasy works based on reincarnation into other worlds and transfer into games, and many attractive elf characters have also appeared.
The All About News Editorial Department conducted an original questionnaire survey regarding anime characters between January 24th and April 11th, targeting 245 people in their teens to 60s nationwide. This time, we will introduce a ranking of favorite Heisei anime that features elves. (*This applies to works that started broadcasting in the Heisei era.)
2nd place: Sword Art Online
“Sword Art Online” (TOKYO MX and others).
The anime was based on Kawahara Reki’s original work and has been released in three series, two movies, and a unique commemorative program since 2012.
The story begins with players of the world’s first VR-based MMORPG, Sword Art Online (SAO), trapped in the game world.
The game master declares that “the only way to escape is to clear the game” and “if you die in the game, you will die in the real world,” the players, including the protagonist Kirito, throw themselves into the death game.
Comments from respondents included, “Because Sword Art Online was the first time I met an elf” (woman in her 20s/Kanagawa Prefecture), and “Because the story is very similar to an online game, I’ve watched it many times” (man in his 40s/Gifu Prefecture).
1st place: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
“That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” (TOKYO MX and others).
Based on Mr. Fuse’s original work, it is trendy and has been adapted into various media, such as games and stages. The anime series, including spin-off works, has been broadcast since 2018, and the third series (Nippon TV) will be broadcast from April 2024.
The story is about the protagonist, who was stabbed to death by a passing demon, reincarnates as a slime in a cave in another world, calls himself Rimuru, and begins to build a monster town while increasing his friends, companions, and subordinates, including the storm dragon Veldora. The size of the city grew steadily, and eventually, it was established as the Federation of Jura Tempest.
Various elves will appear, including Erald and Eren from the “Magic Dynasty Sarion”, a dynasty state centered on the old elf dynasty.
Respondent comments, “I like stories where a country is gradually built up while also having elements of TUE.” (Male, 20s, Kagoshima Prefecture); “I like how Rimuru uses his intelligence as a weapon to become stronger. It’s irresistible. The characters are of various races, and it’s interesting.” (Male, 30s, Fukushima Prefecture)
