Isekai has become one of the broadest genres of anime. An isekai story, at its core, will involve being transported to another world – “isekai” in Japanese literally means “another world”. There are also ways to play with this trope: so-called “reverse” isekai, for example, involve someone from another world coming to the “real world.”
There are a lot of isekai out there, and the genre has grown to be quite big. Unfortunately, this also means that there is a lot of dirt to ignore and avoid. Whether you're a veteran isekai fan looking for a new watch or a genre naive looking for a good place to start, these isekai highlights can be binged right now.
10
The Familiar of Zero (2006)
The Humble Beginnings of Modern Isekai
In a distant world, a teenager named Louise attends a school for nobility to learn and master magic, where she earns the nickname “Zero” for her lack of grace. During a familiar summoning ritual, she accidentally summons a boy named Saito as her familiar. The series follows Louise and Saito as they bond closely while navigating the political intrigues and violent aspirations of those in their world, while Saito tries to find a way back to Japan at the same time.
Although “isekai” strictly refers to any story involving a person or group of people being sent to another world, when one says “isekai” it typically involves a handful of tropes: political intrigue, romance, possibly a harem, and so on. . Zero's Familiar is the reason for isekai's modern traits – richly influential in its time, the series spawned countless fan-fictions and imitations, and also provided a foundation from which future isekai would work. It hasn't aged perfectly, but it's a fun watch that shows the origins of the genre.
9
Re: Zero (2016)
An implicit response to Zero's Familiar
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- follows the story of Natsuki Subaru, a young man suddenly transported to a fantasy world. Struggling to understand his new surroundings, he discovers that he has the ability to return from death, allowing him to change past events. With each resurrection, Subaru forges alliances and faces the challenges of this alternate realm, striving to protect those he cares for while unraveling the mysteries surrounding his situation.
- Release date
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April 3, 2016
- Seasons
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3
Re:Zero -Starting life in another world- is one of those works inspired by Zero's Familiar. It's an incredibly clever effort that reverses the dynamics of Zero's Familiar in their heads: instead of a protagonist who faces any challenge with steadfastness, their own protagonist is constantly overwhelmed by obstacles; instead of their “harem” dynamic being a source of laughs, Re: Zero transforms them into a source of internal conflict and an irresistible psychological push and pull; Instead of returning home, it's about leaving a mark in the new world.
If Zero's Familiar intends that those who experience it project themselves into it in a positive way, Re: Zero thrives on projection, turning it into one of the best psychological dramas in recent anime history.
8
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (2018)
A monstrous protagonist sets the new Isekai hit apart
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an action-adventure isekai anime based on the original novels written by Fuse. Living a standard life with no real trajectory, Satoru Mikami's monotonous life turns into chaos when he is stabbed to death during a daily walk. However, Satoru's life is spared when he is reborn in the body of an all-powerful slime in a fantasy world, where he is given a second chance to live a more fulfilling – albeit bizarre – life.
- Release date
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October 5, 2018
- Seasons
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3
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime It looks like a what-it-says-on-the-tin series, but it's actually much more. It starts with an interesting premise, subverting the idea of an ultra-powerful isekai hero by having the hero become a strong slime. In a world where humans and monsters don't get along, Rimuru Tempest tries to bridge the gap and bring peace by showing that “humanity” is more complicated than it first appears.
Much of the series' appeal comes from its expansive worldbuilding and its emphasis on action, comedy, and heartfelt sentimentality. It's one of the most recent entries on this list, but it has already accumulated a large number of devoted fans who tirelessly wait for more. While a gentle theme of most modern isekai is finding peace in a kingdom plagued by some force, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an interesting series that raises a thoughtful question: what if the scourge also comes from within?
7
Welcome to the Demon School! Iruma Kun (2019)
A subtle pocket-friendly choice, Iruma Kun Shows the diversity of Isekai as a genre
This fantasy series follows fourteen-year-old Iruma Suzuki, who is unexpectedly adopted by a demon and enrolled in a school in the Underworld. While navigating life among demons, Iruma faces personal challenges and embarks on a transformative journey, guided by his demon grandfather, the school principal.
- Release date
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October 5, 2019
Welcome to the Demon School! Iruma Kun is an often underrated choice among isekai, but it's actually a great watch. It is based on a boy, Iruma Suzuki, who is sold by his parents to a demon grandfather (and director of a demon school). It's a simple watch, but is hilarious, charming and full of heart despite its gag isekai premise.
It won't necessarily scratch the same itch as others on this list, which appeal to the adventurous dungeon crawling/MMORPG or strains of political intrigue that permeate modern isekai. However, fans of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and The Adventures of Saiki K. will find Welcome to the Demon School! Iruma Kun to be completely pleasant. It's a sleeper pick, but it's worth mentioning just for its unique identity.
6
Sword Art Online (2012)
Epic and genre-defining, Sword Art Online It's a must-see for any Isekai fan.
Sword Art Online is an anime series that follows protagonist Kirito as he and thousands of others become trapped in a virtual reality MMORPG where death in the game means death in real life. Kirito must navigate this dangerous and immersive world to find a way to escape, facing numerous challenges and building alliances along the way. The series explores themes of survival, friendship and the fine line between reality and fantasy.
It's for both Sword Art OnlineThe benefit and detriment of before their emergence, the VR and MMORPG subgenres of isekai practically did not exist. Because of Sword Art OnlineDue to the profound influence of Isekai, the field of isekai has been flooded with series that implement familiar game elements such as leveling, experience, and online worlds. A timely reflection of the time in which it emerged, during the golden age of MMORPGs as World of Warcraft, Sword Art Online is a totally fun and innovative isekai in its time.
Starring Kirito, a beta tester who becomes trapped in the virtual world, the series combines thrilling action with romance while developing strong emotional bonds and showcasing its prolific lore. Teaming up with Asuna, Kirito aims to clean up the MMORPG, freeing everyone in the process. Meanwhile, the psychological stakes increase as being trapped in a virtual world begins to take its toll on the entire cast.
5
KonoSuba: God's blessing to this wonderful world! (2016)
Hilarious and direct, KonoSuba!!! Has a dedicated fan base always singing its praises
KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World!, commonly referred to as KonoSuba, is a Japanese anime series based on the novels of the same name by writer Natsume Akatsuki and illustrator Kurone Mishima. The series revolves around a man named Kazuma, who is offered a second chance at life in a magical world after his death.
- Release date
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January 13, 2016
Like an isekai anime, KonoSuba It doesn't do much that's particularly special. That's also exactly the charm. Despite making no effort to break new ground, KonoSuba stands out from the pack with an incredible sensitivity to humor, with his fanbase constantly attesting to his effortless hilarity as one of the main reasons others should watch him.
It is increasingly becoming one of the most beloved anime of all isekai. After its initial airing, fans waited impatiently for seven years before KonoSubaThe third season has finally been announced. The amount of enthusiasm that accompanied the announcement was intense and speaks to the fact that although KonoSuba It may not be the most thoughtful isekai out there, it's a must-see, even if it is a guilty pleasure.
4
The Eminence in the Shadow (2022)
An interesting inversion of the Chuunibyou concept
The Eminence in Shadow follows the story of Cid Kagenou, a recluse who is reincarnated in a fantasy world and seeks to live a life of obscurity, but unwittingly becomes a legendary figure known as Eminence in Shadow, feared by evil organizations and admired by the masses. .
The name is actually an excellent summary of what The Eminence in the Shadow has everything to do, following the story of Cid Kagenou. Cid is effectively a delusional boy who wants to be a dark and mysterious hero. After dying and being reincarnated in a fantasy world, he attempts to launch an elite group called Shadow Garden. When he begins acting as the mastermind behind Shadow Garden's schemes, he accidentally makes a profound impact in ways he never realized. Eminence in the Shadow was one of the biggest isekai of 2023, and for good reason.
Although it satirizes the overwhelming influence of isekai heroes like Zero's FamiliarSaito and THEY AREKirito, nevertheless, does it with incredible charm and zeal. Isekai has always been in a kind of dialogue with itself, and this can manifest itself in many different ways – but one of the genre's great attractions is its incredible ability to not take itself too seriously and, at the same time, create incredibly compelling stories. Eminence in the Shadow is a perfect example of this trend.
3
Overlord (2015)
A realistic approach to the overpowered hero
Overlord follows a salaryman who, after becoming trapped in a virtual reality game, takes on the role of an all-powerful skeletal overlord. As he navigates this new world full of magical and mythical creatures, he seeks to understand the game's mysteries and overcome its challenges. The series mixes elements of fantasy and adventure, exploring themes of power and identity.
Supreme Lord is representative of the isekai domineering hero trope while also being an excellent exploration of its implications. Supreme Lord is a surprisingly dark watch that will satisfy fans of series like Re: Zeroand offers compelling insight into the way power shapes morality and vice versa. It's one of the smartest isekai anyone can learn today and has been celebrated for its blend of humor, immersion, and dark storytelling.
2
No game, no life (2014)
A great crowd pleaser, no game, no life is essential viewing
No Game, No Life follows brothers Sora and Shiro, master gamers who are transported to a world where all conflicts are resolved through games.
Any list of edible isekai would be remiss, not to mention No game, no life. Although the series has been divisive, its fans tend to be diehards, and there are many reasons for that. The series focuses on Sora and his sister, Shiro: NEET brothers who are taken to a world where everything happens in games. No game, no life combines familiar isekai dynamics with political intrigue and a compelling psychological twist that, in some ways, may remind fans of Kaiji.
Abandoning battles for mind games, No game, no life is an irresistible and visually stunning take on the isekai genre. Although many isekai feature psychological elements, few reflect the emphasis on strategy that No game, no life It often involves shifting to brute force or strategic power in a social context. Not everyone will love it No game, no lifebut no one knows until they try.
1
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (2021)
A serious and sincere approach to the fundamentals of the genre
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation follows a man who, after being reincarnated in a magical world, sets out to live his life without regrets. Adopting the name Rudeus Greyrat, he embarks on a journey of personal growth and adventure, armed with knowledge from his past life and new magical abilities. The series explores themes of redemption, self-discovery and the quest to overcome personal failures.
- Network
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Tokyo MX, KBS Kyoto, BS11
- Seasons
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2
One of the most acclaimed isekai anime of recent years, Mushoku Tensei: jobless reincarnation it is an inner inquiry into identity, morality and motivations. Follows Rudeus Greyrat, a reincarnated NEET who dies after his brothers dump him when he fails to attend his parents' funeral. Facing memories of his past life, Rudeus treats reincarnation as a chance to grow up and live a full, satisfying life without regrets – although Reincarnation without a jobThe protagonist is not always successful.
Meticulously dedicating himself to the study of magic and creating new friendships, Reincarnation without a job It's a deep, engaging story with a charming cast of characters and absolutely beautiful animation. There's a reason why the series has attracted so many fans. Of all the series on this list, Reincarnation without a job is the current must-eat item for anyone who wants to eat isekai.