I'm in need of a magical, cozy anime series that gives off an old adventure vibe with fun and comedy moments. Everything I play, watch, and read currently is so depressing, so I need something with happy moments.
If it is necessary to put my anime-list on here, let me know. It is a Excel file though. After a certain site died, I decided to do it myself.
I was not sure whether, I should post here or in another community. Apologies in advantage of this is not the right community.
I refrained from recommending Frieren because its premise is pretty sad and it's got a lot of melancholy between the cute, fun, and funny moments. However, I do think it fits what OP is looking for depending on just how sensitive they will be to sad vibes.
True, I actually never watched the anime I only read the manga, in the manga at least you have a few melancholy moments in the beginning but after Frieren starts the journey with the rest of the group the melancholy is more subtle at the end of chapters/archs.
Viewer be advised: If you've ever lost someone you took for granted, or hurried through what should have been a formative time in your life instead of slowing down and appreciating it while you had it, then this show knows how to punch you in the tender bits, and it will not stop.
I cried during every one of the first four episodes.
On a similar note, Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast For Spirits is a super cozy cooking anime with some adventure-y bits and a big fun weird world you learn about bit by bit
I’ve been killing slimes for 300 years and maxed out my abilities
Cosy
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
Didn’t I say to make my abilities average
Cosy
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
The totally Normal Average Miles
Kuma kuma kuma bear
Cosy
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
All the bears
By the grace of gods
Cosy
Adventures
Fantasy
All the slime you could need
In the land of Leadale
Cosy? (The story and characters are 100% cosy, but if you think about her circumstances it is a bit melancholy)
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
The most over the top elf son
Konosuba
Cosy?
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
Ascendance of a bookworm
Cosy? (I would say it’s very cosy but there are a few bits which are a bit melancholy)
Adventures? (No adventurers guild or actual adventuring, but the MC has a goal and is working toward something which makes it feel like they are adventuring)
Fantasy
Magic? (There is magic in the world but you don’t see much until the end of the 3rd season, there should be lots more in the next season)
No.1 Super mega monster bookworm
But Ascendance of a bookworm is an amazing story I think it fits the criteria
Beast tamer
Cosy (Mostly cosy, some more serious confrontations)
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
Banished from the hero’s party: I decided to live a quiet life in the countryside
Cosy (Mostly cosy, some more serious bits and a bit of melancholy)
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
TsukiMichi Moonlit Fantasy
Cosy? (The relationship between the MCs is cosy but it can take more serious themes and moments including war / killing people. But there is an underlying comedy aspect? )
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
Includes best Dragon samurai , Devouring Spider , Human Lich
So I’m a spider so what?
Cosy? (fairly cosy, Lovable non-human MC tying to survive, some more serious parts but the MC is always upbeat and doing their best)
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
Best parallel minds
That time I got reincarnated as a slime
Cosy (Mostly cosy, some more serious buts including war and a fair few battles. But the MC and their friends are wholesome)
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
The weakest tamer began a journey to pick up trash
Cosy (Mostly cosy, some more serious bits including kidnapping and MC background is melancholy. But the story as a whole is cosy)
Adventures
Fantasy
Magic
Reborn as a vending machine now I wonder the dungeon
If you don't mind the "Cute girls doing cute things" genre then maybe Endro~! or "I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level".
Both are light hearted comedy fantasy series.
Endro~! brings back memories. 2018/yearly 2019 is the years that I had time to watch all the animes in the season. Greats animes like Mahoutsukai no Yome, Violet Evergarden and etc was released at that time. Endro~! debuted in the last season that I could watch everything, after that I slowsly dropped animes because of my lack of time.
I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level is the first thing that comes to my mind. The Little Witch Academia series is also a classic.
The Studio Ghibli movie, Castle in the Sky fits that bill pretty well. Especially on the "old adventure vibe" front. It's definitely got cozy and funny moments throughout, but all the guns and explosions might be a bit much.
But if you need stuff that's pure cozy, Non Non Biyori is good, as is Yuru Camp. Not big on the fantasy or adventure part, unless you consider walking to the candy store, or going camping, to be adventures.
For something cozy and fantasy based: Hakumei to Mikochi is good too! It's about a couple of lesbians who live in a tree, in a charming fantasy setting. It's got big cottage core vibes.
Maybe it won't be your thing, but I really really like Haibane Renmei. It's more melancholy comfy, and some moments are a little intense, but it's overall very sweet and meaningful to me.
Ascendance of a Bookworm I saw was recommended as well, and I'll second that one.
If you meant magical as in fascinating, not literal magic, Golden Kamuy is one of my favs. It's a historical fiction adventure with lots of hilarious gags. You learn, you laugh, you get lots of adventure. Does have some some gross parts as it's war-adjacent, but it's largely an adventure comedy. One of my top anime/manga, and i didn't see enough people talk about it.
Chillin' in My 30s After Getting Fired from the Demon King's Army is a good one to watch. Its sits in the middle between light hearted and has some sad moments but they are not dwelled on for too long.