The anime industry has a habit of following trends and tropes that are proven to work in an effort to drive revenue. This is a huge reason why the isekai genre has become ridiculously popular, but this practice of playing it safe isn't something that many fans are fond of.
Best Isekai Anime Of All Time, Ranked (2026 Edition)
From classics to modern standouts, these are the best isekai anime of all time—ranked by impact, staying power, and relevance in 2026.
This is why anime that are unashamedly weird and quirky end up being so much fun to watch. They strive to be different and end up being very engrossing to watch if they execute their concepts brilliantly.
Dandadan
The Premise And Encounters Are As Odd As They Come
Dandadan
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
Dandadan's premise is as goofy as they come, with the demon Turbo Granny sealing a part of Okarun's body that's very near and dear to him. This leads to him taking part in several adventures where he must take on both powerful yokai and weird aliens.
As bizarre as the plot may be, it also has its emotional moments that are executed with great panache. The show's ability to deliver emotional moments along with its bizarre ones is a huge part of what has made this quirky anime such a major hit.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
The Name Itself Should Make This Anime's Quirkiness Clear As Day
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 6, 2012
- Showrunner
- Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu
It would be impossible to talk about quirky anime without talking about JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, one of the most iconic manga of all time. This series single-handedly turned Araki into a living legend that fans can't get enough of.
Every JoJo protagonist is the star of their riveting arc that goes down some truly wild routes time and time again. From the random English swear words to what might be one of the most iconic dance numbers in anime history, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure never lets up with its weirdness, which is a huge part of what makes this series so special.
One-Punch Man
The Protagonist Being A Man So Strong No One Can Fight Him Is Hilariously Odd
One Punch Man
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget endThe premise of an underappreciated hero being so powerful that nothing in the world can pose a challenge to him makes One-Punch Man a weird yet riveting anime. The surrounding storylines are battle shonen-coded... Only for Saitama's overpowered nature to smash anything and everything to a pulp.
Best Horror Anime
Horror and anime do not go together often, but when they do, we get some of the scariest stories ever.
His strength ends up being a source of constant boredom, and his lack of finances means that the only things that really interest him are sales at grocery stores. The fact that powerful characters like Boros and Garou can't hold a candle to his strength makes the fights in One-Punch Man feel unique, quirky, and unlike any other anime out there.
Chainsaw Man
Denji Is Easily One Of The Quirkiest Anime Protagonists Of All Time
Chainsaw Man
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2022
- Network
- TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
When fans think of the greatest protagonists in shonen anime and their motivations, they mainly think about Naruto and his quest to become Hokage, and Luffy's aspirations to find the elusive One Piece. Meanwhile, Denji's motivations are so simple and hilarious that fans don't really know what to make of this character.
His quest to enjoy amorous relations for the first time is hilarious, and it's fascinating how this character becomes so likable despite being so flippant about serious things. It enhances the weirdness of Chainsaw Man, although it must be said that fans have no idea what they're in for once they get hooked on this series.
Gintama
The Poster Child Of Quirky Anime
Gintama
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2006 - 2021-00-00
Gintama is a long-running shonen series that is full of laugh-out-loud situations that never let up. The series itself is bizarre, adapting sci-fi tropes in the Edo period, which leads to a clash of futuristic and historical visuals that somehow works.
Gintoki and his friends get caught up in bizarre situations time and time again, with the anime loving the act of parodying various popular anime. However, the series can also get really serious if the situation demands it, with Gintama's serious arcs in an otherwise quirky series being hailed by many as some of the greatest shonen arcs of all time.
Kill la Kill
The Show's Insanity Never Lets Up
Kill la Kill
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2014
WHERE TO WATCH
Watching Kill la Kill genuinely feels like a fever dream at times. It combines a revenge story with magical girl elements and justified fan service that ends up enhancing the series' quality instead of taking away from it.
26 Best Next Gen Anime
With the start of a new decade, new shows emerge, striving to outperform ones that previously captivated audiences. These anime do exactly that.
Ryuko Matoi's quest to find her father's killer in a school full of horrible people leads to her finding super-powered clothes that transform into a chainmail bikini yet let her wield a ton of power. All of this happens in no time, and the anime gets even weirder after this moment without losing any of its charms.
Devilman Crybaby
One Of The Weirdest Anime Of All Time
Devilman Crybaby
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
When Netflix decided to expand its offerings by branching out into the realm of anime, it decided to adapt Devilman as its first project. This led to the release of Devilman Crybaby, one of the weirdest and goriest anime of all time, which is riveting from start to end.
After Akira becomes a devil following a graphic sequence of events, the anime gets even more unhinged. The surreal visuals add to the show's unique vibes, eventually culminating in one of the most harrowing ending sequences of all time, which makes Devilman Crybaby a tragic masterpiece for the ages.
Monogatari
The Series Is A Fever Dream For The Ages
Monogatari
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 3, 2009
The Monogatari series is so weird that it's hard to get into. Along with copious amounts of fan service, the anime features everything from dreamlike visuals to supernatural creatures that spice up the show considerably.
However, Monogatari is not easy to watch, and most people may drop this series in just an episode or two because of how unabashedly bizarre the show is. If this show clicks with fans, then they'll waste no time in checking out all the sequels and spinoffs this franchise has generated.
Best Anime You Can Binge In One Day
There's nothing like binging a whole series in one go. These amazing short anime won't take much of your time to complete.