The Isekai genre of anime has taken the world by storm in the last few years, with new series coming out all the time. Translated literally, Isekai means "another world", and refers to a subgenre of fantasy anime where the protagonist is reborn or transported to another world, often with special powers.
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PostsIsekai anime are great because of their sense of wonder and escapism, often following relatable characters that gain untold power in their new worlds. With so many Isekai anime out there, deciding on one to watch can be difficult. Here, we'll detail some of the absolute best anime in the Isekai genre.
7 Re:Zero - Starting Life In Another World
Studio
White Fox
Air Date
April 4, 2016
Seasons
2
Re:Zero is one of the most well-known Isekai anime, and for good reason. Re:Zero is the story of Subaru Natsuki, who is transported to a fantasy world one night. While things seem to be going well at first in this new world, Subaru is suddenly killed while trying to protect an elf, Emelia.
Instead of the cold dark veil of death, Subaru finds himself alive, transported back in time to when he first arrived in this world. With this mysterious ability to rewind time through his own death, Subaru embarks on a journey of relentless persistence to protect the new friends he's made in this world. Re:Zero is a must-watch for not only its cultural impact but also its deep and interesting lore.
6 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Studio
8-bit
Air Date
October 2, 2018
Seasons
3
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime, often abbreviated as TenSura, is an Isekai about a salaryman who is murdered and reincarnated in another world as a slime. Soon after arriving in this new world, the slime gains the name Rimuru Tempest from an imprisoned dragon, and gains the "Predator" ability to consume and copy the appearance and abilities of almost anything.
With this newfound power, Rimuru gathers allies and establishes a village, recruiting the monsters of the nearby forest while growing his repertoire of abilities by consuming various things. TenSura has the perfect mix of light-hearted slice-of-life moments with some seriously cool battles, making it a perfect recommendation no matter what type of anime you're normally into.
5 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Studio
Studio Bind
Air Date
January 11, 2021
Seasons
2
Jobless Reincarnation follows an overweight, underachieving 34-year-old who, in an uncharacteristically heroic moment, dies trying to save a group of teenagers from being hit by a truck. Reincarnated in a fantasy world as an infant, he takes on the name Rudeus Grayrat, and vows to turn his life around after being given a second chance.
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PostsWith all of his memories from his past life, Rudeus must come to terms with this new world while learning to be a better person. Jobless Reincarnation balances the poignant feelings of someone who has failed at life with the magic and whimsy of its fantasy setting, offering a unique take on the Isekai genre.
4 Log Horizon
Studio
Satelight (Season 1), Studio DEEN (Seasons 2 and 3)
Air Date
October 5, 2013
Seasons
3
Log Horizon is an MMO-Isekai set in the fantasy game Elder Tales. After 30,000 players are suddenly transported into the world of the game, they'll have to band together to survive. Log Horizon follows Shiroe, a veteran Elder Tales player, as he grapples with his new reality in the video game, with no way to escape.
Log Horizon offers a detailed look at the inner workings of culture in an MMO. What do players do when the NPCs are real people, and how do they work together to survive in this world? If you play MMORPGs, Log Horizon is a must-watch.
3 Konosuba - God's Blessing On This Wonderful World!
Studio
Studio DEEN (Seasons 1 and 2), Drive (Season 3)
Air Date
January 14, 2016
Seasons
3
Konosuba isn't your traditional power fantasy Isekai. When walking back home after buying a video game, Kazuma Satou dies an embarrassing death and awakens in a strange place, confronted with the goddess Aqua. Given the option to reincarnate in an RPG-style world, Kazuma finds himself on an adventure unlike anything you've seen.
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PostsKonosuba isn't the story of the hero from another world fighting against the Demon King, gaining untold power and popularity. Instead, Konosuba is about a NEET who leads a life of squalor, barely scraping by in a world that offers him a second chance. If you're looking for laughs, Konosuba is one of the best Isekai anime out there.
2 The Eminence In Shadow
Studio
Nexus
Air Date
October 5, 2022
Seasons
2
The Eminence in Shadow is a quintessential power fantasy Isekai. When Cid Kaganou is transported to another world, he becomes the leader of a shadowy organization, rising to power to fight against a powerful cult that he made up. The only problem is, the cult is actually real, and now they really are gunning for Cid and his operation.
The Eminence in Shadow is what you get when you mix the edgiest high-schooler you can imagine with completely over-the-top antics. This series turns the Isekai genre on its head, piling in as many tropes from the genre as it can before tearing them all to shreds. If you're getting bored of the typical Isekai tropes, The Eminence in Shadow is a great palette cleanser.
1 Drifters
Studio
Hoods Entertainment
Air Date
October 7, 2016
Seasons
1
Drifters follows the story of Shimazu Toyohisa, a real-life samurai who is transported to a brutal world after his death. If you're familiar with the Fate series, Drifters follows a similar structure. Legendary heroes from different ages are transported to a world where they must fight in an endless battle.
Drifters has a tried-and-true premise and great action scenes while being an atypical Isekai anime. Getting to know the historical characters and learning about their purpose in this new world is engaging, and its unique art style is a breath of fresh air. If you're a fan of Fate or historical and mythological figures, definitely give Drifters a try.
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