Not all isekai anime are generic wish-fulfillment fantasies.
Isekai gets a bad reputation among anime fans for following the same tired formula again and again. A young man is thrown into a fantasy world, meets a harem of beautiful women who all end up falling for him, and instantly gains all the skills and abilities required to defeat the monster of the week without breaking a sweat. However, there are series that execute the basic premise perfectly without relying on stereotypes and clichés too much.
These are the best of the best in the isekai genre that will get even the most skeptical of your friends hooked.
This anime combines isekai with cooking, because why not? An ordinary guy named Mukouda wakes up in another universe, where his magical ability is… “free access to online supermarket.” Thanks to his cheat skill, he can purchase products from modern Japan, and he uses this ability to become a merchant and travel the world. Food takes the leading role in this slice-of-life isekai, so if you’re in a chill mood, this anime is for you.
The story transports Toyohisa, a real-life samurai, along with other famous warriors into a strange land where they must battle each other to death. Penned by the legendary creator of Hellsing, Kouta Hirano, Drifters stands out from the crowd with impressive action sequences, unique humor, and killer soundtrack. It brings the craziness of the historical figures featured in the cast up to eleven.
6. Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions
This is a realistic take on isekai. A group of inept kids are thrown into a fantasy world with no memories of who they are or how they got there. The audience learns the rules of the new world along with our cast of main characters as we watch them struggle through fighting enemies and come to terms with the new reality of their world. No harems, no inexplicable power-ups, and no second chances.
5. Sonny Boy
This one is technically an isekai, but only in the name. It does take a place in another world and it does revolve around escapism. The premise of the series is this: A group of students and their school building are suddenly thrust into an alternate dimension, where some of them discover supernatural powers. The anime has elements of sci-fi and psychological drama, and explores a multitude of ideas and themes, including identity, gender dynamics, loneliness, and more.
If you’re one of those people who think that surviving in a fantasy world would be a walk in the park for you, this one might be for you. The series follows Subaru, a hikikomori who is forced to eat humble pie after being dropped into an alternate reality where nothing goes right for him, ever. Re:Zero features great world building, character development, and thrilling subplots. Season 3 is currently in production and should get a release date soon.
Isekai as a genre existed long before Sword Art Online popularized it. This hidden gem from the 90s is about Hitomi, a high school girl transported from Earth to the planet Gaea, where she meets the young king Van Fanel, and follows their united efforts to defend his world from the evil Zaibach empire. This mecha fantasy romance anime shouldn’t work, but it does. The Vision of Escaflowne excels at entertaining you throughout its run, and it’s not afraid to get political without moralizing. It also comes complete with a soundtrack by the one and only Yoko Kanno, the mastermind behind the Cowboy Bebop score.
On the surface, this is exactly the type of isekai clones we’ve all learned to avoid. But not all is what it seems in the world of The Eminence in Shadow. The main protagonist, a young man named Cid, is, by all definitions, a Gary Stew: he’s powerful, extremely capable, and competent. However, unlike with most isekai protagonists, this does little to help him achieve his ultimate goal of becoming a mastermind working from the shadows. It’s hard to describe the anime without getting into spoilers, so let’s just say that this well-written fantasy series is bound to pleasantly surprise you with its humorous take on the genre.
The story follows Urano, a nerdy, book-loving college girl who ends up crushed by a pile of books during an earthquake. Her dying wish is to be reborn in a world where she can keep reading books forever. That wish is granted, and she ends up reincarnated in the body of a fragile, sickly child in the Middle Ages. The anime dodges harem elements and the overpowered protagonist trope by centering around a relatable, endearing female heroine and focusing on world building and characters. This is more of a slice-of-life show than the high-octane action power fantasy typical of the genre, which is why it can be enjoyed by a wider audience than just isekai enthusiasts.
Isekai doesn’t have to be predictable and boring, and these shows prove it. They are perfect examples of what to do with a genre full of identical ideas and poor execution, making them worth watching for any anime fan.
Not all isekai anime are generic wish-fulfillment fantasies.
Isekai gets a bad reputation among anime fans for following the same tired formula again and again. A young man is thrown into a fantasy world, meets a harem of beautiful women who all end up falling for him, and instantly gains all the skills and abilities required to defeat the monster of the week without breaking a sweat. However, there are series that execute the basic premise perfectly without relying on stereotypes and clichés too much.
These are the best of the best in the isekai genre that will get even the most skeptical of your friends hooked.
This anime combines isekai with cooking, because why not? An ordinary guy named Mukouda wakes up in another universe, where his magical ability is… “free access to online supermarket.” Thanks to his cheat skill, he can purchase products from modern Japan, and he uses this ability to become a merchant and travel the world. Food takes the leading role in this slice-of-life isekai, so if you’re in a chill mood, this anime is for you.
The story transports Toyohisa, a real-life samurai, along with other famous warriors into a strange land where they must battle each other to death. Penned by the legendary creator of Hellsing, Kouta Hirano, Drifters stands out from the crowd with impressive action sequences, unique humor, and killer soundtrack. It brings the craziness of the historical figures featured in the cast up to eleven.
6. Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions
This is a realistic take on isekai. A group of inept kids are thrown into a fantasy world with no memories of who they are or how they got there. The audience learns the rules of the new world along with our cast of main characters as we watch them struggle through fighting enemies and come to terms with the new reality of their world. No harems, no inexplicable power-ups, and no second chances.
5. Sonny Boy
This one is technically an isekai, but only in the name. It does take a place in another world and it does revolve around escapism. The premise of the series is this: A group of students and their school building are suddenly thrust into an alternate dimension, where some of them discover supernatural powers. The anime has elements of sci-fi and psychological drama, and explores a multitude of ideas and themes, including identity, gender dynamics, loneliness, and more.
If you’re one of those people who think that surviving in a fantasy world would be a walk in the park for you, this one might be for you. The series follows Subaru, a hikikomori who is forced to eat humble pie after being dropped into an alternate reality where nothing goes right for him, ever. Re:Zero features great world building, character development, and thrilling subplots. Season 3 is currently in production and should get a release date soon.
Isekai as a genre existed long before Sword Art Online popularized it. This hidden gem from the 90s is about Hitomi, a high school girl transported from Earth to the planet Gaea, where she meets the young king Van Fanel, and follows their united efforts to defend his world from the evil Zaibach empire. This mecha fantasy romance anime shouldn’t work, but it does. The Vision of Escaflowne excels at entertaining you throughout its run, and it’s not afraid to get political without moralizing. It also comes complete with a soundtrack by the one and only Yoko Kanno, the mastermind behind the Cowboy Bebop score.
On the surface, this is exactly the type of isekai clones we’ve all learned to avoid. But not all is what it seems in the world of The Eminence in Shadow. The main protagonist, a young man named Cid, is, by all definitions, a Gary Stew: he’s powerful, extremely capable, and competent. However, unlike with most isekai protagonists, this does little to help him achieve his ultimate goal of becoming a mastermind working from the shadows. It’s hard to describe the anime without getting into spoilers, so let’s just say that this well-written fantasy series is bound to pleasantly surprise you with its humorous take on the genre.
The story follows Urano, a nerdy, book-loving college girl who ends up crushed by a pile of books during an earthquake. Her dying wish is to be reborn in a world where she can keep reading books forever. That wish is granted, and she ends up reincarnated in the body of a fragile, sickly child in the Middle Ages. The anime dodges harem elements and the overpowered protagonist trope by centering around a relatable, endearing female heroine and focusing on world building and characters. This is more of a slice-of-life show than the high-octane action power fantasy typical of the genre, which is why it can be enjoyed by a wider audience than just isekai enthusiasts.
Isekai doesn’t have to be predictable and boring, and these shows prove it. They are perfect examples of what to do with a genre full of identical ideas and poor execution, making them worth watching for any anime fan.
