Love or hate them, isekai anime's popularity cannot be denied. Using the current year as an example, 2025 will see the release of more than 20 new stories that cover this theme, and that number does not even take into account sequels. Isekai is deeply competitive, to the point that only a handful of series reach mainstream exposure. However, the "forgettable" seasonal shows tend to still attract quite a bit of discourse while they are airing.
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.
Despite there being hundreds of options, obscure isekai anime are fairly difficult to find, at least if the priority is to highlight series that fans of the genre might not have watched yet. Still, there are a handful of fun shows that have slipped through the cracks as their presence gradually faded with time. Let's spotlight these anime.
To narrow down the selection and help define what can be included, here are a few criteria:
- If a show features among the best isekai anime of all time, it will not be included.
- To qualify, a series cannot have more than 15K votes on MyAnimeList.
Idaten Jump
A Charming Isekai Sports Anime That Is Very "Of Its Era"
Idaten Jump
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2005 - 2006
- Studio
- Trans Art
- Based On
- Manga
- Number of Episodes
- 52
- Creator(s)
- Toshihiro Fujiwara
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.36
An isekai story about mountain biking, Idaten Jump screams "2000s anime" out of every frame, and that is by no means a criticism. While somewhat recognizable in certain regions of the world (India, for example), Idaten Jump seems to be fairly unknown among Western viewers, particularly since an English version is not readily available on any streaming platform. Coming out long before isekai became a phenomenon thanks to Sword Art Online, Trans Arts' series has more in common with other young-teen shonen anime that aired in the early 2000s, especially shows like Beyblade and MÄR.
MÄR is also a fairly unknown isekai anime.
Sho, Kakeru, and Makoto are summoned to a world where the main sport is mountain biking, and they must collect emblems to make their way back home. The story follows the trio as they explore this world, build rivalries, and engage in races. Sho is generally presented as the real main character, and he is a relatively typical lead for a sports anime. In fact, Idaten Jump follows the shonen sports formula to a T, albeit with the addition of over-the-top powers akin to something like The Prince of Tennis. Although nothing special by the standards of the sports genre, Idaten Jump is very different from modern isekai.
Those Who Hunt Elves
An Isekai Anime With A '90s Sense Of Humor
Those Who Hunt Elves
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1996 - 1997
- Network
- TV Tokyo
- Directors
- Yoshihiro Oda, Kazuhisa Oono, Kazuyoshi Katayama, Yoshitaka Koyama
- Japanese Title
- Elf wo Karu Mono-tachi
- Studio
- Group TAC
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator(s)
- Yu Yagami
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- MyAnimeList Score
- 6.96 (Season 1)
Cut from the same cloth as '90s classics like Slayers and Orphen, Those Who Hunt Elves does not quite reach the same heights as either of those shows, but it still offers a relentless blast of high jinks, absurdity, idiot characters, and unpredictable world-building. "Good" is not necessarily the most accurate adjective to describe this adventure, and there is a chance that the show's aggressive style of humor could grate on a viewer's nerves; however, if it hits just right, Those Who Hunt Elves can be wildly entertaining.
Junpei, Ritsuko, and Airi are summoned to another world, only for everyone to quickly realize that this was a mistake. While the elf Celcia tries to send them back, the spell goes haywire and breaks, causing fragments to not only spread across the world but also embed in other elves. Consequently, these four lovable troublemakers head out into the world in search of elves.
Maze: The Mega-Burst Space is another '90s isekai comedy anime that has been mostly forgotten. It is, arguably, not quite as enjoyable as Those Who Hunt Elves, but it is quite similar.
Tweeny Witches
A Magical Isekai Anime With A Dark Edge
Tweeny Witches
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2004 - 2005-00-00
- Network
- NHK Educational TV
- Directors
- Yoshiharu Ashino, Masahiko Kubo
- Japanese Title
- Mahou Shoujo-tai Arusu
- Studio
- Studio 4°C
- Creator(s)
- Keita Amemiya
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.03
A magical girl isekai anime that, initially, seems to be designed for young children but eventually reveals itself to be a fairly mature dark fantasy, Tweeny Witches deserves to be more well-known than it is. Sadly, the anime is not currently accessible on a streaming service in North America, although it was once on Netflix.
Best Magical Girl Anime, Ranked
While mahou shoujo anime are sometimes defined by clichés, these shows prove the genre can produce absolute magic.
Tweeny Witches follows Arusu, a girl who believes in magic and, to her excitement, finds herself in a world ruled by witches. Once there, she ends up tied to two young witches named Eva and Sheila, both of whom are fascinating reflections of this universe's social expectations. The Magical Realm is stunning, with Studio 4°C crafting imaginative vistas and locations that are suitably otherworldly. While visually gorgeous, Tweeny Witches gets surprisingly dark at times, tackling heavy themes like child abuse and even torture.
Aura Battler Dunbine
The Most Important Isekai Anime That Many People Have Never Heard Of
Aura Battler Dunbine
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1983 - 1984
- Japanese Title
- Seisenshi Dunbine
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Number of Episodes
- 49
- Creator(s)
- Yoshiyuki Tomino, Hajime Yatate
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.06
Isekai, as a concept, has been around for centuries and features in Japanese folktales and novels like Alice in Wonderland. Manga and anime certainly did not birth this idea, but they defined its present-day interpretation. Sword Art Online is probably the most influential "trapped in another world" story of the 21st century, at least when it comes to mainstream anime. However, 1983's Aura Battler Dunbine laid the groundwork for modern isekai.
Created by Sunrise shortly after Mobile Suit Gundam, Aura Battler Dunbine tells a mecha war story that uses isekai to explore its themes rather than just for wish-fulfillment. The protagonist, Shou, is dragged to another world as he has the potential to pilot a mecha, so he is effectively forced to become a soldier and take part in a war in a world that is not even his own. Forced enlistment is a big part of the story, and it is an interesting concept that has barely ever been explored in isekai anime.
Aura Battler Dunbine tells a pretty mature story that comes close to matching the quality of Sunrise's other shows from this era. More importantly, the mecha are fantastic and completely fit the world.
Magical Witch Punie-Chan
A Funny Reverse Isekai OVA Anime With A Violent Heroine
Magical Witch Punie-Chan
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- March 20, 2006
- Japanese Title
- Dai Mahou Touge
- Studio
- Diomedéa
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Hideki Ohwada
- Number of Episodes
- 8
- MyAnimeList Score
- 6.93 (Season 1)
Magical Witch Punie-Chan is just dumb fun. The reverse isekai anime follows Punie, a magical girl who is sent to Earth as part of her training to become Magical Land's queen. While pretending to be the ultimate sweetheart, Punie is prone to violent outbursts, most of which tend to take the form of wrestling attacks. Once on Earth, she constantly has to fight off the efforts of other candidates for the throne, although none of them are remotely as ruthless as Punie.
While far from amazing, Magical Witch Punie-Chan is pretty hilarious and well worth a watch for people who enjoy stuff like Dropkick On My Devil! And Good Luck Girl! Most of the story takes place on Earth, but the sequel season does showcase the Magical Land in a bit more detail.
Best Isekai Anime With Overpowered Main Characters, Ranked
Overpowered protagonists are a fixture of isekai anime, and the best series showcase why this concept is so common.