Television series

Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry

Name: Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry
Genre: Action, Adventure, Anime, Fantasy
Released: 2015
Cast: Shizuka Ishigami, Ryōta Ōsaka, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Nao Tōyama, Shintaro Asanuma

A school-based sword-and-sorcery anime where the protagonist—a magicless prodigy in a world of gifted warriors—proves himself through skill, determination, and underdog charm. It's earnest fantasy action with romantic undertones, hitting the sweet spot between tournament excitement and character development. Ideal for fans of martial arts progression and anime that takes its dedication seriously.

TVMaze rating

3.5

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you want a school-set fantasy where a bright, bickering cast of sword-wielding students drives the plot, and you enjoy action that lands with a comic, teasing edge.

Skip it if you bristle at fan-service and sexual teasing, which the comedy leans on often enough to sour the mood for some viewers.

What it asks of you: Twelve episodes of roughly twenty-five minutes, with brisk, bright fights punctuated by loud, chatty classroom talk; it moves quickly and rarely lingers in silence.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

My Hero Academia2016

Shares the core magic: an underdog with genuine limitations climbing a rigidly stratified power hierarchy through sheer will and tactical cleverness. The tournament arcs hit the same sustained high.

But Runs long—over 100 episodes—and some of the filler arcs feel padded compared to the main tournament threads.

Sword Art Online2012

Both feature a protagonist who rewrites expectations through skill rather than raw power, dueling mechanics that matter, and a blend of action stakes with romantic development that never derails the plot.

But SAO's later seasons lose focus and introduce controversial plot choices. The early momentum doesn't sustain.

Gakusen Toshi Asterisk2015

Virtually identical DNA—Magic Knights, academy duels, a protagonist climbing from nothing, foreign princess love interest—but executed with slightly different pacing. A comfortable second helping if you want more of this exact flavor.

But It's aesthetically and narratively very similar, which means if Rakudai didn't quite land for you, this won't change your mind.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Carole & Tuesday2019

Both are fundamentally about proving yourself in a hierarchical world through skill and heart, not accident or inherited power. The underdog structure is identical; the expression is completely different.

A music-driven story about two girls proving themselves through talent and determination on an off-world colony, building from nothing to something undeniable. The emotional core mirrors Rakudai's earnestness—watching characters earn respect through sheer commitment—but through songwriting instead of swordplay.

But Science-fiction setting and idol/music focus means it's tonally and visually distant from fantasy action. You need patience for long performance sequences.

Blue Exorcist2011

Another underdog at a supernatural academy proving himself against peers who were born into their power. The action is sharper, the world-building richer, and the emotional stakes deeper than the premise suggests.

But Switches between manga-adapted anime and anime-original content, creating narrative whiplash. Some viewers find the tone inconsistent.

Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works2014

Servant-based dueling with a protagonist who wins through will and technique rather than innate power. Gorgeous animation, intricate combat, and a love interest with real agency. Absolutely polished.

But A standalone adaptation of one route in a visual novel, so it assumes nothing and explains everything slowly. Dense for some.

Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works poster

Fire Force2019

Academy-based action with a protagonist climbing a rigid power structure through technique and determination. The animation is superb, the character arcs satisfying, and it doesn't overstay its welcome.

But The early episodes introduce fan-service humor that feels grafted on and cheapens some character moments.

Tokyo Ravens2013

Magic academy with a skilled underdog protagonist, duel sequences that carry real weight, and a romance that deepens rather than distracts. Gothic atmosphere gives it more personality than the average school fighter.

But Ends on an anime-original note that diverges from the source material, leaving some threads unresolved.

Unbreakable Machine-Doll2013

A shorter series with similar scaffolding: academy, duels, underdog protagonist, romantic subplot woven into the action. Moves quickly and doesn't pretend to be grander than it is.

But Thirteen episodes means character development gets rushed and the ending feels abrupt. You'll want more than it delivers.

B Gata H Kei2010

Strip away the genre, and both are stories about someone with a clear vision pursuing it methodically despite obstacles, buoyed by a partner who believes in them. Rakudai does it with steel; this does it with sincerity and humor.

A comedy about a girl with an ambitious goal pursuing it with strategic, methodical determination, aided by an unlikely partner who sees her clearly. The humor is warm, the character work precise, and it respects its protagonist's ambitions without condescension.

But It's a romantic comedy about sex, not sword combat. If you came for action, this will feel like a left turn. Also limited runtime—only four OVA episodes of substance.