Among isekai titles of the past, there are series with original plots and non-standard settings, and sometimes with very serious topics.
Every few years, a new wave of viewers turns to anime, focusing on the latest releases and a handful of timeless masterpieces.
As a result, many worthy things are left behind. So we decided to remember the brilliant isekai anime that, for various reasons, have fallen into oblivion today.
1. The Mysterious Play, 1995-2002
After schoolgirls Yuki Miaka and Hongo Yui find an ancient book called The Universe of the Four Gods in the library, they are drawn into a world similar to ancient China.
There they become priestesses of rival cults and even fall in love with the same guy, Tamahome. Who will win the battle? And will the girls be able to return to their world?
The Mysterious Play is considered a masterpiece of shojo. As usual in shojo, the main character Miaka is a magnet for the opposite sex. Although she is by no means a romantic, gentle creature: clumsy and impertinent.
2. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, 2002
In the city of Osaka, there is a district called Abenobashi with shops and restaurants. It has been decided to rebuild the district, which will have a serious impact on the fate of its inhabitants.
Twelve-year-old Imamiya Satoshi, aka Sasshi, is particularly upset: the family of his best friend Asahina Arumi is moving to distant Hokkaido after closing their restaurant.
Sasshi tries to spend as much time as possible with Arumi. The teenagers are repeatedly transported to parallel worlds, where Abenobashi has a completely fantastic appearance. Moreover, the transfers are somehow connected to the magical secret of their home district.
3. The Vision of Escaflowne, 1996
In the course of dramatic events, schoolgirl Kanzaki Hitomi is transported to the planet Gaea. She finds herself in the small country of Fanelia and befriends the young King Van, owner of the ancient mech Escaflowne.
Soon Fanelia is attacked by the aggressive empire of Zaibach. Now Hitomi and Van are in for many dangerous adventures.
Gaea is a picturesque world of techno-fantasy, where swords and magic coexist with flying fortresses and mechanical armor. The series still looks good, thanks to the authors' attention to detail. And of course, the old-fashioned, but stylish and beautiful graphics can attract new viewers.
4. The Twelve Kingdoms, 2002-2003
Sixteen-year-old schoolgirl Nakajima Yoko is suddenly attacked by a terrifying giant bird. A strange, handsome man named Keiki appears out of nowhere and talks nonsense, but helps Yoko escape.
And then Keiki transports the girl to a new world, where her two classmates also end up. The world of the Twelve Kingdoms is very similar to ancient China, but there are very real gods, immortal people and various monsters.
The Twelve Kingdoms is a masterpiece that currently receives too little attention. This isekai can be called outstanding not only because of its original graphics, deeply developed world, genre diversity and abundance of exciting adventures. What distinguishes it from many other isekai is its realism – as far as fantasy is concerned.
5. Inuyasha, 2000-2004
The granddaughter of an ancient shrine priest, schoolgirl Kagome, falls into an abandoned temple well and ends up in Japan during the Sengoku period – a bloody civil war that lasted nearly 150 years.
However, the past doesn't really resemble a textbook – the world is saturated with magic and demonic creatures. It turns out that Kagome is the reincarnation of an ancient priestess and the owner of a powerful soul stone that serves as a coveted target for demons.
The stone accidentally broke into many fragments, and now Kagome must collect them, otherwise the world will be in danger. And the schoolgirl will be helped by the half-demon Inuyasha – a strong, cunning, self-confident and very charming rogue.