Isekai is everywhere and inescapable, and that seems unlikely to change anytime soon. I love isekai anime, but the concept has, overall, a fairly negative reputation, at least in Western online circles. Overexposure naturally leads to backlash and exhaustion, especially for a theme that relies heavily on established tropes and has a history of mass-producing forgettable stories. However, isekai is more diverse than it is often given credit for, covering a wide range of genres, tones, and settings.
If you are into anime and follow seasonal releases, you have likely watched plenty of isekai series over the last decade since they are hard to avoid. For better or worse, nearly everyone knows Sword Art Online, Overlord, Slime, and Re:Zero. If none of these shows impressed you, you might be tempted to give the entire theme a skip, potentially missing out on some stories that could become personal favorites. Consequently, let's highlight a couple of anime worth checking out for people who are not into isekai.
A few notes and criteria:
- The goal is to highlight isekai anime that are a touch different from the norm, and each entry will try to cover a distinct type of story. If similar alternatives exist, they will be mentioned as honorable mentions.
- The biggest isekai anime – SAO, Overlord, Re:Zero, KonoSuba, The Eminence in Shadow, Slime, Mushoku Tensei, Saga Of Tanya The Evil – have been left out. They are too well-known to require recommendations. That said, they can be included as honorable mentions.
Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions
An Isekai Anime That Goes Against Isekai Conventions
Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2016
- Directors
- Ryosuke Nakamura
- Writers
- Ao Jumonji
- Japanese Title
- Hai to Gensou no Grimgar
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Ao Jūmonji
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Prime Video
Isekai is fond of overpowered protagonists. Seriously, every other show features an MC who is a walking deity and, usually, amasses a harem of waifus who primarily exist to praise the ground they walk on. There is nothing wrong with a power fantasy, but if somebody does not enjoy these types of stories, they will have a hard time with isekai. Fortunately, a few shows go in the opposite direction, and Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions is one of the better examples.
5 Best Isekai Anime You've Probably Never Heard Of
Isekai anime like SAO and Re:Zero are well-known, but not every show enjoys that level of popularity. Here are the best obscure isekai anime.
A group of characters find themselves in a strange fantasy world, and they have no memories or incredible abilities. Deciding to stick together to increase their chances for survival, they become adventurers who must risk their lives to complete even the smallest of quests. Goblins are terrifying, teamwork is important but not easy, and death is around every corner.
Other isekai anime with weak protagonists or parties:
- Re:Zero
- Log Horizon
- .hack//Sign
- Handyman Saitou in Another World – More comedic
Drifters
An Isekai Anime For Fate Fans (That Is Not Fate)
Drifters
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2018-00-00
- Studio
- Hoods Drifters Studio
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator(s)
- Kohta Hirano
- Number of Episodes
- 15
Ah, Drifters, an anime that should be a cornerstone of isekai rather than just a footnote. Unfortunately, the manga has a fairly slow release schedule, and the adaptation ended in 2018 and seems unlikely to receive a sequel. It is also not available on a streaming platform, which is extremely frustrating. Basically, Drifters is Fate with an isekai twist. Historical figures are summoned to another world to compete in an all-out war, becoming either Drifters or Ends. Most of the characters are based on Japanese history, but there are a few notable and wild exceptions.
Gory, vicious, and just all-around awesome, Drifters is non-stop action that pulls very few punches, all the while delivering great animation and building a fun dark fantasy setting. The story is straightforward and mostly serves as an excuse to pit explosive fighters against each other, but it is well-written enough to be memorable.
Other action-driven isekai anime with battle royale elements:
- Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front - Babylonia – Yes, there is an actual Fate isekai anime. Pretty decent too. Drifters was preferred since Fate can be intimidating for newcomers.
- Ishura
Magic Knight Rayearth
An Isekai Anime For Magical Girl & Mecha Fans
Magic Knight Rayearth
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1994 - 1995
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Tokyo Movie Shinsha
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Clamp
- Number of Episodes
- 49
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Fubo TV
Even though they helped shape isekai, the anime that debuted before Sword Art Online hit differently nowadays, just because they were not influenced by the tropes that would come to define these stories. They are still products of their time that reflect the popular trends, but their isekai component tends to feel secondary rather than the main selling point.
Magic Knight Rayearth came out at a time when both magical girls and mecha were way more present than they are today, and Clamp's manga and the subsequent anime set themselves apart by combining the two and throwing in a fantasy setting. After being teleported to a new world, three girls are pushed into the roles of heroes, setting them on a journey that starts lighthearted but gradually grows more mature and dark. While not devoid of weaker storylines, Magic Knight Rayearth is generally quite consistent.
Other old-school isekai anime that primarily fall under other genres:
- Aura Battler Dunbine
- The Twelve Kingdoms
- The Vision of Escaflowne
The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash
A Fantasy Anime That Is Barely Isekai (In A Good Way)
The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 12, 2024
- Japanese Title
- Saijaku Tamer wa Gomi Hiroi no Tabi wo Hajimemashita
- Studio
- Studio Massket
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Honobonoru500
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
A common criticism of isekai anime is that many stories do not take full advantage of their "send to another world" premise. After making a big show of their reincarnation or teleportation in the first episode, the protagonist's visitor status is barely referenced and becomes unimportant. The isekai element feels like a gimmick.
7 Best Isekai Anime With Protagonists Who Are Survivors, Ranked
These isekai anime protagonists survive ordeal after ordeal to ultimately become stronger.
While certainly a valid criticism, a couple of shows have done this sort of implementation well. The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash follows Ivy, a girl who is marked for death by her village because she has a power that is deemed useless. Desperate to survive, she starts a life in the wilderness, all the while making a few cute friends and trying to see the brighter side of life.
Ivy receives guidance from a voice in her head, which happens to be her past life. That presence is never introduced formally in the anime, and they are essentially Ivy's intuition. This decision puts the emphasis squarely on Ivy, and she comes across as a child rather than an adult who is masquerading as one.
Other fantasy anime that sprinkle in light isekai elements:
- The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady
- Teogonia
Restaurant to Another World
An Isekai Anime For Foodies (And Slice Of Life Fans)
Restaurant to Another World
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2017 - 2021-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Isekai Shokudou
- Studio
- Silver Link, OLM
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Junpei Inuzuka
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
This probably will not be a hot take, but Japan has great food. More importantly, the anime industry loves to celebrate the country's cuisine, and what better way to spread the good word than to introduce national dishes to people from another world? Plenty of isekai anime incorporate food to an extent, but Restaurant to Another World goes the extra mile by prioritizing this aspect. The show also highlights some Western dishes, something rarely done by anime.
Along with catering to foodies who want to see delicious dishes, Restaurant to Another World also does a great job of telling small-scale stories through the establishment's patrons. The anime maintains a relaxed and tranquil tone throughout its entire run, and both seasons are therapeutic.
Other isekai anime about food:
- Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World
- Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill
- Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!
The Executioner and Her Way of Life
An Isekai Anime That Is Not (Solely) About The Visitor From Another World
The Executioner and Her Way of Life
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2022
- Japanese Title
- Shokei Shoujo no Virgin Road
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Mato Sato
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- HIDIVE
Almost always, isekai anime revolve around, well, isekai'd characters. I mean, it is all in the name. Exceptions are so rare that they are almost non-existent, but The Executioner and Her Way of Life technically qualifies. The anime brings to life a world that has been receiving otherworldly powerhouses for a while, a phenomenon that has not only influenced society at large but also caused widespread problems. Consequently, they are no longer welcome, and Menou's role is to execute anyone who has been summoned illegally.
6 Anime To Watch If You Love The Executioner And Her Way Of Life
While waiting for new episodes of The Executioner and Her Way of Life, why not check out these anime?
While featuring a secondary protagonist who is from Japan, The Executioner and Her Way of Life is ultimately Menou's story, and she goes on a journey that is unique for the isekai genre. Beyond the novel premise, the anime is also structured as an odd-couple narrative, with Menou traveling with the person whom she is meant to assassinate. Their friendship takes center stage, and they both go through quite a bit of development.
Other isekai anime that shine a spotlight on the world's inhabitants:
- Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting a Fresh Start with Magical Tools
- No Longer Allowed in Another World
- Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
- Reincarnated as a Sword – The anime is just as much about Fran as it is about the reincarnated male protagonist.
Now and Then, Here and There
War Anime First, Isekai Second
Now and Then, Here and There
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 14, 1999
- Japanese Title
- Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku
- Studio
- AIC
- Number of Episodes
- 13
Now and Then, Here and There is not an easy watch. Sharing more in common with Grave of the Fireflies or human-centric mecha stories than the typical isekai, this anime features oppressive regimes, torture, and child soldiers, all presented through a veil of sobering realism rather than encouraging resilience. Shuu runs after a girl from another world, all in the hopes of saving her from her captors.
Unfortunately, he is not particularly strong or intelligent; in fact, he is mostly an ordinary boy, albeit a brave one. Simply put, he is not prepared for the harsh world that he finds himself in, where people like him are disposable and vulnerable. Now and Then, Here and There is not necessarily entertaining, but it is captivating and a stark reminder that isekai can tell mature and challenging stories.
Other isekai war anime:
- Saga of Tanya the Evil
Every New Isekai Anime Of 2025
Isekai anime is inescapable, with each season containing a couple of shows. Here are all the 2025 isekai anime series.