Reality, or the universe, is something that you may perceive as singular and absolute. What if that changes someday and you get transported to an alienated fantasy world that alters your existence? Contrarily, someone from another reality or universe just dropped off in your world and experienced the same. These concepts are captured beautifully in a sub-genre of anime named “Isekai.” This term is relatively new but gifts us myriad animes you can enjoy. Some are average, but some are the best Isekai anime to watch.
You may be familiar with this concept due to reading great literature like Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, etc., or watching their film adaptations. However, Japanese anime artists have taken this concept to another level in the last three decades. This popular genre provides so much work that separating the best few and utilizing your time the most is difficult. We reviewed the bulk of Isekai animes for your convenience and tried to filter the best ones worth your precious time.
The following eleven anime are selected so that you can enjoy the diversity that makes the Isekai anime stories famous.
1. KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! (2019)
MAL Ratings: 8.12
Studios: Studio Deen
Number of Episodes: 10
Source: Light novel
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
This anime was based on Natsume Akatsuki’s light novel series KonoSuba. You will get a fantasy world filled with demons, goblins, monsters, etc. Shortly after he departs from this world, Kazuma, the main character, finds himself in one of those parallel worlds. After settlement, his choice, rivalry, mistake, and survival struggles fuel this adventure comedy. You will find some fresh entertainment as you follow the itinerary of Kazuma’s afterlife.
Synopsis
Kazuma Sato faces a meaningless death while trying to save a girl from a tractor accident. After death, he finds out that the girl is in no danger. Being a laughing stock, the goddess Aqua offered to reincarnate in a parallel world where she could fight demons and monsters.
The gods want to send him a superpower in this fantasy world to cope with the dangerous world. Being mocked by Aqua, Kazuma wants to teleport Aqua with him instead of any particular power. Later, he finds out that it was a grave mistake.
They find themselves in an unknown world without anything to cling to. Aqua has no earthly knowledge and has proven useless when dealing with problems. Later, Kazuma tries to adapt to the new world with his companion, Aqua. Their struggle and callowness of Aqua give the adventure some intense comedy.
2. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (2021)
MAL Ratings: 8.37
Studios: Studio Bind
Number of Episodes: 11
Source: Light Novel
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Ecchi
One of the most common features in Isekai anime is reincarnation after a certain death. The revival happens in a strange universe that makes no sense compared to the world the departed soul used to Live in. This new world adventure, adaptation, suffering, crisis, and success are the main thrusts behind the story. You will find all these in Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (2021). So, sit tight and enjoy.
Synopsis
After having a pointless, oppressed, and sedentary life, a 34-year-old suddenly feels like doing something meaningful. He sacrifices his life while trying to save the life of a teenage boy from a truck accident. Later, he reincarnates as a baby with two caring parents in another universe.
In this new magical world, his memory from his previous life is still intact. That helps Rudeus Greyrat (his new name in the new world) excel in all new earthly skills like magic, swordplay, etc. He seizes the opportunity completely and gets everything he did not have in his previous life but love.
Rudeus is about to settle into his new life. A magical catastrophe destroys his new world and teleports him and thousands of other inhabitants into a dangerous world where the testing of his newly acquired skills begins.
3. Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun (2019)
MAL Ratings: 7.75
Studios: Bandai Namco Pictures
Number of Episodes: 23
Source: Manga
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy
Two worlds belong to the same timeline, hidden from each other through magic. The story revolves around a human boy sent to a demon world and his survival in an unexpected and challenging situation. This is one of the few Isekai anime that you must watch.
Synopsis
Iruma Suzuki’s lazy and selfish parents sold him to a demon, Sullivan. Frightened, Iruma later finds out Sullivan wants him as his grandchild and cares for him deeply. He told him not to reveal his identity.
Sullivan sends him to a local demon school, where he is the chairman. Due to his tie with Sullivan, everyone expects high expectations from Iruma as the next Demon King. Iruma needs clarification on the school. Everything worsened when he had to cast the forbidden spell.
The unwanted reputation and his further effort to make everything right are as fascinating as they sound.
4. Sword Art Online (2012)
MAL Ratings: 7.20
Studios: A-1 Pictures
Number of Episodes: 25
Source: Light Novel
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
As an anime fan, you can have a good time with SAO. Here, the character development is excellent, along with an exciting plot. In this virtual reality game-based story, you will find some interesting characters and an invincible main hero. The unpredictable events and enticing storyline may help you enjoy every moment.
Synopsis
With the advent of NerveGear technology, virtual reality games ushered in a new era of gaming. As a pioneer, Sword Art Online gained intense popularity. Players have to log in directly with their nervous system in the game. In Aincrad, players can do whatever they want in the medieval landscape.
This delight turns into a nightmare when the game’s creator traps thousands of gamers inside and forces them to play 100 challenging levels to come out alive from the game. If they die in-game, they also die in the real world.
One of the beta testers, Kazuto “Kirito,” realizes it is impossible to win the game alone. He forms a team with Asuna Yuuki and other talented players and tries to break the shackle.
5. The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (2013)
MAL Ratings: 7.77
Studios: White Fox
Number of Episodes: 13
Source: Light novel
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
You may guess there is some discrepancy in the name. Believe me, and the main story is way stranger. Like some Isekai characters, magical creatures are forced to enter the earth and struggle to cope in modern-day Tokyo. The previous villain here turns into something you may consider good.
Synopsis
In an attempt to conquer the land of Ente Isla, the Dark Lord, Satan, was defeated by Emilia, the hero. Satan escapes the magical world with his loyal general Alsiel and transports him to modern-day Tokyo.
Satan manages part-time work at McDonald’s disguised as a human. Their poor and frugal lives confused Amelia, the hero who followed Satan to kill him once and for all.
Satan adapts excellently and cultivates feelings for the surrounding humans. His new character and good gestures confuse Amelia, and their subsequent encounters alter the sense of good and evil. Satan becomes a hero and a good person, while Amelia and her partners from Ente Isla create repetitive problems in the peaceful world.
6. Overlord (2015)
MAL Ratings: 7.92
Studios: Madhouse
Number of Episodes: 13
Source: Light Novel
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural
Overlord is a dark fantasy anime based on a light novel by Kugane Maruyama. This story is unique for a “trapped in the game” anime and is one of the pioneers in this genre. Here, the protagonist is evil, which provides you with different perspectives while watching the anime. This is one of the most accessible animes to recommend.
Synopsis
On the eve of shutting down the popular virtual reality game YGGDRASIL, Suzuki Satoru gets trapped inside. She was Momonga, the most powerful wizard and master of the dark guild, Ainz Ooal Gown.
After the disappointing entrapment in the game with other NPCs, Suzuki started to explore the uncharted territories of the game. In her journey, she discovers the extraordinary personalities of NPC characters.
Facing the unusual situation, Momonga commands his loyal servant to help him investigate the main reason behind the game’s collapse.
7. Log Horizon (2013)
MAL Ratings: 7.94
Studios: Satelight
Number of Episodes: 25
Source: Light Novel
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
As a “stuck in the game” type of anime, this will remind you of the Isekai anime Sword Art Online. However, this anime is produced grandly, with many characters and a complicated, realistic story. It is like the real world within a game, but much more extravagant.
Synopsis
The massively multiplayer online role-playing game Elder Tale trapped 30000 players simultaneously. A college student, Shiroe, is the first to overcome the shock and start exploring the new world’s limits and potential.
Gradually, he becomes the leader of all players and tries to negotiate a deal with NPC “natives” for peaceful coexistence. That brings stability to the virtual city of Akihabara. With his unfortunate friend Naotsugu, who logged in for the first time, and a fierce assassin, Akatsuki gives him company in exploring the new reality.
The expedition to the unknown makes him a great strategist. You will find his fantasy adventure and his political and diplomatic capacity fascinating.
8. That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime (2018)
MAL Ratings: 8.13
Studios: 8bit
Number of Episodes: 24
Source: Manga
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
This is a fantasy afterlife story where the protagonist gets incarnated. In his regular life, he finds something exciting and thrilling in this extraordinary universe. Contrasting his previous life, this colorful life is something that most people desire. If you want to bring excitement, this anime can significantly help.
Synopsis
A typical corporate person with an insignificant life faced a sudden death and heard a strange voice while dying. His meaningless life finds some excitement in the afterlife when he finds out about his existence as a slime. That slime can have the power to devour anything and imitate unique characteristics or powers.
In this new world, he meets a ‘Storm Dragon’ who gives him the name Rimuru. The dragon, Veldora, is imprisoned due to his previous demolition of the kingdom. To end his 300 years of captivity, Rimuru devours the dragon, and with his power, he frees him as the most powerful creature disappears in Rimuru. That creates a power vacuum, and Rimuru fills it, creating a better kingdom with his strength, wisdom, and knowledge.
9. The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat (2021)
MAL Ratings: 7.37
Studios: Studio Palette
Number of Episodes: 12
Source: Light Novel
Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance
In Isekai, reincarnation is primarily accidental and not by choice. However, you will find this anime to be an exception. Here, the main protagonist is given a choice by the goddess. He chose to reincarnate, and an extraordinary story begins that is bound to fascinate you.
Synopsis
An extremely skilled assassin reached the end of his life when his creation organization betrayed him despite his loyalty. During his utterly disappointing death, he listened to the voice of a goddess who offered him a new life in a sword-based society.
He revived as a member of an aristocratic family and started a new life. According to his deal with the goddess, he will have to kill the hero of this new world within 18 years because the hero will destroy the world after 18 years. He finds using his skills very challenging against the foe with magical power. The greatest assassin on earth has to deal with a completely unknown situation. If he wants to defeat this monumental adversary, he must perfect his skill.
10. The Vision of Escaflowne (1996)
MAL Ratings: 8.37
Studios: Sunrise
Number of Episodes: 26
Source: Original
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
In this Senkai anime, the origin story is slightly different from others. It has few similarities with sci-fi stories but later becomes a great adventure in an alternate universe. The central character gets extracted and finds herself in a battle. Her fascinating new life in the parallel world of Gaea will amuse you the most.
Synopsis
One night, tarot card expert and fortune teller Hitomi Kanzaki finds a boy falling from the sky with a dragon. Due to her suspicion, the boy Van Fanel successfully kills the dragon, and a beam of light from the sky suddenly extracts both of them.
After arriving at Gaea, Hitomi finds Van Fanel to be the prince of the Kingdom of Fanelia. Soon, the evil empire Zaibach attacked Fanelia. Despite having a powerful mechanized suit of armor, Escaflowne Fanelia lost and was demolished. While on the run, Hitomi and Van meet a handsome Asturian knight, Allen Schezar, who looks exactly like the crush of Hitomi Earth. Together, they fight the evil empire to reclaim the former Kingdom of Fanelia.
11. Re: ZERO: Starting Life in Another World (2020)
MAL Ratings: 8.36
Studios: White Fox
Number of Episodes: 13
Source: Light Novel
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Suspense
The concept of time travel through death is comparatively new. Every time you die, you can get control of the time for a while and land wherever you want in your life. This concept makes this Isekai anime even more fascinating.
Synopsis
Subaru Natsuki is suddenly transported to a fantasy-like, magical world. As soon as he arrived, he died while saving a she-elf and his new friend Emilia, who would become the ruler of the Kingdom of Laguna. While dying, he discovered that he could control time for a little while.
When he revives or wakes up in a new life, memories from his previous life still exist. This ability gives him some superpowers. With the help of this power and repetitive, painful deaths, he keeps helping Emilia and the other characters he meets.
Final Thought
Apart from these eleven, there are a lot more Isekai animes in existence. Due to our limitations, it is impossible to discuss them all. We have tried to bring you the best of the best. These few may give you an overall idea of Isekai and help you further search for similar kinds of anime. We have eased your quest for the best Isekai anime and suggested something to enjoy.
