The modern era is overrated and leaves much to be desired. If that weren't true, then why are you here looking for fantasy and sci-fi shows? Needless to say, some form of escape from these trying times are always welcome and while fans are at it, they might as well look for the best of the best when it comes to science-fiction and (medieval) fantasy because they deserve nothing less.
Both are tried and tested genres of entertainment and even now, showrunners look like they're not about to run out of ideas for the far future and magical worlds anytime soon. As such, 2020 is full of new additions to sci-fi and fantasy, there are so many new shows this year that choosing where to start can be a task in itself. Thankfully, that task is already done with this guide.
10 Sci-Fi: Raised By Wolves - 7.8
2020 has some stellar sci-fi offerings that genre veteran director Ridley Scott just can't leave the newcomers unchallenged so he produced Raised By Wolves. It's an intriguing sci-fi TV series from HBO Max that explores the nature of humanity through the eyes of two androids.
The said two androids were tasked to raise children on a virgin planet after the Earth was ripped apart by war. However, old human conflicts arise on the new planet where the established human colonies on the same planet threaten the peace and stability of their new home because of religion and whoever gets to eat better.
9 Fantasy: Letter For The King - 5.9
Sadly, the fantasy vacuum left behind by Game of Thrones has yet to be filled this 2020 though some contenders like Letter For The King have arisen to the challenge. It didn't fare as well as the HBO giant but Netflix managed to carve its own fantasy niche with the Letter for the King.
The story is more of a coming-of-age drama set in a fantasy world where a teen squire was given the monumental duty of holding a kingdom's fate in his hands after he was asked to deliver an important message to the king.
8 Sci-Fi: Upload - 8.0
Black Mirror has always reigned supreme when it comes to portraying a mostly bleak and ugly picture of the near future but it doesn't always have to be so negative. That's why Amazon Prime's Upload might be perfect for optimists and those looking for more comedic value out of their sci-fi.
Upload explores the idea of being able to choose your own afterlife in a virtual world after you die. That's what happened to protagonist Nathan Brown who died prematurely and was coaxed into getting uploaded in digital heaven by her possessive living girlfriend. It sounds like there isn't much of a plot or conflict to be had there but let's just say Nathan's manner of death might not have been accidental.
7 Fantasy: Dragon's Dogma - 6.3
One of the biggest anime this year is Netflix's Dragon's Dogma and though it was polarizing to a lot of fans due to its preference of using CGI over 2D art. Still, being based on one of the most popular dark horses in RPGs is enough to give it a chance. Dragon's Dogma was pretty faithful to its source material, almost to a fault.
It follows the exploits of a man named Ethan who was chosen by a dragon to become an Arisen and was given a capable companion. What exactly is an Arisen? It just is, according to the show. All viewers understand is that Ethan is now seeking revenge against the dragon because appointing him as Arisen came with the added bonus of his wife and unborn child getting eaten by a giant fire-breathing lizard.
6 Sci-Fi: Solar Opposites - 8.0
By now, a lot of sci-fi fans have probably noticed the never-ending deluge of adult sci-fi comedy cartoons ever since Rick and Morty took the world by storm. Hulu's Solar Opposites naturally wants in on the party and it was created by one of Rick and Morty's co-creators, Justin Roiland. That's why some voice talents ought to be recognizable for Rick and Morty fans.
As for how it compares to the crass cartoon, Solar Opposites is actually more muted and "family-friendly" in a sense. It's a satirical jab at the culture and mannerisms of human beings as seen through the eyes of a migrant extraterrestrial family. They're just trying to get by on Earth like its dominant inhabitants though studying how to be like them probably isn't doing them any favor.
5 Fantasy: Blood Of Zeus - 7.7
Greek mythology is back on the map and one of the main contributors to this in 2020 is Netflix's Blood of Zeus which is an anime made by the same creators of their Castlevania series. Blood of Zeus crafts its own mythological tale that's similar to the already established ones such as Perseus' or Hercules.'
It's mostly a Greek tragedy about a young man named Heron who discovers that he's actually Zeus' bastard son. To make matters worse, Zeus' legal wife, Hera is none too happy in finding this out. So like a true Olympian, she stirs up some family warfare and drags the whole mortal realm into the fray.
4 Sci-Fi: Alice In Borderland - 8.1
Every once in a while, there's that one Japanese live-action drama that breaks ground and manages to land its own spot on Netflix. For 2020, that would be Alice in Borderland and it's every bit as riveting as its manga source material.
Alice in Borderland transports a group of delinquents into a parallel version of Tokyo except more twisted and outlandish as part of their survival game. It has about as wacky and ridiculous a plot as most anime except it's more intimate and realistic since it's live-action.
3 Fantasy: The Owl House - 7.9
The Owl House loves to not take itself seriously despite the rather serious fantasy playground it creates for its characters. The premise is pretty standard and has already been done by numerous other shows though not as cheekily as this.
A teenager named Luz happens upon a portal that takes her to a medieval fantasy world. To her luck, Luz always wanted to be a witch and stumbled upon a powerful one named Eda in the said fantasy world. There, she trains to be Eda's apprentice while solving local problems along the way and cracking some sarcasm.
2 Sci-Fi: The Midnight Gospel - 8.3
As for the most unique sci-fi cartoon right now? Sorry Rick and Morty but the crown goes to The Midnight Gospel. It's a trippy romp viewed through the eyes of a spacecaster named Clancy Gilroy who explores different universes inside his universe simulator.
Of course, while he's at it, he questions the meaning of life and death as well as just about everything that comprises the fabric of existence. It's the closest one can get to gulping some LSD or acid without actually doing it. For added immersion, watch it while intoxicated. Oh, it's also made by the creators of Adventure Time. Go figure.
1 Fantasy: Tower Of God - 7.9
As it is, Japan is doing fantasy better than its Western counterparts right now in the absence of Game of Thrones and one of its latest anime, Tower of God, is a high-octane ride that initially plays out like most where a tower summons several candidates for the chance of granting their deepest desire.
It's a winner-takes-all bet but the protagonist, Bam is only interested in finding out his friend who went into the tower earlier. Those who find delight in peculiar art styles will surely find this anime worthy of their time, everything else is just the icing on the cake.
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