Isekai anime was never in the spotlight in the past, as the subgenre of anime, manga, and light novels that involves characters transporting, reborn, or trapped in a parallel universe or fantasy world was not that popular. Sure, we have occasional bangers like Re:ZERO, KonoSuba, Overlord and No Game, No Life, but they stood out less to the then-Shounen-dominant time.
However, when In Another World With My Smartphone was released in the Summer of 2017, it started the train of Isekai anime as the genre became immensely popular, offering a wide range of narratives from action-packed adventures to comedic, romantic, or slice-of-life stories.
In recent years, you could see previews of adaptations of Isekai anime every season to the point you may feel you are watching the same overpowered male protagonist saving the world and romancing heroines. The situation has even led to the Chinese community labelling the generic genre as “Toilet Paper”, where you only watch it when bored or have nothing else to watch. Regardless, there are still some definitely worth watching, and we will rank the seven best Isekai anime of all time below.
7 Best Isekai Anime of All Time (Ranked)
1) Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Before its anime adaptation by Studio Bind in 2021, the light novel series written by Rifujin na Magonote and illustrated by Shirotaka, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation was considered one of the foundational works in the Isekai genre. In this Isekai anime, we follow the story of a 34-year-old NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) named Rudeus Greyrat, who dies in a tragic accident and then reincarnates in a fantasy world as an infant.
As per the genre, Rudeus retains his old memories in this new world filled with magic and resolves to make the most of his new life and avoid repeating past mistakes. For example, he embarks on numerous adventures, encountering allies and adversaries and exploring magical elements, diverse cultures, and various races to achieve his full potential.
However, what truly makes this our best Isekai anime of all time is the series’ heavy emphasis on Rudues redemption and self-improvement. The supporting characters also have unique personalities, much different from the typical falling in love with the MC at first glance.
Lastly, the series does not shy away from mature themes, including complex moral dilemmas, interpersonal relationships, and the consequences of one’s actions. If you saw the latest season, you know the trauma Rudues faced.
2) KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!
From a mature Isekai anime to a comedy-filled one, KonoSuba follows the story of Kazuma Satou, a teenager who dies in an embarrassing accident and reincarnates in a fantasy world. Before he ventures into the fantasy world, he encounters the goddess Aqua, who offers him the chance to bring one thing into the new world. As someone who never laid eyes on a beautiful woman, Kazuma chose Aqua, and the comedy journey began.
Along their adventures, the duo paired with other quirky characters, such as the explosion-obsessed wizard Megumin and the masochistic crusader Darkness. The series’ comedy often stems from the interactions between the main characters, each having distinct and exaggerated personality traits.
While KonoSuba includes elements typical of the Isekai genre, such as quests, skills, and guilds, it subverts many expectations, focusing more on everyday life and the comedic aspects of the character’s adventures. The comedic writing, likeable characters, and fresh take on the Isekai genre are our reasons for placing it second on our list.
Related: 10 Best Anime Movies of All Time
3) Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World
Moving from a protagonist enjoying life to one suffering throughout his life, Re:ZERO follows Subaru Natsuki, a typical high school student who suddenly finds himself in a fantasy world. However, unlike many other Isekai protagonists, Subaru has no extraordinary powers or abilities except for a unique and mysterious ability called “Return by Death.”
This ability allows him to return to a specific point after dying, essentially resetting events with his memories intact. It is a blessing and a curse as Subaru’s journey in this new world consists of challenges, danger, and emotional turmoil. For example, while the series begins with a seemingly light-hearted premise, it delves into darker themes, including violence, mental health struggles, and existential questions.
Similar to Rudues, Subaru’s character growth is the selling point of this Isekai anime, as his repeated experiences with death and loss challenge his mental fortitude and ethical beliefs.
4) That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Worldbuilding and evolution from weak to strong are common themes for Isekai anime, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime embraces both to a tee. Written by Fuse, the story follows Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old corporate worker who is killed in a stabbing incident and subsequently reincarnated in a fantasy world as a slime, a low-level monster with seemingly limited abilities.
However, the slime, later named Rimuru after befriending the Storm Dragon, Veldora, possesses unique powers, such as devouring other creatures and gaining their abilities. As Rimuru begins to explore this new world, he encounters various creatures, from goblins and wolves to dragons and demons. Using his abilities, intelligence, and charisma, Rimuru helps others and builds a community of monsters. This community eventually becomes a nation known as the Jura Tempest Federation, where different species coexist peacefully.
Unfortunately, peace is the hardest thing to obtain, even in fiction, as one specific scene challenged Rimuru’s ideas of a peace-loving community between humans and demi-humans. The story revolves around Rimuru’s growth in power and leadership, as his actions have the power to shake the world.
5) The Eminence in Shadow
The Eminence in Shadow is a recent Isekai anime adaptation, but it is quickly rising in the rankings due to its blend of comedy, action, and fantasy. The story follows a boy named Cid Kagenou, who, in his previous life, had a fascination with becoming a shadowy mastermind who operates behind the scenes, manipulating events without being directly involved.
After running to his death courtesy of Truck-kun, Cid reincarnates in a fantasy world where magic and manipulative organisations exist. Determined to live out his dream, Cid adopts the persona of “Shadow” and creates a secret organisation called “Shadow Garden.” In his nightly rendevous, he saves several girls whose magic went out of control and convinces them that he is part of a grand conspiracy to protect the world from an evil cult called the “Cult of Diablos.”
Interestingly, while Cid believes he is playing a game of make-believe, the cult actually exists, and his actions inadvertently lead to real-world consequences. The humour between us knowing everything is real, and Cid does not, is addictive as the series balances light-hearted, comedic moments with intense action scenes such as his iconic “I am Atomic” quotes.
6) No Game, No Life
Written and illustrated by Yuu Kamiya, No Game, No Life serves as many people’s introduction to Isekai anime. In this legacy anime, the story centres on two siblings, Sora and Shiro, who are unparalleled gamers in the real world. After being transported to a fantasy world where everything revolves around games, they must use their gaming skills to navigate and influence this new realm.
For further context, Sora and Shiro, also known as “Blank,” are an undefeated gaming duo. In the real world, they are reclusive and socially awkward, but their skills in games are unmatched. However, when a god named Tet summoned them to a parallel world called Disboard, the siblings set out to conquer this world by challenging its various races and rulers in games that range from simple bets to complex strategies.
Unlike typical Isekai anime troupes, No Game, No Life explores themes such as strategy, intelligence, and the nature of games as a form of expression and competition. It also delves into the relationship between Sora and Shiro, who rely heavily on each other for emotional support and trust, embodying the idea of unity and collaboration.
Stay tuned for a massive announcement on August 2, as the anime may finally get a sequel after so long.
7) Overlord
Overlord comes in as the final place of our Isekai anime list as the multiple-season anime stands out for its unique premise, combining the elements of a game with a richly developed fantasy world.
The story begins with the protagonist, Suzuki Satoru, a salaryman and player of the virtual reality MMORPG Yggdrasil. Satoru plays as Momonga, the undead overlord and the leader of the guild Ainz Ooal Gown in the game, as he logs in one final time before the servers shut down. However, when the scheduled time passes, Satoru finds himself unable to log out and realises he is in a world resembling Yggdrasil with unique rules and inhabitants.
As Ainz Ooal Gown, he decides to explore this new world by gathering information and establishing his dominance with his supported crew of loyal NPCs (Non-Player Characters) of his guild, who have gained sentience and regard him with unwavering loyalty. The series follows Ainz as he navigates politics, conflicts, and mysteries, often leading to moral and ethical dilemmas.
Closing Notes
With everything said, Isekai anime continues to be a versatile and popular genre, offering a wide range of stories and experiences. Its appeal lies in the fantasy of escape, adventure, and transformation, allowing audiences to explore new worlds and possibilities alongside the characters.
If we miss out on some notable inclusions such as Tanya, Sword Art Online or Log Horizon, let us know on our Facebook page as we post timely updates of your favourite anime and gaming news.
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