Top Ten Fantasy Series 2023

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their updated top 10 sci-fi and fantasy series list for 2023, providing insights into each choice and personal reflections. Highlights include *Murderbot* for its emotional depth and mental health themes, *Berserk* for its dark narrative and profound artistry, and *The Wheel of Time* as the speaker's ultimate favorite, despite the controversial TV adaptation. The list also features *Discworld*, *The Green Bone Saga*, and *The First Law Series*, with a nod to the iconic *Lord of the Rings* as an honorable mention. The speaker encourages viewers to share their own lists and engage with the content.

Takeaways

• 😀 Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells is ranked #6 and praised for its exploration of social awkwardness, stress, and mental health through a sentient robot.
• 😀 The creator compares Murderbot's world to the corporate dystopia of *Alien*, with its emotional depth and captivating artificial intelligence interactions.
• 😀 Berserk by Kentaro Miura, ranked #5, went from being disliked to one of the most compelling epic fantasy stories, with emotional catharsis and impressive artwork being central to its appeal.
• 😀 Guts, the protagonist of *Berserk*, undergoes significant character growth, and Griffith, the antagonist, is portrayed as both repulsive and deeply flawed, adding to the series' complexity.
• 😀 The art in *Berserk* is hailed as some of the most impressive, from Eldritch horrors to beautiful creature designs and emotional portrayals.
• 😀 *The Green Bone Saga* and *The First Law Series* are tied for #4 and #3, with both praised as ongoing modern fantasy series with deep world-building and complex characters.
• 😀 Discworld by Terry Pratchett ranks #2, with the creator planning future lore deep dives, highlighting its engaging and humorous world.
• 😀 *The Wheel of Time* by Robert Jordan holds the #1 spot for its personal importance and status as 'America's greatest fantasy epic,' despite the negative impact of its TV adaptation.
• 😀 The creator respects *The Lord of the Rings* but prioritizes enjoyment over respect, explaining that it doesn't make the top 10 for personal enjoyment at the moment.
• 😀 The creator encourages viewers to share their own top 10 lists in the comments and highlights Patreon support as a way to help fund future content creation.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker’s top 10 sci-fi and fantasy series list?

The primary focus of the speaker’s top 10 list is personal enjoyment rather than literary respect. The speaker ranks series based on how much they connect with the content, rather than purely on their literary value or historical significance.

How does the speaker describe the emotional depth of 'Murderbot Diaries'?

'Murderbot Diaries' is praised for its portrayal of anxiety, depression, and social awkwardness, creating an emotionally resonant experience. The speaker notes that the series successfully places the reader in the shoes of the protagonist, a robot dealing with these human-like struggles.

What makes 'Berserk' unique in the realm of epic fantasy according to the speaker?

The speaker finds 'Berserk' unique for its emotional depth, complex characters, and its ability to use dark themes to create catharsis. The series is also noted for its remarkable art, especially its creature designs and the scale of its emotional and narrative portrayals.

Why does the speaker recommend reading 'Berserk' despite its flaws?

'Berserk' is recommended because, despite initial flaws that might repulse readers, it transforms those elements into sources of catharsis. The speaker appreciates how the series uses these imperfections to deepen the emotional impact and thematic richness.

What are the key themes of 'The Green Bone Saga' and 'The First Law' series?

'The Green Bone Saga' and 'The First Law' series are both praised for their complex world-building and character-driven plots. The speaker highlights their ongoing contribution to the modern fantasy genre, and they are considered tied for #4 on the list for their depth and influence.

Why is 'Discworld' placed at #2 in the speaker’s list?

'Discworld' is ranked #2 because of its deep lore, humor, and unique take on fantasy. The speaker emphasizes that they will soon be diving into the lore of 'Discworld' in future content, showing how significant the series is to them, even if it doesn’t take the top spot.

What is the significance of 'The Wheel of Time' in the speaker’s ranking?

'The Wheel of Time' holds the #1 spot in the speaker’s ranking as the most important and beloved fantasy series in their personal experience. While the TV adaptation may not have lived up to expectations, the series remains their personal greatest fantasy epic, with a deep emotional connection.

How does the speaker feel about the TV adaptation of 'The Wheel of Time'?

The speaker acknowledges that the TV adaptation of 'The Wheel of Time' did not meet their expectations but still maintains that the original book series remains their #1 choice due to its emotional depth and significance.

Why is 'The Lord of the Rings' not included in the top 10 despite being highly respected?

'The Lord of the Rings' is respected as one of the greatest fantasy series, but it does not make the speaker's top 10 list for personal enjoyment at this time. The speaker still holds it in high regard but admits that their current tastes are focused elsewhere in terms of reading preferences.

What does the speaker mean by 'honorable mentions' for 'The Lord of the Rings'?

The speaker places 'The Lord of the Rings' in the 'honorable mentions' category, meaning it is acknowledged and respected, but not considered for the top 10 based on their current enjoyment. This inclusion allows the speaker to acknowledge its greatness without ranking it higher.