Afantasy podcast is a podcast related to or discussing thefantasy genre, which usually focuses on themagical,supernatural,mythical, orfolkloric. Fantasy stories are set infictional universes orfantasy worlds that are often reminiscent of theMiddle Ages and theearly modern period. Despite having a fictional setting, fantasy stories can contain or reference locations, events, or people from the real world. Characters in these stories often encounter fictional creatures such asdwarves,elves,dragons, andfairies. Common types of fantasy podcasts areaudio dramas, narrated short stories,role-playing games, or discussions and reviews of fantasy topics such as fantasy films, books, games, and other media. The intended audience of a fantasy podcast can vary from young children to adults. Fantasy podcasts emerged from storytelling and the creation of the radio. Fantasy podcasts have often been adapted intotelevision programs,graphic novels, andcomics. Fantasy podcasts are a subgenre of fiction podcasts and are distinguished from science fiction podcasts andhorror podcasts by the absence of scientific or macabre themes, respectively, though these subgenres regularly overlap.
As of 2021, The longest running fantasy podcast isPodCastle, which has been actively releasing content since 2007.[1] The most common subgenre of fantasy podcasts ishigh fantasy, however, other subgenres includeurban fantasy,modern fantasy, anddark fantasy.[2][3]
The content of fantasy podcasts often overlaps with science fiction podcasts. These two genres are often grouped together under the label science fiction and fantasy podcasts, which is sometimes shortened to sci-fi/fantasy podcasts or simply SFF.[4][5] Some examples of podcasts that cover both science fiction and fantasy topics includeSFF Yeah!,The SFF Audio Podcast, andSword & Laser.[6] Two of the longest running science fiction and fantasy podcasts, as of 2021, areSword and Laser and theClarkesworld Magazine podcast, which have both been regularly releasing episodes since 2008.[7][8]
The Two Princes is a popular audio drama styleLGBT fantasy podcast.[9][10] Other fantasy podcasts includeCarcerem andRoommate From Hell.[11][12] Aja Romano, forVox, compiled a list of seven fantasy audio drama podcast that includedKalila Stormfire's Economical Magick Services,The Magical History of Knox County,Victoriocity,The Alexandria Archives,Love and Luck,Alba Salix, andSupernatural Sexuality with Dr Seabrooke.[13] Other fantasy audio dramas or audio fiction podcasts includeInn Between,The Once and Future Nerd,The Penumbra Podcast, andThe Prickwillow Papers.[2]
Based on anAudio Publishers Association report, the audiobook industry grew thirty-four percent between 2015 and 2016. According to Andrew Liptak, forThe Verge, this increasing listenership has contributed to the success of podcasts released by science fiction and fantasy magazines. For instance, theClarkesworld Magazine releases a science fiction and fantasy podcast containing short stories read by Kate Baker. As opposed to an audio drama, the stories are read by an individual rather than a cast of voice actors.[14] Other example of fantasy magazines that release short stories as podcast episodes includeThe BCS Audio Vault andPodCastle.[15][2]
The fantasy podcastHello from the Magic Tavern is entirely improvised except for the premise of the fantasy world in which the characters reside.[16][17] The improv science fiction podcastsMission to Zyxx andVoyage to the Stars both have fantasy themes.[18][19][20]
Dungeons & Dragons, atabletop role-playing game, is often adapted into fantasy podcasts. Marion Frayna, ofAsiaOne, recommends learning how to play the game by watching or listening to other people play onlive streams (such asCritical Role) or podcasts (such asThe Adventure Zone). These fantasy podcasts often include players asking questions and actively learning the rules of the game and regularly involve players making jokes and improvising rather than following a script.[21][22][23] OtherDungeons & Dragons role-playing or actual play podcasts includeThe Broadswords,Rivals of Waterdeep,Tavern Tales Junior, andRoll For Wenches.[2]
Other role-playing game systems have been used to create fantasy podcasts such asWelcome to Warda which uses theFate system,Queer Dungeoneers which usesDungeon World,[2] andVery Random Encounters which uses a different role-playing system for eachcampaign.[24]
Fantasy podcasts such asSFF Yeah! andSword & Laser cover news of fantasy related media and discuss or review the latest releases. For instance,SFF Yeah! discusses the latest science fiction and fantasy books.[6][25] Rather than discuss or review fantasy related media, nonfiction podcasts likeImaginary Worlds andWords to That Effect explore, analysis, and deconstruct fantasy worlds and the themes and tropes used in the genre.[26][3]
Someweb series have been adapted into podcast form, including shows such asCritical Role,High Rollers, andGirls, Guts, Glory.[27][28]
Fantasy podcasts have been adapted into books, comics, and film. For instance,Sword and Laser has been adapted into a book[29] andThe Adventure Zone has been adapted into both books and comics.[30][31]The Two Princes has been adapted into film.[32] Fantasy magazines have been adapted into podcasts or vice versa. For instance, theClarkesworld Magazine podcast andThe BCS Audio Vault produced by Beneath Ceaseless Skies Online Magazine.[14][15]
Fantasy podcasts have been used by businesses as marketing campaigns to increase brand visibility. For instance, the German software company,SAP, produced a podcast entitledSearching for Salaì.[33]
Noah Galvin of Booksmart and Tony Award winner Ari'el Stachel portray two princes, Rupert and Amir, eager to settle down into their happily ever after in season 3 of the fantasy podcast,
The Two Princes, an LGBQT fantasy podcast that's gained a loyal fan following
Carcerem is an original audio fantasy series from Shane Salk Productions that features a star-studded cast, original music, and immersive sound design.
a scripted fictional sci-fi/fantasy podcast called Roommate From Hell
These fantasy podcast recs let you indulge your witchy side.
Clarkesworld Magazine Is One of the Most Acclaimed Outlets for Short Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories
Gather around and read the tale of how three improv comedians created the most insane fake-fantasy podcast to hit the airwaves.
I'm a huge fan of the ... fantasy podcast Hello From the Magic Tavern
There are also podcasts that players can tune into if they want something to listen to, such as The Adventure Zone, a game which is run by comedian Griffin McElroy for his two sons and father in a really lighthearted and comical campaign. The aforementioned Critical Role also comes in podcast format, too.
A 320-page hardcover, the Origins Library Edition Vol. 1 tells the backstories of the Vox Machina crew – the characters in the first campaign of the popular fantasy podcast
Three brothers and their dad play Dungeons & Dragons together on this comedic fantasy podcast.
Tuesday is production day for "Sword & Laser," the sci-fi/fantasy podcast I started eight years ago.
There's a lot of science fiction and fantasy podcasts out there, but what makes Imaginary Worlds stand out is its slick production.
The Adventure Zone podcast has been delighting listeners for years with its blend of exciting fantasy storytelling and sharp comedy, and it's moving into a new dimension with the release of a new graphic novel from First Second.
The Adventure Zone is a side-splitting and heart-filled fantasy animated comedy series
After all, it's rare that you get to hear a fantasy podcast with revolving LGBTQ themes.
That's why SAP (NYSE: SAP) recently launched a nine-part fantasy podcast series, co-produced by Column Five Media.
